Okay...this is all hypothetical :devillook, but let's say I were to be purchasing a car from another state, let's say Massachusetts, and the previous owner will be removing his old plates. Should I be going to Maryland's DMV before I purchase the car or should I go to the Massachusetts DMV for temporary paper plates till I get back down to Maryland?

:thanks:

Okay...this is all hypothetical :devillook, but let's say I were to be purchasing a car from another state, let's say Massachusetts, and the previous owner will be removing his old plates. Should I be going to Maryland's DMV before I purchase the car or should I go to the Massachusetts DMV for temporary paper plates till I get back down to Maryland?

:thanks:

I was told by the MVA that their temp tags are not to leave the state. When I bought my Vette from PA we went to a notary and got transit tags made up for my trip home.

Frankly, I dont think any other states give a shit if you drive it back with MD temp tags on it. I work in VA and have commuted with 3 seperate cars with temp tags and have never had a problem.

Massachusetts does not do temporary plates.

Massachusetts does not do temporary plates.
Well, shit...what am I to do?


If I go to the MVA, do I just tell them I need temporary plates or will I have to provide to them documents regarding whatever car they would be going on?


I should just scribble "NEW KAR" on a piece of paper and put it where the plate is supposed to go....

I'd just take the tags off your 3'er. Save yourself the trouble.

I'd just take the tags off your 3'er. Save yourself the trouble.

Ehh, I think that would get you in more trouble than having no tag.

If I recall, all you need to get temp tags is the VIN.

MD will not give you temp tags without the title in hand. MD temp tags are only supposed to be for the time between buying and getting it to an inspection station.
Mass will not give you a temp tag either. When I bought my cobra in louisianna i drove it back to MD with no plates. I had the notarized title, bill of sale, and proof of insurance -- but no one wven questioned me. Honestly, what's the worst that could happen? You have to be able to get the car back to your home state -- a reasonable officer would probably agree to that provided you weren't breaking any other laws. :dunno.

I was told by the title company in lousianna that by their laws, you have 3 days to transport the car back to your home state wihtout a tag as long as you have insurance, title, and bill of sale. Your results may vary. :).

Just don't get pulled over, and if you do, explain to the cop your situation, show the bill of sale, etc...

When I bought my cobra in louisianna i drove it back to MD with no plates.

Good luck getting down I-95 from MA to MD without plates. :stickoutt
I believe VA lets you get 3-day temporary transit tags online. Does MD have a similar program?

I don't know how Mass can get away without having some kind of inter-state commerce law concerning car sales. Too many people purchase cars out of state and until you have the title and register the car in your own state its still under their jurisdiction. Why they would make it difficult on the buyer, I'll never know. To think they make you get the title back to your state, register it, wait for tags, and then finally let you get it home is ridiculous. I don't believe they don't have a transport tag of some kind...

Talk the seller into giving you one of the tags to drive home with. FedEx it back to him/her when you get the car home. Worked for me bringing the e30 back from Jersey :dunno

More details - I agreed to buy the car (what a costly fcuking mistake that ended up! :mad ) and we drove to NJ DMV to get temp tags. DMV closed their doors as we were about to walk in...so, it was either buy the car and drive it with the other person's tag or... I guess it could depend on the situation and/or seller.

I definitely would not drive the car back on tags from another car.

Maryland has no temp tag provision either --you can only get theirs when you register the car in maryland.

Seller's tags or no tag would be my vote.

Okay thanks guys for helping me out with this hypothetical situation :)

Talk the seller into giving you one of the tags to drive home with. FedEx it back to him/her when you get the car home. Worked for me bringing the e30 back from Jersey :dunno

More details - I agreed to buy the car (what a costly fcuking mistake that ended up! :mad ) and we drove to NJ DMV to get temp tags. DMV closed their doors as we were about to walk in...so, it was either buy the car and drive it with the other person's tag or... I guess it could depend on the situation and/or seller.

I definitely would not drive the car back on tags from another car.

The owner might not want to do this because he is responsible for liability if his tags are on the car...

Okay thanks guys for helping me out with this hypothetical situation :)

car pics or ban, btw.

Yeah, so this sucks....I'm curious how much it'd cost to ship the car down...hypothetically of course :)

The owner might not want to do this because he is responsible for liability if his tags are on the car...

