Buying a used car directly from owner- Red Tape???

I am so glad ;you asked this ? I was wondering the same thing, i need a car but they are so expensive (island car beat up but running),my search continues.

I've never done it but Peggy posted this back in April from a seller's perspective but it gives you the info, I think.

Peggy [ PM ]
Re: Selling a car procedure
April 30, 2008 12:02PM Registered: 2 years ago
Posts: 91

step 1: get lien clearance from Lt Gov office
step 2: sign title and registration have notarized, take buyer with you at the time
step 3 have buyer get ins.
step 4: take buyer and auto to DMV
step 5: have ticket check done
step six: wait in line lol
good luck!

so, I found what I was looking for,an old beat up truck that I can beat the snot out of for now. I will report on how my experience goes w/getting ins and reg..
C-YA

Please post it. Those procedures can change & good luck with your new vehicle.

Trade - Thank you for the info.

Stephaniev - Good luck! Let us know how it goes.

It looks like it will take 1-3 days to get the paperwork in order and travel/wait in all the lines. What is a "lien clearance" ?

Is there an expediter who can register your car for a fee?

If you know a good mechanic, I would also ask the seller if your mechanic could take a look at the car before buying... A lot of people I know do this and it is one of my biggest regrets for not doing...I once bought an old car from a friend of mine that had some major problems (an engine knock, then a wheel fell off just as I was driving away from the DMV!! among other things) that I was not aware of and of course it crapped out completely within 6 months. It was an island car but island cars are still supposed to work on a regular basis!!

ok,so I chickend out on buying the big ol beat up truck. I still have the opportunity to buy it for $1500,but it's just so torn up! people are telling me that I can't buy a vehicle on this island for the price I need to buy it for,and that I have the states side type of thinking. I understand what they're saying,but now I'm discouaged and afraid of making a bad decision on a vehicle. I'm all mixed up!!ADVICE PLEASE!!

There are usually the seasonal workers leaving island about this time or actually; any time. I don't remember if you're on STT or STX but if on STT check the Island Trader. Also, you probably have but in case you didn't, check the Classifieds on this site & also post a request there. Good luck! It sucks trying to find a car. If you don't find anything, what about leasing for a few months?

update: I bought my car today,not as scary as I thought it would be. I followed the man I bought it from to the notary office (there are alot of them here) to sign off on the title and registration. It is req. to have the transfer of titile and reg witnessed by a notary. Then before the seller let me take the car(drive) I had to get insurance,so i went to a freind of his at the first insurance office in Orange Grove,I got insurance in less than 30 min,the cost was $322 for the whole year!!,this is payable right away,they do not finance liability only comprehensive. I went to the DMV to tranfer titile but the closed at 3:00 so i will do that on Monday. The estimate I got from the employee
was $60-$80 he didnt know until everything went through the computer,I'll keep everyone informed on how that goes,so far so good!
Steph

Did you end up finding something decent in your price range?

I had to double my price range I paid $3200 for a somewhat decent car. It runs well,has no body damage,no rust,inside is in tact. The biggest issue was finding something that 1. ran well 2. had a/c 3. didnt have rust and/or body damage. Literally everything i looked at had some sort of body damage. So I feel like I was lucky to have found what I have. I figure it will get me through for maybe a year or less until I have a job and can finance something. No matter what,the car values are very distored here,DO NOT under any circumstance expect to find anything near what you find stateside for anything close what is availble here-even on the dealer lots for the price you would pay in the states. The fact that most of us have been born and raised in the states gives us an idea of what a car value is,NOT the same here. Even on the dealer lots you will pay double for a car that is damaged,scratched,torn up inside etc. I saw brand new-plastic still on the seats cars for $44,000,that I have priced before in the states for $18,0000-$25,000. NOT EVEN CLOSE TO KIDDING!!!!

Oh yeah, the difference btween buying from a local vs. dealer-qualifying for a loan w/out proof of income(duh). one good thing about buying from a dealer,they take care of all of the licencing and reg and you just pick your plates and reg from the dealer. Buying from owner,you do everything,but it's not hard, you do need insurance first thing before anything else.