Coyote Classics

Coyote Classics is a family-owned American classic and muscle car dealer in Greene, Iowa, a small town in the northeast part of the state. The company was started by Chad and Lisa Austin, who the BBB lists as owners, and it sells to buyers across the United States and, by its own count, in more than 20 countries. The dealership owns every car it sells and does not take vehicles on consignment.

History and how the business works

Local press coverage describes the Austins as hobbyists who turned a first muscle car purchase, a 1970 Plymouth Road Runner, into a business. The exact founding date is unclear: the BBB lists the business as started in 2005, a news report describes the current location being purchased in 2006, and the company's finance page cites 22 years of experience. Coyote Classics says Iowa law does not allow it to host consignments, and that every car in stock is titled in the dealership's name.

What Coyote Classics sells

The inventory is mostly 1950s to 1970s American steel, with a focus on muscle cars and Mopars, restomods and what the company calls turn-key classics. Recent featured cars on its site included a 1967 Camaro RS/SS at $69,995, a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible at $119,995 and a 1950 Mercury Eight at $42,995. Chevelles, Novas and Mustangs also turn up regularly in its listings.

Buying from Coyote Classics

The dealer publishes a step-by-step process, and it is more detailed than most. It says each listing includes photo galleries and walkaround and test-drive videos, and that the sales team will share what it knows about a car's condition. If you are weighing a purchase from any dealer, what to check before you buy is a good checklist to run alongside the dealer's own information.

• Deposit: a non-refundable $1,000 on cars under $45,000 and $2,000 on cars above that, applied to the price. The car is marked Sale Pending until paid in full.
• Paperwork: a purchase agreement signed electronically, plus a copy of photo ID as required by Iowa.
• Inspections: independent inspectors are welcome at the dealership during business hours, but the company says cars are not released or transported off-site for inspection.
• Warranty: cars are sold as-is with no warranty, as stated in the purchase documents and Buyer's Guide.
• Financing: there is no in-house financing, but the dealer refers buyers to lenders it names on its site, including JJ Best Banc, Collector Car Leaders and Woodside Credit.
• Shipping: arranged through a third-party broker, within the U.S. or overseas. The company says transport is booked once full payment is in, and a truck typically picks up within 14 days.

Selling or trading a car to Coyote Classics

The company says it buys quality muscle cars and takes trades, though it only accepts the kinds of cars it specializes in. Owners fill out a Sell Your Car form on its site, and the team reviews each submission. It does not offer consignment or appraisals.

Reputation

The BBB shows an A+ rating for Coyote Classics, though the business is not BBB Accredited. A Yelp listing for the dealership showed 23 reviews when checked. As with any remote classic purchase, read the as-is terms carefully, ask for the VIN and title status up front, and use the independent inspection option if you cannot visit. For more cars from around the state, see these Iowa classic cars for sale.

Visiting

The dealership is at 702 N 1st Street, Greene, Iowa 50636, and the phone number is (641) 816-3145. Its site lists office hours of Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central, with Saturday by appointment and closures on major holidays. It notes that Greene sits within driving distance of Omaha, Kansas City, Chicago and Minneapolis.