It took a lot of persuading on my and Glenn's parts.

Yeah, so this sucks....I'm curious how much it'd cost to ship the car down...hypothetically of course :)

It would be cheaper to hire magnetic1 to trailer it back :)

Yeah, so this sucks....I'm curious how much it'd cost to ship the car down...hypothetically of course :)


It would cost a lot more than a ticket for no license plate would. :dunno.

I don't know how Mass can get away without having some kind of inter-state commerce law concerning car sales. Too many people purchase cars out of state and until you have the title and register the car in your own state its still under their jurisdiction. Why they would make it difficult on the buyer, I'll never know. To think they make you get the title back to your state, register it, wait for tags, and then finally let you get it home is ridiculous. I don't believe they don't have a transport tag of some kind...

You've obviously never been to massachusetts... :stickoutt (oh, and they want you to insure it too)

Honestly Chris, I would just negotiate with the person (if they are unwilling to leave the tags on there), and have them come down $200-300 in price. Rent a truck with an open trailer and haul it down here. That's probably the safer bet. This way, no problems with cops -- keeps your speeds down anyway since PA/NJ seem to want revenue ... and, both parties are safe liability-wise.

u haul car trailer

Yeah, I am thinking trailering it back my be a better idea.

Actually, upon consultation with Shaz, I rescind my advice.

Get diplomatic immunity: STAT!

Okay, Uhaul provides vehicle trailers...now where do I go to rent a truck/suv with a trailer hitch?


the X5 doesn't have one :(

If you look back into the marb archives from last year about this time, I asked the same question -- the answer is you can't. The only option is to rent a full 10' u haul box truck and put the trailer on the back. I believe my thread title was "I want to rent your tow vehicle."

... All part of why i drove a roofless, wiperless car 1800 miles.

What are you afraid will happen if you drive it home without a plate? Worst case scenario is a fine... probably less than the cost to rent towing equipment. :dunno

The big :nono would be driving without insurance.

Okay, Uhaul provides vehicle trailers...now where do I go to rent a truck/suv with a trailer hitch?


the X5 doesn't have one :( Put a hitch on the x5 :dunno

I'd just take the tags off your 3'er. Save yourself the trouble.
That's what I did when I got my car from MD; it was more than an hour back to Arlington over all the major roads (95, 495, etc.) and I had plates from my Mercury Mountaineer on. Really, this is by far the easiest and cheapest route; it's free! It's a new car, you aren't going to be driving stupidly, so you won't get pulled over, so there won't be a problem. If something does happen and you do get pulled over, you've got proof of insurance, title, bill of sale, you're fine.

I wouldn't waste the money in trailering or shipping it down.

i sold my truck to get my jeep, but the jeep wont be able to pull a car. when i got my truck i took the tags off my old jeep (with my bill of sale, title, and insurance card) and drove it back from hagerstown to baltimore. did the same with my M3, sold my car, put the tags with everything else, and drove it back from VA. the guy that bought my jeep just drove from MD to colorado without tags at all. i told him to email me when he got back home to tell me how many times he got pulled over.....he said he never did. personally i wouldnt try that last one...just b/c of my luck.

How often do cops run your plate numbers when they're driving down the road beside you?


I just found my old Texas plates....:devillook

How often do cops run your plate numbers when they're driving down the road beside you?


I just found my old Texas plates....:devillook

Never, if they did that to you....worst luck ever

How often do cops run your plate numbers when they're driving down the road beside you?


I just found my old Texas plates....:devillook
James will surely come lay the legal smackdown, but I think they need to have a reason or be at a checkpoint (which I guess is a reason) to run plates. I may be wrong about that, but I do know it's a cumbersome enough process they don't just cruise around doing it.

Be sure to just insure the car and then have the title in you name when you go get the car. You'll be fine. You can get a trailer hitch from Uhaul for the X5...

Never, if they did that to you....worst luck ever
I'd cry. And die.

Yeah, thing is, the title will be under my dad's name. I'll probably just run it down without plates. And if I do get pulled over I will show them all of the paperwork. No need in getting worried over nothing.

No need in getting worried over nothing.

