I'm an idiot to have let this happened

[pyromanic]

I need to vent. I'm so PO'd to be so dumb. My stupidity may cost me my car. So my mailman has to come down our rural lane on occasion to deliver packages that don't fit in the box up at pavement. Nice guy. I like him. Known him as an aquaintence for 10 years. So he sees a beat the heck 86 GL wagon in my drive. I tell I picked it up for 100 bucks. It runs but needs an overhaul, and the 5sp DR is just about worn out. Got a bunch of body damage too. He says he knows where a rebuilt EA 82 is, in his sisters 85. Same car, but Auto. Same color too. Story was, she delivers mail too. Used the 85 for her job. Engine blew. Dumped 1800 bucks into that engine. Then Tranny went. Spent money on Tranny. Worked for a couple months. Then Tranny goes again. So she's fed up. Buys a new Samuri or something. Parks the 85 Soob. It sits for 5 years. With 12000 miles on an EA 82.

 

So I meet her, she seems nice and honest and all that. (she did seem nervous, but I thought it was cause she is non-mechanical, feels her car is worth what shes got into it) I get her down to 300 bucks. She says her Mom did something with the title, she cant find it. Mom has passed away. Who knows. (in oregon, lost title is easy, done it half a dozen times, pay your money, no sweat usually, never had a problem)

 

So I buy this car. The body and chasis is in way better shape than my 86 and there is visual evidence of recemt major engine work visible, so I restore the mail ladies 85. Slap in JY 5 sp. Clean everything up. Use the 86 for parts like crossmember, rear diff, better power stearing pump, drive line, heater blower used the Non air alternator bracket, cause I dumped the dead compressor. Swapped front brakes, cause they were way better. Took a few weeks. Maybe a couple more hundred. New tires. Came out great. Runs like a champ. No leaks. Heck, I'm ready for a lift.

 

Go down to DMV yesterday, with all paper work, Bill of Sale, (thank god I wasn't too dumb to get that sighned!!) mail ladies 2000 registration, and my check book of course.

 

Well. She never had the title. Theres a lein. DMV's computor says contact this finance company in Texas, get a signature on this "satisfaction of lein" paper.

 

Like I said, she was acting kind of nervous, but I figured it was cause she had so much dough into that engine. But nope. It's cause she a damn lier and a criminal. This is fraud. (and I'm an idiot to do all this work before finding out if it had a clear title)

 

I Google "Olympic Finance" in bum-%&^$*! Texas. I get back "Something Else Finance, formorly known as Olympic Finance. Oh crap, this is going to be a nightmare. I call "Something Else" Lady says--------------, well, to make a too long story shorter, after being transfered umpteen times, and an hour later, maybe, MAYBE since the company has changed hands, they will send me a "Satifaction of lein" paper. I'm supposed to call back today. I don't even know how much dough she owed them.

 

I haven't even got the balls to tell my wife about this. Our couch is not comforatable to sleep on.

 

God I hate liars. Idiots too.

 

Thanks for listening. I feel a little better. Please take pity on an idiot and wish me luck.

 

Pyro

[Tin Soldier]

I need to vent. I'm so PO'd to be so dumb. My stupidity may cost me my car. So my mailman has to come down our rural lane on occasion to deliver packages that don't fit in the box up at pavement. Nice guy. I like him. Known him as an aquaintence for 10 years. So he sees a beat the heck 86 GL wagon in my drive. I tell I picked it up for 100 bucks. It runs but needs an overhaul, and the 5sp DR is just about worn out. Got a bunch of body damage too. He says he knows where a rebuilt EA 82 is, in his sisters 85. Same car, but Auto. Same color too. Story was, she delivers mail too. Used the 85 for her job. Engine blew. Dumped 1800 bucks into that engine. Then Tranny went. Spent money on Tranny. Worked for a couple months. Then Tranny goes again. So she's fed up. Buys a new Samuri or something. Parks the 85 Soob. It sits for 5 years. With 12000 miles on an EA 82.

