Question about buying a car in the USA from a private seller ( not a dealer)

[blown motor]

When I bought my Challenger in Wisconsin last year the title I was given stated that there were no liens on the car, but maybe some states do it differently.

[72cudamaan]

It's sounding scary not buying it from a GM dealer then? Is there a quick,cheap reliable way to do a title search?

If you and the seller were to go to the DMV (or whichever) to transfer the title, then you would be just fine. That is, if you transfer the title in the states? 
before going across the border.

[brads70]

If you and the seller were to go to the DMV (or whichever) to transfer the title, then you would be just fine. That is, if you transfer the title in the states? 
before going across the border.

No the last few I brought across I brought the previous owners title, then " surrendered it to the "DMV" here and they issue a new Canadian ownership. Can you go to the local DMV and get a printout confiming to leans etc, with out changing the name on the title...?

[ChallengerHK]

I would say check into the laws for the state where you would purchase as to whether a lienholder also holds the title. If they do, and if the title is stamped "lien satisdied" then you should be OK. If they do not, then it might get more dicey.

[72cudamaan]

Find out what state you're gonna get it from first. Then someone could check with the DMV for you if needed.