Until some obscure hick Pa cop pulls you over...and...well you know the stories... :eyecrazy :eyecrazy

So if you were to hypothetically buy the car, what make and year would it be?

I'm not going to say yet, as I have not officially bought it.

I'm not going to say yet, as I have not officially bought it.

Can you atleast tell us if it a dd/beater/replacement for Kim...what...

It'll be in Philly with me as my DD and substitute for Kim...

It'll be in Philly with me as my DD and substitute for Kim...

So, you're not bringing your baby to the Philly?

It'll be in Philly with me as my DD and substitute for Kim...


You're coming to buy my jeep? :buttrock

It'll be in Philly with me as my DD and substitute for Kim...

Is it what you said it might be as we walked to frontpage? <<---That's a weird sentence.

Is it what you said it might be as we walked to frontpage? <<---That's a weird sentence.
wtf did i say then? i was drunk, remember, I had to chug the beer after I had already a few beers......cause SOMEONE couldn't chug? :stickoutt

GOD i was drunk after Laura left...and even worse after we all left...

I did a not-so-smart thing when picking up the e30 in NC.....

I just took my m3's plates and slapped them on and i still have the m3's tags on now after 900miles. Little did i know - the penalty is 12pts and impounding. Im getting my temp tags in about 40mins though [finally]. Ive been lucky...dont do what ive done. Seriously.

Chris, when I bought my car, I used the seller's plates then Fed-Ex'd it back to him, he was pretty cool about it. That would be the best way to go.

If you need a truck to pull the car, I have an old Ford Ranger that will do it (I pull a camper trailer to tailgate in to football games). You're welcome to use it for however long, I don't use it except for sporadic weekends and snow. the only downside now is the AC needs charged or something and I haven't gotten around to it yet, but if you want to use it, it's yours.

Chris, when I bought my car, I used the seller's plates then Fed-Ex'd it back to him, he was pretty cool about it. That would be the best way to go.

If you need a truck to pull the car, I have an old Ford Ranger that will do it (I pull a camper trailer to tailgate in to football games). You're welcome to use it for however long, I don't use it except for sporadic weekends and snow. the only downside now is the AC needs charged or something and I haven't gotten around to it yet, but if you want to use it, it's yours.
Wow thanks Glenn, I might take you up on that offer if I can't figure something out. I've got until next weekend before I go up to Boston to pick it up.

As for using the original plates, the owner does not want to risk it, which is fine, I dont want to put him in a position that makes him uncomfortable.

Chris, I may be able to do one better. My neighbor across the street has a trailer that he uses to haul cars (think a longer version of those landscaping trailers). He rebuilds old cars, like 1920's, etc. Anyway, when I see him out next, I'll inquire about renting it or something. If he balks, I won't borrow it, otherwise, he'll just say use it. He's cool, just retired and has helped me out with certain automotive things. As soon as I hear, I'll let you know.

Otherwise, my truck is still yours.

Chris, I may be able to do one better. My neighbor across the street has a trailer that he uses to haul cars (think a longer version of those landscaping trailers). He rebuilds old cars, like 1920's, etc. Anyway, when I see him out next, I'll inquire about renting it or something. If he balks, I won't borrow it, otherwise, he'll just say use it. He's cool, just retired and has helped me out with certain automotive things. As soon as I hear, I'll let you know.

Otherwise, my truck is still yours.
Oh wow, that'd be pretty awesome. I will keep this on the side only if I really need it. I definitely appreciate this help. Regardless of if I borrow your truck and/or get the trailer, when I am situated up there, I owe you a beer :)

So far I owe you and Stuggart beers :stickoutt....I have a feeling this tab may get bigger the close I get to moving up there :help :D

sounds like you might have a good solution with the trailer, but I thought I'd share my very related story. Last saturday I picked up my M3 in Massachussetts, paid with a check. The guy let me use his plates since I wasn't going to get the title until the check cleared. My check cleared on Tuesday, he mailed me the title and I mailed his plates back to him yesterday. Clearly this requires mutual trust, which I had with the seller. Hopefully you can convince the guy to change his mind.

Good luck.

Is there any reason you can't take the plates off of one of your other cars, slap them on this one, and drive it back?