 

So I meet her, she seems nice and honest and all that. (she did seem nervous, but I thought it was cause she is non-mechanical, feels her car is worth what shes got into it) I get her down to 300 bucks. She says her Mom did something with the title, she cant find it. Mom has passed away. Who knows. (in oregon, lost title is easy, done it half a dozen times, pay your money, no sweat usually, never had a problem)

 

So I buy this car. The body and chasis is in way better shape than my 86 and there is visual evidence of recemt major engine work visible, so I restore the mail ladies 85. Slap in JY 5 sp. Clean everything up. Use the 86 for parts like crossmember, rear diff, better power stearing pump, drive line, heater blower used the Non air alternator bracket, cause I dumped the dead compressor. Swapped front brakes, cause they were way better. Took a few weeks. Maybe a couple more hundred. New tires. Came out great. Runs like a champ. No leaks. Heck, I'm ready for a lift.

 

Go down to DMV yesterday, with all paper work, Bill of Sale, (thank god I wasn't too dumb to get that sighned!!) mail ladies 2000 registration, and my check book of course.

 

Well. She never had the title. Theres a lein. DMV's computor says contact this finance company in Texas, get a signature on this "satisfaction of lein" paper.

 

Like I said, she was acting kind of nervous, but I figured it was cause she had so much dough into that engine. But nope. It's cause she a damn lier and a criminal. This is fraud. (and I'm an idiot to do all this work before finding out if it had a clear title)

 

I Google "Olympic Finance" in bum-%&^$*! Texas. I get back "Something Else Finance, formorly known as Olympic Finance. Oh crap, this is going to be a nightmare. I call "Something Else" Lady says--------------, well, to make a too long story shorter, after being transfered umpteen times, and an hour later, maybe, MAYBE since the company has changed hands, they will send me a "Satifaction of lein" paper. I'm supposed to call back today. I don't even know how much dough she owed them.

 

I haven't even got the balls to tell my wife about this. Our couch is not comforatable to sleep on.

 

God I hate liars. Idiots too.

 

Thanks for listening. I feel a little better. Please take pity on an idiot and wish me luck.

 

Pyro

 

Ok this is not the most christian answer, but this is what I would do. Swap the vin plate from yours and go with it.

 

Seriously, practically the same car.

 

Or you could transfer it outta state and then back in again.

[the sucker king]

Ok this is not the most christian answer, but this is what I would do. Swap the vin plate from yours and go with it.

 

 

 

that might be a felony

[northguy]

Make it into a dedicated off-roader and don't bother registering it.

[pyromanic]

Those are both considerations that I have, well, considered. However, as they say, it aint over 'till the fat-------well, you know.

 

There is still hope. I think the fact that the finance company which carried the loan and title has since changed hands is a factor in my favor. I seemed to be hearing between the lines, (from the loan officer of the new owners of the company) that this has been long since written off. I mean, DMV didn't even have a good address on the lein holder, as technically, they don't exist anymore. I had to do some research. In other words, DMV hold the ONLY record of this. (which is bad in way, but good in another)

 

I'm to call them today and find out. (the loan company) We'll see.

Pyro

[archemitis]

switch the vin and never look back!

the only moral delema id be dealing with is ripping someone off in the future, with the incorrect vin. but if your just gonna keep it, switch it up!

you could probably just switch plates, and never have a problem(dont do that, just saying)

 

couldnt you get it totaled, and get a salvaged title? or does that still have something to do with the loan?

[TheBrian]

In addition to the dashboard VIN plate, there are VIN stickers or plates on every door, the hatch, the hood, and *inside* the fenders. I think it's also marked on the engine.

I don't think a VIN switch is feasable.

[archemitis]

oh its feasable... you grind all those others off, run the one on the dash, and the one in the engine compartment. engines get swaped all the time.

 

if it was a camaro, or a muscle car, i might be worried, but on a subaru... nobody will ever care.

[TheBigJ]

In addition to the dashboard VIN plate, there are VIN stickers or plates on every door, the hatch, the hood, and *inside* the fenders. I think it's also marked on the engine.

I don't think a VIN switch is feasable.

 

I'm pretty sure it's stamped on the firewall as well. get out the dremel?

[pyromanic]

I made the call downt o Texas, and I am in luck. They mailed out the "satisfaction of lein" yesterday.

 

 

 

Apparently she HAD paid it off, (so my apoligies for my mistaken assumption), but since the car was "broke", didn't run, wasn't going to get fixed any time soon, (this would have been sometime between '98 and 2000) she never took HER copy of "satisfation of lein" down to Oregon DMV and aquired a clear title. She in fact, probably DID have a title at some point (in reality, MUST have had), and of course it carried "security interest holder" on it. So I'm guessing she didn't lie. On the other hand, she might have. Will never know, don't care.

