Buying a vehicle out of state?

1462 Views 16 Replies 9 Participants Last post by 1954 Chevy, Feb 2, 2015

ChrisGinNC

Discussion Starter · Jan 31, 2015

How many of you guys have purchased a vehicle out of state before? How much of a hassle was it? I'm looking at the possibility of trading in my '14 Duramax on a '13 Denali HD Duramax and cashing out some of my equity in it as well. I've found a nice one at a GM dealer in Missouri and it's exactly what I want and at a nice price to boot. I'd assume the dealer would be able to handle most of it just like they do when I purchase vehicles here in NC. Any input would be appreciated.

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eaton53

· #2 · Jan 31, 2015

ChrisGinNC said:
How many of you guys have purchased a vehicle out of state before? How much of a hassle was it? I'm looking at the possibility of trading in my '14 Duramax on a '13 Denali HD Duramax and cashing out some of my equity in it as well. I've found a nice one at a GM dealer in Missouri and it's exactly what I want and at a nice price to boot. I'd assume the dealer would be able to handle most of it just like they do when I purchase vehicles here in NC. Any input would be appreciated.

I have, several times.
No hassle at all. All you have to do is sign 'n pay.

Reactions: 1

ChrisGinNC

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 31, 2015

eaton53 said:
I have, several times.
No hassle at all. All you have to do is sign 'n pay.

Excellent. I assume I pay taxes only in my home state?

Quixote88

· #4 · Jan 31, 2015

ChrisGinNC said:
Excellent. I assume I pay taxes only in my home state?

That depends on the state... I don't know what the law is for NC, but I know that in NJ where I live (and where I've purchased vehicles out of state) you must pay the sales tax to the state (NJ) when you go to register the vehicle. I would check with your local DMV...

One thing to be aware of is if you are in fact looking to trade your vehicle at the dealership where you are looking to buy the "new" truck, make sure you have all your "i's" dotted and your "t's" crossed on the contracts. Meaning simply, that if you are traveling to buy & trade a vehicle, the dealership could try to hold you over a barrel by low balling your trade once you get there, regardless of what they may have stated beforehand. They'll bet that you would rather take the lower amount and go through with the trade & purchase than to return home with your current vehicle...

Best wishes...

Reactions: 1

ChrisGinNC

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jan 31, 2015

Quixote88 said:
That depends on the state... I don't know what the law is for NC, but I know that in NJ where I live (and where I've purchased vehicles out of state) you must pay the sales tax to the state (NJ) when you go to register the vehicle. I would check with your local DMV...

One thing to be aware of is if you are in fact looking to trade your vehicle at the dealership where you are looking to buy the "new" truck, make sure you have all your "i's" dotted and your "t's" crossed on the contracts. Meaning simply, that if you are traveling to buy & trade a vehicle, the dealership could try to hold you over a barrel by low balling your trade once you get there, regardless of what they may have stated beforehand. They'll bet that you would rather take the lower amount and go through with the trade & purchase than to return home with your current vehicle...

Best wishes...

That is a good point. I'll make sure to have their offer for my trade in writing before I go and put 650 miles on my truck to drive out there. I'm considering taking a flight out there to look the truck over and drive it beforehand.

I'm also concerned about rust, being the truck is from a Midwestern state. I wouldn't think I'd have much to worry about since it's only 1.5-2 years old. Am I wrong?

eaton53

· #6 · Jan 31, 2015 (Edited)

Quixote88 said:
Meaning simply, that if you are traveling to buy & trade a vehicle, the dealership could try to hold you over a barrel by low balling your trade once you get there, regardless of what they may have stated beforehand. They'll bet that you would rather take the lower amount and go through with the trade & purchase than to return home with your current vehicle...

Best wishes...

You have to be willing to walk or sit there all day whether you're in or out of state.

I don't even go unless I'm pretty sure I can make a deal.
If they tell me one thing and then another when I get there, there's gonna be war.
Yes... this has happened. Deal still got made, at a number very near the original.

F14CRAZY

· #7 · Jan 31, 2015

I want to say that when I bought my '94 Century wagon from a dealer in Florida that I had to pay tax there but I was given a form to give to the Michigan Secretary of State office showing that I already paid sales tax on it and wouldn't have to again.

