Long Distance Truck Buying

[HawkinsHollow]

Been in the market for a used Tacoma. Found a gem about a 6 hour drive from me. I decided instead of driving to fly.

I know this has been done before. Any advice?

This is off of Marketplace. I have thoroughly vetted the parties involved and I feel really good about everything.

Last time I bought a Toyota truck (97 SR5) I took the bus to Knoxville with $7000 strapped to my belly. It worked out for the best.

Cautious but very optimistic about this situation.

 

[Roadworthy]

Your money, your deal. My only advice is to be very sure the truck has not sold before buying the plane ticket.

 

[kenmac]

Been in the market for a used Tacoma. Found a gem about a 6 hour drive from me. I decided instead of driving to fly.

I know this has been done before. Any advice?

This is off of Marketplace. I have thoroughly vetted the parties involved and I feel really good about everything.

Last time I bought a Toyota truck (97 SR5) I took the bus to Knoxville with $7000 strapped to my belly. It worked out for the best.

Cautious but very optimistic about this situation.

never done this myself, but I have friends that have.
I'm too afraid of buying something stolen.
The way things are today, these crooks can duplicate /produce anything. even a title

 

[coobie]

Been in the market for a used Tacoma. Found a gem about a 6 hour drive from me. I decided instead of driving to fly.

I know this has been done before. Any advice?

This is off of Marketplace. I have thoroughly vetted the parties involved and I feel really good about everything.

Last time I bought a Toyota truck (97 SR5) I took the bus to Knoxville with $7000 strapped to my belly. It worked out for the best.

Cautious but very optimistic about this situation.

I would drive the 6 hours with a car hauler trailer behind my truck.I hate to fly to much BS.

 

[Have tractor did travel]

Before flying, have the seller send you a copy of the title or registration. From the title, see that any lien is satisfied.
If seller sends you registration copy, and cannot send you a copy of title, means a lienholder. Best to go with seller to lienholder and pay to lienholder. You'll likely not be able to get title then, but you'll be sure the lien was satisfied.
With VIN, ask police to run a check for any reported theft. Don't forget CarFax.
If the "deal" is too good to be true, it probably is. However, you've vetted the parties, and at some point, you've got to go with your gut.

Police can confiscate the amount of cash ($7K) for your first long distance purchase - as indication of drug dealing. They you have to sue to get it back. Better you get a cashier's check made out to seller. Send seller a copy so seller can check with bank that cashier's check is good. Then, when you show up, seller verifies that the check number of cashier's check is same as what you sent him (and he verified to be good with the bank), and then seller is satisfied with your funds.

It's a two way street of "trust but verify". You need to be sure, and need to help the seller feel sure.

 

[Hay Dude]

Buying from real far away removes one important element of recourse for you. If it’s a POJ, you cant show up and make your physical presence and that is more of an asset than youd believe.

If someone in your area sells you a POJ, you are going to pay him a visit.
Far away, puts you at a disadvantage, especially on a vehicle or equipment with no manufacturers warranty.

 

[bdhsfz6]

Been in the market for a used Tacoma. Found a gem about a 6 hour drive from me. I decided instead of driving to fly.

I know this has been done before. Any advice?

This is off of Marketplace. I have thoroughly vetted the parties involved and I feel really good about everything.

Last time I bought a Toyota truck (97 SR5) I took the bus to Knoxville with $7000 strapped to my belly. It worked out for the best.

Cautious but very optimistic about this situation.

This is perhaps a stupid question but if you fly out, how are you going to get the truck home? If you drive it, what do you do about title, plates, registration and insurance?

I ask because I'm also considering such a purchase. Some states issue temporary tags for this situation but not where I live.

 

[civilian]

I have heard in Michigan buyer can drive home with no plates, park it and then get plates, then drive it. Years ago I went to pick up car from my aunt in Ohio tht she gave to mu mother for $1. Good in michigan to transfer title that way. Talking to Ohio DMV or whatever, I could not tow it on a dolly with no plates. So I had to trailer it home. To dolly it I would have to get at leeast a temporary plate. Jon

 

[JJT]

20 years ago I bought a new car from an out of state dealer. Rented a car to drive out, had a 3 day holiday with the family and drove the new car home. Painless. Cash deal, temporary plates and fully insured. A used car from a private individual is a totally different story, I'd be leery, very leery.

 

[Oaktree]

What's so rare about a tacoma where you need to go 6 hr. to fine one? Used lots are full of them here.

Only time I'd go a distance to buy a vehicle is if it's some sort of specialty vehicle and it was a known legit seller.