astrosurfer

OK folks. A bit of a long winded issue here. Please anybody who has titling experience or insider knowledge could you give me some guidance. I purchased an 84 trans am on dec 26 last year. At the time I was unable to go do the titling due to 1 thing or another. There was money going out on restoration/engine parts and I figured I'd go register and title it when done. This has all taken a bit more time than expected..... Here's my issue really. The vehicle has a BONDED title in Mississippi. Louisiana DMV are all hands in the air like WE DON'T touch bonded titles. (I have a salvage title on my 2000 firebird) You must go do it in MS. Meaning that I'd have to move to MS, change my license, address and insurance. Then I would Still not be able to transfer it to LA. MS are like all hands in the air saying...WE WON'T remove the BONDING. Now I find that the title in fact has the wrong VIN. It is close, but incorrect on 1 number and 1 letter. Probably from reading the rusty vin plate in the window and taking that to the bonding agency or wherever. The actual RPO sticker in the console and an old insurance card inside the car reveal the real vin#. So does the 1 inside the windshield when read carefully. All along with this I was made aware after the sale that the owner who sold it to me did not go to dmv and change the title either. Meaning that the title is still registered to someone else. It is signed by the owner written on the title but not dated. The transaction went by quickly and smoothly And due to the holiday period I was unable to go to a notary and notarize the sale. I basically drove with truck and trailer, met this guy half way from me to him and transferred the car to my trailer, handed over the cash, got my receipt of sale and title which was signed. I thought everything was good. Without getting too far into it right now. I am way further into this vehicle financially than I was when I bought it. I paid $600 but got my receipt written for $200 so as I could save when paying tax on registration I need to get this vehicle titled. I can never get my money back for this now. 1. chance of getting it back legally are almost nil...and my receipt states $200...so that's not an option to give it back for that price. (I'm almost 2 grand in it now with parts and motor work etc). 2. it was almost a year ago. 3. even if I had done this last year, I'd still be in the same situation. However I would not be 2 G's in it. Not for re-sale purposes, but only for myself. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions please let me know. I do ask that anyone who has that "You're Just screwed" answer to not express it please. To add to my poor situation.... I am not from this country and I seem to have been slack in my knowledge of motor vehicle laws. I have dreamed of having one of these trans ams since I was a young man (15) and I am now 41. We do not have many of these in the UK to my knowledge. This was the ultimate project for me and now the kick in the pants is painful. I almost want to cry but big boys don't do that, so stiff upper lip and all that eh? Please someone help!! Thank you to all who took the time to read all of this. And even more to any who reply with insight. Thanks

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camaro2seater

You should still be able to register the car even though it has a bonded title.I see no reason why they wouldn't.You will still have a bonded title once it is in your name, you can't have the bond removed until three years from when it was originally issued.After 3 years from when the bonded title was issued you can get clear title.

astrosurfer

That's not what I was told on phone to MS dmv.
I was told that it CANNOT be removed. After being passed along twice and then talking to someone's boss.
Anyways I have to go the other route. That bonded title does not match my VIN....so I'm gonna go file for a lost title. That's a major PITA in LA. Now I have no idea of the last registered owner of the correct VIN.
My carfax/autocheck shows the last history entry being 2005 in Arkansas.

Therefore my thinking is that this owner sold it possibly without a title and the named owner on my Incorrect title applied for a bonded title with the wrong vin#.
That's where I stand at the moment with it.
LA dmv require the lost title be filed by the last registered owner. This state is messed up. You can't sell one without a title here. So how do the other folks get replacement titles?

I've seen some online traders will basically do it for you for the sum of around $350.
That's a little steep right now to think about.

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ternandes

It's funny you should ask... I am going through something similar myself. I am not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV... so I take no responsibility for the advice dispensed herein.

I purchased an 88 GTA that was advertised for sale with no title. (I did a quick search using the NICB 's VINcheck. It came back clean.) I bought it because I needed parts for a V8 swap. To make a long story short, the car was in much better shape than I had been told, and also in WAAAY better shape than the car that I was going to swap the motor into.

This of course I realized after I had already bought the car. The guy who sold it to me refused to answer my emails once I had the car... So then I paid $20 for an AutoCheck report. I got more details, but no info on the titled owner, just when and where it had been titled.

This info told me the state in which it had last been titled, which happens to be the one where I live. I then contacted DMV, and began a process to title an "abandoned vehicle". It only cost $25, and it involves the DMV attempting to contact the titled owner. If the titled owner does not respond, or can't be found, there is a waiting period, and then they issue a title. If the owner does respond, they have so many days to claim the vehicle and pay any charges due, otherwise, once again, you get a title.

Now the law is going to vary from state to state, and some will be more challenging than others. You need to research the DMV laws in your state. I checked with the OMV in LA, and there is no info on the site. They do give a toll free number to call if your question is not listed.

Since the car was never titled in LA, and the last reported title is in Arkansas, you may want to see if you can get an Arkansas title. I would check with LA OMV first, to see what they say.

astrosurfer

thanks for the input there.
I remember reading some abandonment laws on the dmv site.
I'll have to re-read on that.
If I recall though it's a very complicated process.
All I need is a piece of paper which proves that at some point I did legally give someone money for my car.

the thing that worries me is that by filing for an abandonment title.
Would I not be inviting a problem of the last registered owner wanting it back? Like if they paid all the penalties because it would be cheaper than getting a decent third gen now.

