I actually didn't let the last guy go for a test drive and he understood. I think that may be why he insists on taking it to the dealer to be checked out. I'm hoping that this materializes into a sale. I hate dealing with all this stuff.

Alex

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1983 300D (parked for four years)
2012 VW Sportwagen TDI Manual
2001 Miata SE
1962 Chevrolet Corvair Rampside

I've sold a few over the years. You really do need to let perspective buyers test drive the car. You can do things to protect yourself from having the vehicle stolen, as it seems to be what you are worried about. With as touchy as I am about my vehicles, I insist on tagging along. If they balk, then no deal. If they're honest, they will typically have no problem. I've found perspective buyers to be quite willing to have me as a passenger. It also enables them to be able to ask questions as they test drive the car. I am also comfortable with the fact that they aren't going to beat the tar out of the car on the drive with me in it. If you don't want to tag along, then you can request some kind of collateral. Again, honest serious buyers typically won't balk. If they do ask why, all you need to do is politely tell them that you've had problems in the past and want to avoid a repeat. Again, if they balk, then no drive.

I have also found that there are times when you may need to be an a**hole to people. On one vehicle, the caller started demanding what I was and was not going to supply them, and that I was required by law. When I responded with the fact that I was not required as I was not a dealer, they started getting obnoxious on the phone. I told them that I wouldn't sell them the car at any price, and hung up on them.

All sales need to be by cash or cashiers check - NO personal checks.

How can you not let a prospective buyer drive your car? No wonder he wants a PPI.

I offered him a drive out of guilt after I drove it with him in the passenger seat and he said it was ok. I'm sure this dealer inspection will reveal whatever he wants to know.

Alex

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1983 300D (parked for four years)
2012 VW Sportwagen TDI Manual
2001 Miata SE
1962 Chevrolet Corvair Rampside

One shouldn't have to walk the buyer down to change the title. I just fill out a bill of sale and we both sign it. That should serve as very adequate proof that you don't own it anymore in case they keep driving it while it is still under your name. Once I got that I never worried about it. Any standard legal form bill of sale with the blanks filled in should suffice. It is also good for the buyer to have a copy.

What I was going to do was to give him the VIN#, have him go get insurance for it, then, when he comes back with the insurance information, have him give me a cashier's check (or cash preferably, but I understand if someone doesn't want to have that kind of cash), then release the title WITHOUT releasing the car. I would NOT want to give him the car with my registration sticker or license plate. I'd have him go get the car registered THEN have him come pick it up.

Alex

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1983 300D (parked for four years)
2012 VW Sportwagen TDI Manual
2001 Miata SE
1962 Chevrolet Corvair Rampside

From a buyer point of view. I never thought twice about having the owner in the car during a test drive. Actually, gave me some opporunities to ask about the car's history and such. Once, it allowed me to take a 'long' drive about 35 minutes.

I've always gone with the owner to get the title transferred too. That may be a requirement in PA, but I'm not sure.

This thread has provided some great advice that I hope to remember if I ever sell my car.

Scape: too bad about the bogus cashiers checks ! You are right though; Cash is King. Just funny carrying that much cash around.

James

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James

85 300SD 285k
Charcoal Gray/Grey MB-Tex

79 300CD 142000mi "Rabenshwarz"
Black / Black MB-Tex, Burlwood Int. TOTALLED - 10/24/02 --

Spending more than $10K in cash on anything, I believe, is a violation of US tax law. Also, in PA, used car sales are typically done at a notary's office, so the transfer occurs right then and there.

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Bob Roe
Lehigh Valley PA USA
1973 Olds 88, 1972 MB 280SE, 1978 Datsun 280Z, 1971 Ford T-Bird, 1972 Olds 88, 1983 Nissan Sentra, 1985 Sentra, 1973 230.6, 1990 Acura Integra, 1991 Volvo 940GLE wagon, 1983 300SD, 1984 300SD, 1995 Subaru Legacy L wagon, 2002 Mountaineer, 1991 300TE wagon, 2008 Murano, 2007 R320CDI 4Matic 52K, some Hyundai, 2008 BMW 535xi wagon, all gone... currently
2007 Honda Odyssey Touring, 2014 E350 4matic

It is not at all illegal. It WILL get you flagged by the feds and watched for a period of time to make sure that you are not doing anything illegal.

When I sold my old house, I used the profits to pay off the note on my Dodge truck. Even though the money was in the form of a cashiers check, the teller gave me this "I'll need to clear this with my supervisor" line. I watched her go to the back room, and from my vantage, I could clearly see her make a phone call. When she got back, I asked her if the feds gave me permission to deposit my money. The look on her face was total astonishment, as if I had guessed dead on who she had called.

A cashiers check is still cash in the eyes of a bank, auto dealership, mortgage handler, feds, etc. The only difference is that one takes MUCH longer to count!