As the subject states. Going up to Michigan to maybe buy a Fiero tomorrow morning. I have read and heard different advice on how it works when buying an out of state car and driving it home. I don't want to drive with ficticious tags from another vehicle. I feel that would be worse. I figure driving without a plate, having insurance and the signed title may be the best route if I drive it home. Perhaps an officer would understand the situation? I don't know. Just want to be legit. Any advice? Thanks.
I'm not sure if you can in your neck of the woods, but When I buy a car out here, I log onto the state's DoT website, and there, I can print out a three day, or thirty day temp tag. The three day is a buck, and the thirty is like 15. I tape it to my back glass, and away I go.
[This message has been edited by Cygnus (edited 05-02-2014).]
I bought a car in Ohio once, as far as I know the law states that if you're driving it straight home, it's legal not to have tags. It may however be helpful if you at least insured it.
"You do not need a license plate to drive a newly purchased vehicle directly home within Michigan within three days of purchase. Carry the assigned title with you. Never use a plate from another vehicle as a substitute."
Thanks for the replies! That puts my mind at ease. Also to add, I called my insurance and they will cover any car I drive. Just need to transfer tags in my name ASAP.
Thanks Lar. Will do. Been around these cars all my life. And your right....Michigan car. We'll see. The drive there wont be so bad. The drive back if I don't get it will be a long one!
"You do not need a license plate to drive a newly purchased vehicle directly home within Michigan within three days of purchase. Carry the assigned title with you. Never use a plate from another vehicle as a substitute."
Just because it is in Michigan doesn't mean it spent its life in Michigan. Ist Fiero was from Texas. Current car is from Kentucky. So if I were to sell it one would say it is a Michigan car when it wasn't.
Hey Jason, if your deal doesn't work out I have a clean/very rust free 88 Formula for sale. Send me a pm if interested. Located in Kalamazoo, mi area. Thank you, Kevin
When you buy a car in Michigan, the plates stay with the seller. The car can be driven directly to your home without plates. Simply show the dated signed over title to any cop that pulls you over, and try not to draw attention to yourself.
When I bought a new car in Pennsylvania, the dealer had 30 day temp plates on hand, and registered one to my car before I left. In California, the plate stays with the car, so you see really old cars with really old plates. Every state is different.
I bought both of my Fieros within the past year and both of them had to be brought back on a tow dolly because they both had bad fuel pumps. So I didn't have to worry about driving without a tag, Lol
I know why they give you 3 days to drive it home. Although it's legal, I think a simple 3 hour drive home might take you 3 days, because every cop in town is gonna pull you over without a license plate.
Notice it says "within Michigan"... you better check the Ohio policy or you might have some "splainin" to do after you cross the boarder. Most states require a temporary tag for any vehicle on the road.
When I lived in Ohio, my Fiero was unplated for 5+ years while it sat & was worked on (on an unrelated note it was still insured). I towed it to the Fiero Factory in Alabama. I initially inquired to the BMV about getting temporary tags, because Summit County requires a car to pass Ohio ECheck to be plated. Because the car was 25+ years, it did not require ECheck, & therefor I was also unable to get temp tags. I simply provided the title, my license, paid for plates, & flew out of state with them.
Because you are buying the car out of state, & won't have the title, I would suggest seeing if you can get the title transferred via the BMV, & this will either require the owner to mail you the title, or possibly fax/email.
In Wisconsin you don't have to have plates on the car when you drive it home, but you do have to have insurance. You have three days to register it in your name. Otherwise the outcome would not be pretty. In Minnesota the plates stay with the car.
Guys, I got my car!! Rick was awesome! (PO) He let me drive home with his plate so I don't get much attention from the fuzz. Thanks Rick! Also the car is AWESOME! Needs paint, that about it. He was so straight forward on everything with the car. He really took good care of it. Car ran perfect all the way back home. A couple engine lights that I will investigate but didn't effect drivability what so ever. I got pics from the drive home that my kiddos took of me rolling down the road if you guys want to see.
Minimum pics req'd include exterior front, rear, L side, R side; interior from each open door; engine & front compartments & any custom or unusual details.
Someone will respond confirming the pics are actually of a Fiero. Any Studebaker, Desoto or other non-Fiero items noticed will be brought to your attention.
In Wisconsin you don't have to have plates on the car when you drive it home, but you do have to have insurance. You have three days to register it in your name. Otherwise the outcome would not be pretty. In Minnesota the plates stay with the car.
Texas used to be that way but the new owner would drive around until they got caught before registering the vehicle. Now the plates stay with the owner. They have where you can print a 5 day transit permit on-line. But crossing state lines can be tricky because all states have different laws. This is why I prefer to trailer the car, no tag issues.
My son has an 84 Sport. I should get some pics up of his car too. Fieros' are a family affair for us. My Dad bought the 88 I used to have new. When I was 15 I spent many hours drooling over that car!
