Are you the family "car guy": Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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May 9, 2011 11:31 p.m. snipes Reader

My latest question from the family is below. I just don't know that much about NC. Here in SC we use that back of the title as the bill of sale. In NC they use a sepreate bill of sale, I think. What do you guys know?

"Basically, I am trying to find out if it's really necessary to get a "clear title" for both our cars. Currently, our titles have the name of the bank listed, and also signed that they have released the lien. A clear title is basically a reprint of the title with all this lien info removed. It's a bit of pain to get the clear title (involving a little bit of $$, notary public signatures, etc). I want to avoid it if I can, but will do so if it will make life easier later on - esp since we may be selling these out-of-state.

Also, the titles have our old address on it - not sure if this matters too much, but a new title would likely have our new address."
May 9, 2011 11:39 p.m. snipes Reader

Oh and I think this is my first post from Afghanistan. I have been here about 50 days now. I miss the Porsharu. I only drove it one (real) time before leaving.
May 10, 2011 1:24 a.m. friedgreencorrado SuperDork

snipes wrote:

Oh and I think this is my first post from Afghanistan. I have been here about 50 days now. I miss the Porsharu. I only drove it one (real) time before leaving.

Waiddaminnit..you're "in-country", and your family still bothers you with stuff like that? If it's something you feel you need to keep track of so that real life's not berkeleyed up when you get home, I guess I can understand why you'd worry about it. Otherwise, tell them to go find a stinking lawyer or something.

Keep your head down, and get home safe!!!
May 10, 2011 1:57 a.m. novaderrik HalfDork

they could also, you know, head down to the dmv office and ask a few questions..

what is it about car titles that confuses most people so much?
May 10, 2011 6:26 a.m. Ranger50 HalfDork

novaderrik wrote:

what is it about car titles that confuses most people so much?

Because no two states in relatively close distances have the same process and the DMV is full of worthless shiny happy people?

As for lien releases on titles, they aren't hard to get rid of off the original title(s). All you have to do, normally, is show up at the DMV/County clerk's office and show them the original lien title, a release of lien paperwork, a few signatures and in a few days, you have a free and clear title.

Plus I do believe there is some improper word usage here. A "clear title" is one that not salvaged or junked, not that the lien has been satisfied, IMO.
May 10, 2011 7:10 a.m. RossD SuperDork

In reply to snipes:

Thanks for serving our country! (I got nothing on your question, however )
May 10, 2011 8:51 a.m. Rusted_Busted_Spit Dork

Snipes,

If you need something let us know. I have a close friend deploying in about a month but I am not sure where he is going.
May 10, 2011 8:58 a.m. NOHOME Reader

I hear you on being the "Car Guy" in the family. My entire extended family thinks I have an updated archive of every make and model of car ever made stored in my head. I supposedly can also predict the sale price, depreciation and lifetime of the car!

The truth is that I am just some guy who has been keeping an old MGB GT on the road for 37 years. My Miata NEVER broke, so taught me nothing about modern cars.. What the heck do I know about cars?

As to getting stuff like this when overseas, my recollection was that ANY mail from home is good mail!
May 10, 2011 9:05 a.m. BigD New Reader

I bet most guys on here are the family "everything guy" - cars, house repairs, computer problems etc.
May 10, 2011 9:09 a.m. FlightService HalfDork

WOW!!! Every time I went to the DMV in SC I had to have the back of the title AND a bill of sale.

To answer your questions as long as they both are signed, the banks release and the owner your good. The bank's signed release makes it a clear title.

Print a simple bill of sale just to appease the bureaucrats and make sure you put in AS IS to help protect yourself.
May 10, 2011 10:32 a.m. dculberson Reader

"Currently, our titles have the name of the bank listed, and also signed that they have released the lien."

What FlightService said is correct - the bank having signed the release line makes it a clear title in the eyes of the law. If someone claims it's not clear because there is an old, released lien on it, they are confused and/or using legal terminology when they mean to use lay terminology.
May 10, 2011 1:31 p.m. snipes Reader

BigD wrote:

I bet most guys on here are the family "everything guy" - cars, house repairs, computer problems etc.

LOL that made me smile. Thanks for all the help guys.
May 10, 2011 3:56 p.m. poopshovel SuperDork

Yes. I am also the "Family Guy" of the family.