So my lender and DMV is telling me to do a VIN check on the car I'm purchasing out of state. Now do I just need a car fax for piece of mind which I have or would it be a good idea to get it checked at the local DMV where the car is?

Any input is appreciated.

 

You have a CarFax which is clean, you are purchasing this car from a long standing member of this forum which numerous people have vouched for as a stand up guy that takes great pride in his car. You have started several posts in reference to this car already. It just seems to me that you are stressing way to much over this purchase. Don't get me wrong..... prudence is always wise, but you can over analyze things to the point that you take the fun out of the experience. You are about to fly from California to Virginia to pick up a clean and beautiful SRT and drive it across country. This should be an experience of a lifetime if you do it right. My advice would be to do the prudent things necessary (which it seems like you have already done.), but balance it with anticipated fun. Good luck! Bob

 

You can never be too careful. This is a big experience for me. Both Jay and I have been stressed out the last week, but come Tues I will be enjoying this experience with my new ride and hopefully share this with other xfire owners as I make my journy across the country.

 

I certainly understand what you are saying, but this should not be an experience that keeps you and your significant other stressed out for over a week. Many members here to include myself have purchased their XFire out of state. I have just never heard anyone else state that is was a stressful experience. You say that you can never be too careful, but in reality, it is the purchase of a car..... You can do the things that are prudent and reasonable as a purchaser and take comfort in that fact. It seems like your mind is made up on this purchase. You have done the prudent things a purchaser would do. What else can you do that will ease the stress or make you more comfortable?

The only point that I am trying to make here is that there is only so much that you can do on your part to ensure a successful transaction. Once you have done that and your mind is made up, accept that you have made a good decision, and enjoy the experience. If you are this stressed now, I wonder what you will be like if an inter cooler pump goes out a month from now, or you have to replace a crank position sensor. Stress has the potential to take the fun out of ownership, not to mention what it will do to a relationship.

Good luck, and I look forward to hearing great stories about your cross country adventure.

 

All I can say is when Tues comes I'll be enjoying the ride.

 

If you didn't know Frank works for an insurance company as an adjuster (if I am not mistaken). I'm pretty sure he can get you a VIN print out from the VA DMV. Unfortunately my Wife has our day pretty much worked out this coming Sunday, if we have a change in plans I will try to contact him and swing by a test drive his SRT and report back.

 

Gotcha.... Take plenty of pics to share of your trip.

 

bmorgan is exactly right. i bought my black srt out of pennsylvania and haven't regretted a nanosecond. have fun and take good care of it.

 

Bob is right. Softball is just a little paranoid. All the facts of this deal show that everything will be ok. The car is not an old 30 year old car falling apart. And it is owned by a forum member. No need to worry!

 

Lots of folks buy out of state. After you do all of your carfax homework, your only other concern should be that they vehicle has a clean title. It needs to be loan free & unbranded. I don't think you will see very many branded titles on a XF. Most weren't used for taxi cabs , flood & fire damage should be pretty obvious and a carfax would reveal a history as a rental car. I didn't look that hard but I found a website that will do a vin check for you. It's a pay site & I don't know how good they are but that would be a start if it is a concern. You could also just ask them to fax you a copy of the title. Even in states where the owner keeps the title when they have a loan, you will see an unreleased lien. I only worry about the lien thing because I almost bought a Aero Blue roadster from a lady before I bought my yellow one & she told me 3x that she had a clean title on the vehicle. I was ready to stroke a check & take the vehicle when she told me that now it would just depend on her getting her negative equity financed on a new car. Say WHAT?!?! She ended up having about 15k negative equity that she was trying to roll into a BMW - wasn't happening. A friend of mine knew this lady & she ended up repoing that car. I was lucky & was local, but I always worry about that now. I'm sure it will be fine but it doesn't hurt to ask. Just to clarify, they can have a payoff on the vehicle as long as you know it going to GET paid off...


Vin Number in Virginia at The Unofficial DMV Guide

 

I know every state is a little different. Indiana requires the VIN to be checked by law enforcement before a title will be issued for an out of state car. So, nothing wrong with it...but, you will be dealing with a stand up guy....so, just get the paperwork out of the way, and enjoy your ride home...

 

Are you buying a forum member's car? If it is someone who has been around a while you shouldn't have any problems. Go & have fun. You are lucky to know where the car has been & what it has been up to. Take lots of pics of your drive home!