Bying a race car with no title

[mug23]

Hello,

I just want some opinions from you guys about buying a race car with no title before I go about doing it. How would it affect me if at all down the road. Do I really need a title? How about going to events in Canada crossing the boarder without a title? Anything else that I may need to know of?

I did a VIN check on it and it came back clean in terms of being salvage or not. If it's stolen and accidents. Should I spend the money and pull a carfax?

If anyone can give me more in-sites on this matter, that would be great.

Thank you.
David

[Shawn624]

What state are you in and what model year is the car?

[mug23]

I'm in Mass and I'm buying another 944 which is almost race ready.

This car:

http://boston.craigslist.org/sob/cto/2942238225.html

[iamrazor]

I thought you only needed a valid registration to cross into Canada? I know in NH after x years you don't need a title anymore. IMO, since it'll only be a track car I'd say who cares.. Although, part of me would want to know if it was hot...

[imgon]

That car is owned by a fellow COM member. He did a nice job setting it up, I think all it needs is some fresh gas and a track to go play on. He has had it for a while now, he has kept it as a back up in case his other car couldn't make it to the track. I know he did a check on it years ago to confirm it wasn't stolen. The only real reason you might need a title right away is if you wanted to get it registered and drive it on the street around here. I'm not sure what the rules are in Canada, if you are planning on going there, find out what their deal is. If a title is needed you can always apply for one,you may even be able to do it online through the RMV. As for the carfax, it may give you enough history to help with a title if you decide you need to title it, otherwise probably not worth spending the money.

[Shawn624]

I've sold cars that were more than 15 years old without a title to people in MA who have been able to fill out a form and register the car there. It might be worth the expense of registering the car if you are transporting it across the Canadian border.

[paultg]

Aren't you at a risk of getting in hot water with sales tax (or lack of)?

If you had a previous copy of registration from the seller with his info that is better than nothing, but if the car has never been titled or registered by him, I think that is a bit iffy.

[John F]

You would never be able to register it, nor could anyone you might sell it to. Other than that, I don't see an issue.

[mug23]

I would never register this car. It wouldn't be street legal anyways with the full cage, HVAC all gone and no side window glass plus all lexan glass. So I guess it wouldn't be a big deal without title. The only worry I may have is going to Canada.

[Mick]

I've had customs ask me for a title to my car. Not sure if a bill of sale would be enough. Maybe try calling customs to ask?

[John F]

I had customs ask me for proof that I bought it before entering Canada. I had no problem because it's registered, but have to assume that a bill of sale would suffice.

[mug23]

I brought my Subaru STI to one of the Mt. Tremblent event one time and when I was crossing the boarder, they never did ask me for proof or anything for the car. He just let me by but I wasn't worry since I had my title for the car.

I guess boarder crossing is a like a box of chocolate. You never know what patrol guard you get until you open it or talk to him/her...

Usually I would think that a bill of sale and previous documents will be good enough. How about the US boarder patrols?

[962porsche]

i have gone to canada a number of times with my diasio ( 5 or 6 times ) and 3 times with my 944 i have never been asked about having a title . hell the diasio doesn't have titles and never has you can't ever get that car reg. for the road .
in CT if you have a proper bill of sale . you can go to DMV and do a title search for 35 dollars it takes all of about 4 hours in line and 3 minutes at the desk .
i have done it many times as i like to flip cars . also in ct if the car is 25 years or older you don't need a title to get the car reg.
if it's a car that is not for road use you in no way need a title .

[RyanC]

I had a problem getting out of Canada with my Civic a few years back. Squinty Joe and I thought we were headed for the 'federal pound you in the ass eh!' prison for a minute. Basically, I have no paperwork on the car (reg or title) and the US Border Patrol didn't like that. I explained the situation, and they said that next time I bring the car across into Canada, to document the VIN with the Canadian authorities. They give you a receipt saying "This guy brought car J12982342398 into Canadia eh!', therefore when you bring it back out, you have proof it was with you on the way in. They do this because a lot of cars are stolen (as it was explained to me) and brought across the border.

It's about a 10 minute stop to add to your trip, but will eliminate the hassle.

[John F]

I had a problem getting out of Canada with my Civic a few years back. Squinty Joe and I thought we were headed for the 'federal pound you in the ass eh!' prison for a minute. Basically, I have no paperwork on the car (reg or title) and the US Border Patrol didn't like that. I explained the situation, and they said that next time I bring the car across into Canada, to document the VIN with the Canadian authorities. They give you a receipt saying "This guy brought car J12982342398 into Canadia eh!', therefore when you bring it back out, you have proof it was with you on the way in. They do this because a lot of cars are stolen (as it was explained to me) and brought across the border.

It's about a 10 minute stop to add to your trip, but will eliminate the hassle.

I did this on my first trip into Canada. I had a list of all the tools, tires, gas cans...etc and had the canuks stamp it on the way in. They laughed at it but did it anyway.