heading to montana, checklist

so I sent the down payment to the guy. I'm kinda nervous about this long distance stuff. but I think I have enough info. things I did:

- called the owner multiple times and asked him 1000 questions, he never contradicted himself and was consistent, which I think it's a good sign.
- called the previous owner and spent half-hour talking about the car and every single details I could think about
- called the mechanic who worked on the electrical part
- ran carfax, FWIW
- I'm getting a video this weekend

now what do I need to do?
- buy car insurance
- he wants to take his plates off, so I might have to get temporary plates, or if the turnaround time is short enough get the real deal, but do I need the title for that?
- I'm gonna do Amtrak, it's cheaper and the ride would be pretty, and I can get some sleep, get some work done. If I find a ride west then I'll take it.
- get a cashier's check

what else?

 

The way I see it, you have a couple options.

1: Keep the plates and mail them back when you get the car registered in MN With signed title in hand, your insurance, and his registration paperwork, you are good to go.

2: Find out (from MT DMV) if you are able to get a temp registration with an out of state addy. Explain that you are buying the car and moving it to MN and need a trip permit to remain legal for the trip.

3: Have him send you the signed title, and get your registration done before you leave (ya right)

4: Find out if MN will allow you to get a temp registration (they do 21day for buyers) with a photo copy/fax of the title signed to you, for your trip.

 

ahahah. exactly. :laugh:

I think he just said that he's not comfortable leaving his plates because if I do some crazy **** he might get in trouble, because the title change is fresh. so sending him back the plates is not an option.

so yeah the temporary plates should work.

 

He is protected by you messing around with his plates by a couple things.

First of all, you will sign a bill of sale of some sort. If he is smart he will be keeping a copy of this himself AND having both signed and notarized (can be done at any bank) Secondly there should be a detachable section of the title or a form he can get at the local DMV that is a "report of sale" This tells the state that he sold the car, and you are now the new owner. So if you do anything DUMB it will not fall on him.

Watch the temp license, sometimes they are not good for out of state travel. Also if you get a MT temp, you will have to get it from the DMV and that typically includes a title transfer. You would then have to wait for MT to get the new title to you in the mail AND get to the MN DMV for the transfer. You have 21 days to get this done.

I would say take him and all paperwork to the DMV in MT, tell them the situation, and see what they say.

 

Do this. Also if you can get the phone number of the MT DMV call them and explain before you leave MN. Most DMV-minions can answer these questions over the phone.

 

ok thanks. that's a good idea. but I think he'll have to do it himself. because I am gonna get there on saturday. I also need to burn some cds for the trip . but I can call them to double check everything.

 

I bought a car out of state (Atlanta) - MN had no way to give me a temp plate, couldn't register until the car was back here, I called half a dozen agencies in Georgia (state, city, county) - nothing they could issue. I just drove back with no plates, taped the bill of sale the guy wrote up in the back window, at least it looked like there was some kind of paperwork if anyone glanced at the car. Made it back with no problems. YMMV.

Maybe there is a better way, I don't know, I tried... if you get pulled over, as long as you have a bill of sale and signed title, not sure what else they can expect you to do.

 

Where in montana? I lived there for 5 years and I'm going back there in 2 weeks. It wouldn't suprise me if he has custom plates because they cost $20 there, which could also explain why he wants them back.

 

Contact MT DMV:
There are two ways states handle plates:
Plates stay with the car -- simple plates transfer to you, you drive on MT plates and get MN plates when you get here
Plates stay with the owner -- You go to MT DMV and get transfer tags. These are temp tags that let you drive to MN to get tags.
With personal plates they tend to all be the second. Call up MT DMV and explain the situation. They'll likely give ypou some paper tags good for 30 days for a minor fee.
You should also be able to call up your insurance, give them the vin and be setup to be insured before you buy the car. coverage starts the minute you sign the paper.

Amtracks pretty awesome BTW.

 

Check the tires before you leave.

 

it's close to kalispell, or it's there actually. are you moving back there. can I catch a ride with ya?
$20 that's so cheap.
here's a quick video. what's that whistle? the exhaust?

 

I'm actualy taking the train to Havre, MT to help my aunt and uncle with cattle branding (Yeah, I know, the people who have meet me are probably thinking WTF right now). I'm just going to be there for a weekend. If it was near havre I'd tell you that i'd check it out, but Kalispell is a little bit of a hike for my short time frame there.

As for your plate situation. Here's my $.02. I used to drive that trip 2 times a year. Granted it was from Bozeman, MT -> MSP. You'll be taking Highway 2 down to Circle, MT then over to GlenDIVE, MT (a crap hole city, stay away from there if possible if your going to make it a 2 day drive). Honistly, You'll see Cops near Bismark, ND (Make sure you go the speed limit there, it's the captal city and they do watch their only highway), you'll see them also outside of Moorhead, MN (once again, it's 55 though there, go the speed limit) and then maybe some once you get into the metro area. If he's really pushin to have his plate back, You'll be fine with just a sheet of paper up in the window with a bill of sale + make sure you have that title in hand with the date of sale on it showing that just bought it. Personally, unless it's a custom plate (which wouldn't surprise me), lean on him a bit to give you the plate because if he was to sell it to a dealership they would take the plate also. Another point, yeah, it will get you back here, but after that you might have a PITA time trying to get something that will allow you to drive around the cities.

It wouldn't hurt to get a radar detector also.

 

I just went straight to the DMV with the title, paid tax + fees, they handed me plates on the spot.

Don't forget you'll need to pay sales tax when you register, that could be a chunk of change. They pretty much go on your word for the price of the car, but it needs to be reasonable, and a bill of sale backing it up wouldn't hurt.

 

thanks ryan and austinpike. is the train decent? with decent people? I am used to greyhound where they sell weed in the back..lol

has anyone checked the video out, what could that whistle be? water pump, a/c pulley?

 

Yes, the train is decent. You may get a drunk ass or two on there because IIRC they let you carry on your own booze.

As for the whistle, It just sounds like the engine is cold and running at higher RPM's. My wife's 2.5rs sounds like a god damn diesel in the wintertime when she starts it up, but once it warms up it sounds fine. That's just my guess, who knows, I could be wrong. I've been wrong before in the past.

 

http://s21.photobucket.com/albums/b299/mossie4/?action=view&current=Subie4-14001.flv

here's a longer video. I am looking to find someone that can go check the car out. he said it might be the a/c condenser