How do you buy a car from out of state? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JenTay · #1 09-22-2008, 09:18 PM

I'm in NC and considering buying a car in CA.

My husband and I would fly to CA and drive it home. We'll take 5 days to get home and make a roadtrip vacation out of it.

Question. How do we deal with the car tags and registration? or insurance? IF there is a chance that we choose not to buy the car upon inspection, should we wait till then to get the temporary tags from NC mailed to CA?

How would it work logistically?

MTI · #2 09-22-2008, 09:30 PM

"Title" to the car is in CA. The transfer of that title should be to you in CA. That way you can be assured of the release of any liens or "stoppers" on the title of the vehicle in the most convenient location.

The tags and insurance should also be CA, until you transfer to you home state's registration.

kerry · #3 09-22-2008, 09:51 PM

California gives a 'one trip' temporary tag to get home. It is inexpensive.

iwrock · #4 09-22-2008, 10:23 PM

Wheres it at in CA?

You need someone to look at it for you?

If so, let me know.

suginami · #5 09-22-2008, 10:31 PM

If the car is in So. Cal., I'd be glad to look at it for you.

super SEC · #6 09-22-2008, 10:59 PM

I've always had them shipped. It is much cheaper than trying to make the drive back and airfare to retreive the car.

t walgamuth · #7 09-23-2008, 06:05 AM

Once the car is yours, your own insurance company, in my experience will be automatically on it with coverage equal to your main policy for up to 30 days.

Sounds like fun. I hope it works out for you.

I probably could not get the Mrs to do that unless it was some place really interesting to go.

Gregg Brady · #8 09-23-2008, 07:01 AM

It might be a CA car now, but make sure it isn't a car that is being title washed in CA and really came from WA state or some other rust prone area.

I once bought a Arizona titled car in FL, only to find out the it was only in AZ for a few months. In reality, it was a NH car with alot of chassis rust from salt.

My local Caddilac dealer has a 2004 Seville on sale for $8000, when I ran the title check I found out it had been in Detroit until four months ago. If it's too good to be true....

rs899 · #9 09-23-2008, 07:39 AM

The rustiest car I own is a Citroen that lived in Northern Ca that I bought (stupidly) without seeing.

If you have offers to have someone look at the car, by all means, take them up on it.

Also, make sure you figure the true cost of driving it home vs having it shipped. If you want to see an adventure, look up a thread by "Imagesinthewind" from earlier in the year....

Rick

LUVMBDiesels · #10 09-23-2008, 08:04 AM

I have to agree with the have it shipped crew. When I bought my Impala SS in Florida I did it all sight unseen. I had a reputable car appraisal and inspection company (you can find them in Hemmings) goover the car, determine it'strue worth and then I made the deal. The seller took a certified check and Fed Exed me the title. I had a shipper (Horseless Carriges I believe) put it in an enclosed truck and deliver it to my door. I had NY insurance and plates all ready for her when she go to me.

Other cars I bought out of state were closer to home. I would buy the car, get the title, get plates and insurance and them pick up the car.

For the SDL, I just had AAA flat bed it to my house. I stuck the plate off the 300SD on the back of the car and called them with a 'brakedown'! The car wasin Va and I live in WV about 80 miles from where the car was.

suginami · #11 09-23-2008, 11:29 AM

Shipping cars is for sissies.

I say it's time for a road trip!

KarTek · #12 09-23-2008, 11:39 AM

I bought my E300 from Texas. Piece of cake...

1. Call your insurance company and give them the VIN and tell them when (which day) you want the insurance to kick in.
2. Fly to where car is.
3. Have owner sign over car to you legally in that state including any required notorizations. Also have the current owner provide you with a notorized bill of sale.
4. If they have transfer tags, great, drive it home that way.
5. Back home, give the notorized bill of sale and properly signed over title to NCDMV. Pay your "highway use" tax.
6. Get NC title about a week later.

aklim · #13 09-23-2008, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

Once the car is yours, your own insurance company, in my experience will be automatically on it with coverage equal to your main policy for up to 30 days.

Sounds like fun. I hope it works out for you.

I probably could not get the Mrs to do that unless it was some place really interesting to go.

I know that is how it is done in WI but is that a federal law or up to the insurance company? I would check with my agent first.

aklim · #14 09-23-2008, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JenTay

Question. How do we deal with the car tags and registration? or insurance? IF there is a chance that we choose not to buy the car upon inspection, should we wait till then to get the temporary tags from NC mailed to CA?

Here is how I have done it for the 3 cars I have bought. 2 in IL and 1 in NY. Go there and get the title signed over to you. MAKE DAMN SURE you have no liens. I reported a title lost one time and got a replacement. Later on, I had a lien on it for some reason or other and the new title had the lien on it. I got the lein removed and found my old title back. I used the old title to sell the car so I didn't have to pay for a new one. What this means is that the title said "No lien" but at one time, it did have a lien. I would go with you to the DMV and get the title transfered if it were me.

I wouldn't bother with the tags. I just drove it home with a sign at the back that said LAF.

iwrock · #15 09-23-2008, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

I know that is how it is done in WI but is that a federal law or up to the insurance company? I would check with my agent first.

Thats part of California law....