Buying a used car when seller doesn't have title?

[goldenboy]

Maybe this is covered in one of those used car threads, but I didn't see it.

I found a used Tundra/FWC camper combo that I'm super stoked on. The seller has a loan on both the camper and the truck. With what I pay him, he can pay both off and get the title and send that to me. He seems legit and all that, but still- if he wants to pocket the cash and not get the titles for me, I'm bumming. How do I go about this so I don't get screwed?

[4matic]

Go to the bank with him to pay off the loan and get the title.

[snowaddict91]

You should be able to go to the bank the loans are at, pay it off, and have the bank sign the title over to you. Anything else sounds fishy to me.

[MakersTeleMark]

Get a bill of sale transferring the ownership to you (which you take subject to the liens), then pay off the loans directly with who ever holds the lien(s) and have them send you title which he signs over. Or, if they are just local, do as above. Make sure you have a bill of sale, and the keys/possession.

Make sure you get an accurate payoff statement on the loans to make sure what he owes is accurate.

[adrenalated]

What the two above said. The transaction should be done at or through the bank holding the loan.

Also - if the seller is in Colorado, the camper won't have a title, only the truck will.

[goldenboy]

OK, that's what I was thinking for the truck, and there is a branch for his bank in Albuquerque where he's at. The camper is USAA, no branches in NM at all. How do I know the camper is all good?

[MakersTeleMark]

OK, that's what I was thinking for the truck, and there is a branch for his bank in Albuquerque where he's at. The camper is USAA, no branches in NM at all. How do I know the camper is all good?

Do a wire transfer with the bill of sale and have them mail you title. Obviously set this up ahead of time.

https://www.usaa.com/inet/wc/faq_car...kredirect=true

Just call USAA and ask them how they want to handle it. I know I don't have a title for my camper, but it's an old POS.

Also, remember to figure out that you will be paying a substantial sales tax when you register everything in Colorado.

[AdironRider]

I'd see if you could pay USAA directly and the seller the remainder. Truck should be easy if financed locally.