Battling for my car title, please help

[Lazarey]

I desperately need help in the battle for my car title.

As many a gearhead tragedy does, this sad tale of woe began with the unrelenting love of an automobile...

You see, I have always loved the Nissan/Datsun Z. Regardless of generation, something about them speaks to me on a deep, and possibly even inappropriate level. As soon as the 350Z came out, I vowed then and there that I would own one some day.

Well, this past November, that dream came true. I do not come from money, far from it, but I have always had a good work ethic. So I saved as much money as absolutely possible for years while working two jobs and putting myself through college. Finally the day came when I could entertain the idea of buying a 350Z.
The search took months, because I have never been one to settle. The Z of my dreams had to have a 6 speed gearbox, black leather seats, no modifications, and be sprayed with luscious black paint.

One day, after tireless months of searching, I found what I thought was the Z for me. A 2007 model, she had been driven by a seemingly responsible gentleman who sounded as though he hadn't abused the black beauty at all. So I went to look at it and fell in love with the 350Z all over again. It was everything I'd ever wanted. I told him I'd be back tomorrow with the money to buy it, and as I climbed into my well worn -and loved- Nissan 240SX to head home, I felt a warm glow in my heart.

I met him the next day, as promised, and when I inquired as to where the title was, he told me that he hadn't finished paying the car off through Carmax. I should have walked away right there. But as many a young man in love has done, I stayed. Very suspiciously, I followed him to the bank where he deposited my cashier's check, the one for more than half of my life savings, into his account. Than he handed me the keys and we signed a Bill of Sale, then I drove him to Carmax, where he proceeded to pay off the car. He then contacted Carmax Financing on the phone, while I listened. Now that he had paid off the car, the title going to be released to him. He told them to send it to my address. He gave them my address. Double checked it with them. Doesn't seem too bad, right? Wrong.

That was on November 14th. I am writing you today on December 28th. I do not have the title the beautiful car of my fantasy that sits, useless, in my garage. This man has kept saying he hasn't received the title. I cannot meet him in person because he has moved to Singapore for his company. No I'm not making this up. That's why he was selling the car to begin with. He is the Senior Managing Director of the International Division of 7-Eleven, and he was being relocated. He will be living there for the next 3 years.

He was reachable via text message and email, up until recently, when I asked him for an update on if he has received the title (he said a friend was checking his mail for him). That was 8 days ago. No response since.

Please, I am desperate. I have rarely been this stressed out in my life. I can barely sleep. More than half of my life savings is in this car. I need the title. What can I do???
And yes, I have certainly learned my lesson. A potentially expensive one, but I learned it.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. You have no idea what it means to me.

Sincerely,
RC

P.S., there is a regional TxDOT office near where I live that has said they can print out a certified copy of the title -as good as the real thing, in every respect- to the title holder. So if this man could simply fly back to the states for one day, and go up to this office with me, we could solve this whole matter.

[Jesda]

Did you call Carmax to confirm that everything went through on their end?

If you have other documents proving your ownership including a bill of sale, you can try to sue him to get his attention.

[Lazarey]

Yes, Carmax said that in Texas the DMV will send him the title.

[Jesda]

With his job title, it sounds like he's very busy. I wonder how much it would cost to pay an attorney to send him a sternly worded letter?

[elwesso]

It's probably a good thing you have Carmax involved rather than it being a private sale. At least there's proof that someone had the title, versus if this guy just had the title and gave it to you.

I wonder what happens if the title to your vehicle is lost? I mean it's got to happen at some point, and if Carmax has proof that the car was sold, I would think you could get a copy of the title.

Have you tried calling teh DMV in Texas to see what they say? I believe that the owner has the responsibility to send the title to the owner within 21 days of the day of purchase, at least that's how I think it works in Indiana.

[Rev_D21]

When I sold my Millenia I signed the lien title to the customer and provided them with an original copy of the lien release letter from my bank. That's what your guy should have done. Why would Carmax hold the title in the first place? The owner should have that with a lien stamp on it.

[LEMHEAD16]

Call Carmax, if they have released the lien on the car you should be able to file for a lost title.

I had to file one for my truck in Oklahoma a few years ago. All I needed was a notarized bill of sale and $180 at the DMV. It took about six weeks, but it really wasn't a big deal. If
Carmax released the title to the Texas DMV it should be even easier to get than a lost title.

It is has also been barely 6 weeks since you bought the car, keep in mind you are dealing with a government agency (slow under normal circumstances) and you have had 2 major holidays during that 6 week period. I'd be willing to bet it is still in process. Can't you go to the DMV and get a temporary tag for it?

[gwoods]

When I bought my Jag in September it took almost 70 days to get the title from Autonation. I think your argument may be with Carmax not the guy how sold the car.

[float_6969]

I don't know about Texas, but in Kansas, they don't give you the title anymore if there is a lien on it due to fraudulent car sales. If this is the case in Texas, the owner never had the title to give him in the first place.

The issue is with Carmax right now. They need to be contacted to find out the status of the title. If the lien has been released, then the title should be clear.

If the lien is released, but the title is gone, then (at least in Kansas) it's a matter of getting a form from the state that you have the previous owner sign (you can fax him the copy, he can sign it, and then fax it back) stating that he did sell you the car and that the title is lost. Show them the bill of sale, and you now have the title.

I know you're feeling foolish right now and very down. That's totally understandable. But I think you're "barking up the wrong tree" right now. Unless the guy really does have the title (I doubt he does) then he's as powerless as you are. Carmax is who you need to be hounding.