Title Transfer Question

lsf911 · lsf911's Garage

Not sure if this section of the forum is the correct place for this question but here goes...

As of late, I have been thinking about buying a project/roller 911. In doing some searches, I began to wonder, if I purchased an incomplete car or even a complete car that will not be running or on the road for a while, how do I get the title in my name?

I realize this situation will most likely be different depending on which state we are talking about. I live in MA., here, when I register a car (which has to be insured to do that) the registry takes the old title and will mail me a new title in my name, only after I have paid book value sales tax. In MA., they don't care what you paid for it, they charge you what "the book" says it's worth if it's a private sale. There is no option for a roller in that book.

If I buy a project/roller car, I don't want to register the car for quite a while, so how would I transfer the title? What have you guys done in this situation?

Thanks in advance.

juanbenae · juanbenae's Garage

do they have any sort of state sanctioned "referee" for automotive compliance issues? that you could take the car to and declare it in such a derelict state that minimal tax should be paid? I'm in CA so I feel the pain.

what is the tax on the car? they have no idea what us knuckleheads will pay for a roller, or smog exempt car that leaks oil by the pint. can't you declare it non-op until further notice and you just want it in your name. you might have to suffer an inspection and pay more tax when it runs in the future... especially if it looks all cool & expensive.

t

Unobtanium-inc · 12-01-2016, 04:06 PM

I think in MA you can title the car in your name without having to register it.

lsf911 · lsf911's Garage

Thanks guys for the responses. Not sure how to get a noop title nor do I think I would want one.

juanbenae, the MA tax on a 71 911T would be based on a value of $27,600. The rate is 6.5%, so around $1800. That's not awful, especially if I'm a knucklehead and buy a roller for $27,000

Hoping to get one less than that though.

Unobtanium, I hope you are correct on that. I did not see anything like that on the RMV website. Maybe a call is in order.

juanbenae · juanbenae's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsf911

Thanks guys for the responses. Not sure how to get a noop title nor do I think I would want one.

juanbenae, the MA tax on a 71 911T would be based on a value of $27,600. The rate is 6.5%, so around $1800. That's not awful, especially if I'm a knucklehead and buy a roller for $27,000

Maybe a call is in order.

wow! MA is hip to value we knuckles put into these rollers.... I'm tending to a sweeet roller's motor now too..

1979-930 · 1979-930's Garage

Here in CA they have an information line at the DMV. I would start there.

Matt Monson · 12-02-2016, 06:38 AM

I've sat on cars before with an open title for up to 5 years. Never really stressed me out on a project car.

If I toss it on a trailer and take it to the smog station they will give me a vin verification. Then I can title it at DMV but have no obligation to register it. That's a Colorado.

onevoice · 12-02-2016, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsf911

Thanks guys for the responses. Not sure how to get a noop title nor do I think I would want one.

juanbenae, the MA tax on a 71 911T would be based on a value of $27,600. The rate is 6.5%, so around $1800. That's not awful, especially if I'm a knucklehead and buy a roller for $27,000

r.

It is all completely dependent on the state. My state doesn't even have titles for pre75 cars, all you get is the county registration document. I can title a car without registering it, and can can put a $10 price on the bill of sale if I want. (And I have

)

Surely your state has a mechanism to title a car that doesn't run. And in any case, you would want to insure it for what it is really worth. You don't need the title to insurance either.

mreid · 12-02-2016, 01:29 PM

All states are different. Most allow you the transfer title without registering the vehicle. Call your DMV.

On a related point, I have a 1984 widebody roller for sale. No rust, all glass, electrical and gauges.

WANNA930 · 12-02-2016, 02:53 PM

Title the car in your name as soon as you can. The last thing you want to do is invest $100k in a car to find out 5 years later there is a vin or ownership issue.

Make sure the title is in the nam of the person selling the car. This isn't the 80's and in some states selling a car not titled in your name means the buyer might have to go back to the person who sold the middle man to finalize the deal. Been there lost a lot of money and never again.

Title transfers ownership registering for road use is not required. Title can be a simple bill of sale, registration or an actual title.

Just go to DMV and explain you are just transferring in your name.

lsf911 · lsf911's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by WANNA930

Title the car in your name as soon as you can. The last thing you want to do is invest $100k in a car to find out 5 years later there is a vin or ownership issue.

^^^this is exactly what I was afraid of and a reason I would want to transfer the title over as soon as possible.

Thank you all for your responses.

911hutch · 12-03-2016, 09:06 AM

In Mass one can title a car without insuring or registering that are vehicle. I have done it many times.

atcjorg · atcjorg's Garage

you can change title without registering in ca just place in non operation

bobbyp · bobbyp's Garage

Here in NY, titling a car and registering a car, even though normally done at the same time are separate processes.

State just wants their sales tax and is happy to just issue a title without plates.

lsf911 · lsf911's Garage

Thanks everyone for your input.

I spoke with the RMV here in MA., and yes, you can just title a car without registering it. The catch is, it has to be within 10 days of purchase and after you pay sales tax.

If the car purchased does not have a title, then a previous registration along with a bill-of-sale is necessary to start the process. Of course they recommend running the VIN first to make sure it was not salvaged or has a lien.

Thanks again!

lsf911 · lsf911's Garage

Follow-up question...

Have any of you guys/gals purchased a car without a title and without a previous registration? In other words, no paper work at all.

I found a 69 912 in pretty good shape but it only comes with a bill-of-sale. Is it wise to move forward on something like this? What are the risks involved in this type of transaction? Any horror stories out there?

Thanks in advance.

Unobtanium-inc · 01-04-2017, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsf911

Follow-up question...

Have any of you guys/gals purchased a car without a title and without a previous registration? In other words, no paper work at all.

I found a 69 912 in pretty good shape but it only comes with a bill-of-sale. Is it wise to move forward on something like this? What are the risks involved in this type of transaction? Any horror stories out there?

Thanks in advance.

It depends on what state the Bill of Sale is from. States like NY and GA don't give titles for old car (pre-74) so a Bill of Sale is legal and can be converted to a title in another state. But if the car was bought in a title state you will need a title from that state.

---Adam

lsf911 · lsf911's Garage

Thanks Adam, that helps a lot.

How do you check on the VIN before purchase?

Unobtanium-inc · 01-04-2017, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsf911

Thanks Adam, that helps a lot.

How do you check on the VIN before purchase?

Checking the VIN for us is easy, we walk across the street to the cop shop, it's nice having 24 hour security too.

lsf911 · lsf911's Garage

Now that's not very helpful to me but great for you