Help buying an out of state used car.

zanemoseley

Senior member
Feb 27, 2011
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So my wife is selling her 2005 Mustange GT and we're buying a 2008 GT500 about 6 hours away, its in NC, we're in TN.

Its our first used car and we're learning a ton. First of buying a car that is financed is a PITA, then our bank is not calling us back but giving us a great rate for a used car (3.15%). Since the bank is being so unresponsive we're going to pay out of pocket then finance about 40% once we have the title, I'm told this is easier anyone since we'll have the title in hand. We're paying with 2 cashier checks, one to his finance company for the layoff then one to him for the remainder.

Our city clerks office told us to get a notarized bill of sale which the seller is going to get. I'm having a hard time as to what else I need to transport it. My understanding is that he keeps his license plate. The clerk said we might look into a temporary license but I thought that was given at a car lot only, I have no idea where I would get one. My wife is flying next Saturday to test drive and pick it up.

So what is your guess, aside from the notarized bill of sale and proof of insurance what should I get to legally drive it back to TN. I think I can use the bill of sale to then register the vehicle in my home town.

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heymrdj

Diamond Member
May 28, 2007
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I believe your county clerk can issue you a temp tag for 10$. I would call them. Eventually you’ll have to take your transferred title to them to pay sales tax.
 

zanemoseley

Senior member
Feb 27, 2011
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I'll try to make some more calls tomorrow. Buying cars is such a hassle.

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deadlyapp

Diamond Member
Apr 25, 2004
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Yeah - you should be able to get a temp tag from either the state you're buying it in, or the state you're going to register it in. If you need to smog it, I'd smog it before you complete any paperwork. He needs to sign the title over to you and a bill of sale at minimum. Notarized isn't probably necessary, but is smart.

Once the title is in your possession, it shouldn't be too hard to get the bank to cut you a check for the financing. I was thinking in my head that it would be an issue, but I don't see why it should be to them as long as you have the collateral.

Edit: I've many times gotten temp tags to move cars that are unregistered. Both in California and in Washington. Usually they're valid for 3-7 days and either cost nothing, or cost very little.
 

zanemoseley

Senior member
Feb 27, 2011
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The vehicle is financed currently. So like I said earlier I'll have 2 cashier checks, 1 for the finance company in the payoff amount they will then mail me the title, then a second check for the remainder of the sale price. So I won't have the title up front, I assume this is why the notarized bill of sale becomes important. I'll call the clerk again tomorrow to see about a temp tag.

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zanemoseley

Senior member
Feb 27, 2011
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Also this sounds shady but if all attempts fail at getting a temp tag, I may have my wife take her existing tag off her current mustang, that would at least avoid the suspicion of driving with no tag, if she did get pulled over it wouldn't be pretty though.

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thedarkwolf

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 1999
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lol that is exactly what I was going to say to do :). That is what I always do and haven't gotten busted yet YET.
 

deadlyapp

Diamond Member
Apr 25, 2004
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The vehicle is financed currently. So like I said earlier I'll have 2 cashier checks, 1 for the finance company in the payoff amount they will then mail me the title, then a second check for the remainder of the sale price. So I won't have the title up front, I assume this is why the notarized bill of sale becomes important. I'll call the clerk again tomorrow to see about a temp tag.

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This is where it gets weird. Personally I'm naturally suspicious of people, so handing over a check to someone and then having to wait several weeks for them to cash the check, pay off the loan, receive the title, then sign off the title and then send you the title is all extremely troublesome.

Make sure you get alllll the possible information you could from the guy. Honestly, the best thing you could do in this situation is a 3rd party escrow. Give them at least one of the checks, so that once the title is in hand, he passes the title to them and they give him the other half of the money.
 

Midwayman

Diamond Member
Jan 28, 2000
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If you call ahead the bank can usually have the title ready. You go in the a cashier's check and get the title. As for tags, I'd look into where people get their plate stickers where you are buying it. In my state we can typically buy them at the DMV or check cashing type places. They usually do temp tags as well.
 

deadlyapp

Diamond Member
Apr 25, 2004
6,638
726
126
If you call ahead the bank can usually have the title ready. You go in the a cashier's check and get the title. As for tags, I'd look into where people get their plate stickers where you are buying it. In my state we can typically buy them at the DMV or check cashing type places. They usually do temp tags as well.
This is a solid idea, however since it's a GT500, likely purchased new, it probably went through Ford's credit arm so not as accessible as a local bank
 

repoman0

Diamond Member
Jun 17, 2010
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This is a solid idea, however since it's a GT500, likely purchased new, it probably went through Ford's credit arm so not as accessible as a local bank

I hope the PO is not still paying off a GT500 bought new in 2008 :eek:
 

JCH13

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2010
4,981
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OP is learning why "title in hand" is such a nice thing to see in an ad!

Make sure your insurance company covers newly-purchased cars, or have a policy setup to start on the day of the purchase.
 

zanemoseley

Senior member
Feb 27, 2011
530
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81
The guy is the 3rd owner, he's mid 30's like me. Both other owners were in their 60's. The current owner had it at a car show last year and the 1st owner walked up and asked about buying it back, apparently his EX-wife made him sell it, he only had it for about a year, I bet he lost his ass. The 2nd owner had it for 8+ years and put like 3000 miles a year on it, so basically car shows and weekend rides.

The current owner got it from car max and got their extended warranty which is transferable, its good for 4 more years or 25000 more miles whichever comes first. He's selling to get a SUV.

I spoke to our clerk again today, they said if I get the notarized bill of sale they will give me a temp tag. I text the guy to see if he can mail it to me so I can sign and get the temp tag. My wife isn't going to get it till next Saturday the 19th.

The easiest thing so far has been getting insurance, a quick email to my rep and had a card emailed to me. The amazing thing is going from a 2005 GT to a 2008 GT500 only cost an extra $15/mo, thats a steal considering the new car is worth 4x what her old one is worth.

I'm going to stick to making 2 cashier checks out, he won't be able to cash the one to the finance company anyway. The finance company said they could send it directly to me after the payoff, no need to send to him to sign over, probably because technically the car is owned by them currently not him.

Definitely a learning experience.

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boomerang

Lifer
Jun 19, 2000
18,883
641
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The amazing thing is going from a 2005 GT to a 2008 GT500 only cost an extra $15/mo, thats a steal considering the new car is worth 4x what her old one is worth.
You're certain it's a genuine GT500 and not a clone though, right?
 

zanemoseley

Senior member
Feb 27, 2011
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He had it tuned at a speed shop north of Charlotte. It dynoed at 560, if its a clone they did a hell of a job including all badges including a vin specific plate on the dash.

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thecoolnessrune

Diamond Member
Jun 8, 2005
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As other's noted, using an escrow server would probably cost you no more than $300 from even a big "never mind the cost, I want the historic dependability" service like escrow.com. In my opinion, $300 on a $30,000 purchase is small potatoes, and worth the dependability that everything goes through alright. Personally, with a financing company involved, I would use an escrow service.
 

BurnItDwn

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
26,234
1,720
126
I don't have any advice about the purchase, but, the best roads I have ever had the joy of driving have been in the mountains of TN and NC. May you have a wonderful journey!