That's what I did with the M3 (Fort wayne, IN to Columbia, MD). The plates aren't valid for the car they're on: this is true. But what they do is reduce the risk of you getting pulled over. If you DO get pulled over and they run the plates, they'll see that they don't match the car but they do match a car registered to you. It's easy to explain away - you just bought the car.

I've done this a few times with no problems. Just make sure the car is insured.

I did a not-so-smart thing when picking up the e30 in NC.....

I just took my m3's plates and slapped them on and i still have the m3's tags on now after 900miles. Little did i know - the penalty is 12pts and impounding. Im getting my temp tags in about 40mins though [finally]. Ive been lucky...dont do what ive done. Seriously.
Wait, are you saying that's the penalty for driving a car with improper plates? If so, I'd say that settles Preppy's question.

Is there any reason you can't take the plates off of one of your other cars, slap them on this one, and drive it back?

That's what I did with the M3 (Fort wayne, IN to Columbia, MD). The plates aren't valid for the car they're on: this is true. But what they do is reduce the risk of you getting pulled over. If you DO get pulled over and they run the plates, they'll see that they don't match the car but they do match a car registered to you. It's easy to explain away - you just bought the car.

I've done this a few times with no problems. Just make sure the car is insured.

Wait a min... so youre avidly for proper insurance id, but will drive around with improper plates? :confused you nutcase :)

vmb! Youre on the board... hahah pics of your new car please!

Will someone just call the mva and ask so we can get an answer to this question?
http://www.marylandmva.com

---Eric

Will someone just call the mva and ask so we can get an answer to this question?
http://www.marylandmva.com

---Eric
:nono.
It's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission!
:).

:nono.
It's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission!
:).
Okay, then how about calling one of the MD tag and title companies?
http://www.marylandmva.com/VehicleServ/REG/titleagents.htm

I would rather find someone who will tell me the proper way than to have to take a risk.

---Eric

Okay, then how about calling one of the MD tag and title companies?
http://www.marylandmva.com/VehicleServ/REG/titleagents.htm

I would rather find someone who will tell me the proper way than to have to take a risk.

---Eric


I don't live in Maryland. :dunno

My bet is that neither place has any idea how to help you. I asked at the title place ini Louisianna and her advice was no tags, carry the BOC and title. :dunno.

Wait a min... so youre avidly for proper insurance id, but will drive around with improper plates? :confused you nutcase :)

If people want to drive around with no insurance card, more power to them. More power to the cops who catch them as well. :D

Same thing with the plates. Same thing with speeding. :)

Well, I am going to call my insurance agent AND MVA on Monday to double check everything before I set out on this. But after driving to and fro Philly today, I can say, there are a shit load of cars out there that draw attention to themselves more than I would...

Well, I am going to call my insurance agent AND MVA on Monday to double check everything before I set out on this. But after driving to and fro Philly today, I can say, there are a shit load of cars out there that draw attention to themselves more than I would...

You can't get any form of registration from your state until you have the title. Any kind of temporary registration has to come from where the vehicle is purchased.

How often do cops run your plate numbers when they're driving down the road beside you?All it takes is one time.

Thanks. :)

I'm not even going to bother risking it. If I happen to get pulled over *knock on wood* I will just show them the bill of sale and title. And then be on my merry way.

I drove with the PO's FL plates for a few months while trying to get my car inspected by the a*hole shop that Excluservice used. In fact I believe the plates had expired. But I did know the PO for a few years prior.

Yeah, it's been discussed with the current owner. He does not feel comfortable letting someone he does not know to drive with them. Which is a valid reason. So no biggie...

I'm not too worried now, my insurance guy should reassure me everything will be okay on Monday.

I'm not too worried now, my insurance guy should reassure me everything will be okay on Monday.Hypothetically, of course. So no MINI?

Unfortunately no Mini...I was very close, I mean, very close to getting a CPO 2005 MCS Black with black roof/mirrors and the beige leather interior with so many options...and only 7100 miles...you might have seen it listed on NAM.com

But I am ending up with something that I've always wanted since I could learn to drive....:D

But I am ending up with something that I've always wanted since I could learn to drive....:D clownshoe?

i'm sorry to let the cat out of the bag chris but ladies and gents scroll down to see preppy's new ride!!!!




































http://www.communityplaythings.com/c/GrossMotor/Tricycles/Images/R213.jpg

I don't want to let the cat out of the bag either, but some hunting around these forums and y'all will have your answer.

