Buying a used car.

G

Garion

Veteran X
So I got a new job and shit, so I can finally afford insurance on a car. I've whored the shit out of Autotrader and other online and print classifieds and finally found a good car. I've contacted the private seller and gotten information from her and stuff.

Now, my question: what the fuck do I do? I know it won't be as easy as walking over with all the money in cash, forking it over, and driving away with the car. I've been reading lots of "guides to buying used cars", but they seem to focus mainly on talking the seller down and how not to get scammed. There's next to no information on what I have to do in order to legally get the title from a private seller and make sure the government doesn't assfuck me for not doing something (paying taxes, notifying them, whatever).

Where better to ask about this than TW, right? Put your brilliance and experience to good work, my TW minions!

btw I live in California.
 
she should have the title to her car. on the title is a bunch of stuff to fill out. if she's cool with it, you can not get assfucked on taxes by lying on the form and saying you bought the car for $200 instead of $2000 or whatever you're paying for it.

bring the title with everything completed to the DMV, give it to them, and they should issue you license plates and stuff. a new title with your name and stuff on it will be mailed to you later.

you're technically not supposed to drive the vehicle until you get your license plates. she needs to turn in her old ones as well. so once that happens, the car is kind of stranded at her place. or you could take the car with her plates and her title signed over, then drive to the dmv, remove the plates and then turn them in and get new ones or something

at least in ny.
 
Hmm. I heard about the filling in the form thing, but I don't think that's a good idea. The car I found is a 2000 Ford Escort selling for $5500...I don't want to say I bought it for $500 and have the IRS (or whichever government agency handles that) call me up and ask me what the fuck is going on, y'know?
 
You give her the money.
You get a notary to witness and authenticate the signing over of the title (for a small fee).
You take the title to the DMV to get it registered.
They get you to pay taxes on the vehicle (depends on the state) either there or send you a tax bill in the mail shortly thereafter.
You may have to get the vehicle inspected, again, depending on the state.

Search for your states DMV site and there should be more information concerning registration, inspections, taxes, etc.
 
Garion said:
Hmm. I heard about the filling in the form thing, but I don't think that's a good idea. The car I found is a 2000 Ford Escort selling for $5500...I don't want to say I bought it for $500 and have the IRS (or whichever government agency handles that) call me up and ask me what the fuck is going on, y'know?
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Most states go by the value of the car, not how much you bought it for. If your parents give you a car, you still pay taxes on it even though you paid nothing for it.
 
Most states go by the value of the car, not how much you bought it for. If your parents give you a car, you still pay taxes on it even though you paid nothing for it.
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i didn't :shrug:
 
I know nothing of California law, just how it works in NC. As I said, look for the CA DMV website. I'm SURE they have all of that information out there.
 
iNVAR said:
hrm, i didn't need a notary :shrug:

:shrug:
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And the title could be disputed in court as well if someone wanted to try to rip you off. Get it notarized and you're protected.
 
Okay, thanks a bunch guys. I didn't think that the DMV would be the one handling all of that, but it does kinda make sense. I'll head over there and scope it out.
 
in minnesota, you give the dude the money, you both sign the registration paper, he keeps part, you get the rest, you take it to the license place and they give you a temporary paper till your new title comes in the mail in about 3-6 weeks.

and once you get the temporary title, you go get insurance.
 
30,000 miles. Kelley's says $6500.

Anyways, I can probably talk her down a little bit last minute. It is a damn nice price, though, and within my price range, so I'm not too worried.
 
DO NOT put that you got a 2000 car for $200. CA will fuck you hard. When I got my 1967 firebird I put I got it for $100. Now they dont think twice about a 30 year old car for $100, but dont put $100 on a 2002 Benz. You also have to put that you got the car ON BOTH ends of the title (hers and yours) that you got the car for the same price. On 5k your not saving that much cash ($80-$120) if you only put $4k for the car.
 
Any idea how much the use tax will be, Sarg? I'm looking it up on the DMV site, but it looks like you know what you're doing anyways. :p
 
Garion said:
30,000 miles. Kelley's says $6500.

Anyways, I can probably talk her down a little bit last minute. It is a damn nice price, though, and within my price range, so I'm not too worried.
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How much do you know about cars?

I would check it over real good or get a trusted mechanic to look it over for you if you know anyone well enough to do that for you. Most sellers will have no problem with you getting it checked out unless they are hiding something.

If you can't get it checked, at least look through the engine compartment for signs of leakage as well as under the car. Check the oil level and color. It shouldn't be black. Check the condition of the tires and make sure the tread is even and not unevenly worn.

Of course you will need to drive the car if you haven't already. It should accelerate smoothly and stop smoothly and the car should not pull to either side when you let go of the wheel. Any strange noises or vibrations should be investigated.
 
Also the insurance could fuck you if someone hits you in your new car.

You: So my car is worth $5k
Insurance: lol says here you got it for $1k two weeks ago.

You = fucked.
 
Honestly, I know next to nothing about cars. I can change my oil and rotate my tires, along with the other menial tasks, but I'm not a mechanic by any means. Thankfully, my dad and brother are both gearheads (they rebuilt a 1968 Camaro in the driveway). I'll drag one (or both) of them along when I go to inspect/drive the car.
 
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