I found an abandoned Ford Focus wagon and I was wondering what the process is to take ownership of it and to get a clean title. The car does not appear to be in too bad of shape, some flat tires and very dirty but obviously I have no idea if there are other serious issues. I am wondering how much it would cost to get the vehicle and if it would be worth my time and money to get a clean title. The tag expired on 5/11 and I noticed the car sitting where it currently is around a month ago.
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Jan. 22, 2012 8:09 p.m. jonnyd330 New Reader
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Jan. 24, 2012 9:20 a.m. jonnyd330 New Reader
I'm surprised no one in here has done this before. I figured this would be a common thing on this board.
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Jan. 24, 2012 9:22 a.m. mad_machine SuperDork
how do you know it is abandoned? I would start with trying to find the owner and seeing what is up. It could be stolen (dumped my joyriding teens) the owner could have died (you are in florida after all) who knows..
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Jan. 24, 2012 9:38 a.m. jonnyd330 New Reader
In reply to mad_machine:
expired tags and flat tires. i did a look up to see if it was stolen and the tag didn't show up so I am assuming it is abandoned.
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Jan. 24, 2012 9:41 a.m. rotard HalfDork
Whose property is this on?
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Jan. 24, 2012 10:21 a.m. jonnyd330 New Reader
In reply to rotard:
It is in shopping plaza parking lot.
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Jan. 24, 2012 10:41 a.m. mad_machine SuperDork
well.. I would try to find the owners.. if that fails, talk to the shopping centre about placing a lien on the vehicle for long term parking and when they get the title, buy it from them?
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Jan. 24, 2012 11:29 a.m. mguar Reader
In reply to jonnyd330:
This is an area loaded with potential down side.. The first thing to do is involve the police.. I know I hate the bastards too but if you want to come out ahead you have to do it.. My buddy bought parts from someone who found an abandoned car and sold off the parts at a swap meet.. Long story short, he lost the car he was restoring 2 days after finishing the restoration.. Only a good lawyer saved him from geting a record..
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Jan. 24, 2012 8:29 p.m. Brett_Murphy Dork
It might belong to somebody who works/owns/runs the shopping plaza.
As others have said, find out who owns it and talk to them.
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Jan. 24, 2012 8:41 p.m. cwh SuperDork
Yeah, run the tag, start there. You do know what a snake pit is, right?
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Jan. 27, 2012 5:50 p.m. grouperalley New Reader
get a hold of the owner of the property, property manager etc, get them to get it impounded etc. weather that is a private action or police action the property manager has done it before. then weather private or cops follow up to determine how the will ultimatly dispose of cops sale or lien sale. then you get a title when you purchase it from lienor/cops. if you try to short cut you will be sol.