Boy....I'd be screwed.
One of my bosses, who's big into cars and drag racing, Says I should do it in Alabama through one of those antique titling agencies. He's got a lot of old mustangs, but never had this problem personally. However knows people who have.

My other boss is telling me to not give out the VIN# until I know it will be done.
He says the vin could get flagged and I'll never be able to do it.

It's all got me a bit angry at the system.
Not sure which way will guarantee me

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ternandes

Well, very few things in life are guaranteed.

If the titled owner wanted the car, they probably already would have laid a claim to it. In a lot of cases, when a car is sold without a title, it is because the title was lost or destroyed, and the owner didn't want to go through the hassle of acquiring a replacement title. They would now have to do so in order to claim the car.

A good way to avoid a claim is to make it difficult and/or costly for that person to claim the car. For example, unless the car is drivable, it's going to cost money to ship the car. Also, if the car is in a state of disassembly, then you would not be responsible for reassembling it. You just report that you agreed to allow somebody to store the car on your property while it was being worked on. Ultimately, that person abandoned it there in its present condition, and that you want the car removed, or else you want title to the car so that you may legally dispose of it.

The titled owner would not have a claim on any parts that you have purchased for the car, and as long as the car hasn't been reported stolen you would not be held responsible for the present condition of the car.

Finally, there will be a legal deadline for removal. If it is 15 days, and the car is in pieces, the likelihood that some former owner is going to have the desire, the time, and the wherewithal to claim the car and remove it within that time frame is minimal.

In all likelihood, unless the car is in mint condition and the titled owner is a greedy SOB, it will not be claimed. I recall that I once sold a car, and the people who bought it never titled it, and drove it around with 'borrowed' plates until it died. They abandoned it, and I was contacted, as the last titled owner. I told the police department that I had no interest in claiming the car, as it had been sold, and I had signed title over to the purchaser. Had I claimed the car, I would have been liable for towing and parking tickets, plus I would have had an old car that needed repair.

astrosurfer

I see.
Tonight, or in the morning I am going to the local police office to inquire as to my best move here.
I read on another search about them helping....it's worth a try.
I have been unable to contact the person I bought the car from...however that would prove fruitless since I would be pursuing the wrong title anyways. He didn't register and the previous owner could only get me a replacement title for the wrong VIN#.

Depending on what the police say I will be talking to an acquaintance who works in a bank, and whom I recently repaired their roof. This person has a sister who works at a towing/wrecker service and are always going through title acquirement. There should be excellent advice to be gained from that.
I'm hoping 1 of the 2 works out for me.

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Dustytrix

Let us know how it works out. I live in Ms and I am going through a similar ordeal with the title for my car. The person sold it to me for monthly payments but when I paid my last note I couldn,t get the title because he had a lean out against the car. And he skipped town so now I cant find him.

t-top havoc

Look into also putting a lein against the title//car.That way if someone tries to claim it,they must pay you for storage & any work done.

Wikipedia summary--
"In U.S. law,a lien is the broadcast term for any sort of charge or encumbrance against an item of property that secures the payment of a debt or performance of some other obligation..." Look up the definition and see what you can do legaly if you go this direction.

I"m not a Lawyer either.Go to the library or use your computer-read-up on liens and what//how they are applied legaly.

Could he have given the wrong title? Maybe he had another vehicle and mistakenly gave you the wrong one??

You have a bill-of-sale and you have the car. Study the laws in your State and go from there.
{edit}
What does "Bonded" mean??..??

astrosurfer

Bonded means that someone went to register a car without proof that they actually own it...i.e. no title or receipt from what I can tell.
A bond company appraises the car and set's a 10% bond value to issue a title.
The vin# is reported and the previous owner may lay claim to the vehicle.
pretty much like a lost title but more of a PITA.
I'll look into your suggestions.
Why does this simple thing have to be so complicated.

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84rider

Hello,

I just recently had the same thing with my 1984 Camaro, i used a online company that has worked out great for me. it was 350 to get everything done. But i figured after putting about 7K into my baby it was worth the money. but any who the Tech that work with me has been wonderful and kept in touch with me threw the whole process. giving me updates the whole time, i am very pleased with there work and the quickness they worked to get me a title,plate and even Reg. here's the website check it out and see what you think honestly.

The person i bought my car from moved to Japan and well it was really hard to get in touch with him to try and get the title. the tech helped me get everything in order and here i am now driving my baby


www.getnewtitle.com

you can always send a email to them explaining whats going on and they will respond to you very fast and let you know what needs to be done and how the process will work

ternandes

Update on my car: I got the title to it today. The VA procedure was online (except for the final part, which required a brief DMV visit to have the title issued, on the spot), and virtually painless.

I hope you can have similar success.

astrosurfer

mines is getting a little better.
I went to state police yesterday and they run the vin for me...not stolen.
They told me to load it up on the trailer and take it to them and they will inspect it and give me paperwork to take to DMV....
Planning on doing that at the weekend and hopefully....hopefully this all works out like they say.
They will also state that the supporting documents differ from the vehicle.
The DPS policeman said I should have no trouble really. But it's one step closer.
They deal with it often enough to give me the right advice.
I'll keep you all posted.

Edit: I did get in touch with getnewtitle.com and explained all in a lengthy email...a lady called next day and assured me I can get a registration through MAINE. I have not acted on this because I feel I have not exhausted all other alley ways. And welcome to thirdgen.org buddy. Hope to see you around on the boards.

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