Need advice buying a car long distance

A short Skype or FaceTime video call can give you a better idea of the condition than just pictures and the owners description. That way if you see something during the call you could ask for them to give you a better close up of an area or part. As a seller I would be hesitant to dedicate that much time for tire kickers, so you would have to be perceived as a serious buyer. Money transfer at a local bank and make that known before hand. Not everyone is an up and up honest seller, a mark from far away is a good victim.