How to buy a car from Craigs List (insurance, vehicles, salvage)
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We are looking at purchasing a used car from Craigs List. This is the first time I've used CL, and am not too sure how to proceed.
We found a nice-looking car, and it checks out clean with Autocheck. Everything seems good, no accidents, clean title, nothing weird like rebuilt, salvage, etc.
Ok, so, we've contacted the owner via CL and would like to take a look/test drive. I suggested we meet in a mutually agreeable location, preferably a parking lot, or park, some place open, with people around, in the daytime. Can't be too careful!
She said cash only, which is fine with us. Some concerns, though----how do we handle transfer of title, get receipts, license plates, registration, etc, etc?
As I recall, my Dad bought me my first car used from owner, and we handled all the legal stuff through AAA. Dad was a "do-it-by-the-book" person, and I am, too. This car will be for my daughter, her first car, how time flies! Its a great deal, $3500. Is one expected to bargain for CL sales? We were thinking of offering $3200, see what happens.
If the person has title and registration, you take the car, take the title to the DMV or AAA or if you are in a state with them, a tag and title shop, and pay your money for tax and registration and title transfer fee and drive on.
It's harder in a state where the tags go back to the state instead of staying with the car. In those states, you almost have to leave the car with the owner (because the owner has to turn the tags back in) while you take the title to the DMV and get plates for it, then go back, put on the plates and drive home. I've done this a few times, myself, because MD is one of those states. Back home in Washington state, the tags stayed with the car, so it was no problem to just pay the owner, take the title and take the car all at the same time.
Sometimes you can get the owner to follow you home, take the tags off the car when you get home and then you can complete the process. I've done that for buyers, so that they can at least get the car home legally.
There's nothing "magical" about buying a car (or anything else) from Craigslist, along with the newspaper classifieds and the bulletin board at the sale barn, it's just another place to advertise something for sale. If you want to haggle on price, have at it. But if you want to BUY it at 32, I'd recommend starting lower with a goal of meeting there.
In my state and with my experience buying cars private party, I'd simply look over the title to make sure it's in order, give the guy the cash, and take it to the County Treasurer's office (that's where we do it in Iowa, other states are different) to transfer the title and get the plates.
Since you have no experience, I'd recommend meeting the seller at the place where you register vehicles in your community and complete the transaction there. That way you're not handing over the cash unitl you're assured by the clerk that everything is in order.
Since every state can be a bit different, I thinking the simplest thing to do would be to meet the owner at your insurance agent. Your insurance agent should know what is required for title transfer and registration at the DMV.
[quote=duster1979;35124048]There's nothing "magical" about buying a car (or anything else) from Craigslist, along with the newspaper classifieds and the bulletin board at the sale barn, it's just another place to advertise something for sale. If you want to haggle on price, have at it. But if you want to BUY it at 32, I'd recommend starting lower with a goal of meeting there.
In my state and with my experience buying cars private party, I'd simply look over the title to make sure it's in order, give the guy the cash, and take it to the County Treasurer's office (that's where we do it in Iowa, other states are different) to transfer the title and get the plates.
This is probably what I will do. Also, I will call AAA to see what they can offer. And get dd her own AAA membership...geez, it was just yesterday my Dad took me to AAA for my membership. I remember him bragging how I was an all A student, so I qualified for a discount. He also paid for my first car, as a "reward" for being a good student. Well, now its my turn to pay it forward, I'm getting a bit teary-eyed....part of being a parent!
If I were selling a car, I wouldn't accept anything but cash.
I would take the bank check if I was present when it was purchased.
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