[CSM3]

Hey guys,

I am looking to purchase a car out of state from a private seller and was wondering if you guys have any tips or advice for me.

I am purchasing the car blind, but have had enough info, pictures and detailed emails with the seller, to know and feel comfortable with the car he is selling.

The title is clear, but there is still a loan on it, hence he said he would require payment from me before he can get the title. I told him that i will not pay the full amount as agreed for the car, but at most will transfer half of the money owed, and a cashiers order upon delivery of the car. Does this sound okay with you guys?

I searched google and the RMV and understand that i need to provide:
1. Bill of Sale
2. Title
when registering the vehicle AKA paying the 6.25% mass tax .
3. after which i can just transfer my plates on to the new car and go for an inspection.

Am i missing out on anything?

Thanks guys!

[2Times]

I got mine from out of state (CT)... you are 100% correct. You better be getting a REAL good deal because the BEST case is that nothing goes wrong. I got mine from a BMW dealer and still had a headache registering it. I tried to put a price on my headache... I would have paid $2k more to have avoided it. Just my two cents.

[CSM3]

Originally Posted by 2Times

I got mine from out of state (CT)... you are 100% correct. You better be getting a REAL good deal because the BEST case is that nothing goes wrong. I got mine from a BMW dealer and still had a headache registering it. I tried to put a price on my headache... I would have paid $2k more to have avoided it. Just my two cents.

Could you elaborate further on the "headache" of registering it please?
Thanks.

[2Times]

Originally Posted by bimmer35

Could you elaborate further on the "headache" of registering it please?
Thanks.

I had to wait for the dealer to get the title then send it to me. They were supposed to have it when I went to pick up the car. I traded in my old car and drove the new one home with temp plates (in a BLIZZARD, I wasn't going to drive back). It took them 3 weeks to get the title so I couldn't register the car until I got it. Long story short, I didn't end up getting the title in hand until 5 weeks after I purchased it. Temp plates are good for 4 weeks.

I realize that was a bad dealer experience but there was no rush from the dealer... they had money in hand and the extra steps of getting me the title was just extra 'work' for them. If it were a local place, would have been much easier.

[CSM3]

Originally Posted by 2Times

I had to wait for the dealer to get the title then send it to me. They were supposed to have it when I went to pick up the car. I traded in my old car and drove the new one home with temp plates (in a BLIZZARD, I wasn't going to drive back). It took them 3 weeks to get the title so I couldn't register the car until I got it. Long story short, I didn't end up getting the title in hand until 5 weeks after I purchased it. Temp plates are good for 4 weeks.

I realize that was a bad dealer experience but there was no rush from the dealer... they had money in hand and the extra steps of getting me the title was just extra 'work' for them. If it were a local place, would have been much easier.

Thanks for the explanation man! I was kinda freaked out that the RMV had some strict regulation or something. So long story short, i am only paying when i get the title in hand yes?

One last question. How do you get temp plates in mass?

Thanks so much!

[LuisBoston]

Originally Posted by bimmer35

Thanks for the explanation man! I was kinda freaked out that the RMV had some strict regulation or something. So long story short, i am only paying when i get the title in hand yes?

One last question. How do you get temp plates in mass?

Thanks so much!

MA doesn't have temp plates.

I've sold a car private party before and I had a loan on it much like I do now. I forgot how that worked out because it was 12 years ago, but there wasn't any problem. It helped that the person buying it was local. This time, my bank is downstairs at work, so again, my situation will be much easier when I find a buyer.

What car are you buying?

[2Times]

Originally Posted by bimmer35

Thanks for the explanation man! I was kinda freaked out that the RMV had some strict regulation or something. So long story short, i am only paying when i get the title in hand yes?

One last question. How do you get temp plates in mass?

Thanks so much!

The temp plates would have to come from the state you're buying the car from. I had CT temp plates on. The dealer had them there.

As far as payment, they won't be able to get the lean cleared from the title until it's 100% paid off. You'll either need a letter from the lean holder (in NY that's what they do) or a title that doesn't show a lean. Not sure how long that will take to get. Payment between you and the seller doesn't really matter. You need the receipt showing what you paid (bill of sale) from them though.

