Bought a Cobra

nevermind65 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-06-2007, 03:56 PM

Hello,

Well, besides the one in 5000 pieces in my garage, I decided to bite the bullet and buy a running Cobra to drive while I finish the garage special. Unfortunately, the guy is telling me a few things and I just want an opinion on whether I'm being paranoid or not.

1) The car has a title from California where the original owner lives. He traded the car to the guy I bought it from.
2) The car is located in Florida, but the owner lives in Michigan. He states that it is sitting in a friend's garage.
3) He has a signed and notarized title from the original owner, but never had the car put in his name.

I don't know if I'm being a bit paranoid, but I'm not into handing over large sums of money to individuals that do not possess the physical car or has the title in his name.

Opinions?

Three Peaks · #2 (**permalink**) 08-06-2007, 04:03 PM

Boy does that sound fishy. It might be on the level, but you would be foolish not to do some research to make sure everything is as it should be. A few phone calls and have somebody official and knowledgable look into the car at the Florida location (and why it is being stored there) would probably be wise.
You may even want to fly down and look at the car and paperwork in person to determine for yourself if this is a square deal.
IMHO, an awful lot of question marks to be concerned about before sending off large sums of money.
If you bought if off ebay, there have been a ton of scams in Cobra listings lately so be very careful dealing with out of state sellers. Many of these are listed just as you stated- owner in one state, car in another state, etc.... and sometimes even the pictures are of somebody else's Cobra that they highjacked off another sale or site.

You may consider putting the money in an escrow account until this can all be straightened out.

SS COBRA · #3 (**permalink**) 08-06-2007, 04:26 PM

If he's a car dealer, he can pass the title on, but should fill in the dealership's name and information, if an individual, he's "jumping title" and avoiding paying state sales tax somewhere.
If that's happening, I'd want to make sure you know what your purchasing.
Proper way is tell him to title the car in his name and then proceed if you decide the car is what you expect.

ZOERA-SC7XX · #4 (**permalink**) 08-06-2007, 04:28 PM

Don't lay out a large sum of cash until the car is in your possession and the paperwork is right. It pays to offer a little more for delivery so you can sleep at night.

nevermind65 · #5 (**permalink**) 08-06-2007, 04:36 PM

Thanks everybody. This whole thing isn't sitting well with me either. Yes, the car was off Ebay, and technically, he doesn't even own the car to be able to sell it.

I'm going to call the guy and tell him he needs to get a "clear" title like he advertised.

madmaxx · #6 (**permalink**) 08-06-2007, 04:51 PM

You must be ignorant. The guy you are giving the money to does not own the car anymore than you do at this point. Until you have the title in YOUR NAME he does not get a penny. I have done this with the past two cobra's I have bought, they still had the car but the title was in my name, I got the car when they got the money. I realize there has to be some trust, so make them trust you.

nevermind65 · #7 (**permalink**) 08-06-2007, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madmaxx

You must be ignorant. The guy you are giving the money to does not own the car anymore than you do at this point. Until you have the title in YOUR NAME he does not get a penny. I have done this with the past two cobra's I have bought, they still had the car but the title was in my name, I got the car when they got the money. I realize there has to be some trust, so make them trust you.

Not ignorant dude. That's precisely why I'm questioning this whole scenario. Sounds like a scam to me. As I stated in my original post, this guy technically does not won the car since he has no title in his name, and does not have possession of the vehicle.

Just wondering if anybody else has had funky dealings like this.

Badsnake427 · #8 (**permalink**) 08-06-2007, 05:12 PM

My pappy always said, "When in doubt, don't!" It was good advice, even though I rarely used it!

tcrist · #9 (**permalink**) 08-06-2007, 08:23 PM

As long as the paperwork gets cleared up before you give him any money it should not be a problem. As long as the numbers match on the pink and the car you should be ok. Tell him that you will have to meet him and the car at the same place with all of the paperwork and then the both of you go to the DMV. Ask them if they will check out the paperwork and make sure everything is on the up and up ( you might want to call the DMV first to be sure they will do it). You can also get the vin number and contact the local police in Calif and have the numbers checked. I know that you can do that because I did that on mine. They will not give you any info but if you tell them the info on the pink slip they will tell you if it is correct or not. Also before you meet with the guy get the name of the owner that is on the pink and look them up. You said the car was from Calif. I am sure that a club member from that area where the previous owner lives could get some answers for you. If the guy will not give you that info or is not willing to meet you then just tell them "thanks but no thanks". If you have to go through all of this trouble maybe that Cobra is not worth it anyway. You might be able to find one closer that you can get. You have to weigh the pros and cons and see if this Cobra is worth the trouble.

