Seller of car not same as name on the title - Is that legal? - 3000GT/Stealth International Message Center

Nando · 06-27-2008, 11:53 AM

Hey guys, im looking for some opinions on my situation.

I went to New York a few days ago to check out a car for sale. Its a private party sale. The guy was really honest and seems legit. We are close on price and now its just a matter of finalizing the deal.

Heres the problem. He just bought the car from Maryland, trailered it to NY and the title just got fedex-ed to him yesterday. Hes reselling it right away because he claims a good deal came up on real estate and he needs the cash back so he can buy the house, fix it up and flip it. Thats what he does on the side.

I wanted to make sure he was now officially on the title as the owner and that its lien free. When i asked him that he said because he never registered the car the title is still under the name of the original owner. He says he can just put me as the new owner and make it look like that original owner sold me the car.

I really want the car but to me im starting to get in over my head. What do you guys think about this kind of situation. Is that legal or normal?

JoshAnker · 06-27-2008, 12:04 PM

well, I'll admit that when I bought my first 3/S, that's what happened... i bought it from a place called "cash for cars," and it didn't have the "dealership" guy's name on it, it had the guy he bought it from. The dealership guy just put my name on it as the buyer, and it looked like he never owned it.

Which is great for him, because he didn't have to pay taxes on it, no doubt. I was young and dumb when I bought my first 3/S, though, so I'd never do that again now... it's Shady, to be honest.

Ask the seller for the previous buyer's info and give him a call. Talk to him. If the seller is on the level, he'll happily provide you with that info, and he'll HAVE it all handy and accessible. Only someone shady or trying to rip you off would withhold that info or say they don't have it.

For all you know, he marked up the car $5,000 and is just trying to make a quick profit. Then again, maybe he bought a car with issues that the other seller disclosed, and he isn't. A ten minute phone call could take care of a lot of worry.

SLOGTO · 06-27-2008, 12:04 PM

I live in NY and have done this a few times. I know its illegal but numerous people still do it. Im sure the guy got a good deal on the car and is trying to flip it quick.

ras463us · 06-27-2008, 12:05 PM

If the previous seller has signed the title but the guy your buying from has not, then you should be just fine. It would just be as if your buying it from the previous owner. You might incur some additional fees for bring the car into the state rather than just an instate title transfer, but yes this is common. Especially for people who buy and flip/fix several cars a year. Not enough business to justify a dealer license, but to big of a PITA to title and register in your name prior to reselling.

lawdogg · 06-27-2008, 12:10 PM

I am with these guys. I'd be nervous buying a car in that way, but me being the hypocrite I am did sell a motorcycle I owned for a summer in that manner.

Sin'sVr4 · 06-27-2008, 12:23 PM

I bought my 300zx in wisconsin, Im in colorado. The guy didnt have the car registered to him so i made him register it first. The vr4 i bought was in albuquerque NM, and it was still titled in the previous owners name in Tenn. It was signed by the previous owner, and I filled my info in the buyers. So, the guy I bought it from basically was middled out you know what I mean?

Its called title jumping and is illegal in most states if your caught. Just make sure the car runs good and your fine.

talskinyguy · 06-27-2008, 12:25 PM

I do it all the time with stuff.

Buy it, fix it, sell it

And my name never goes on the title. It saves me money and time. But it someone wants me to title it before them I have no problem doing that either if they pay the fee to do it. So far that has only happened once.

LiStealth · 06-27-2008, 12:25 PM

I just did that a few days ago with a honda I sold. I think its called a open title. The guy I bought it from sold the car to me signed the title, then I flipped it for a profit. I dont see anything really illegal about it. I never signed the title so all the dmv knows is they bought it from the guy that I bought it from.

talskinyguy · 06-27-2008, 12:29 PM

I should clarify, yes it is illegal in most states.

Nando · 06-27-2008, 02:12 PM

Thanks everyone for the replies. I like the idea about calling up the previous owner and double checking all the info to make sure things are truthful.

I realize now its not the correct or legal process but how can anyone ever find out that there was a middleman involved?

One more thing that makes me a little nervous is that i went down there for the purpose of test driving the car a bit to make sure there were no issues. But because he didnt have plates for it, he only drove it for about 2 min down 1 road and turned around. Everything sounded normal but you cant base much on a 2 min drive. On the other hand its a 2006 with 18000 miles and still under warranty so i doubt there are problems with it mechanically. Cosmetically its mint. Carfax was perfect also.

