U.S. Title/Lien advice.

[SupraTT]

What a PITA this US importing thing CAN be....

I want a certain car in the US. The car has a lien on it that is held by the bank. I called his bank today and they were pretty helpful. They said I can pay off the lien and then pay the seller for the remaining amount. Apparently then (in about 10-15 days) the title would be mailed to me.

My question is - If I paid for the car in full, would I be able to drive the car back without the new title? and how could I prove I actually own the car when I arrive at the border?

Any thoughts?

 

[freeon]

You need the title in hand to import a car. Actually the title has to be at the border 72 hours before you can cross. When I bought mine I went to the bank with the owner and paid of his car and the bank gave me the title. I don't understand why they would wait 15 days to send the title.

 

[Olyar15]

You must have a copy of the title in hand, since you will be required to fax a copy to the US border before driving the car to the border.

 

[SupraTT]

I know at the Queenston bridge they will accept a photocopy of the title. But that title wont have my name on it and would be in the previous owners name - beside a hand-written bill of sale, what else would I have to prove ownership? Does he need to sign anything over? I am all ready to import as I did my homework -but now this lien thing has thrown me a curve ball

 

[alum04org]

What a PITA this US importing thing CAN be....

I want a certain car in the US. The car has a lien on it that is held by the bank. I called his bank today and they were pretty helpful. They said I can pay off the lien and then pay the seller for the remaining amount. Apparently then (in about 10-15 days) the title would be mailed to me.

My question is - If I paid for the car in full, would I be able to drive the car back without the new title? and how could I prove I actually own the car when I arrive at the border?

Any thoughts?

MANY.

- you've been here on Prime since 2006?
- your profile tells us....... um, nothing (other than you are quite new and suspect you are quite young)
- car you desire (is it even an NSX?) is in what state (yes, it can/does make a difference)
- you have a bank working with you (i.e. wire transfer capabilities?). Seller, as well?
- you intend to fly/drive to pick it up and drive it back across?
- you have reviewed U.S. Customs (whatever we call it this week) regulations for presenting a vehicle for export from the USA? freeon hit this one for you.
- how much time do you have to play with for this?

Of course it's (it is) a PITA. Just like if we Yanks desired to bring an NSX in from Canada! Perhaps I should not even comment, 'cause I try to not say anything unless I can say positive and/or add to a post. However, the help you receive here on Prime can and will only come after the detailed info you provide to illustrate your dilemna.

My 2 cents worth of thoughts only.

 

[Bram]

Yes, you need the Title to show both US and Canada customs.


Bram

 

[SupraTT]

MANY.

- you've been here on Prime since 2006?
- your profile tells us....... um, nothing (other than you are quite new and suspect you are quite young)
- car you desire (is it even an NSX?) is in what state (yes, it can/does make a difference)
- you have a bank working with you (i.e. wire transfer capabilities?). Seller, as well?
- you intend to fly/drive to pick it up and drive it back across?
- you have reviewed U.S. Customs (whatever we call it this week) regulations for presenting a vehicle for export from the USA? freeon hit this one for you.
- how much time do you have to play with for this?

Of course it's (it is) a PITA. Just like if we Yanks desired to bring an NSX in from Canada! Perhaps I should not even comment, 'cause I try to not say anything unless I can say positive and/or add to a post. However, the help you receive here on Prime can and will only come after the detailed info you provide to illustrate your dilemna.

My 2 cents worth of thoughts only.

Make it 3 cents next time - It may be worth something...

The question I had dealt specifically with the title/lien issue....Not about how I would travel 1800 miles to get this car. Those details are all finalized.

I realize 12 posts in nearly 4 years are not impressive, but I'm not one of those thread flamers who lurk in forums and voice their opinions to up their post count - you know any?

I think my screen name is quite suggestive as to where I have spent my time and money for the last 4 years in regards to cars.... hence no posts

 

[DocL]

I can't help with the export side of this deal, but i can offer some advice on the title/purchase of the vehicle.

First option is the seller pays off the lein and then you buy the car from him. Easy to do if the seller has the cash and you pick up the car and title.

Second option is you pay the bank, seller getsthe title, and hopefully you get the car and the title.

Third option is you have an attorney collect the money from you and it goes into his escrow account. He pays the bank for the title and when the title is released he then pays the seller the rest of the money. The title is released to the attorney who fowards it to you and you then pick up the car. Maybe the seller has an attorney who can do the deal.

I would not pay the bank yourself, nor would I pick up the car without having the title in hand. I've done this type of deal using option three, and it provides you with the best level of security if the seller can't get the lein paid off himself.

Good luck.

 

[alum04org]

What a PITA this US importing thing CAN be....

My question is - If I paid for the car in full, would I be able to drive the car back without the new title? and how could I prove I actually own the car when I arrive at the border?

Any thoughts?

The question I had dealt specifically with the title/lien issue....Not about how I would travel 1800 miles to get this car. Those details are all finalized.

O K now we are getting somewhere. I still hope you are moving from a TT to an NSX! Thank you DocL.
Out, for I am certain I possess no relative knowledge on any of this.
Good luck, Sir. And I mean that.

 

[Jetpilot3]

In this case I'd be opting for the escrow option as there's no guarantee the bank or seller will honour you paying for the car...paying the bank directly seems a nice option but it requires alot of trust.

