purchased c5 from dealer
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
purchased c5 from dealer
hey all,
I've been doing alot of reading and searching forums for an answer. here is the question. I bought a 2001 from a used car dealer in Michigan. I found it through an ad on autotrader. I made a cash purchase did all the paper work registration and title application insured through AAA and took car home. It is a gift for my wifes birthday in April and is in storage. I received the Michigan title in the mail and a few days later the plate and registration. A few days later I received a phone call from a police department in Mi about where I purchased this car because the owner of that car actually lent it to a friend who never returned the car to him. Now the previous owner is filing a stoleen car complaint. I referred the office top the dealer and I also called the dealer immediately. later that day thew owner of the dealership called me and told me that car is legally mine. Is this correct or do I need a lawyer
thanks in advance. Car did check clean on both autocheck and carfax
I've been doing alot of reading and searching forums for an answer. here is the question. I bought a 2001 from a used car dealer in Michigan. I found it through an ad on autotrader. I made a cash purchase did all the paper work registration and title application insured through AAA and took car home. It is a gift for my wifes birthday in April and is in storage. I received the Michigan title in the mail and a few days later the plate and registration. A few days later I received a phone call from a police department in Mi about where I purchased this car because the owner of that car actually lent it to a friend who never returned the car to him. Now the previous owner is filing a stoleen car complaint. I referred the office top the dealer and I also called the dealer immediately. later that day thew owner of the dealership called me and told me that car is legally mine. Is this correct or do I need a lawyer
thanks in advance. Car did check clean on both autocheck and carfax
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
It's not your problem. it's the problem of the dealer who bought the car and/or sold it to you.
At least in Mo that's the case. Same with pawn shops, as the Security Director of our Mall, )not anymore) I tracked down many stolen items at the pawn shop, and if the owner wanted the item back they have to purchase it from the pawn shop. It's a ****ed up way of doing business but that's the law here. But if they catch the thief and they are prosecuted, the items are impounded and then later returned to the owner.
The question is, will they now want to do a salvage title on it.
I would take the car back to the dealer and get my money back, maybe with a lawyer if need be.
That's to say this all checks out to be true.
At least in Mo that's the case. Same with pawn shops, as the Security Director of our Mall, )not anymore) I tracked down many stolen items at the pawn shop, and if the owner wanted the item back they have to purchase it from the pawn shop. It's a ****ed up way of doing business but that's the law here. But if they catch the thief and they are prosecuted, the items are impounded and then later returned to the owner.
The question is, will they now want to do a salvage title on it.
I would take the car back to the dealer and get my money back, maybe with a lawyer if need be.
That's to say this all checks out to be true.
Last edited by RetiredSFC 97; Feb 5, 2011 at 08:10 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,598
Likes: 961
From: Palm Harbor not far from Sebring Florida
St. Jude Donor '11
Oldtimer
What is a little strange here is the original owner said he lent the Vette to a friend. So if the friend sold it to the dealer, how did the friend have a title in his name to give to the dealer? Even if the dealer did not check ID to compare to the title, why would the owner give the title to a friend? Or did the dealer take the car without a title and apply for a duplicate?
Sounds like a scam by the original owner, if in fact he is the true original owner. You still may want to contact an attorney.
Sounds like a scam by the original owner, if in fact he is the true original owner. You still may want to contact an attorney.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
the dealer said he has verified identification from the owner and has assured me that all the paperwork is proper. When I told the detective that I had a title with my name address and a registration with the plate he was surprised that I actually had that. I know he contacted the dealer. the detective told me he felt this was a problem between friends and told me I may not even hear from him again. No comfort there, Ive heard that kind of stuff before. I certainly don't want to give this to my wife just to see it turn out bad. Like her getting pulled over by the police. NOT GOOD. It is a nice car and we have never had a corvette before. I did all the research on this car and everything was clean, title no issuea both autocheck and carfax. It seems amazing to me that this call came on the 26th of the month when I received the title on the 12th of the month. It even shows up on carfax already that i have a title number
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,598
Likes: 961
From: Palm Harbor not far from Sebring Florida
St. Jude Donor '11
Oldtimer
I think the owner (or who claims to be the original owner) is trying to pull a fast one. You have a clean title from the state with your name on it, a plate and registration, sounds like you are going to be ok.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
thanks for the help. I don't want to get a lawyer if I don't have to, but I can. The dealer said they were in contact with their legal already and there is no issue for me. They also told me if I heard anymore from the police to contact them right away, they will stand behind the sale. That helps but I'm still nervous. Never had this happen before. I am really excited about the car and giving it to my wife. I do believe I will be a passenger for a long time. She told me many years ago she wanted to do route 66 all the way to California in a red corvette convertible. She just doesn't know I have it for her!!
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 21,473
Likes: 356
From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
Quickly get a Lawyer and make sure you have the paperwork in hand - especially since you have the Pink Slip now! 
But get a Lawyer just to cover your bases
Thanks,Matt
But get a Lawyer just to cover your bases
Thanks,Matt
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,975
Likes: 9
From: "Philly" Pennsylvania
Bottom line is you don't know what is really going on. Is someone trying to spring a scam on you, the dealer, or the original owner or even the selling owner. The question comes up as to which state laws prevail, Mich. or the state you are in and to what aspect of the sale and ownership situation. If it is reported stolen in Mich., you can be subjected to problems in any state if pulled over(likely-vettes get run a lot).
This is a leaky bag of SHxT. You'll need legal help to determine where you stand. It could involve criminal & civil law in two states, hoping there are no federal questions. The car dealer will be looking out for #1, not you
This is a leaky bag of SHxT. You'll need legal help to determine where you stand. It could involve criminal & civil law in two states, hoping there are no federal questions. The car dealer will be looking out for #1, not you
Last edited by tsts; Feb 5, 2011 at 09:34 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,975
Likes: 9
From: "Philly" Pennsylvania
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,817
Likes: 21
From: Somerset, NJ
My advice is to sit tight. Don't spend any money with a lawyer that you don't need to spend. You have a legitimate title from your state and that means all paperwork was good to go. I am sure your State DMV checked the Title out that you received from the dealer and it is legit. If anything this would all come back to the dealer that sold you the car. You have nothing to worry about. Funny how supposely the friend the car was lent to was able to also acquire the original title to the car that he handed into the dealer when selling the car. I don't believe that story. The car is now yours. Don't worry about a thing. Hope your wife enjoys the car. That is a great gift to give your wife. 
Your wife is going to be very surprised. I purchased a brand new 2011 Camaro at Christmas for my wife. She cried on Christmas Eve when I gave it to her. The last time I bought a new car for her was way back in 1988. Expect the same from your wife. Good luck with the C5.
Your wife is going to be very surprised. I purchased a brand new 2011 Camaro at Christmas for my wife. She cried on Christmas Eve when I gave it to her. The last time I bought a new car for her was way back in 1988. Expect the same from your wife. Good luck with the C5.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
If the title is for the correct VIN, and it's a real title, you're good to go. Possession is 9/10ths the law. Somehow that title had to be signed by the original owner. If it wasn't signed and instead was forged, the person who you actually bought the car from will be in some serious trouble. LOL But you should be good to go.