Any other opinions?

06-27-2008, 11:53 AM	#1 (permalink)
Nando - Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ottawa Canada Drives: 95 Stealth TT Trader Rating: (10)	Seller of car not same as name on the title - Is that legal? Hey guys, im looking for some opinions on my situation. I went to New York a few days ago to check out a car for sale. Its a private party sale. The guy was really honest and seems legit. We are close on price and now its just a matter of finalizing the deal. Heres the problem. He just bought the car from Maryland, trailered it to NY and the title just got fedex-ed to him yesterday. Hes reselling it right away because he claims a good deal came up on real estate and he needs the cash back so he can buy the house, fix it up and flip it. Thats what he does on the side. I wanted to make sure he was now officially on the title as the owner and that its lien free. When i asked him that he said because he never registered the car the title is still under the name of the original owner. He says he can just put me as the new owner and make it look like that original owner sold me the car. I really want the car but to me im starting to get in over my head. What do you guys think about this kind of situation. Is that legal or normal?

06-27-2008, 12:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
JoshAnker This, too, shall pass. Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Drives: 95 Stealth Trader Rating: (28)	Re: Seller of car not same as name on the title - Is that legal? well, I'll admit that when I bought my first 3/S, that's what happened... i bought it from a place called "cash for cars," and it didn't have the "dealership" guy's name on it, it had the guy he bought it from. The dealership guy just put my name on it as the buyer, and it looked like he never owned it. Which is great for him, because he didn't have to pay taxes on it, no doubt. I was young and dumb when I bought my first 3/S, though, so I'd never do that again now... it's Shady, to be honest. Ask the seller for the previous buyer's info and give him a call. Talk to him. If the seller is on the level, he'll happily provide you with that info, and he'll HAVE it all handy and accessible. Only someone shady or trying to rip you off would withhold that info or say they don't have it. For all you know, he marked up the car $5,000 and is just trying to make a quick profit. Then again, maybe he bought a car with issues that the other seller disclosed, and he isn't. A ten minute phone call could take care of a lot of worry. __________________ Interested in the famous "Bandit" movies featuring a Stealth RT/TT? I have all 4 on DVD! PM me for info! Google logo thread \| 3Si Area of Expertise thread \| 3S Audio FAQ 3si faces page \| 99 Front-End conversion page \| 3S Quicklist walkthrough for removing your spoiler \| walkthrough for changing your ATX fluid

06-27-2008, 12:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
SLOGTO Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Trader Rating: (4)	Re: Seller of car not same as name on the title - Is that legal? I live in NY and have done this a few times. I know its illegal but numerous people still do it. Im sure the guy got a good deal on the car and is trying to flip it quick. __________________ 1992 VR-4.SOLD:7/7/05 1992 RT/TT Sold 02-26-06 1995 RT Sold 08/10/06 1994 Stealth Sold 12/09/06 1992 VR4 Bought 4/10/07 1999 3000GT Bought 04/29/08

06-27-2008, 12:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
ras463us '92 VR4 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Kansas City, MO Drives: 1992 VR4 Trader Rating: (13)	Re: Seller of car not same as name on the title - Is that legal? If the previous seller has signed the title but the guy your buying from has not, then you should be just fine. It would just be as if your buying it from the previous owner. You might incur some additional fees for bring the car into the state rather than just an instate title transfer, but yes this is common. Especially for people who buy and flip/fix several cars a year. Not enough business to justify a dealer license, but to big of a PITA to title and register in your name prior to reselling. __________________ Ricer: from the latin word Ricarius meaning to suck at everything you attempt A person who makes unnecessary modifications to their most often import car (hence the term "rice") to make it (mostly make it look) faster. The most common modifications are (but not limited to): - Huge exhaust that serves no purpose but to make the car louder - Large spoiler on the back that looks like something Boeing made for the 747 - Lots of after-market company stickers they don't have parts from, but must be cool - Expensive rims that usually cost more than the car itself - Body kit to make the car appear lower, usually accented with chicken wire - Clear tail lights and corner signals - A "performance intake"- a tube that feeds cold air to their engine usually located in areas of excessive heat (behind or on top of the engine) - Most of these riced cars (a.k.a. rice rockets or rice burners) are imports; Honda Civics, Accords, Integras, CRXs, RSXs, Del Sols Mitsubishi Eclipses, Lancers, Subaru Imprezas, however there are some domestics such as Chevrolet Caviliers, Dodge Neons, Ford Focus; small, slow, economy cars designed specifically to go slow. Please note that some 3000gt's Supras, Skylines, WRX's and other higher performance imports are designed to go fast, and are therefore not always considered rice, but it really depends on the severity of the case. (courtesy urban dictionary)

