Trying to Buy a car, title issues

[petieg383]

I don't post much here, but I do check the site out daily. Love the site. Here's my dilemma, maybe someone can offer some help here.

So I finally found a Road Runner I'd LOVE to purchase. Fits the budget, color, drivetrain, etc. One problem. The guy that currently 'possesses' the car never titled the car in his name. The title still has the people he bought the car from on the front, although they signed the back as the seller at some point.

My bank will not issue me a check to the person 'selling' the car, only to the name listed on the title. The current 'seller' doesn't want to obviously pay the taxes/title fees to sell the car. He suggested I get the bank to put the title holder's name on the check, and he'll get them to deposit and transfer the funds to him, back-door style I guess.

I'm leery about it. I know buying a car isn't perfect especially old Mopars that don't exactly grow on trees any more, but when spending this kind of money (a lot for me) you'd think it would be a little bit easier.

Thoughts/opinions on this? Thanks everyone.

 

[747mopar]

Would it be possible for you to offer to pay the taxes and title fees for him? Don't know the selling price on the title so I have know idea what it would cost you but if you did that them maybe he'd cut you a break on the price he puts on the new one. Good deals on old Mopars don't come everyday "I'd figure something out if it's clean".

 

[BeastlyBirdie]

PA requires a notarized title, so, the person selling the car needs to provide documents at time of signing. Without that, the car (worst case) could be stolen and have a forged title. I never understood people not titling a vehicle, as legally, they don't own the car in title states, but a lot of these Damn flippers seem to think its fine, and make the paperwork a nightmare.

 

[petieg383]

It's a good thought. I'd have to ask if he'd be comfortable with it, it might help in negotiating the overall price. The taxes would be like $1k, so it's not chump change.

What's making it hard is that it's not local. I was going to trek a few hundred miles to do this. This is making it a serious hassle. I assume by what BeastlyBirdie is saying is that I'd have to have the title work done in the state I'd potentially buy it in (notarized), then bring it back to PA. Sounds about right.

 

[BeastlyBirdie]

Triple A can help with title transfers, or at least they used to...

 

[65coronet4x4]

if the title is not in his name he doen't legally own the car,people like him are the reason the car hobby is going downhill.

 

[petieg383]

Agreed on that.

I wouldn't have an issue if he was a notary or knew one that could just 'handle' it, but it doesn't seem like it, so this just makes me sour on the whole thing.

 

[Moparparts]

If that is a signed off PA title with-out the signature being notarized it is an open title and if caught with it carries a heck of a fine. I can not understand either why people don't get them transferred especially from years ago when all the cars sold where all $100 according to everyone

 

[petieg383]

The car is not currently titled in PA, which makes it worse. It's just becoming too much of a hassle. If it was more local I'd be able to work though it easier, but it's not so I'm likely going to pass on it unless he can get it worked out.

I agree Moparparts. Just take the thing to the title place, say it was $500 or some low $ # and handle it. The guy was not willing to do that. Hell it would only cost $50-60 total to get it done if you claimed a low price. No one would question that on a 40+ year old car. I can't believe there isn't someone that would just notarize it without going through a title place either. Crazy.

 

[khryslerkid]

I bought a car from a neighbor. They signed the title. I put the car up for sale. The buyers showed up at my house, from New York, and noticed that the title was signed without their middle initial. The buyer refused to seal the deal until it was corrected. Luckily the neighbor was home, title place was close by and we got the issue resolved quickly. I should have had the title in my name before I advertised the car for sale.

Your seller needs to get the title in his name. It's not your responsibility and I wouldn't get involved. What if he takes your money and he disappears on you? Let him know you're interested in the sale but your not getting involved with him getting the title straightened out.

I just had an out of state title changed over into my name without a notary and I live in Pa.

 

[Plymouth63]

I would walk away, and keep looking.

 

[Cornpatch MO]

Tell the seller to put the title in his name as he should have done, and then transfer it to you. If he wants to sell the car, he should be able to do that. There may be ways to reduce the taxes If he won't do it, I would walk away..........................MO

 

[747mopar]

Yeah, I agree. I'd just tell him to give you a call when he get's it straightened out "money is a great motivator". Good luck

 

[petieg383]

Thanks Guys. You're right. I'm putting it back on him. If he wants my moolah, he'll do something about it. Otherwise F him.

 

[Dako]

The flippers avoid re-titling to increase their profit margin...even if it's just a hundred bucks. It also cuts them out of the picture should any 'snags' pop up. They still get their money and all the risk is put on the buyer.

 

[Feral]

You could get the Vin# and have a check ran on it at the DMV to make sure the car isn't stolen. If it's not stolen and the case is that he just never titled the car, you could go ahead and have the check made out to the name on the title as instructed. Any problems the seller runs into with getting the money to his pocket from that point is on him.

I had a similar situation with my Super Bee, the car was never titled in the seller's name. Luckily, I didn't run into any problems.

 

[petieg383]

Well that's exactly what he suggested Feral. Have the check made out to the person on the title. He said he'd get the $ from them. Like I said before I'm leery about it.

 

[HYRDGOON]

Agree with those that say do a search on the car to see what status the title is in. If he still knows the title holder why doesn't he broker the deal between yourself and the title holder and the title holder can hand him over the cash afterwords?

 

[Endangered Species]

Get with a local Notary (NOT AAA) He or she will be able to tell you what you need. I bought my car out of Maryland and all the seller had was a bill of sale and the title under the old owners name, and I was able to get the title transferred. A lot of it has to do with the state your buying it from.

 

[petieg383]

Good ideas HYRDGOON and KD. Thanks for thinking of it.