Quixote88

· #8 · Jan 31, 2015

ChrisGinNC said:
That is a good point. I'll make sure to have their offer for my trade in writing before I go and put 650 miles on my truck to drive out there. I'm considering taking a flight out there to look the truck over and drive it beforehand.

I'm also concerned about rust, being the truck is from a Midwestern state. I wouldn't think I'd have much to worry about since it's only 1.5-2 years old. Am I wrong?

I wouldn't be too concerned with that, but it couldn't hurt to request pics of the undercarriage.

eaton53 said:
You have to be willing to walk or sit there all day whether you're in or out of state.

I don't even go unless I'm pretty sure I can make a deal.
If they tell me one thing and then another when I get there, there's gonna be war.
Yes... this has happened. Deal still got made.

I agree. But you and I (and I'm sure Chris as well) aren't afraid to call them out and go to war with dealerships that want to play games. Some members or visitors who may happen to be reading this thread because they are thinking about buying a car out of state, may not want that hassle. Some folks, many actually, just aren't up to the challenge and should be aware that this may happen, regardless of what deal they think they may have made with the dealership via their internet department.

But you're absolutely correct in stating that you have to be willing to walk away whether you're in or out of state... Too many folks fall in love with a vehicle before they own it, then fall prey to dealerships who short-change them on either the trade or financing...

rockyspaw

· #9 · Feb 1, 2015

I almost bought a car from out of state. My insurance carrier would not insure it without my state registration/plates.

Neanderthal

· #10 · Feb 1, 2015

I've done it a couple of times.
With my 99 Golf TDi, I found one in St. Louis. I told them what I had, miles, etc. Since the car was just a year old, we made a vebal agreement over the phone.

When I got there, the deal was still good. Most time I spent was unwrapping the varioius electronics wires in the Concorde.

eaton53 said:
I have, several times.
No hassle at all. All you have to do is sign 'n pay.

Yeah, pretty much.

rockyspaw said:
I almost bought a car from out of state. My insurance carrier would not insure it without my state registration/plates.

Krikey, what a richardhead. You should dump those creeps!!

eaton53

· #11 · Feb 1, 2015

ChrisGinNC said:
That is a good point. I'll make sure to have their offer for my trade in writing before I go and put 650 miles on my truck to drive out there.

You can try that, but they normally want to see the vehicle.
But I do AutoTrader's guaranteed trade-in just for the heck of it.
I've never accepted their number on anything I've traded, though. Consider it a floor, not a ceiling.

ChrisGinNC

Discussion Starter · #12 · Feb 1, 2015

eaton53 said:
You can try that, but they normally want to see the vehicle.
But I do AutoTrader's guaranteed trade-in just for the heck of it.
I've never accepted their number on anything I've traded, though. Consider it a floor, not a ceiling.

I'll be more than happy to send them a video of it.

donmateo

· #13 · Feb 1, 2015

I know you've gotten the answer, but another person saying it's super easy.

I've done it twice and paid my taxes in WI (both cars bought in IL). Just bring it to the DMV with the proper papers and money and you're set. Local laws may differ for you, but that was my experience.

F14CRAZY

· #14 · Feb 1, 2015

rockyspaw said:
I almost bought a car from out of state. My insurance carrier would not insure it without my state registration/plates.

Weird...State Farm says I'm covered by my existing insurance if I buy a car out of state and drive it home

Smaart Aas Saabr

· #15 · Feb 1, 2015

rockyspaw said:
I almost bought a car from out of state. My insurance carrier would not insure it without my state registration/plates.

And some states, e.g. NY will not let you register if you don't show them proof of insurance from the insurance company. What bureaucratic fun! :lmao:

eaton53

· #16 · Feb 1, 2015

rockyspaw said:
I almost bought a car from out of state. My insurance carrier would not insure it without my state registration/plates.

I don't know what the heck is up with that, but they would no longer be my insurer.
I'm covered on any car I drive, anywhere, any time.

1954 Chevy

· #17 · Feb 2, 2015

Your home state county clerk's office, or DMV, whatever they use there, is the first place you should call. They should be able to tell you all of the ins & outs they require. Then you can talk to the dealer in the other state to see what they require. You will most likely be paying taxes to your home state. Make sure you tell the county clerk you are trading trucks, as there may be a form to be filled out & notarized by the dealership. In some states you pay taxes only on the difference in price, others you pay on the whole price of the new truck. If you have any doubts on the condition of the other truck, a cheap round trip plane ride might be a good idea.

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