Terry

mike knight · #10 (**permalink**) 08-06-2007, 08:25 PM

Just my 2c. I agree with badsnakes pappy 100%.
The current market place for used cobras allows you to take your time, find the car you want to own, work out the details and buy at an acceptable pace for yourself and for the seller. I'm not saying that your current deal is bad its just that there are enough nicely done cars for sale by owners who will assist you in making your deal a good one. Almost any of us who decide to sell these cars is selling a little piece of themselves and will want to make it right. Don't allow yourself to get sucked in to the " this is the only one" syndrome. There's a lot of iron out there so why not take a few days to find one that fits into your program. I own a Superformance that I bought new from Dynamic. I have '0' regrets or "what ifs". Superformance, in my opinion, is real high on the food chain of quality. I like having all of the extras as they have all served me well under a lot of different circumstances. The top and side curtains,tonneau, heater and glove box have all been used and I have been thankful to have them. I think it is fair to say that if the deal has some hitches walk away there are other sellers out there who will work real hard with you to get the deal done. Good luck with your ultimate choice; just stay close to the crew on this web site and your transition to this world of high performance insanity will be a smooth and enjoyable effort.

BMK · #11 (**permalink**) 08-07-2007, 02:52 AM

Look for another Cobra. This sounds a little strange. If it is hard to track now what could happen after you hand over money.

My $0.02 is to look for another.

Bernie

fsstnotch · #12 (**permalink**) 08-07-2007, 03:33 AM

I had a situation like this about 2 years ago. I kept asking for info and pictures and he kept sending exactly what I wanted to see. Where I caught him in the lie... I asked for a copy of the registration. The car was a black Twin Turbo Supra, VIN came up clean on carfax to every bit of info he gave me. I looked at the registration adn all looked Legit. Until I looked again and really studied it. The color on the registration said GRN and the vin was 2 digits off.

If it were me, I'd make him title the car before I bought it. At least that way he has LEGAL right to sell the car.

My .02

Josh

nevermind65 · #13 (**permalink**) 08-07-2007, 05:42 AM

Thanks everybody. I contacted the gentleman and he is going to have the titel put into his name (which requires an inspection in Florida) before any money changes hands. He gave me the name of the original owner who he got the car from and his phone number to clear up any questions I might have. We have agreed that no money will change hands until the car, title and owner is present when I pay him the money.

He was pretty good about it. I didn't even send him a deposit until he sends me a scanned copy of the title showing he officially owns the car.

Ron61 · #14 (**permalink**) 08-07-2007, 06:15 AM

Just my .02¢ worth, but I don't think much of a scanned copy unless you know the person. They have been forged in some cases out here and the owners name changed. If you do go with the scanned copy, try to verify with the Florida DMV or whichever one he uses that he has really gotten the car in his name. This whole thing really sounds kind of strange to me, but then it could be legit too.

Ron

Clois Harlan · #15 (**permalink**) 08-07-2007, 06:53 AM

We have Cobra friends in Florida. Why ask if someone will go by and check with this guy and give their opinion. Have them look at the title and do a little inspection for you. Most of us would not mind at all.

Clois

fsstnotch · #16 (**permalink**) 08-07-2007, 07:00 AM

I wouldn't put much faith in a scanned copy either. It's just too easy with todays technology. It is definitely a good sign though if he agreed to register the car and no money changes hands until you and he are present to do the deal.

Josh

Sting · #17 (**permalink**) 08-07-2007, 09:38 AM

Why not get a third party inspector to go check the car over. These guys are very good, honest and up to date on all the tricks and scams going on. It will cost about $100 bucks but that is cheap insurance to get a good car and an honest deal.

Goopie 18 · #18 (**permalink**) 08-07-2007, 10:46 AM

Nevermind65, why would someone call you ignorant. Asking for opinions and seeking information is what Club Cobra is for. The only stupid question is the one not asked.

BDR561 · #19 (**permalink**) 08-07-2007, 11:07 AM

Where in Florida?

Maybe a CC member could at least put an eyeball on the car for you to make sure it exists and matches the title...

I would feel more comfortable if the title and the car were handled by the same person in the same place.

Dwight · #20 (**permalink**) 08-07-2007, 03:35 PM

Goopie 18, your reading to fast, slow down.

Madmaxx said:

Quote:

You must be ignorant. The guy you are giving the money to does not own the car anymore than you do at this point. Until you have the title in YOUR NAME he does not get a penny. I have done this with the past two cobra's I have bought, they still had the car but the title was in my name, I got the car when they got the money. I realize there has to be some trust, so make them trust you.

not nevermind65

Dwight