Chris, no go on the trailer, just checked today. Sorry. but if you need a truck to pull a UHaul trailer, mine is all yours.

Thanks again Glenn, my parents just don't feel comfortable having me trailing her back down with my limited abilities with driving a truck with a trailer attached. Hell, they wouldn't have even let me do it if it was our own truck...so using someone else's is totally out of the question.

Oh by the way, I am slated to move up to Philly at the end of August :buttrock

Oh by the way, I am slated to move up to Philly at the end of August :buttrock
Alright, let us know when you're up here. there's a pretty good group of us bf.c members in the Philly area. We'll get some/lots of beers! BTW, who's the chick in your avatar?

Megan Ward...her eyes arent normally blue...:dunno

Yeah man, I'm down for beers. I need to find out where the good bars are in the city since I will be living about 3 blocks north of the convention center on 13th and Callowhill in the Loft District = walking distance :)

for christ sake --- details on car or BAN! I have authority!

I am surprised you haven't accidentally stumbled upon it :az

Glenn did....I guess maybe he should have authority instead...

I am surprised you haven't accidentally stumbled upon it :az

Glenn did....I guess maybe he should have authority instead...


Bravo alpha november.

I am surprised you haven't accidentally stumbled upon it :az

Glenn did....I guess maybe he should have authority instead...


double secret ban.

How can you say no to this...
http://www.norgren.org/MCoupe/8_27_a_pass_front.jpg

SHHHHHH ;) :devillook

that car is teh hot. are you selling your e36? might as well... with an M coupe the 328 will just become the bastard child. :dunno

Nope, Kim will stay down in DC for my dad to beat up on the weekends. Then when I am done with school (God knows when that'll be), I will turn Kim into a weekend/leisure track car. I really need to take some driving schools and hang out at some track events/autox's more to see whats going on....

Kim's not leaving the family. It'd be like giving up a kid for adoption after raising her for 4 years...

*Side note: seller has not emailed me back in 3 days regarding when we're meeting up when I get up there....I sure hope I am worrying for nothing :help

coming from someone who just sold a car today -- call the guy. The phone is 10x more credible than an email. Best of luck. M coupes are hot.

Also, if you are that hot for the car, offer to send up a deposit before you get there. THe guy that bought my car did that. I didn't accpet the moeny, but it built him tons of credibility by just offering.

:devillook
....and for that, you're helping me retrofit some HID projectors...


PLEASE :)

Jterp, I've given him my number, we've sent about 20 some odd emails back and forth, but yet he hasn't given his phone number because he said he can track the conversation of the sale easier with everything written down.

I also offered to send him a deposit, but in his email, he said he's not one to sell the car out from someone, and since i was the first to make an offer he couldn't refuse, i have 'dibs'.


In all honesty though, if I don't get it, I don't get it, there will be other mcoupes. But gawdamnit, I would love to have this one :)

EDIT: oh and the reason I couldn't go up this weekend to Boston was because I've spent the past three days driving back and forth between here and Philly with my mom trying to finalize a deal for my place up there. Let's hope I get that too.

Jterp, I've given him my number, we've sent about 20 some odd emails back and forth, but yet he hasn't given his phone number because he said he can track the conversation of the sale easier with everything written down.

I also offered to send him a deposit, but in his email, he said he's not one to sell the car out from someone, and since i was the first to make an offer he couldn't refuse, i have 'dibs'.


In all honesty though, if I don't get it, I don't get it, there will be other mcoupes. But gawdamnit, I would love to have this one :)

EDIT: oh and the reason I couldn't go up this weekend to Boston was because I've spent the past three days driving back and forth between here and Philly with my mom trying to finalize a deal for my place up there. Let's hope I get that too.

well, with that said, it sounds like he isn't very interested in selling the car. :dunno.
I had my car on the market for 11 days. During that time, I had my cell phone on at all times. I gave my nuber out in the original ad, and checked my email every 2 hours during awake times. If this guy hasn't replied in a few days he either isn't that interested in selling the car, or is blowing you off.
Hope you get it.. but if not have you seen that white one in the for sale section? Nice car ...

