Hey Guys:

I'm waiting on finalizing the paperwork on a 2002 LS430 Ultra with around 80K miles on it. I have some questions though and would appreciate your help.

How can I protect myself on this transaction as far as making sure the vehicle is not a theft or re-vinned vehicle, the Car Fax is clean but I recently read a article where used cars are being stolen and a new vin is being made for the vehicle and placed in the dash where the orginal one was. Is there any stolen vehicle data base for cars?

I can check other places on the vehicle like the doors to make sure the VIN matches, where else is the VIN located in the LS430?

What is the best way to pay the guy and make sure his bank's note is satisfied? Should I meet him at the branch and cut them both a check for their repective portions? What should I ask from the bank once paid for (a lien release?).

Thanks in advance!

 

We'll, you can’t just make up a new VIN number for a car, there is a database that identify the car, year, make and model. The only way would be if they exchanged the VIN with an existing car identical to yours in year, make, model, AND color.

Look for the VIN stickers on the doors, front and rear fenders (behind truck carpet) trunk lid, and I think hood (basically every body panel). Just make sure they match.

Now as far as finding out if its been re-titled, where check the title date, and see how long the owners has had it, and if its been a suspiciously short period.

 

Thanks, I'll look for the VIN numbers around the body but it has been a short period since he has bought it. He bought it from a dealer who must have bought it at auction according to the carfax. He has had it roughly 3 months. I told him to get the title printed up because the state still has not sent him the title since he has not had it registered but for a month.

I guess if the state issues a title in his name it should be legit. I mean I wonder how he could get the vehicle from a dealer who got from dealer auction it it was stolen. Buying used cars is such a pain compared ot new.

SHould I be worried about this short period of time. His explanation is that he waited to register it because he got selfish buying the vehicle for himself but he should have bought a SUV for the family and he needs space.

 

Problem here is not weather the car is stolen or not... that should be the last of your worries. However, I would be concerned about the shadiness of the guy, or what he had done to lead you to believe it might be stolen.

I would be more worried about it being a flooded car, and re-titled in a different state. Check to see the records of the car, and what state it was FIRST sold in. Should say in the carfax report.

 

He has done nothing to make me suspicious yet, its just the short amount of time that he's owned it. He states it has a little body work (minor accordint to his terms) but autocheck shows it as clean no damage reported. I am just weary because this is the first vehicle that I am purchasing used let alone from aprivate individual. It was orginally titled and sold in MN so I dont think that any floods have happened up there in the liefspan of the vehicle.

I am waiting for him to get the title printed. I heard there may be an expedited process available because normal NY DMV timetable to receive a title is frickin 2-3 months!

 

Here in FL, you can pay $7 bucs more and they will print out the title for you while your standing.

 

Lets hope thats also possible in NY. I will keep you posted and appreciate your help.

Any idea where I can located a downloadable manual for the vehicle?

 

Yes, you can sign up for this:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/great-deals/92845-free-lexus-owner-s-manual-if-you-lost-yours-interesting.html

They will send you one to your door for free, and you can view it online. Just need the VIN. Let us know what happens, and hopefully all will check out fine, and you'll be posting pics of your ride here in no time.

 

Sweet! Thanks, I'll get on that and will post pics as soon as I get the vehicle provided the seller is able to get the title in hand soon.

 

Manual ordered but is on backorder. Awesome service by Lexus to do this. Kudos to Lexus!

 

Be very careful if he never registered it. Depending on the state you may be responsible for the his registration and your own which results in double taxes. This happened to a friend of mine. Cost him $7k. Require that he register it first ( although he may not want to because he'll have to pay his taxes).

 

Good post.

I know in Oklahoma you cannot sell a vehicle until you have registered it in your name.

Also, why don't u call Lexus and ask them to pull up any services that have been done on the vehicle.

Jonny

 

Thanks, yeah that crossed my mind but he has plates and all but is waiting for the title for the vehicle.
Theres not any way he could have obtained tags without paying the taxes or registering it is there?

 

I have a buddy at a LExus dealer who I am gonna ask to pull the records for me. Will keep you guys posted on that.

 

It depends on the state. In Tx the plates go with the car. A lot of scammers here buy cars to resell but never register them. When I tried to register my car I found out that the owner originally leased it, then bought it but never registered it after he bought it. Before I could register it he had to first register it in his name and pay tax on his purchase price ($35k). He wasnt happy about that and would have kept it. So would I since that was an add'l $2100 for him to register it.