Buying a vehicle over a long distance?

LR Max

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 2, 2007
Location
Atlanta, GA
Quick Question for anyone who has done this:

I am currently looking at buying a car out in Nevada. My current (stupid!) plan is to fly out there, buy it and then drive it back.

Is there any way I can get a NC paper tag to take out there with me? I really don't want to be driving a vehicle back without plates. I might as well write ARREST ME on the side of the car.

I am not familiar with what NCDMV could do for me, and their website wasn't much helpful.

If anyone has done something like this, I would be greatly appreciative if you could give some wisdom.

Thanks.
 
I was kinda thinking that, but in all honesty this is a chance for me to do a crazy/retarded cross country road trip.

I've never been farther west than Alabama so, I was thinking I'd roll that into it as well.

Lastly, I am young and stupid. I feel like I need to take advantage of this. Should be :popcorn:
 
I've done it several time. Only way I'd consider buying a car like that is to fly out and drive back.

TAKE TOOLS! I reccomend a 5 gallon bucket with lid and duct tape.

As for a tag just take one from your other car. You have 30 days in most states to transfer tag from one car to another, so tell them that your plan. Also get the VIN and call in to your insurance company and put insurance on it before you go out there. One more tip, don't pay even one dollar on the price, just tell him you will pay in cash when you get there. You may want to renegotiate the price when you see it.
 
I just did that very same thing with an 03 bmw M3 about a month ago. Have driven cross country many times and doubt I would ever this again. The upside is that it was in reno and I've got friends in reno so got a free trip out to visit again. Car was a great deal on ebay, but the mexican that sold it wasn't the actual owner--it was his sister--and the car was registered in CA and not NV. Made for a lot of extra bullshit.
NV doesn't give paper plates, just a "moving permit" that you keep in your car. The dmv guy suggested we just leave the CA tags on the car for less of a hassle on the ride back and we agreed. Bad choice as we were pulled 3 times and completely searched 3 times. :shaking: Also spent $480 on a single flat tire and had to ziptie the bumper on after a shitty tow.
To get the moving permit, you just need a signed over title--doesn't have to be notarized or anything, I would bring your own tag though. The DMVs there are like the ones you see on tv as well...stand in a line to get a number to stand in line again. Good luck.
 
Not as far as you but I picked up our Jeep just south of Atlanta. Took the greyhound overnight from Raleigh to there town test drove and drove straight home. I took plates off one of my other cars and if got pulled the story was that I was going to transfer that plate soon.

Dave
 
are you buying from a dealer or an individual? A dealer can get you a temporary transport tag good for like 10 days (depends on the state).

I went to Chicago and bought my F250 this way. 1 way ticket up there, got temp tag, had insurance, etc. 100% legal on the ride home so I didn't have to worry when/if I was pulled.
 
Buying from an individual, kinda complicates things.

Its a VW Jetta TDi. Yeah, boring car but I won't have a car payment anymore, low operating costs and FINALLY get a color I like.

Found one in Columbia that might be just as good, if I go for that one or anyone local, I'll just take a trailer down there and get it.
 
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