He's already bought a new car so maybe he is busy with getting that stuff situated. Anyhow, I've got a few days. I'll shoot him another one tomorrow.

Yeah, I wanted Joe's mcoupe, but I can't budget it out to be able to afford the car :(

how many miles on the black one?

63k i'm pretty sure.

there is a nice little Estoril Blue one on eBay right now, it's a 2000 with only 52k and the BIN is $21.9


Why the hell am I up at this hour???

Nah, I like the black one. And normally I wouldn't go for white cars, but Quest's M Coupe is nice, and it'd be like keeping it in the family!

I saw this Lexus one time that had cardboard where his tags should have been and he wrote in black marker..


Havent gotten tags yet..


Which also probably meant he had no insurance I laughed pretty hard





Good story!

Clownshoes are the best!

....and for that, you're helping me retrofit some HID projectors...


PLEASE :)
you got it. I'm working on a little retrofit project myself.

M Coupe = best looking BMW ever made

Chris, when I'm back in the D.C. area, you HAVE to give me a ride in the new beast!!! :D

m shoeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

m shoeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
That reminds me, I should do a cool plate for this car :stickoutt


Sean, you got it man, I'll let you take it for spin too :)

That reminds me, I should do a cool plate for this car :stickoutt


Sean, you got it man, I'll let you take it for spin too :)
If you've seen "This is Spinal Tap" you might appreciate this for a vanity plate:

GOES211

Thought that it would be appropriate for an M-car. It's already taken in VA though. :( And I don't have an M-car. :(:(

If you've seen "This is Spinal Tap" you might appreciate this for a vanity plate:

GOES211

Thought that it would be appropriate for an M-car. It's already taken in VA though. :( And I don't have an M-car. :(:( I don't get it. Why don't you just make 10 louder? ;)

I don't get it. Why don't you just make 10 louder? ;)

No, see, these go to eleven.

No, see, these go to eleven.
:buttrock

That reminds me, I should do a cool plate for this car :stickoutt


:devillook :devillook :devillook

http://s05.imagehost.org/1137/blah13.jpg

:devillook :devillook :devillook

http://s05.imagehost.org/1137/blah13.jpg
HELL YA, I was gonna do that too.

I was thinking:
M Shoe
CLWNSHOE
s52 SHOE (has a neat ring to it)

Or I'd just do BMWCCA plates since it is offered in MD

See if the Maryland DMV allows 'PEN15 CAR'.



Virginia doesn't. :(

Well. Bad news folks. Since I got the place up in Philly, it cost a little more than expected, so that means.....not enough for the Shoe :cry:

I've gotta wait a few months to start looking again.

Well. Bad news folks. Since I got the place up in Philly, it cost a little more than expected, so that means.....not enough for the Shoe :cry:

I've gotta wait a few months to start looking again.
Are you sh*tting me? Oh man, I was so excited for you too. :(

Story of my life....but you know what? Sometimes things arent meant to be, and right now, I have to make sure my living situation is set before I can do something else. I'd be drowning if i got this car this soon to be honest.

And I didn't expect to have found such a nice place so quickly....even tho it's a little bit more than what we were willing to pay...


Maybe in a few months....and maybe an s54 :dunno

Maybe in a few months....and maybe an s54 :dunno
I can only hope for you bro!

I'm spoiled. I usually tend to get what I want...if not right away...eventually. I mean, look at my car right now :stickoutt Kidding....

Kind of :shifty

I thought your car was pretty hot, except for those side view mirrors :stickoutt

You're thinking logically. In a few months start looking again, they will always be out there, I hope.

Mind if i ask how much they were asking for the m coupe?

Dude, get it. I'm sending you a PM now...

Chris, this makes me very sad. :( It would have been fun for you to join all of us other East Coast M Coupe owners to go down to Homecoming and a run at the Dragon this fall. Good luck with finding another one though!!!

Dude, get it. I'm sending you a PM now...


Have you seen it in person or just in the pics?

Just those pics I sent ya. I ran carfax on it. Came out clean. The guy was pretty cool too. Found out the reason he didnt respond back over the weekend was because he was buying another car and taking care of that. You should get it man. I mean, if I can't have it. At least another MAR member should :)