Who’s done this? Just looking for a cheap little honda civic(96-02) or similar. Seems like I’m getting alot of folks selling cars for someone else or cars that have mileage that seems too low for the age of the car or prices that are well below bluebook. All seems a bit shady. Any advice? Is having someone sign the title over safe or should we be meeting at the DMV to do the title transaction?
Guy at work is looking for pretty much the same car, and going through the same thing. I think the problem is that those are very desirable cars, so lots of re-sellers acquire and turn them for profit. You don't get to talk to the actual previous owner, and you don't have a real idea of how above-board the seller is. Buying anything more than a few yrs old means going to look at lots of cars, because it all comes down to condition. I'd say it's worth taking any car to a service center of some kind and have them go over it before agreeing to purchase.
Question about the title probably depends on your state. I’ve sold several vehicles and boats on CL and always signed the title and provided a bill of sale. I’ve bought one vehicle and accepted the title. All with no problem.
I would be nervous buying a used car from someone who didn’t own it. I also would never buy from a used car dealer.
There are plenty of good honest people selling cars on CL. If you talk to them, you should be able to figure out what kind of person they are. I would ask them how long they’ve owned it and if they’ve had any problems. Sometimes you can tell by their answers that they’re lying or hiding something.
Best advice is to walk away if it doesn’t seem right or is too good of a deal.
If you’re worried about getting robbed - meet at the DMV or a bank when it comes time to exchange money. If you go look at a car and want to buy it - make sure you can get to the money quickly enough that the person doesn’t sell it to someone who has cash.
ive bought a couple cars through craigslist.
one i met at a walmart parking lot in the middle of the day, very public with lots of cameras so the likelyhood of getting robbed is low.
another i went to the guys house but had a friend drive me there and wait around while we did the transaction. he was an older gentleman who lived down the street from a relative.
i got great deals both times and would do it again.
not really worried about getting robbed just wondering what kind of title problems I could have. I just looked at a 98 honda civic($2800). I didn’t buy it for other reasons but guy said he had a NY title(I’m in VA). I do agree there are some good deals out there. Just have to hunt them down. I’ve been checking VIN numbers. Lots of previously totaled or been in accidents that the current owner claims to know nothing about or weird odometer situations. The one I just looked at had 95K in 05 and has 104K now. Hmmmm.
You might call your DMV and ask them if there is anything special you must do when buying a vehicle that is titled in another state. The tag office is used to dealing with out-of-state deals - so they’ll tell you what you need.
It sounds as if you’re taking smart steps to protect yourself.
Be aware that there’s a new scam now where the car is sold legitimately but then later re-stolen. This hinges on the fact that the deal was done at your house, and they know where the car is, and probably have a second set of keys. Do it at their house, or at a very public forum.
I have done several $$$ cash deals for sales, but I always carry a .45.
The carfax printouts usually have record of milage from each time the tags were renewed. On a “rebuilt” title, you have to be careful. Recently got close to buying a very nice older car (out of state) with a rebuilt title, but decided not to just because of too much anxiety. In GA if you bring a car in with a rebuilt title, you have to get it re-inspected here just to keep the title as rebuilt; cost was about 150 bucks, but it’s illegal to drive till it’s been done, and I thought “what if it does not pass?”, so I passed. 
Who’s done this? Just looking for a cheap little honda civic(96-02) or similar. Seems like I’m getting alot of folks selling cars for someone else or cars that have mileage that seems too low for the age of the car or prices that are well below bluebook. All seems a bit shady. Any advice? Is having someone sign the title over safe or should we be meeting at the DMV to do the title transaction?
I just sold a '98 Honda on Craigslist (I got $650, but it had 265,000 miles). I just signed the title over to the buyer and wrote them a bill of sale. Did not seem like a problem.