Buying a car out of state

[Calvin C.]

What are the best ways to purchase a car out of state. Say 1000+ miles away, and the title is held by a local bank. with pictures and questions and no hands on review. thanks cal

[Harry S.]

Re: Buying a car out of state

Not sure I understand your question. Is this a financial question or a car assessment question?

[Jack C.]

Re: Buying a car out of state

I would sure like to see a copy of the title from the current owner with the name of the bank as being the lien holder. Then I would contact the bank and see if I can get some info from them regarding a potential sale.

[Calvin C.]

Re: Buying a car out of state

Never purchased from out of state, so I am looking for advice on how to deal with the bank and owner, also how to evaluate a car with pictures and questions. What pitfalls to look for. Good car haulers. I will contact their bank personally. I have seen general pictures, and I did ask for some frame pictures and I am awaiting those. Any areas I could ask for pictures, I am concerned about frame, bird gage looks OK in pics. I always get good info from you guys no matter how basic you think it is, and even if I know the info the confidence you give me helps a lot on something like this. Thanks Cal

[Chuck M.]

Re: Buying a car out of state

Cal,
You might consider contacting the local chapter where the car is located. I am sure someone with knowledge would be willing to look the car over for you. This would be far more reliable than photos that don't really tell the whole story. Just my $.02.

Good Luck!!!

Chuck

[William C.]

Re: Buying a car out of state

I agree with Charles. "One look is worth a thousand reports"

[Thomas H.]

Re: Buying a car out of state

Calvin,

I have bought two cars out of state. Find the local chapter or post here looking for someone local to the car to inspect it for you. (You can also post over on the Corvette Forum for some inspection help if you get no response here) You will have to pay for their time, but I can tell you from first hand experience, it is money well spent. Make sure you find an inspector well versed in the model year you are looking at if you want the best feedback.

When I bought my 71, I received a three page hand written report plus a 45 min phone call from the inspector to go over the report. When I received the car and compared it to what I was told, it was spot on, no surprises or disappointments.

Since the title is held by a bank, you need to contact them. They may want the money wired to them and they would cut a check to the seller for any balance. My transactions have always been via wire transfer and they each went smooth.

There are many shipping companies out there and I'm sure if you post were the car is and where you need t get it to, several folks here can recommend a carrier.

Just make sure you cover all the bases before you send any $$.

Depending on the cost of airfare, you may just want to fly out and see the car yourself.

Let us know what you end up getting............

Tom

[Tim G.]

Re: Buying a car out of state




The lender situation throws a curve into things. I think a conference call between you, the lender and owner is in order. You want to be sure that the lender and seller are in line on what is owed on the vehicle. Sometimes lenders hold a title because of a line of credit and may not be willing to release the title until the line is paid down. The seller could be upside-down in the vehicle and the lender may not want to release the title.

If you go to look at the car, you can hopefully meet with the lender and seller to be sure they are on the same page as to what it takes to release the title.

[Ara G.]

Re: Buying a car out of state

I purchased my maroon coupe from California. The seller was, and still is, one of the nicest guys you will ever deal with BUT at the time I bought the car I didn't know him....so I made sure that the seller contacted his bank and authorized the bank representative to speak with me. Without that authorization, they won't even take your call. That way I confirmed in writing, and telephonically, that with the satisfaction of the lien the title would be overnighted to me. I also made the bank rep and her supervisor send me written confirmation of this. I obviously put all this in the detailed bill of sale. I had the car inspected (as I reside in Florida and couldn't be further away from California) so the condition of the car wasn't a huge concern...but the "business" end of it was....I asked the seller to send me the original documentation of the car once I sent him a modest deposit. He did. That gave me more confidence to proceed further. I also had the car shipper confirm with the seller the date and time of pick up. I coordinated the shipper to pick up the car the day I wired the money. That way I would be covered, God forbid. Again, since then the seller and I have become good friends, and he is such a nice guy...but at the time of the sale I didn't know him from Adam...so I had to cover my AS&. Make sure a very detailed and specific bill of sale is drafted, including jurisdictional agreements. My deal went smooth as silk, but I got lucky...things can go very wrong. Also, and very importantly, confirm that there are no other liens or title defects. The last thing you want to do is satisfy THAT one particular bank's lien to find out there is another lien out there on the car....Proceed cautiously.....Good luck....ARA

[Bill H.]

Re: Buying a car out of state

I have both sold and purchased collector cars in other states, and while there is certainly risk involved, it is a manageable risk as long as the seller (and you) are willing to be a bit flexible regarding the sale. Your best choice is to view the car yourself, even though there may be some expense involved in doing so. Second best choice is a local NCRS member with appropriate creds to help establish trust. A little prep work before hand in regards to inspection of the car is a good practice. What is ideal in this regard is access to a shop or repair facility with a hoist so you or your rep can do a full inspection of the undercarriage. Even though the car may be located now in a state that does not salt the roads in winter months, the car may have spent time in the past in an area of the country that does. This also allows you access to the trans. and differential numbers and stamp codes, and also allows you to inspect for frame damage and exhaust system integrity. Document verification can be accomplished by photos of documents sent via email. Most state-to-state banking transactions are conducted via wire transfer. If you have a close, trusting relationship with your banker you may be allowed to hand carry a certified or cashier's check for the transaction, providing the receiving bank will accept it, and they may put a standard 10 day hold on the check. Regarding shipping: as mentioned above, recommendations from club members is a great source. Remember to be patient and flexible...good communication and thorough prep work is the key. Good Luck!!

[Calvin C.]

Re: Buying a car out of state

What is the best way talk to a NCRS member for an inspection. The bank is ASB in Williston North Dakota and the car is near there. thanks Cal

[Michael H.]

Re: Buying a car out of state

Purchasing a Corvette without actually looking at it is a little like purchasing a mail order bride.

Spend the money/time to actually see the car. Or pay someone to do it for you.

[Bill H.]

Re: Buying a car out of state

You should be able to look up here on this site to find out what NCRS chapter serves the area where the car is, or Google "NCRS Chapter North Dakota". It will likely be a regional chapter comprising several states in that area. Once you find the local chapter website, you should be able to contact someone there who can hopefully point you in the right direction.

[Michael M.]

[Richard M.]

Re: Buying a car out of state

Have the car inspected or go inspect it yourself, if you have the car inspected and decide to buy have his bank draft on your bank with the title enclosed. that way you get the title when they get the money. talk to your banker about this.