How do you buy a car from an individual?

[derekf]

Ok, yeah, the topic is sorta "duh"ish.

I've bought used cars in my life - but they were all really sad looking projects or beat up old drivers, all of which I paid really small amount of cash for.



Now it's time to buy a real used car and I can't see pulling up with a briefcase full of cash... so what's the best/proper way to go about it? Just a personal check (since the haggling isn't done until it's time to make the offer I'm not sure I can see having a cashier's check) or some sort of hold-my-check-until-it-clears-before-I-can-take-the-car thing?

[TPI Monte SS]

Now it's time to buy a real used car and I can't see pulling up with a briefcase full of cash... so what's the best/proper way to go about it? Just a personal check (since the haggling isn't done until it's time to make the offer I'm not sure I can see having a cashier's check) or some sort of hold-my-check-until-it-clears-before-I-can-take-the-car thing?

You could bring a few hundred in cash to hold the car as a deposit and write a bill of sale so the car can't be sold from under you. Then get a cashier's check for the balance and bring it the next day. The owner can sign the title over at that point.

[Travis B]

You could bring a few hundred in cash to hold the car as a deposit and write a bill of sale so the car can't be sold from under you. Then get a cashier's check for the balance and bring it the next day. The owner can sign the title over at that point.

[MarkM66]

You could bring a few hundred in cash to hold the car as a deposit and write a bill of sale so the car can't be sold from under you. Then get a cashier's check for the balance and bring it the next day. The owner can sign the title over at that point.

Some still won't let the car go until the check is cashed, and in their account. Which can take a week or so. I don't blame them either. With the scam artist out there, and the technology to easily reproduce items such as this.

Cash, .

Or have banks transfer money from account to account.

[Bill Howell]

If you have a limit on what you are going to spend, and the car is for sale and you have talked with the owner prior to going to buy it, I like the cash thing. Cash always talks and usually makes things cheaper. If this is a muscle car it isn't like the owner has never seen cash before. I have never had anyone turn down cash, my offer yes but never cash. Of course, be sensable about where you go with big bucks in your pocket and who knows that you actually have it. Take someone along so you feel more secure. I guess I have just been to enough shows and seen enough cars sell to know that cash works. Even if you are a little short when you make the deal, they know you are serious if you got a wad with you. You don't even have to let on that you have the money on you until after the deal is struck.
Maybe if Raymond(502 Biscayne) reads this he will chime in about the time he bought the street rod in Daytona and had a boot, no 2 boots full of dead presidents.

[ViperBlue68]

Cash is probabally best depending on what the price is...The last car I bought was for my parents 2004 Nissan Maxima SE went and drove it...liked it told the guy if he'll take 24k cash I'd take it... he said sure...we drove to my local Wells Fargo branch and I had them draw up a Cashiers Check and we were done he signed the pink and I drove it home that night...took all but maybe 20-30 minutes to get the entire transaction done...But I had spent another 15-20 on the net getting a full ****** report which gave me a buyback gaurantee on the car and it was in Mint condition...I highly recommend getting a Full ****** report on any Used vehicle best money I ever spent.