Buying a truck w/ no title

[682XLR8]

Hi all-noob here, along with a noob question...

Thinking of driving up to take a look at this GMC

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/6142552301.html

I talked to the current owner a little while ago, and he states he bought this truck from the 2nd owner thinking he might fix it up, and decided not to. According to the guy i talked to, this 2nd owner parked the truck in 2001 and has not drove it since. Neither he or the 2nd owner have the title....

I did several Google searches on the subject of buying a vehicle w/o a title here in CA, and I'm seeing all kinds of conflicting info, and I want to be armed with knowledge BEFORE I make this long drive and possibly buy something I can't register, or have to pay some outrageous back fee. I have already checked the DMV website but getting info from someone that has actually been through the registration process would be much more helpful.
So my question is...has anyone here been through this process recently? Would getting the VIN in advance help?
Thanks

[chevylookin]

It used to be the vehicle would drop out of the DMV data base after a certain period of time and then when a relic vehicle resurfaced, it was like buying a new vehicle and fees would be calculated on the vehicles value. That is no longer the case with with the DMV's modern data storage and need to suck every penny they can out of everyone. You could be facing incredible back fees. Do not trust the DMV public websites. They will never be accurate enough to trust em. I learned that the hard way checking the status on line with a set of YOM license plates that were supposedly clear. Very expensive set of plates I bought that I found out I couldbt use. Your best bet is to get the vehicles vin and plate info and going and standing in line at DMV to find out the real story on the bucket before you buy it. Otherwise, you might end up with a parts truck you cant get rid of.

[Clyde65]

Call your local DMV and inquire there. You won't get conflicting there, just be sure to ask for documentation.

Bonded title:
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/de...s/reg/reg5057/

[682XLR8]

Thanks for the replies

I talked to the owner again yesterday, he gave me the VIN as well as posting more pics and adding the fact there is no title, however I also see he jacked the price up by $1k!! It was $4500 when I first called the owner....think I'm gonna pass on this, something is definitely not right
Thanks again or the replies

[chevylookin]

Hejacked the price up because his phone didnt stop ringing off the hook for that truck and he got greedy. That is one sweet step Jimmy. He also doesnt seem to care that there is no stinking title for the thing. He must be an ole timer and doesnt know its a pain in the neck and expensive to deal with undocumented work trucks nowadays. Ive been slapped with sticker shock before at the DMV and it aint fun. I bought an old 58 ragtop bug and fixed it up to resale a couple years ago. It had a salvaged title because it was a racer car back in the days and it got doinked in the nose. So little that the fenders didnt nees to be replaced but I guess the PO had it junked and bought it back from the ins co. When I bought it, it only took me a day or two to pull out the clip and have everything straightened up. You could barely see the evidence. I got that buggy lookin like a creampuff and when I went to sale it, no one would touch it because of the salvage title. I had to give it away basically. I lost some money on that one. Lesson learned. Anyways, you know you want that truck. Go check the status on it and if it aint that bad, try to bargain with the guy. If no sale, keep an eye on it. Either it will go to someone with deep pockets or the price will come down. If it was meant to be.... It is a nice truck. Id love to have it!

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by 682XLR8

Thanks for the replies

I talked to the owner again yesterday, he gave me the VIN as well as posting more pics and adding the fact there is no title, however I also see he jacked the price up by $1k!! It was $4500 when I first called the owner....think I'm gonna pass on this, something is definitely not right
Thanks again or the replies

bumping the price without making a single hint of effort to get it titled, deadbeat seller. good idea to pass.

[MikeN]

In many states (including Georgia, where I live) the state does not issue titles for vehicles past a certain age, usually 20 or 25 years old. When I bought my 64 C10, in 1996, I got a title from the seller, but a new title in my name was not issued when the vehicle was registered in my name.

Same deal with my 69 Chevelle, which I bought in 1997. Seller did not have a title. I took bill-of-sale from the seller to the DMV, they checked VIN to make sure no liens and that it was not stolen, and the car was then registered in my name. But I have no title for the Chevelle either.

[MikeN]

I notice that many of you guys are in California, and I get the sense that registering and owning antique vehicles out there is much more difficult when it comes to dealing with the state DMV

[Rickysnickers]

Just as an FYI, vehicles still do "fall" out of the system after some time. I'm not sure if it's five years, but that's what I remember hearing at an auto theft training session.

[shp4man]

That's a later model, smog era 250 engine if you care.

[Fatherof3]

If you have friends with a tow company or repair shop check with them. In some states they can do a lien etc. and get paperwork for a new title









.

[682XLR8]

I thought something fishy was up....
Just now saw this ad...it's the same truck!!

https://chico.craigslist.org/cto/6138244772.html

So no, I will not be buying this truck
The search goes on

Thank you everyone for your replies, the information given was very helpful

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by 682XLR8

I thought something fishy was up....
Just now saw this ad...it's the same truck!!

https://chico.craigslist.org/cto/6138244772.html

So no, I will not be buying this truck
The search goes on

Thank you everyone for your replies, the information given was very helpful

Yeah, but now it's only $1700.

[dubds10]

Originally Posted by 682XLR8

I thought something fishy was up....
Just now saw this ad...it's the same truck!!

https://chico.craigslist.org/cto/6138244772.html

So no, I will not be buying this truck
The search goes on

Thank you everyone for your replies, the information given was very helpful

It was an OK buy at that price, but without Title I still would've tried for $1000 or less which is probably what the flipper bought it for. Now it's just an over priced flip from another person trying to bank on the classic truck scene. Then it'll change hands and end up in Texas and be listed at $10k and it just keeps going. The classic car flipping scene is just getting out of hand these days. It's definitely not enjoyable anymore.

[vince1]

N/a

[shp4man]

It's a nice truck. DMV fees must be a *****. I'd love to have that truck. Kinda rare. Isn't it supposed to be a 305 V6?

[Praxiss454]

Damn for $1700 if it was a real deal that'd be such a good price for body in that condition.

[682XLR8]

The latest ad I posted appears to be the 2nd owner I mentioned in my opening post....3rd owner buys it, cleans it up a little, gets it running, and wants to turn a good-sized profit....he did say he hasn't had it for long and he "wanted to maybe make a few bucks" as he put it...nothing wrong with that but after seeing this other ad today, I'm not going to be the one lining his pockets especially after upping the price

Yes the body on this truck is nice, minimal rust that I can see and only two dents that show up in the pics

[shp4man]

Most of these flipper jackasses don't even bother to clean the empty beer cans off the floor. They just say it's a "barn find". that "ran when parked".
They apparently don't have enough mechanical ability to pour some gas down the carb and hook a battery up to see if it even will start.
The sad part is some inexperienced but very enthusiastic buyer won't realize what a money pit this type of vehicle can become.
So ya. Flippers suck.