Anyone have any advice on buying a used car from a private party in another state?

I've got my eyes on a car in florida and I know I can get it shipped. But I don't really know about making sure it hasn't been wrecked, flooded, etc since this stuff doesn't always show up on carfax reports.

2/7/2007 8:23:43 AM

I was about to buy a car out of state but from a dealer and i am glad i stayed in state, because they took care of all the DMV shit themselves, I didnt have to do anything, always a plus!

IMO

1) do not buy a car without seeing/test driving it, unless you have that much money and can throw it away if it is a POS

2/7/2007 9:32:04 AM

No Katrina vehicles.

2/7/2007 10:24:06 AM

I'd really want to check it out first, or at least have a mechanic or someone down there check it out.

2/7/2007 11:30:36 AM

get hi resolution photos from every angle. i almost bought a car from florida last year. the carfax was fine, the photos showed mildew behind the radio face, and scratch marks all over the side of the car that mysteriously stopped about 2 feet up the car- from where floating debris was contacting the paint.


there are a lot of katrina cars in florida. once the car crosses state lines the title can be cleaned.


the only reason to buy out of state is if you are trying to find a particular car/ features.

i had to fly to ohio to buy a maxima with a manual tranny.

2/7/2007 2:24:40 PM

Yeah, I'm looking for an Acura CL Type S with a six speed, since the automatic trannies tend to blow up.

2/7/2007 4:49:34 PM

get a pre-purchase inspection at an Acura dealership (~ $140.00), it doesnt have to be for

sale at that dealership

or

pay a service that will check the vehicle out before making a trip down there


if the car is that valuable to you, it should be a no brainer

i went to phoenix to drive / see my car before buying it after the inspection was complete

take a check and dont sign it over until you are completely satisfied

you can always leave with or without the car

2/8/2007 3:37:06 PM

bttt

5/21/2007 9:23:00 AM

anyone ever had any problems with throwing a "tag applied for" tag on the back to get a car home from out of state? i guess i just need a title application and the damage form (or whatever its called) but unless i get the title sent in advance i cant figure out how to get tags on it to get it home.

5/21/2007 12:31:16 PM

^you can apply for transit tags, 25$ i think

where in florida?

[Edited on May 21, 2007 at 12:51 PM. Reason : info]

5/21/2007 12:50:31 PM

bttt

5/21/2007 2:39:24 PM

Quote :

"I was about to buy a car out of state but from a dealer and i am glad i stayed in state, because they took care of all the DMV shit themselves, I didnt have to do anything, always a plus!"

That was a pain, but if you do it from an out of state dealer, they refunded me the cost of registration etc. (so at least you don't have to pay for it on your own too).

5/21/2007 3:00:31 PM

well i dont know that i want it yet, but the car is in iowa. apparently iowa gives you 30 days without tags as long as you have all of the paper work with you, so i guess i would be good.

so if i get it i think i know the process for getting the title and tags, but do i have to get a state inspection right away? how does that all work.

5/21/2007 3:37:27 PM

I was living in Virginia and bought a car from a dealership in Delaware. Of course all of it's Delware stuff was up to date (it had a Delaware temp tag on it, up to date inspection, etc). VA's law was that you had 60 days to get it inspected in VA, and then get tags, I would imagine it would be similar.

Are you bringing it back to NC? It's the laws of the state that you are moving the car too that matter, not where you are getting it from (although I guess you could get pulled over on the drive home while you were still in Iowa if the Iowa stuff wasn't up to date).

5/22/2007 3:34:04 PM