Buying a used car: Need helps with steps of doing stuff!

[Mossman]

Hey guys, gonna buy my buddies 89 bimmer 325, it's been decided

I just need to know what's the accepted way of buying a car. The car has a few problems I know about and probably a few I don't, but it's cool and I'll get it figured out. It definately needs an oil change and a battery. The check engine light was on when we jumped it today, but it's been sitting for 6 months so hopefully after getting some new oil and gas in that thing it'll work alright. The car was fading to the left pretty intensely, but that might be because of tire pressure or some misalignment, still not a big deal.

Anyhow, I guess it varies state by state, but what do I have to do to get this thing in my name?

I believe when the car changes names you have to get it reinspected, right? Does that mean I have to go through all the paper work, transfer the title, get it insured an registered, just to get the 29 dollar inspection (Where it may fail the emmissions test, who knows).

Anyhow, I trust my buddy and his Mom, so I'm not gonna go bringing up laws on how long I can legally return the car for and all that junk, we're gonna do it in a nice friendly manner and I'm gonna pay in cash. I just don't know what i'm morally and legally entitled to do as far as checking this car out goes before I buy.

For those of you saying i shouldn't buy the car, it might have issues, blah, I'm buying it for a grand, add 60 for a battery, 30 for inspection, 20 for an oil change, plus maybe a 100 bucks in registration/title stuff, i really don't know....
Anyhow, what I'm getting at is for maybe 1300 bucks assuming it doesn't need any major work I'll have a great shape '89 325i ith 80,000 miles, great body with no rust (haven't done a thorough check, but I couldn't find any tonight at twilight). Let's see....leather seats, power locks, power windows, sunroof, alarm, automatic . Anyhow, I think it's a great deal for me, and if I give my friend's mom cash it's less of a hastle for her, i just don't wanna buy the car, find out that week it needs 800 bucks in parts put into it, then have to go begging his mom for my money back.

ANY GUIDANCE YOU GUYS CAN OFFER WOULD BE A MAJOR PLUS!

Thanks!
-Sam

[Mossman]

Looks just like
This

Or This

Basically drop off the CD players and remote starters and drop 3 grand off the price

[jairus]

"Anyhow, I guess it varies state by state, but what do I have to do to get this thing in my name"

you get them to sign the tittle then you sigh it and take it to the dmv and they give you a new tittle with your name on it

[Mossman]

Ya, i got that, but what about transfering registration, I believe I need insurance on the car first, that takes a little while to set up. The car is still registered, so what if i get the car inspected now, will that carry over when the registration and title are in my name?

These are all the little things i've gotta know that I'm having a hard time finding on the site, and it's tough to call at 2:34AM

[jairus]

yes if the car has a good inspection sticker on the window when you get the car registered you have an option of getting the car reinspected in 15day or waiting till the current inspection is due.

i live in NJ

[bornl33t]

I dunno, I'd have the codes scanned on that beast. check engine lights USUALLY indicate a wreck or serious problems. I wouldn't buy a car that has the engine light on... specially not a forein car... cause little things like o2 sensors cost a fortune

[Gitaroo Man]

heh, same color and everything just one year off

[dansim]

check engine lights are wacky like that some times they just come on, anyway you should get the car checked out by a mechanic and see if its really worth the price he'll be able to tell you of any problems he sees or anything that may come up

[scrambler]

title

moss,

since they are friends of yours when filling the title out have them put in a smaller amount of money of purchase save on taxes paid. dont put 1000 put 300 and fair condition. at 6% you save 42 dollars case of cheap paint!!

just a thought

Bill

[midwikid]

dansim right moss

check what youre geting youre self into
how much are you investing and if something goes wrong
beamers tend to be on the pricey side especially if its major now as for the check engine light that is usually a sensor telling you something. it needs to be hooked up on a scanner to find out why that light is on probably nothing serious but nothing u should neglect

[midwikid]

Re: title

Originally posted by scrambler
moss,

since they are friends of yours when filling the title out have them put in a smaller amount of money of purchase save on taxes paid. dont put 1000 put 300 and fair condition. at 6% you save 42 dollars case of cheap paint!!

just a thought

Bill

hes right to you could evan go 100 dollars they wont know

[RetroEclipseMan]

I'd definately pay the $70 or so to have it checked by a mechanic before you buy it especially if the check engine light is one. Most of the time it means that a sensor is out or something and on a BMW that could be hard to determine with out hooking it up to a diagnostic scanner. Good luck though.

[irbodden]

ugh

1989 Bimmer, good luck. Be ready to be buying your mechanic lots of steak and women

Seriously, bring a mehanic along. Check EVERYTHING. It may seem like a great deal, but parts and labor will kill you if it has any problems.

Personally, I wouldn't touch the thing with a 10 foot pole.

[LittMag]

Something else to look into is getting the plates changed, I believe the DMV will do this. This will keep you from getting pulled over for any baggage your friend might be carrying. Just a good idea to start with a new plate so you don't get mixedup with the previous owner and anything that may be red flagged for that plate.

[TigerMan]

And if you get it inspected by a mechanic, be sure it's one you and your family trust.