Why do they always have a lost title?

Alright why is it you always find some car that you are looking for, its a project but that is okay cause that is what you for and it NEVER has a freaking title?

I found a T Type not to far from me for challenge money with room to spare and the freaking thing has not title. Grrrr

Does a Challenge (race) car need to be street registered?

Challenge cars don't, but he might have been looking for something to drive on the street, too.

Many a car in my area/hopes and dreams has been ruined by lacking a title.

I hate that, too. Around here, it's usually motorcycles with a "lost" title. What's so damn hard about keeping your* vehicle title(s) in a safe place? Why can't you go to the DMV and get a replacement? It's much, much easier for you to get one, than it would be for me.

*Not you, rebelgtp, the person selling said vehicle.

Because many times, people are selling something on CL 'cause they're lazy and just want it gone.

okay made a quick phone call to my local DMV office there might be light at the end of the rainbow after all. If he has a bill of sale from the last owner on title to him then a bill from him to me then she will work her magic and get me the title

Sweeeet.

I might have to sell a rifle to do it then make a drive across the state but I might be getting me a T Type .

I hate to be "that guy", but if he doesn't have the title, what makes you think he will have the bill of sale?

Also, Here in Illinois, a new title costs $200. So many people don't even bother with a car they're selling.

SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote: I hate to be "that guy", but if he doesn't have the title, what makes you think he will have the bill of sale?

agreed. That said, if you buy it, make you sure you get a bill of sale from him!

Here in Michigan, though it's a pain, you typically get a new title with the right forms. They do a verification to notify any prior owner on record, you have a police officer verify no theft/fraud on the VIN, and with form something or other you end up with title in your name.

I've done this for a '70 Beetle project, as well as a few motorcycles. Often times, the vehicles can't even be found in their system, as they haven't been registered/titled in whatever round of computerization they did. Heck I've had this happen on my own cars that I had legally titled to myself. I lost a title to my '81 Rabbit Truck that I bought in '05, and had registered... went to the Sec. of State and they couldn't find it under my address, prior address, or prior plate #. Sometimes government disorganization and inefficiency has it's advantages. ;) I imagine this will vary heavily state to state depending on your local governance process.

In AL I don't care if it has a title. It is stupid easy to get a title.

Already talked to him about that he does have the bill of sale from the prior owner (at least says it was the prior title owner) and it is even on the DMV form. If I can get the name from him I can call my local dmv lady back give her the name and vin and she can give me the go or no go.

rebelgtp wrote: Alright why is it you always find some car that you are looking for, its a project but that is okay cause that is what you for and it NEVER has a freaking title? I found a T Type not to far from me for challenge money with room to spare and the freaking thing has not title. Grrrr

Could it be the guy he stole it from was nasty enough not to provide a signed title for the thing?

I have heard about stories about Craigslist cars that come from the 'Midnight Auto Auction'.

Hmm...stupid cheap car with no title. That doesn't smell fishy at alllllll.........

I've lost track of a title to a car during one of many moves. Luckily, it was to a car that doesn't get driven (sort of a never-ending project) but it was a pain when I realized it was time to sell. I wised up, and finally started putting all my really important papers in one location/box. But if that one box ever gets lost/stolen I'm up the creek without a paddle.

My bitch with CL ads that mention no title is that they usually say it will be easy for you (the buyer) to re-apply for a title. Well, if it's so easy, why don't you get the title Mr. Seller?

BTW, here in Fl. when I changed the title/re-registered my car from Tn. to Fl. it cost me nearly $450. I'm told the next car(s) will be cheaper...ONLY $325. Titles are expensive, plates are dirt cheap (at least compared to metro areas in Tn.).