[thegrinchboy]

It's been a while, but I think you also need proof of insurance upon purchase. As the above poster noted, the title will be released by the bank until the loan is paid off, so not sure how one would get a cleared title, with only 1/2 the loan paid, unless the seller is putting up the other half. Personally, I would be skeptical in handing over any money for car without a cleared title...

Good luck!

[virtualbong]

I purchased my motorcycle out of state and I paid the balance of the loan and had him tell the bank that the title belonged to me. He would hold the bike and I would receive the title so that I could register the bike in Massachusetts, get a license plate and ride the bike home. Not sure if it works the same for where you are purchasing the car from.

Update.

I also had to tell my insurance company too.

[CSM3]

Thanks for all the advice guys.

To sum up all the advice:
1. Get an inspection done on the car.
2. Payment of loan to bank directly.
3. Remainder upon delivery of car.
4. Delivery of car ONLY when Clear Title is available.
5. Bill of Sale, copy of his registration, copy of my insurance.
6. RMV.

[2Times]

Originally Posted by bimmer35

Thanks for all the advice guys.

To sum up all the advice:
1. Get an inspection done on the car.
2. Payment of loan to bank directly.
3. Remainder upon delivery of car.
4. Delivery of car ONLY when Clear Title is available.
5. Bill of Sale, copy of his registration, copy of my insurance.
6. RMV.

#1 should be last.... you have to get the car inspected after you register it in Mass... you have 10 days to inspect it after its registered here.

[CSM3]

Originally Posted by 2Times

#1 should be last.... you have to get the car inspected after you register it in Mass... you have 10 days to inspect it after its registered here.

Do you know how long i have to get the car registered after the bill of sale is notarized? Or does it even need to be notarized?

Reason i ask is that the seller said his bank will release the title 24hours after full payment of the loan is made. So i was thinking i could just give say a $1000 deposit to hold the car, and then bring a cashiers order for the remainder upon pick up. Drive the car off, and have him overnight the title to me once he gets it. He claims he can get it within 24hours, and it seems feasible if they have a direct relation with the bank.

Can i drive the car away without the title? But at least i have the car, and he has the title. Versus, payment of $XXX to the bank, and then he would have the title + car. Before i come pick it up.

thanks again.

[2Times]

Originally Posted by bimmer35

Do you know how long i have to get the car registered after the bill of sale is notarized? Or does it even need to be notarized?

Reason i ask is that the seller said his bank will release the title 24hours after full payment of the loan is made. So i was thinking i could just give say a $1000 deposit to hold the car, and then bring a cashiers order for the remainder upon pick up. Drive the car off, and have him overnight the title to me once he gets it. He claims he can get it within 24hours, and it seems feasible if they have a direct relation with the bank.

Can i drive the car away without the title? But at least i have the car, and he has the title. Versus, payment of $XXX to the bank, and then he would have the title + car. Before i come pick it up.

thanks again.

I don't believe it has to be notarized, the last letter I got was literally 2 sentences saying that the loan was paid off.

Technically without a plate on it, you can not drive it away. You can't transfer your plate without the title.

I'm not sure how soon the car has to be registered after purchase... 30 days makes sense to me but I may have just made up that number

It all comes down to how much you trust the guy.

[neelkc12]

Why not make it a sticky.? Great post and summary

[cb4]

You don't need to notorize the bill of sale.

[cb4]

Yes you can drive the car away without the title.

If I were you I wouldn't give the seller a dime until you take possession. Give home the check to send to his bank, do the bill of sale. Drive it you your home and get it insured.

Then wait patiently for your title to arrive. When it does, go to your local rmv and register the car. You will pay your sales tax then.

Cheers and good luck!

[cb4]

Ask him if you can keep his plates on for the drive home and then FedEx them back if he wants them back.

[CSM3]

Haha thanks guys! All great tips! We really should make this a sticky. I think we covered almost everything on here!

[cb4]

Ok now that the logistics have been covered. Whatcha buying?

[SLOWER]

I bought the car I have now in NY. Drove out to see it, made the deal, went out again with my insurance binder to get the bill of sale and title, brought the bill of sale and title to the RMV, got new plates, went back to NY to pick up the car. The ride home was AWESOME.

[ska///235i]

great info...i always want to find a nice car somewhere in Cali

[CSM3]

Originally Posted by cb4

Ask him if you can keep his plates on for the drive home and then FedEx them back if he wants them back.

If i bring my plates over when picking up the car, i wont need his right?