No idea why it would take 15 days for a title because when I bought mine in 07 the seller only had to sign the back of his title over to me and that was good enough. U.S. Customs had no issue with it.

That brings up another point...I didn't realize the U.S. gives Canadian residents title on their vehicles? Maybe other Canadian experts can advise on this...

I'll be going thru this whole process at the end of the year...

 

[soloracer951]

I bought an RX7 in Utah that had a lein on the title. I hired a lawyer to work on my behalf. I sent him the money, he met with the owners at the bank and did the deal (bill of sale, title, etc.) He took possession of the car too and held it until I arrived to pick it up. He sent a copy of the title to the border for me. Hiring him was the best $500 I spent.

 

[KyleMo]

I bought my NSX from the US a few months ago. There was a lien on the car. So when I got down there I met the seller at his bank, checked out the car and then after I decided I was buying it we went in the bank. I gave him the cash (from my loan, I had to take cash because his bank would hold my money for 2 weeks no matter how I payed ie certified cheque, money order, bank draft, etc and they only take american money, so I cashed my loan in american and took it with me) and he payed off his loan to remove the lien from his bank on the car. We then went to the DMV where he payed the $5 to get the title printed, which stated the date and time the lien was satisfied (removed), he signed it over, I signed it and then faxed a copy to the border crossing and started driving home. 72hrs later, I came to the border, US customs had my fax, checked the car and 10mins later I was at Can customs. I declared the car, they filled out the paperwork and I payed the federal tax. They then searched the car, and then I was on my way (took about 1hr) Then I drove home and did the basics, register, plate, etc

 

[SupraTT]

I bought my NSX from the US a few months ago. There was a lien on the car. So when I got down there I met the seller at his bank, checked out the car and then after I decided I was buying it we went in the bank. I gave him the cash (from my loan, I had to take cash because his bank would hold my money for 2 weeks no matter how I payed ie certified cheque, money order, bank draft, etc and they only take american money, so I cashed my loan in american and took it with me) and he payed off his loan to remove the lien from his bank on the car. We then went to the DMV where he payed the $5 to get the title printed, which stated the date and time the lien was satisfied (removed), he signed it over, I signed it and then faxed a copy to the border crossing and started driving home. 72hrs later, I came to the border, US customs had my fax, checked the car and 10mins later I was at Can customs. I declared the car, they filled out the paperwork and I payed the federal tax. They then searched the car, and then I was on my way (took about 1hr) Then I drove home and did the basics, register, plate, etc

I bought an RX7 in Utah that had a lein on the title. I hired a lawyer to work on my behalf. I sent him the money, he met with the owners at the bank and did the deal (bill of sale, title, etc.) He took possession of the car too and held it until I arrived to pick it up. He sent a copy of the title to the border for me. Hiring him was the best $500 I spent.

Thanks for info guys - both your experiences will help me in my purchase

 

[lithiumus]

My memory is a bit shady now but bought the car with a lien on it but he was a good guy and was only about 20 mins away. I paid him, got the car and he in a few days he paid off his lien and obtained a copy of the original title and signed it over to me. I picked it up a few days later and proceeded to the DMV to get the title in my name, pay the state taxes, etc.

I had to pay the state taxes since there was some time limit where you need to have a proper title after purchasing. It was my daily driver. At the border, everything KyleMo says is correct. In addition, I believe the US border will take possession of the original title, stamp it as "exported" and provide paperwork that you need to give to Canada customs.

Once you pay all the GST and import taxes, you will get some other paperwork and will need to get the car inspected both federally for DRL, SRS, etc (any Canadian Tire can do it) as well as provincially (any certified shop) before you can get proper ownership paperwork from your province. At that time, you will need to pay the PST and anything else that is province related...

 

[lqqky]

What a PITA this US importing thing CAN be....

I want a certain car in the US. The car has a lien on it that is held by the bank. I called his bank today and they were pretty helpful. They said I can pay off the lien and then pay the seller for the remaining amount. Apparently then (in about 10-15 days) the title would be mailed to me.

My question is - If I paid for the car in full, would I be able to drive the car back without the new title? and how could I prove I actually own the car when I arrive at the border?

Any thoughts?

You can't title the car in the U.S. without a U.S. address and you can't get Insurance until the car is titled. So, no driving it back.

 

[KyleMo]

As long as you have the title in hand, you can get a temp plate and drive it to the border. Once back in Canada, stick your plate on. I drove home with my NS plate on the back and temp from VA in the window. I don't know about your insurance comp, but I called them before I left and gave them the VIN# of the car and they put insurance on it under my policy so I'd be able to drive it home.

You will also need a recall clearance letter from Acura (you can get it from any dealership in the US) and fax it to RIV (do this before you go get the car). And if the car is older than 15yrs you are exempt from the RIV process and therefore don't need to go to Canadian Tire. Here in NS, I just got my DRL's setup and then got the safety sticker, then went to the DMV to register. Once registered, it's a legit Canadian car. Here's the RIV site that will tell you everything you'll need to know. It seems like a lot to do, but in reality it's quite simple.

http://www.riv.ca/ImportingAVehicle.aspx

There is also a list of admisible vechiles and modifications that may be required which you may want to check before making any final decisions. But if it's older than 15yrs, there are no modifcations other than DRLs and all vechiles are admisible.

Good luck with your purchase!