Buying a car out out of state, trying to figure out a solution...

Ok, so I just made a verbal commitment over the phone to buy a car. The car is out of state, but that doesn't bother me, I've done it many times.
The car is on the east coast, the seller is on the west coast, I'm in between. I'm going to make arrangements to go get the car in the next week or two. When I get there, as long as the car isn't a turd I'll deposit cash in his account and drive it home. Here's the conundrum.
The title is on the west coast with the seller. He's reluctant to send the title to his mother-in-law (where the car is garaged) because he's afraid she'd lose it.
Even though I'm willing to drop the $$ on a plane ticket to go buy it, I'm not willing to pay for it with no title in hand and sight-unseen. He doesn't want to send it to me until I've paid for it (as a seller, there's NO way I'd ever do that). He did mention that I could pay for it, then he'd over-night the title to the east coast so I can have the title to drive home on. I still see that as risky. When I drop the money in his account I want to see a title in front of me.
I see the only option being that he send the signed title to his mother-in-law and verify that she still has it before I head to the airport. Is there something I'm missing?

I think the alternative might be some sort of local escrow agent or attorney he sends the title to. They confirm to you that they received the title, you fly out, exchange title for cash at their offices, then drive the car away.

Is he open to just holding onto the title until you arrive with cash?

Where is the car located? Could you have a prepurchase inspection by a third party to confirm/evaluate the cars condition?

In reply to Swank Force One:

I thought the problem was that the title and the car weren't cohabiting.

BoxheadTim wrote: In reply to Swank Force One: I thought the problem was that the title and the car weren't cohabiting.

Oh. Right. Duh. I can't read too good sometimes.

Didn't we just have a thread where someone gave someone the title without the money.

Giving someone money without the title is equally as bad.

Why would his mother lose a title? Is she suffering from dementia or something? That sounds like an excuse. Caveat emptor.

Sky_Render wrote: Why would his mother lose a title? Is she suffering from dementia or something? That sounds like an excuse. *Caveat emptor.*

Just because someone is family doesn't mean they can be trusted. I would not trust my father to hold on to an important document for longer than a day or so.

I second the pre-purchase inspection idea. That's basically what I did buying a car that is currently in CA. I had a reputable shop check out the car and verify it exists and the seller is legit. Then I wired the money and the seller over-nighted the title. That said, some faith was required. We'll see how well I did in a couple of weeks when I finally get the car.

The tricky part for Dr B is whether the 3rd party (MIL) is willing to (or can) coordinate the PPI.

There are bills of sale/power of attorney type agreements for just this case.

I had a bank give me money for a car I was selling once, and it was all contingent on me providing the title, etc, and if I didn't, they could apply for one anyway in their name. Not sure where to find the doc, but I've done the transaction with one with no problems. Of course, the buyer and the seller (me) were both legit.

When you buy a car at a dealership, you do not leave that day with the actual title, you leave with a Memorandum Title. This is because the dealership does not own the car outright, they own it in accordance with their bank. Think of it as the dealership owns 10% of the car so the bank (which owns 90%) holds onto the title.
In your case here, the seller may own 100% of the car.
Have him send you a scanned or faxed copy of the title.
Have him clearly write on the scan/faxed copy, "This is an exact copy of the original" then sign his name near this statement.
Buy car and travel home on this copy until he sends you the original in the mail.

You will have the ability to review the title before purchase and you will recourse if the copy is not exact.

In the dealership example above you basically get a copy of a title but it clearly states at the top that it is a Memorandum Title (not the real one, but the same.)
Once the monies are all trued-up (you pay the dealership and dealership pays the bank) then the actual title arrives to you in the mail (typically takes 15-30 days.)
Have a second document that serves as a bill of sale. These are all over the internet. I pulled a free on off www.autotrader.com once before.

Bill of Sale

BoxheadTim wrote: I think the alternative might be some sort of local escrow agent or attorney he sends the title to. They confirm to you that they received the title, you fly out, exchange title for cash at their offices, then drive the car away.

I think this would be your best/safest method of getting car and title together before you hand over cash

When I bought the Speed Triple I wire transferred the money then he overnighted me the title. Risky? Hell yes. We had corresponded a lot before this happened, my banker actually talked with his, and a few other things happened that upped my comfort leverl, but there was still considerable risk. My original plan was much safer, which was to fly up there, pay for the bike, and ride it home, but that fell through due to a work commitment and I had to have the bike shipped.

I sent him a very specific e-mail outlining the whole deal. In there I told him I need the title there when I get there. This is a sub $4,000 car, it's not worth that trouble. I had a guy here (thanks Peter!!) look at the car so I know it exists and is as advertised, more or less.
I decided I'm just not comfortable putting money in his bank account without the title in hand, just like I'd never ask him to send me a signed title before he gets the money. If he's not willing to send the title to his mother-in-law, I'll pass.
Thanks for the input. The other option I like was sending it to his bank. Simple, free, easy.

hey doc, is it a sub-$4k fun car or are you just in need of a decent driver? i'm brooming my '03 mazda6 to make room for an E12...

It's a cheap car. I'm kinda looking for a unicorn, Golf or Jetta, TDI, manual trans, manual EVERYTHING else, and service history. I found it.
He agreed to send the title after I show proof of my travel arrangements. Huh? Ok.
he seems a bit of a DB, but he feels like he's getting worked over I think.

I won't even ask you why you posted that, cuz I just don't care. It's amazing.