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Buying a car from New York?

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wolfehunter

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I've agreed with a seller in New York on a 1971 which he says he is not required to have a title for because they are exempt. He states that all I will need is a bill of sale and the registration to get a title here in Pa. Does anyone know if this is correct? He states that I can come pick the car up anytime and we don't have to go to a notary or dealer to make the transfer. I plan to call DOT here in Pa tomorrow but wondering what anyone's experience here has been.

Thanks
 
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#2 ·
Scott,
I bought a '72 Malibu from New York last year.
The info you have been given is CORRECT! New York State did NOT begin issuing car titles until 1973.
I know this for a fact...did the research last year before purchase.
However, in my state (GA), if a title never existed OR the vehicle is over 10 years old, a new title is not required and will not be issued.
 
#5 ·
270ss said:
No titles on cars in ny before 73, all before had a registration only..
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That is correct! The Chevelle will have a transferable registration and not a title.
 
#6 ·
it depends on the state the car is registered in. if the state doesn't title a car then obviously there won't be a title. generally you need proof that the owner on the bill of sale is the owner hence you need a copy of their registration. the local DMV has a manual with criteria for every state. here in alabama i do a couple every week for out of staters. i register in my name and sell back with a notarized bill of sale for the miniscule fee of $50. never had a failure. states i have clients in are IL, MO, TN, KY, OK, CA, NV, NJ, NY,LA,WI, MI, IA.
 
#8 ·
Call PA DMV. Find out what forms you might need the out of state seller to sign. The forms in your state are what is important.

While the seller is correct that NY has no titles to 73 and prior, you may need some PA DMV forms filled out and signed by the seller.

This same situation happened to me when I bought an ATV from Virginia. I had to mail the seller forms for him to sign so I could register the ATV in NY. The bill of sale wasn't enough.
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
Thanks for all the advice. He showed me his registration and it says "transferable" right on it which is good. I called DOT here in Pa. today and was told that all I will need is the registration. She said a bill of sale wasn't necesary so I wonder how they decide how much sales tax I have to pay? Do they take my word on what I paid for the car? She did tell me that I would have to come to Harrisburg to apply for the title and that a notary or tag transfer place couldn't do it? I'm going to check around on that one to make sure. Harrisburg is an hour away so it's not that huge a deal and I actually have to go there for my job on occasion so that will work out. Looks like I'm good to go!
 
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#11 ·
Registration info is correct, but I would get a bill of sale from the guy for sure, even if it's just a hand written note that's signed by him with the amount of sale on it. Im thinking that she might have said that because you bought the car in another state, so there would be no sales tax due. I bought a Camaro in Maine a few years ago, and when I registered it here in NY, as I remember, I dont think the sales tax was an issue. I might be wrong. But unless cars are different, you dont pay tax on items bought out of state.
 
#12 ·
I thought NY taxed everything no matter what it is!!! If once wasn't enough, they get you again one way or another!!!:)
 
#14 ·
SS69Chevelle said:
Think most states use a standard vehicle tax value to determine the tax required.
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LOL :) I was being sarcastic, as I live in the highest taxed state in the union and to this day I still haven't figured out what I am still doing here.:clonk: I'm surprised they haven't tried to tax the air we breathe!! I think the rate in NY is 8%...maybe a little higher or lower depending which county it is being bought in. You will probably need a bill of sale when you go to license it. We used to get a hand written bill of sale from the seller of an old car with the transferable registration. If you were a dishonest person, you could agree on the selling price as maybe $150.00-$200.00, being that the car is 30+ years old, and cheat the state out of all that tax money. I know most of us would never do anything like that :eek:. I haven't purchased an old vehicle lately, but I think the bill of sale might have to be notorized now????? Does anyone know for sure? :beers:
 
#16 ·
I haven't purchased an old vehicle lately, but I think the bill of sale might have to be notorized now????? Does anyone know for sure?

Doesnt have to be notarized, but if the agreed to price is way out of line for what you're buying, like your $150.00 example, you have to have the 'yellow' form filled out, affadavit of sale. Both the buyer and seller have to fill out their respective parts, and sign and date it...I think a social security number is also required. It's all to keep us 'scofflaws' from screwing the state out of any tax money. But it's OK for the state to collect tax on the same car 5 or 6 times!!!:clonk: :mad: Figure that one out!!
 
#19 ·
I went thru this same deal 2 years ago, bought a car in New York. The transferable registration is the title. Had no problem transferring title in Ohio. Did have to pay 7.5% sales tax in Ohio when I titled it, and they take your word on the price so you have some wiggle room. Seems like a scam the way they tax everybody again and again to title old cars.

The seller also gave me a handwritten signed bill of sale on a piece of paper, not notarized, but I never needed it for anything.
 
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Jay65SS
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