How to buy a car across the nation?

January 17, 2009 3:49 PM

Buying a car....1000 miles away. What steps and how to do it?

I would like to buy a used vehicle that was posted on Craigslist that is located in Oregon. I am located in Chicago. I've gotten quotes for shipping the car to my door but i would like to know how to go about with the transaction, title transfer, etc. I would like to minimize costs of course. Im sure agents are available but is it possible through my bank? I do not need a loan, i will be paying using cash.

posted by AMP583 to Travel & Transportation (2 answers total)

Before that, you need to get the car checked out by a local mechanic. For a small fee ($100 or $200 IIRC) a local mechanic, preferably one that specialises in that brand of car, will give the car a thorough inspection and send you and the owner a report on it. Locate a mechanic in that ares (don't take the owner's recommendation) and then ask the owner to take the car in. The mechanic will be working for you and should be independent. Do that before you start the buying process.
posted by Joh at 4:06 PM on January 17, 2009

Fly out; drive home.
posted by SirStan at 5:07 PM on January 17, 2009