lehtola

I'm curious how some of you have done this. O.k. so like I'm here and the owner is there. I get the car checked out, checks out fine. I make the offer. We go back and forth and come to a selling price. Next...I want the title, but I'm still here and he needs the money.

What is the best way to do this and not get burned? I get the title in my hands, get my new title/plates, fly up there and drive the car back.

How can I do this?

Flying Finn

Once you've done all the PPIs, agreed the price etc. if it's less than, say, 1000 miles, I'd fly over there and pick up the car, then drive it home.

If more than that, I'm not sure about, but since so many have done it, I'm sure someone will let you know.

P.S. Are you Finn (or Finnish backround)? I'm asking because of your 'name'.

96P993

I would think the best way would be to fly up there, have him pick you up, do all the business face to face, get the title, drive home. You can also use an escrow service. Depending on the amount I would do most all my business face to face..that way nobody gets taken. If he has a lien on the car then you wont get the title right away. It can take as long as 30 days for the bank to get the title out. If you want (and he agrees) you can do the entire deal at the bank that holds the title. This isnt a given that everything is legit but it will give you some piece of mind to know the bank DID get the money. If there is a lien get your bill of sale and the car go home then sit tight.....Needless to say a two state deal is a little tougher then a one state deal, but you can sometimes get a great deal for the car. Comuunication is the key to this

Jeff 993TT

I agreee with Finn. Just fly over there, give him the check, he'll sign over the title of the car and then drive back.

It would make a great cross country trip. Always leave a clause in your negotiations that if the care doesn't live up to your expectations, you can back out.

GTR 993

I sold a car to a guy in Riverside CA. he never came and looked at the car he sent me a copy of the check notorized and I showed it to the bank they began the paperwork. He then overnighted the check to me after I sent him a notorized letter stating that I was the seller he was the buyer for the dollar amount on this date.

I took the car to the shipping company they checked it out and it was on it's way. He did not want to put the miles on it driving from St.Louis, MO to Riverside CA. The deal went very well and he was extremely happy with the car.

I would think flying up and looking at the car and signing at the bank would be the safest way though. That way you can be 100% sure the car is in good condition you never know it may be shipped and not run. If his selling documents say AS IS you are in deep you know what.

Frank 993 C4S

After reaching a deal on price and sending a deposit (refundable, subject to PPI at a local Porsche dealer and review of all maintenance records) the seller should hold the car for you. When I purchased my car I had the previous owner drop it off at a local Porsche dealer for the PPI. I paid for the PPI and received the thumbs up via fax. Sometimes a fellow rennlister might have a look at the car for you. My seller wanted to see a copy of the certified check via fax before I picked up the car. If there is a lien, signing at the bank is a good idea. If there isn't a lien just fly out there, drop off your check and pick up your car. The key is to meet the seller in person that way you also know who took care of your "baby". I have no idea how you would finance the car this way for yourself.

lehtola

What about the license plate.

STLPCA

An alternative is to employ a local "agent" for a few bucks to handle the exchange of payment for title & to supervise transport arrangements. A Porsche or other established car dealer is an obvious suggestion.

If you are going to p/u the car & drive it home, most states issue "drive away" temporary plates that allow you to do that w/o the need to get regular plates.

BTW, to clarify a common misconception: a notarized document merely provides greater assurance that the identity of the person who signed is true, NOT the accuracy of representations, checks, etc. Unless you're buying from a bona fide car dealer, I'd check the titled owner & clear title with the state DMV or highway patrol.

williet1342

Lehtola,
I am currently checking one for a potential deal. I suggest you get a PPI, research the car well and serach the archives on this site for info. (good and bad) on the person or dealerr with whomyou are dealing. Other than that I suggest alcohol in moderate to large quantities.

Regards and Good luck...
<img border="0" alt="[cherrsagai]" title="" src="graemlins/drink.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[hiha]" title="" src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" />

amfp

I have not done high end cars long distance, but I would use the principal of escrowing the money, like real estate. For example have a reputable institution hold the money until the deal is agreed too. I would have this in some contract form, so you can back out if the car is not as advertised. For me, I need to see the car, and meet the seller in person, and with air fares today there are many inexpensive flights.

lehtola

I've got plenty of frequent flier miles so it's not much of an issue on flying. Getting back once I've got the car is the issue. If I have to wait to go to DMV for a temp plate that would suck. Someone suggested I use a plate from one of my other vehicles and drive back with that.

User 4621

For me a lot depends on the seller. I bought from a fellow Rennlister who also had several other Rennlister's vouch for him. We worked out the details, I sent a cashier's check, he sent me the title. Once the check cleared, he put the car on a transporter for me.

I realize I had some exposure once I sent the check, but I was OK with that considering the character of the seller. If I didn't feel as good about it, I would have handled the transaction in person, even if I just put the car on a truck and flew back home.

Good luck,

Randy M

I sold a '70 Boss 302 Mustang to a guy who had a local friend look at the car. I shot some pics for him also. He overnighted me a check and he didn't even look at the car himself. I though he was nuts. I didn't sign anything before I had the check cashed. Luckily he was dealing w/ an honest fella.

Pete K

Letola,
Unfortunatly there is information missing for us to give you a good opinion. Were is the car? Were are you transporting it too? Is there a time constraint?

When I bought my 97TT in LA, I was delivering a car for my dad from Seattle to Palm Springs anyway so driving back was no big deal. Had I not had to drive down I would have simply flew in instead.
I had it looked at, drove down to LA and verified that it was in the condition the seller claimed and then we did a wire transfer on the money. He signed the title and I drove it home. The wire transfer was all of $25.

That trip home up the pacific coast highway was a great time bonding with my new toy and highly recommmend this for anyone buying a new toy.

Recently a freind of mine bought a Ferarri and had it shipped back after flying out to see it. It took 5 weeks and $1500 for him to get his car.

HTH's,
Pete

GratefulJED

If you have to finance, go to Peoplefirst.com and get a check. Find the car you want, get pics, talk to owner alot, firm up price and get a PPI.I have found that the best thing about a PPI is that at most it will just add that amount to your purchase price - it will more than likely get you some money back, Anyway, You will probably have to send a check and let it clear if that is the route you go or you can fax a copy of a good certified or cashier's check and then hand carry the real thing there. I am assuming you want to drive the car home - I know I did! (2200 miles twice!) Call your insurance and get the car insured, and get a faxed copy of the insurance. Grab a plate off one of your existing cars along with the registration and insurance docs. When you arrive to pick up your car, do the final inspection, put your plate on and head out. I was questioned by Arkansas police and I showed them the registration and insurance that matched the plate, I then showed them the bill of sale and insurance that matched the VIN of the car I bought and all was well. Good Luck and Have Fun!