Transferring a title/buying a new car out of state?

Question

I currently live in CA now and wish to purchase another vehicle here in CA. My question is: In order to trade in the car at a dealership, do I need to have the car title transferred over to me at the DMV or will the dealership cut my dad a check since he is the owner of the car and giving me permission to trade it in. Thanks!

Answer 1

If YOU are taking out the loan and the car is in your Dad's name, the proceeds from his car will have to be given to him and then applied to your loan as a down payment.  If the car will be jointly in your name as well as his, they can take the trade with the title in his name.  That is how it is in PA, and banks are generally the same nationwide.

Answer 2

A dealer would not like to cut a check to your dad because than he would have to sign off on the check,first, before applying it to your contract as a down.

A dealer would not be able to accept a trade in without a title that they may not get ('here is my dads car..I don't have the title..he said its OK to trade it in.)

They would want the title, with your dad signing off and now in your hands. With a title, they would just apply the $ to your loan.

Answer 3

They would probably cut the check to him/deduct the difference from the cost of your new car.  They are probably able to take care of it without him being present though.