That is why I am getting all the info up front. with vin and name I will have the DMV and the local cops run a report on the car for me and make sure there are no issues. If there are I cut and run before even going to look at the car in person. I will also be running it by some buddies of mine that basically know every GN and T Type in the area.

integraguy wrote: I've lost track of a title to a car during one of many moves. Luckily, it was to a car that doesn't get driven (sort of a never-ending project) but it was a pain when I realized it was time to sell. I wised up, and finally started putting all my really important papers in one location/box. But if that one box ever gets lost/stolen I'm up the creek without a paddle.

Applying for a duplicate is not that difficult. Applying for a NEW title sure is. Though there are services that will get you one. Or if it's old enough "buy" it from an Alabama resident. They don't do titles past 35 years old there, and they have a system to allow a title to be issued in another state.

Osterkraut wrote:

integraguy wrote: I've lost track of a title to a car during one of many moves. Luckily, it was to a car that doesn't get driven (sort of a never-ending project) but it was a pain when I realized it was time to sell. I wised up, and finally started putting all my really important papers in one location/box. But if that one box ever gets lost/stolen I'm up the creek without a paddle.

Applying for a duplicate is not that difficult. Applying for a NEW title sure is. Though there are services that will get you one. Or if it's old enough "buy" it from an Alabama resident. They don't do titles past 35 years old there, and they have a system to allow a title to be issued in another state.

I berkeleying love Alabama (it is pre-75 btw don't think it is a rolling time period). Also abandoned vehicle titles are stupid easy to get.

93EXCivic wrote:

Osterkraut wrote:

integraguy wrote: I've lost track of a title to a car during one of many moves. Luckily, it was to a car that doesn't get driven (sort of a never-ending project) but it was a pain when I realized it was time to sell. I wised up, and finally started putting all my really important papers in one location/box. But if that one box ever gets lost/stolen I'm up the creek without a paddle.

Applying for a duplicate is not that difficult. Applying for a NEW title sure is. Though there are services that will get you one. Or if it's old enough "buy" it from an Alabama resident. They don't do titles past 35 years old there, and they have a system to allow a title to be issued in another state.

I berkeleying love Alabama (it is pre-75 btw don't think it is a rolling time period). Also abandoned vehicle titles are stupid easy to get.

"EXCLUSIONS: No Alabama certificate of title shall be obtained for:

(a) A motor vehicle more than 35 model years old or trailer more than 20 model years old."

Heck this would almost qualify for the Alabama thing.

Update: Called back up to the DMV with the name and VIN got someone else and they would not run the check for me grrr I hate that crap. I will try back later

SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote: Here in Illinois, a new title costs $200. So many people don't even bother with a car they're selling.

There's a difference between "new" title and "replacement" title, here in Wisconsin. With proof of ownership, a lost/stolen/destroyed title can be replaced for $20.

integraguy wrote: My bitch with CL ads that mention no title is that they usually say it will be easy for you (the buyer) to re-apply for a title. Well, if it's so easy, why don't you get the title Mr. Seller?

No E36 M3. I'd gladly pay you an extra twenny bucks, if you produce a title.

+11 billion to this rant. I had my attempt at a purchase fall through when I asked that simple question "What about the title?" and the answer quickly became a spy novel. I mean, if I have to call the local tax assessors office enough for them to go "Oh, yeah, the Dodge guy" when greeting me...

'Cause you see, here you have to have titled and tagged the car before you can resell (if you're a private buyer). Some counties are a bit lax in following the rules, but not the one I live in. My bunch wouldn't budge without Mr Cheapskate having done his legal job on the taxes front. Because if they (the seller) doesn't pay the taxes, you'll be liablefor everything that should have been paid. Yes, they take taxes seriously here. One lady bought the car, then found out it hadn't been tagged legally in two years and had to pay all that first before she paid for the tag. I was lucky and got paranoid.

I just want to hear more about this Regal Turbo T....

I have noticed lots of Craigslist cars with no title. The titles to both of our cars reside in our safe deposit box. It's as if these people have never heard of those. It's like $30 a year to know that you'll never lose it, costing you a lot of money and making everyone think the car is stolen.