Anyone bought without seller having title in hand?

[Chad82]

I'll try to keep this relatively short.

I am looking at a 72 Satellite next weekend. I have talked with the seller on the phone numerous times and my gut feel is that he isn't trying to feed me a load of bull. His story is that he bought the car a few weeks ago (it was titled and has current registration) but now has some expenses. My real guess is that he bought it cheap and is trying to make a quick buck. Which is fine, the price is still a good deal for what is being offered.

The problem lies in that he said he doesn't have title on hand yet. I know the last time I bought a car from Oregon (I live in Washington but have bought cars in Oregon before) it took over a month to actually receive the title in the mail. So his story does kind of add up. However the veteran internet dealer who has been ripped off more than once (never anything big, though) is feeling cautious. Has anyone bought without a title in hand before? I don't think the car is stolen (who would steal a 72 Satellite that needs work done on it...) but if there was a way to check out the title status of the car to make sure he is the real owner, that would make me feel more comfortable. Of course its possible he receives the title sometime this week in the mail, but I am not counting on that. Would I be able to call up the Oregon DMV and give license/VIN and get the legal owner's name/address? Or are there websites to pay for that info? Or are there other acceptable methods of transference of title, especially on older cars where titles commonly get lost? Like would a Bill of Sale be legally binding enough that if he wasn't the title holder I could come after him for damages?

Thanks

[Chad82]

Oh, and he gave me his home phone number and I reverse phone booked it and it does match up with his name and address he gave me. So I believe I do know his identity, if that matters.

[72chevelleOhio]

I think I would get in good with a policeman...they could at least lead you in the right direction..
I don't know of any vin check services for old cars....they don't have enough digits for carfax and the like.

who would steal a 72 Satellite that needs work done on it

Anybody that wanted to make a clone car and rip someone off....

[Chad82]

That sounds like good advice on the cops. Unfortunately I don't know any. I suppose I could call up the Sheriff department and see if they could help (they do the vehicle inspections on re-titled and kit cars so they would probably be a better bet than the city police) and the worst they could say is they are too busy to help.

[maxwedge]

Common problem on the market these days, do not buy this car without the proper documentation in hand ! You could try the DMV to see if there is a title issuance pending.

[Chad82]

yeah, I think I just needed some common sense that I already knew told from a third party. If he did submit for a title a couple of weeks ago, he should have it in his hands within a month. It's a good deal but not a once in a life time, so worst case on waiting is he did have actual ownership and sells it to someone else, best case I save myself a long trip down to Oregon and and possibly a couple grand.

[MagicRat]

As noted above, it is unacceptable to buy a car without a clear title in hand, regardless of the sincerity of the seller.

If you like the car, give the seller a post dated cheque (he keeps the car), allowing enough time for the title to arrive.
It shows good faith on your part, and will allow him to get his act together with the reassurance he has a buyer. You can always cancel the cheque if he fails to come through, within the agreed time frame.

[NRider]

DMV is the right place to go if you want to leagally own a vehicle...
Don't ever buy a vehicle without legal papers available...