We get a lot of e-mail from people asking about how to buy a car, how to find auto insurance and how to operate a car in the USA. Some folks just want to buy a cheap car to drive around the states for a few months then sell it. Others would like to purchase a car in the USA and ship it back to their home. A few folks are interested in specialty cars, hot rods, old-timers or Harley Davidson motorcycles. Here is some information we have gathered. We hope you find it useful.
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| 1970 Mustang GT350 Convertible |
New cars are usually sold by factory authorized dealers that specialize in one or two brands of car. In some larger cities, there are now big car marts that offer a wide selection of different brands of cars under one roof. A few Internet companies promise to find the best price for a new car of your choice that they will deliver to any local dealer. All new cars will have a paper attached to a window with a list of all the features and options in the car and the suggested retail price of the vehicle. Remember that price is usually negotiable and most buyers pay less than the "window sticker" price.
Used cars can be purchased from new car dealers, from independent used car lots and from private individuals. The new car dealers generally sell newer used cars in good condition with a warranty but at a high price. Used car lots sell older vehicles in various conditions sometimes with a limited warranty for a lower price. Individuals sell anything at any price with no guarantee.
Most newspapers have advertisements for new and used cars for sale by dealers, used car lots or individuals. The biggest selection is usually in the Sunday edition. Some Internet sites list cars for sale in various parts of the USA. Car trader magazines listing used cars for sale by dealers and individuals are available for free at most supermarkets. Specialty car trader magazines are sold in most convenience stores. They include: The Corvette Trader, The Classic Car Trader, The Hot Rod Trader, The Truck and Van Trader and The Motorcycle Trader.
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| 1956 Ford Thunderbird |
The laws concerning registration of motor vehicles vary from state to state, so this is just a typical description. Most states require the owner of a motor vehicle to have a car title or certificate of ownership that must be registered with the state motor vehicle bureau. When you buy a car, the seller must produce these ownership papers. Usually, the buyer and seller must appear before a motor vehicle registration official and affirm the sale, sign the papers and send the registration to the state motor vehicle bureau to be recorded. At this time, the buyer must pay a registration fee, must pay any sales tax on the purchase and can purchase license plates for the vehicle. These registration officials are located at all automobile club offices, at many large auto dealers and in small offices in most towns and cities. Be careful when someone offers to sell you a car without proper papers or offers to give you his license plates. You may be purchasing a stolen car and may spend part of your vacation in jail. Just ask a legitimate car dealer, an automobile club or a policeman about the proper procedure for buying a car in the state.
