Ran across a burgundy 97 maxima, female owns it, she says she wants $700, I offered $500. The problem she says the battery keeps getting drained and they dont know what is causing it. 176,000 miles leather interior with no title, also the passenger rear vent window is broken, I wont be able to look at it until monday, but If . I like it I may offer less. Should I buy this with no title?

 

$500 is a good price for a parts car.
I wouldn't plan on driving any car sold without a title, no matter what state it came from.

 

It's possible that they lost the title, but it's also possible they never had one, either.

Get the VIN and do a search for it. Go to the National Insurance Crime Bureau's VINCheck database to find out.

This is a free service but do not confuse it with CarFax. This will not tell you about accidents, title changes, license renewal and all that stuff that CarFax does.

You will only get "is it stolen?" and "has it been totaled?" answers. If you want all the other info, you will have to go to CarFax or Autocheck and pay for it.

Here is the link -

https://www.nicb.org/theft_and_fraud...check/vincheck

You could also try your local friendly police department. The might do it.

If it is not a stolen car and you want to get a title for it, that could be a major pain because the state may want the owner that is listed in their records to sign off.

 

I wouldn't let the battery drain issue stop me. Depending on your ability to use a multimeter that should not be very hard to fix.

 

She says the car was passed down to her from parents, so I dont know about this, and she cant send any pictures.

 

The title is a separate issue that definitely needs to be checked into, especially if you are going to be driving the car. Getting license plates for a car without a title could be a problem, depending on your state laws.

The battery drain is another issue. The first thing I would do is get a load test done on the battery and see if it is good. A bad battery can discharge by itself.

 

No title, no purchase. Unless you want a parts car.

 

In some places like RI, you dont need a title to get registered, just the previous owners registration...(R.I reg)

 

Check to see if DMV allows a bonded title. Basically you get the car appraised at a dealership, take that appraisal to an insurance company and they bond it then dmv issues a title in your name. I have paid between 150-$200 for bonds and written appraisals free-$50

 

Can the owner not go to the DMV to get another title? Here in Canada if we misplace the ownership we go to the MTO and pay i believe it's 10 bucks to replace it. Back window im sure can be easily gotten from your local scrapyard and the battery drain issue could be something as simple as a bad battery needing to be replaced. If she can get you the title it may be worth picking it up if the price is right.

 

Back window is very easy to fix. couple of bolts and it slides right out. If you want it for a parts car, use the no title issue to get her down to $400. Where I live there is not much of a market for Maxima parts cars.
More important issue is why she does not have a title. If she lost it, have her get a duplicate one. Even if you are using it as a parts car, when it comes time to sell it to the junkyard, a title makes it easier.

 

or find out if her parents can dig one up. ask her if she ever had the title in the first place or if she can get a duplicate as finkle stated.

 

Just did this last week on a third party lost title Ford Escort ZX2! DMV can check VIN for status online...free (liens, salvaged, last registered date and owner's name/address, etc)
1. Go to your DMV and apply for a Bonded tilte... Application...approx $15.
2. Call your auto insurance agent for a Sured Bond ...approx $100
3. then apply for your registration and plates @ your Annex/local county/parish tax office.

I learned alot going through my situation with my $700 ZX2 for my Daughter!

 

I wouldn't buy a car without a title.. Not worth the risk. Not even good for parts since the title is not in your name.

 

The VIN can be checked out by the state DMV and well as other agencies...No liens, not stolen, no problem! In Texas, ownership is 90% possession of property, 10% paoperwork! Getting it bonded protects the new owner from anyone claiming the property after it's titled, or fixed! Do you think the auto storage lots (where cars are taken after accidents/or towed ) have a title? If you can pay to recover/release your car that's great. But if you can't, they're gonna own your car! A couple of certified letters to the owner IF THAT and it's all theirs!!! I just had an accident in a friend's/customer's car on 9-14-14 and I accidently left my work bag in the car with both work ID's and the storage lot would not allow me to get my own belongs!!! They're full of crap and nothing but alot of thieves! I got my stuff eventually with the vehicle owner present! But they eventually retitle the cars fix them and sell them!

 

decided not to bother with it, they even dropped the price down to $500 still no title though.

 

is it even worth the time to see if another title can be made?

 

The car could have a lien on it. If it does, and you buy it, you now are responsible to get the lien paid for. And technically the whole car and its parts belong to the lender so you couldnt part it out, ethically. So I would at least look into why they dont have a title.

 

The DVM will know if there are any liens!!! Once you confirm that there aren't any liens nor it isn't stolen, you can apply for a vehicle bond and do it! It prevents anyone from saying it's their vehicle and it's securely yours. I paid $700 for a 3rd party 98 Ford Escort ZX2 for my daughter. I spent another $350 for the bond/registration/license/liability/state inspection! Done!

 

Ok I will check and see if they can at least send me the vin