Looking to purchase a second car and frankly DFW prices are just higher than other spots. Trying to stick to dealerships since delivery would be needed. Any notes or experiences to keep in mind?

I like this vehicle. Buy in SD and do a little pheasant or deer hunting on the way home


https://www.frankmanmotors.com/used/Ford/1996-Ford-F-350-sioux-falls-south-dakota-4e83276d0a0e09a85dcc6c05ccc3c0e9.htm

Any dealership should be able to handle it. I bought a Range Rover once from Baton Rouge without ever seeing it in person. Sales person put me on a video call, we went on a test drive and she followed all my instructions as far as hitting the brakes hard and punching it when I told her to, she took the car and phone back to the service manager where he took me through their 110 point inspection. Closed the deal, they put it on a flat bed and it was in College Station the next day.

ryange05 said:

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Looking to purchase a second car and frankly DFW prices are just higher than other spots. Trying to stick to dealerships since delivery would be needed. Any notes or experiences to keep in mind?

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We did this last fall. Bought a 4runner from a dealer in Denver. It was a relatively easy process. We agreed on a price over the phone. I had them send a set of the paperwork before we got on the plane to head up there so there would be no surprises. We flew into Denver and arrived at the dealer around 7pm Friday night. They collected Texas sales tax and completed the paperwork to title it in Texas. We left Denver Saturday am and were back in Houston Sunday afternoon after an overnight in Amarillo and some side trips to Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs and Palo Duro Canyon.

The only hitch in getting Texas plates on it was that because it was financed through Capitol One, the initial title ended up with them in Arizona. The county needed to get a copy of the title from them before they would register it in Texas and give us plates. The only other glitch was that the check the dealership sent to the county for the sales tax was made out to Harrison County instead of Harris County. But as far as getting it all done, just make sure you have the deal in writing before you head out on a plane to get it, and get an early start with the registration paperwork when you get back, as it can take some time to get it finished.

Done this 3 times.

1. Bought a truck in Cincinatti (4 hours away) - sent detailed pictures of my trade-in and wanted detailed pictures. No issues.

2. Had a car shipped from Cali through Sonic Auto (Honda dealership). Ran everything through the dealership. Again, super easy process.

3. Bought an SUV in Atlanta. Did the same thing previously detailed in #1. Super easy process.

It really depends on who you get on the other side.

Wasn't there a report on this forum of a Hyundai dealership in Arizona that didn't want the hassle of dealing with out of state customers?

Stringfellow Hawke said:

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I like this vehicle. Buy in SD and do a little pheasant or deer hunting on the way home


https://www.frankmanmotors.com/used/Ford/1996-Ford-F-350-sioux-falls-south-dakota-4e83276d0a0e09a85dcc6c05ccc3c0e9.htm

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That is pretty awesome, but a crazy price!

I'm looking at a 3rd car (fun weekend car to drive occasionally).

Looking at this:

'91 Dodge Stealth 1 owner 75 K miles - seems to be in immaculate condition.


or this:
1951 Ford Custom (looks really clean - but would of course have it checked out)

Would to find local because delivery fees are anywhere from 700-1200. I am finding my car (2000+ vette) with less miles in other states for the same price as a Texas one. Would be so much easier to do local but might just go with one from WI or TN.

ryange05 said:

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Would to find local because delivery fees are anywhere from 700-1200. I am finding my car (2000+ vette) with less miles in other states for the same price as a Texas one. Would be so much easier to do local but might just go with one from WI or TN.

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Bought my last vette from a guy in Lexington Kentucky. I met him in Memphis. Flew into the airport on southwest ($150) flight and drove home. Sometimes that doesn't work but if the seller wants it sold they'll do it.

aggiedata said:

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Wasn't there a report on this forum of a Hyundai dealership in Arizona that didn't want the hassle of dealing with out of state customers?

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A lot of dealers are now charging ADMs to people outside of their area. They'd rather sell locally and get the service. Makes sense with the limited inventory.

EMY92 said:

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aggiedata said:

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Wasn't there a report on this forum of a Hyundai dealership in Arizona that didn't want the hassle of dealing with out of state customers?

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A lot of dealers are now charging ADMs to people outside of their area. They'd rather sell locally and get the service. Makes sense with the limited inventory.

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That was the case with the dealer I bought from in Denver. They stopped doing out of state sales at MSRP following our purchase. If they were going to sell below market (with everybody else charging MSRP+), they wanted to at least have the opportunity to make money on the service end.

I've bought a few cars out of state. I had one shipped to the house. The other one, I hopped on a plane and drove it back.

Just bought a car in Missouri two months ago. Get tons of close up photos of everything so there is no surprise wear. Agree to price, sign papers, wire money. I had the dealership bring the car to an independent mechanic of my choice to perform a pre-purchase inspection as well.

I elected to fly and drive back. My wife tagged along and it was a fun mini road trip. I used some airline miles I likely would never use otherwise. Shopping is likely more economical.

Registering is pretty straightforward once you've got it back. FYI you have to bring the actual state inspection print out to the tax-accessor-collectors office for the some reason. This caused me to have to make 2 trips since usually the inspection is just uploaded and they can see it.
https://www.txdmv.gov/motorists/buying-or-selling-a-vehicle/out-of-state-and-foreign-vehicles

Bought one in New Orleans once. Took a one way rental from Houston, ditched it at the rental car place, went out that night, woke up the next day and took an Uber to the dealer, drove back to Houston.

They handled all the paperwork, but if I remember correctly, I had to take it for an inspection when I got home. They could only inspect for LA, so needed TX inspection before registration.

vansprinkle said:

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Bought one in New Orleans once. Took a one way rental from Houston, ditched it at the rental car place, went out that night, woke up the next day and took an Uber to the dealer, drove back to Houston.

They handled all the paperwork, but if I remember correctly, I had to take it for an inspection when I got home. They could only inspect for LA, so needed TX inspection before registration.

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That is correct. You have to get it inspected in Texas and bring a copy of the inspection to the county when you go to register it.

Which sucked, because new vehicles in Texas get a 2 year tag from the dealer, but since I had the inspection done it was only a 1 year tag.

I both love and hate that Tennessee doesn't have vehicle inspections. I love it because I don't have to get it done. I hate it because every dumbass with their tail light out, etc. causes havoc.

zooguy96 said:

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I both love and hate that Tennessee doesn't have vehicle inspections. I love it because I don't have to get it done. I hate it because every dumbass with their tail light out, etc. causes havoc.

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Even with inspections, there are a ton of cars on the road like that. Many have fake paper tags on them, so the inspection is pointless.

EMY92 said:

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zooguy96 said:

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I both love and hate that Tennessee doesn't have vehicle inspections. I love it because I don't have to get it done. I hate it because every dumbass with their tail light out, etc. causes havoc.

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Even with inspections, there are a ton of cars on the road like that. Many have fake paper tags on them, so the inspection is pointless.

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I'm not sure that's entirely true. I bet there are plenty of people that simply pay zero attention to their vehicle and only replace lights, wipers, tires, etc. when the inspection guy says to. Also probably a good reminder for them to get their yearly oil change and blinker fluid refill.

Of course plenty ride around knowing of issues as well.