Car sale help ...
 

I sold my car for $4,100 today! I was very pleased with the sale ... a nice gentleman from Colorado will be coming to collect it on Tuesday. I was hoping for a little post-sale help from forum members. I live in Wisconsin, he lives in Colorado. He's going to drive the car back to Colorado after I collect him from the airport. He thinks that we both need to go to the DMV to have temporary plates issued for the car so that he can have something on it to get him back to Colorado, but I was under the impression that you can go to pretty much any dealership, get temp. tags and you're done. I wouldn't want to keep my plates on the car, right?

Will we need to make a trip to the DMV, or can I just have temp tags put on for him and save the trip? In Wisconsin, we keep our titles, so I will sign that over to him, and I will also write a bill of sale and a letter stating that I sold him the car. I have a lien release document that I'll forward to him in about a week so that he can title the car in Colorado.

Am I missing anything? THANKS for the help.

He has to get a temporary permit from his own DMV but if you do have a dealer that is willing to put their neck out for a temp tag go for it.

You need the title to get the temp tag. If you want to be nice, go and get the tag for him before he picks up the car. Or at least show him where the DMV is.

OK ... so it sounds like I can get the temp. plates for him without him actually being there. That's mainly what I wanted to know. If I can do this myself, then I should be good to go.

You need to mail him the title after you receive payment, than he can go to his own DMV and register it/insure in. I don't see a reason for him to get temp plates, thats just more work. Your DMV won't give a damn, just make sure to turn the plates in so you don't keep paying taxes on it.

I just sold my SDL to Joe in FL, thats how its done.

Go to the DMV with him after he agrees the car is good and worth buying, take your plates off, get him temp tags (he pays), have him sign a Bill of Sale (in that doc should state that you'll send him title when you receive it), send him on his way, and send title overnight THE DAY you get it. That's the right way to do it.

I've always gotten temporary tags from the state in which I am purchasing the vehicle. I'm not sure what you mean by 'we keep the title'? He'll need a title signed over to him to register it in Colorado I think.

Go to your DMV with him, and for a small fee, about $5-$10 in most states, get a "One Trip Permit" to stick on the windshield of the car.


These are for the purpose of giving him about 20-30 days to take ONE TRIP with the car from its point of purchase in your state to its new residence in the buyers' state.


This is all that should be needed.

What's wrong with just unscrewing the plates, give him the car, keys and title when he comes with the CASH. He can take the car home and register it there with the bill of sale and title transfer.

You don't need plates or anything like that. Last few times I bought a car, that was how it was.

Make sure he shows you his DL and signs the Bill of Sale along with something that explicitly says NO WARRANTIES EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. SOLD AS IS

So he drives from Wisconsin to Colorado with no registration? Boy, you sure are a nice guy.

Take him to DMV and let him get temporary reg for the ride back, I'd go with him in case DMV throws up any roadblacks, which they seem to enjoy doing;)

Because if a nosey State Trooper or Highway Patrolman spots a car rolling on the Highway with no plates on it, that is probable cause to pull him over, search the car, issue a citation for no plates and whatever else he decides to think up, that's why.


I thought this thread
was about how the seller could make it easier for the buyer who intends to cross state lines to drive the car home.

It would be better if it had some official paper or sticker to travel without the likelihood of Police encounters, I think.

I drove from NY back to WI with just nothing. Stopped a couple of times but showed the paperwork and they let me go.

Either the state laws differ or the cops were being tolerant. But like others I believe the proper way is to have registration or at least a temporary moving permit. Otherwise why do these permits even exist, if no one needs them. By the way, I never issued a bill of sale to anyone I sold a car to. You don't really need to do that, at least the DMV in my state doesn't need it for private purchases, just a signed title will do.

Revenue maybe?

Oh yes you do. Someone came back and tried to get his money back from my buddy because he said the brakes were defective. Get this, he came back a month AFTER the sale and said that my buddy should fix it at his expense. You buy my car, you will sign it and it will have an "AS IS" clause and a "No warranty expressed or implied.". In fact someone on another board sold the kid an ATV and they sued to get money back. They won because the kid was minor. I'd have made the adult sign it.

I'd think unless you give the buyer a warranty in writing, the buyer has no case against you. I guess they make exceptions for minors, but I don't sell cars to minors.