 

 

 

Those felonies, I like to keep to a minimum.

 

 

 

Whew. Yupper, I'm an idiot. I'll never start working on another car untill the title is clear.

 

Pyro

[pyromanic]

But now that I've had some time to think, I been thinking HYPOTHETICALLY, since my donor car, the '86 already HAS a "totaled, recontructed title, was like that when I got it, and now with two years of registration, already paid for, title in my name, clear and such, well, uh, well, hypothecialy---------uh-----

 

Yes, the vin is on the firewall under the hood. Large and deep too. Passenger side.

 

One tag drivers side door. And of course the dash board tag too. No others I can see. Nothing in wheel wells, I'd be suprised. Covered with dirt anyhow.

 

I better quit thinking now.

 

Lost title is 55. plus transfer. then two years registration. Bet I spend two hundred when I go. Ouch.

 

I think hypothetically, I'll shut up now.

 

Pyro

[pyromanic]

I just logged in to post back here with a desision, and the thread just above this thread is titled "Is it worth it?" They're talking about something completely different, but that's what my descision is based on.

 

 

 

The answer is "no". It's NOT woth it. The stress. The niggling little wondering, what if? (actually, I know what if, and it's pretty unacceptabley expensive)

 

 

 

Just to save a couple hundred. My peace of mind is worth more than that. Now if my back were against the wall, and I was unable to obtain the lein satisfaction paper work, then that might be different. Probably would infact. But thats not the case. Damn, I do think to much.

 

Any way, I know I'm just talking to myself now, but it helps me think.

 

 

 

Thanks for all the ideas folks. Appreciated.

 

Pyro

[Bill90Loyale]

I think this thread should be submitted to the nearest law school for use as a test question for the next exam. How many torts (slander, libel...) and/or potential misdemeanors and felonies can you spot?

[Caboobaroo]

I did a vin swap on my '79 wagon since it has a lean on it from a previous owner and the lien company went out of business. I've tried everything I could but I couldn't get a 'satisfactory of lien' and so came a vin swap. I used a vin from a '78 2wd wagon that got parted and I got most of the parts and the title and vin plates, yes ALL of the vin plates:D I didn't want to part my rust free '79 due to a 'no title' crap...

[archemitis]

its common practice, although i have never been in the situation to do it myslef.

[karinvail]

I say try all you can to get the REAL title. It's not only about legalities, it's about morals and ethics too. You will feel MUCH better if you do it the legal way...... just my .02

[sregor13]

If you were in Wyoming in a situation like that you could get a Sheriffs Title. If the Vehicle is on your property then you call and request a Sheriffs Title, they post it in the paper and try to see if anyone steps forward. If not after thirty days you can get a new Title. Just something to consider, then again a Wyoming Cop would probably get a beer out of the Fridge for you while you were switching the VIN Tags just to avoid all the Paperwork of a Sheriffs Title.

[Humble Nuto 53]

minnesota you can petition court for abandoned vehicle:

send reg'd letter of intention to last reg'd address (loan company)

and when that comes back as undeliverable, fill out the form, present letter,

form and 135.00 and u get title.

fill in additional hardship form and have 135.00 waived.

its just that simple.

 

some dilldew managed to steal a motorcycle out of storage via this method,

although the bike still had vaild tabs (sposta be a year expired minimum)

my valid address was still on the title

and he didnt have the undeliverable registered letter..

 

amazing what a little BS will do

 

ive also swapped the vin in the windshield method on saabs for years, never sold one in that condition. was advised by insurance adjuster that one of few

circumstances where it would be an issue would be a major disputed accident,

a sale (fraud) or if i were to be the subject of some criminal investigation.

 

also ran one set of plates on several different but similar bodies of varying colors, and even when getting parking tickets (my dear brother..) the disgrepancy between 2dr and 3dr, blue/red was never questioned....

seems no one cares about old out of style cars

[Hondasucks]

lol here it's $9 for title tranfer, reguistration goes off the original retail price, ($35 for one year for my 68 Polara) , adn if it's older than a certain age you can come in with a bill of sale (notarized) and they'll swap the title for ya, or so I've heard.