Anyone buy an abondoned car before?

[usetaboost]

Found a car that has been sitting ona property for at least 2 years. The owner of the property has recently sold the property and hasn't been able to speak with the owner of the car since he dropped it off there. He has called the parents of the young man and they have not been able to contact him in months. They advised the owner of the property to sell it. According to iowa rules, the owner of the property can apply for a title. If he produces a title, and I purchase the vehicle, it's free and clear, correct?

 

[88ZNX]

I would think so man. Whoever owns the car could be in jail or where ever, but thats not your problem. He basicly has abandoned the car. If the law states that the owner of the property CAN apply for the title of the car, and he actually gets it, and sells it to you, its a done deal. Make sure you have a paper trail and statements showing where you were unable to contact the owner of the car and I would get his parents to sign off on it too. Get it notarized so he cant come back on you. wouldnt hurt to have a copy of that law with you too. document everything!

 

[Rivical]

Be sure to post an ABANDONED-purchased post or something to tell how this goes for you! I'm wondering how well it'll go as it seems that it's getting tougher alla time to do anything with old untitled iron. A friend of mine just opened a towing business and within the year I'll finally be getting titles for a couple I've been sitting on for years already! I know where SO many collectible cars are that've jumped title and are sitting for no other reason.

 

[dragonational]

have a lawyer look into this if you can...just to be safe.

 

[usetaboost]

I'm guessing if the kid had any interest in the car he would have made some time of arrangement to pick it up. They have torn down a lot of stuff on the property and have moved the car to the other side of the lot. The owner said his parents mentioned something about him not having a job and knockin up his girlfriend after he dropped the car off. Ya think you'd need a car for the whole gettin a job and havin a baby thing??? I called the DMV about it and they said he has to fill out the paperwork with description of incident, vin, all that stuff. He gave me the guys name but he said he can't find him, which I am assuming how he got ahold of his parents.

 

[SGRIM]

I would contact a local DMV officer. Run it by him first. To apply for a title that way you will probably need his signature anyway... What ever he tells you will keep you out of trouble at least!

Good luck!

 

[jasjamz]

Is it a TR?

 

[chadly]

I would follow the advice of local law just to keep yourselves out of trouble and wasting money. However I purchased a flip house last summer here in Iowa and the home had a car in the garage. It was junk so I called the local junk yard who came and took it away knowing it was not mine and that I had no title.

 

[turbojimmy]

Check your state laws regarding vehicle titles. In PA, abandond car titles are converted to salvage when the property owner takes possession of the vehicle. My brother owns such a vehicle. It's an all-original '87 T that had the window sticker and every repair receipt since 1987 jammed into the glovebox. It's a nice, well-documented vehicle but now has a reconstructed salvage title.

Jim

 

[usetaboost]

I stopped by and looked at the car. It's an 86 turbo z by the way. Body looked real good until I got underneath it and checked the floors. Brake cable was totally rusted out of the floor and lines looked as crusty as the ones from my buick. Another full blown project by the looks of it. Had a sunroof though:biggrin: Had an auto trans too so I'm guessin that was probably shot too