Cruisin Classics

Cruisin Classics is a classic, muscle car and hot rod dealer in Columbus, Ohio, operating from a 56,000 square foot showroom on Fisher Road. The company says it has been in business at the same location since 1996. It sells cars from its own stock, runs a brokerage program for owners who want to sell, and added a service and restoration arm, the Cruisin Classics Performance Center, in 2016.

History and who they are

Cruisin Classics says it bought and sold cars for many years, mostly everyday drivers, before building its current showroom in 1996. The owners say their real passion was muscle cars and hot rods, and that the facility now houses hundreds of cars under one roof. The company describes its vehicles as hand-picked to fit the inventory, and says its business model has lasted almost 25 years. Its site also lists community sponsorships, including the Kiwanis Club of Columbus, the Columbus USO, Honor Flight and Special Olympics.

What they sell

The inventory centers on American classics, muscle cars and hot rods. The company describes its focus as classic, muscle and collector cars and hot rods, and ClassicCars.com showed 43 of its listings at the time of research. The website separates its stock into current inventory, new arrivals and a sold archive, which is a useful way to see what similar cars have brought. Because the stock changes constantly, browse the live listings rather than assuming a particular model is on the floor. To compare against the wider market, see Ohio classic cars for sale.

Buying from Cruisin Classics

The company invites buyers to inspect a car in person or send someone on their behalf, and sales staff can be reached by phone at the showroom. Its site covers several services that make a purchase easier:

• Financing: through two lenders it names, J.J. Best Banc and Co. and Woodside Credit.
• Shipping: it arranges delivery worldwide and lists domestic and international carriers it says it uses regularly.
• Trade-ins: accepted when the deal works for both sides; send photos and a detailed description to the company's email address.
• Appraisals: the company says it does not issue official appraisals of classic or muscle cars, but can refer buyers to local appraisers.

As with any dealer purchase, get the title status and VIN confirmed in writing and consider an independent inspection on a car you cannot see in person.

Selling through the brokerage program

Owners can sell through Cruisin Classics instead of handling buyers themselves. The company calls this its Brokerage program and says it carries no upfront or monthly fees. According to its site, the car is displayed indoors and never left outside, a reserve price (the minimum sale price) is set in writing, and the car is photographed with up to 60 high definition images and a live video. It is marketed on classic car websites and in the dealer's eBay Store, and the company says it handles the paperwork and title transfer once funds clear. The process runs from submitting vehicle details, through an in-person inspection and a signed agreement, to payment by check when the car sells. If you are weighing this route, read about how classic car consignment works and ask for the fee terms in writing, since the site does not publish the percentage or markup.

Service and Performance Center

Cruisin Classics says it opened its Performance Center in 2016 so customers would not need to send cars to several outside shops. The site lists work from oil changes to engine rebuilds, LS swaps, disc brake conversions and vintage air conditioning, with a separate phone number for appointments.

Reputation

The Better Business Bureau lists Cruisin Classics as not accredited, with an A+ rating and one complaint closed in the last three years. The BBB page showed no customer reviews. The company says it has operated for almost 25 years and describes 100 percent customer satisfaction as its goal. Note that the name is generic and is shared by unrelated music and car show brands, so check that any review you find refers to the Columbus dealer.

Visiting Cruisin Classics

The showroom is at 3575 Fisher Road, Columbus, Ohio 43228, just off Interstate 70 and, by the company's account, less than 15 minutes from the Columbus airport. Its site lists hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. The sales number is 614-276-7355.