Buying a car interstate (Connecticut)- PayPal or mail a money order? Why is this so complicated?

LONG LONG LONG Story short I'm trying to get the title/bill of sale of a car in Connecticut PRIOR to me actually seeing it. I want to do this so that I can get a temporary tag or register it like that it's 100% legal for my cruise down to FL. I trust the guy but I was going to use PayPal just to cover my bases. Now I find out that PayPal doesn't offer protection for car purchases so essentially I would be sending him cash with no recourse on my end. If I decided to go through with this crazy transaction because I trust the guy, would sending a Money Order via certified mail be any better?

Any other suggestions/ideas? Anyone live near New London CT?

Will CT even issue you a tag?

Every state i've tried to do this, they won't issue me one because i don't live there.

To some degree, you're going to have to take a leap of faith if you're buying it remotely. I've bought several cars this way and it's a bit rough...but either by luck, good judge of character, or both, I've never had an issue. There are escrow services out there you can use. It costs a few bucks and slows things down a tiny bit, but it's security.

I need the title, proof of insurance and $21 to get a temp tag. Ideally my plan was to just get it registered in FL and fly up there with plates and drive home with FL plates. When I looked into that option though it seems like I need to have a odometer reading in FL for that to happen. Not sure how strictly they enforce that though, I need to call the FL DMV on Monday and find out.

I think my new plan will be to send the guy a post dated check. He can verify the check is good, mail me what I need and then I can pick the car up on the day the check is postmarked.

I've done this, and it's a pain.

The 100% legal way to do it is to go there, buy the car, take the title to the local DMV and get a temporary tag (depending on state) there and drive home. You can get insurance with just the VIN but I think most states need the title to give a temp tag.

Your way works too, but you're taking a risk that you wouldn't take if you do the DMV there.