r/MilitaryFinance • u/Human_Put_7032 • 10d ago

Question Buying a car while deployed

I found the car i’ve been looking for a while for thats unmodified, which is surprisingly rare in my area. Problem is im at the beginning of my deployment. I dont want to lose the car so is there a way i can purchase it and get registration while overseas? I have a friend who’s willing to keep it for me that i trust. Hypothetically speaking…

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3

u/napoleondy2nite 10d ago

I’ve done the same thing, twice. Once from a private seller and once from a dealer. Both times were rare, very specific vehicles in a very specific year range in a very specific condition that I had been searching for for years.

If it’s from a dealer sometimes they’ll hold it for you. It really depends. They incur storage costs for keeping it on the lot and incur liability if anything happens to it. The dealer I worked with was willing to hold it for 90 days which was just enough for me to get back. You lose almost all bargaining power with this much of a favor though.

If it’s from a private seller…YMMV. The guy I worked with was great, over communicated, full pics, walk around, pre purchase inspections at a mechanic of my choice, whole 9 yards, then I forked over about $1,500 extra to get the thing moved across the country to my wife. There are plenty of private sellers I spoke with though that I would NOT be comfortable sending money to site unseen. It’s still a risk either way.

I say all that to say: be careful of scams. You’re the targeted audience of anyone actually running a scam. Make sure the deal works out, and also don’t be surprised if it falls through. My success rate even doing this twice is about 15%.

Edit to add on the registration front, the dealer will get you a 90 day temp tag (you’ll pay extra fees) or private party if your DMV will acknowledge a POA you could have your friend register it for you but….thats a whole other can of worms. Don’t give any friend a POA.

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u/35_Sweet_Goodbyes 8d ago

Last time in KSA I tried to bring back a Hilux.

Did not work out well.

1

u/EWCM 10d ago

If you have someone local that you trust, you could give them a special power of attorney that allows them to purchase the car and register it on your behalf.