06-27-2008, 12:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
Sin'sVr4 One Sinister Motha Sucka! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Colorado Drives: 91 VR4/94 Wrangler Trader Rating: (4)	Re: Seller of car not same as name on the title - Is that legal? I bought my 300zx in wisconsin, Im in colorado. The guy didnt have the car registered to him so i made him register it first. The vr4 i bought was in albuquerque NM, and it was still titled in the previous owners name in Tenn. It was signed by the previous owner, and I filled my info in the buyers. So, the guy I bought it from basically was middled out you know what I mean? Its called title jumping and is illegal in most states if your caught. Just make sure the car runs good and your fine. __________________ 91 Vr4, TDO4L 13T's, heads ported and polished, oil cooler, new vss, new valves, springs, rebuilt engine with 99 big bore lifters, Fel-pro head Bolts, IPS Ross (.030) Pistons and Rings, brand new forged mitsu oem crank, clevite bearings, all new gaskets and seals, new oem oil pump, new water pump, all new gears and synchros(1-5 and reverse) new oem motor mounts, Tein S Springs, 99 rear Garnish, Greddy Profec-B Spec II EBC, evo8 560cc injectors, Apexi SAFC-II, walbro 255 FP, 120k, hks SSQV, borla 3", downpipe, gt-pro FMIC, XTD stage 3 racing clutch, Brand new two tone custom interior, x2 Kicker Comp 12" subs, infinity Kappa 3 stage 6x9's, 98 conversion!

Sponsored Links
3000GT/Stealth International Message Center Advertisement

06-27-2008, 12:25 PM	#7 (permalink)
talskinyguy High-Fivin BAMF Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Dekalb, IL Drives: with 714ft/lbs Trader Rating: (23)	Re: Seller of car not same as name on the title - Is that legal? I do it all the time with stuff. Buy it, fix it, sell it And my name never goes on the title. It saves me money and time. But it someone wants me to title it before them I have no problem doing that either if they pay the fee to do it. So far that has only happened once.

06-27-2008, 12:25 PM	#8 (permalink)
LiStealth !!!NON CC PAYPAL ONLY!!! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Drama Island , NY Drives: 4.3Vtec .... Vortec! Trader Rating: (24)	Re: Seller of car not same as name on the title - Is that legal? I just did that a few days ago with a honda I sold. I think its called a open title. The guy I bought it from sold the car to me signed the title, then I flipped it for a profit. I dont see anything really illegal about it. I never signed the title so all the dmv knows is they bought it from the guy that I bought it from. __________________ BadAzz3s: i hear lilpnoy swam here from china though mkultra1987us: dude. mkultra1987us: He didn't swim he came from the Nagoya plant where his VR4 was made and his desperate parents hid him in the trunk when he was baby

06-27-2008, 12:29 PM	#9 (permalink)
talskinyguy High-Fivin BAMF Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Dekalb, IL Drives: with 714ft/lbs Trader Rating: (23)	Re: Seller of car not same as name on the title - Is that legal? I should clarify, yes it is illegal in most states.

06-27-2008, 02:12 PM	#10 (permalink)
Nando - Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ottawa Canada Drives: 95 Stealth TT Trader Rating: (10)	Re: Seller of car not same as name on the title - Is that legal? Thanks everyone for the replies. I like the idea about calling up the previous owner and double checking all the info to make sure things are truthful. I realize now its not the correct or legal process but how can anyone ever find out that there was a middleman involved? One more thing that makes me a little nervous is that i went down there for the purpose of test driving the car a bit to make sure there were no issues. But because he didnt have plates for it, he only drove it for about 2 min down 1 road and turned around. Everything sounded normal but you cant base much on a 2 min drive. On the other hand its a 2006 with 18000 miles and still under warranty so i doubt there are problems with it mechanically. Cosmetically its mint. Carfax was perfect also. Any other opinions?