Buying a car from us when you live out of state.
People come to us from Mississippi and further. Here is how to shop from a distance, and what to check back home.
The short answer.
Yes, you can buy from us if you live in another state, and plenty of buyers have. Start online and by phone: pick a vehicle, read its free AutoCheck report, ask us your questions, and apply for financing online if you need it. Then plan your trip to Daphne to drive it and sign.
Title, registration, temporary tags and sales tax are set by your home state, not by us, and the rules differ from state to state. Before you buy, check with your home state’s motor vehicle office so you know what you will need when you get home.
Shopping from a distance.
Most of the work happens before you ever get in the car.
Find
Browse the live inventory, or use the vehicle finder if you do not see it.
Ask
Call or email Ben@sportcenterimports.com. Ask for more photos and anything the listing does not say.
Apply
Fill out the credit application online, with your trade-in if you have one.
Travel
Set a time by phone, then come drive it and sign. We will make sure it is ready.
Check these back home.
This is general guidance, not legal advice. Your home state’s motor vehicle office has the final word.
- How long you have to title and register the car
- Whether you need a temporary tag to drive it home
- How and where sales tax is paid on an out-of-state purchase
- Any emissions or safety inspection your state requires
- What your insurer needs to cover the car before you drive
- What your lender needs, if you finance elsewhere
Driving in on I-10
Our lot is on US-98 in Daphne, 1/2 mile south of I-10, on the right at the 3rd traffic light. I-10 runs straight through from Mississippi and Florida, so most out-of-state buyers never leave the interstate until the last few minutes.
From buyers who made the trip.
Word for word, from Google and Facebook.
Just bought a 2013 Yukon from Fred. The experience was excellent—no games, fair price, and the truck was exactly as described. It was well worth the drive over from Mississippi. If you're looking for an honest deal on a used vehicle, go see Fred. Highly recommend!
Out of state. No problem. Gracious gentleman.
Out-of-state questions.
Do you sell cars to people outside Alabama?
Yes. Our reviews include buyers from Mississippi and other states. One wrote that it was “well worth the drive over from Mississippi.”
Who handles my title and registration?
Ask us how the sale paperwork works for your state when you call. Registering the car is done in your home state, so check with your home state’s motor vehicle office for what to bring and the deadline.
Do I pay Alabama sales tax or my own state’s?
It depends on your state’s rules, and they vary. Check with your home state’s motor vehicle or revenue office before you buy so there are no surprises when you register.
Can I apply for financing before I travel?
Yes. The secure online credit application lets you get that part started from home, with an optional co-buyer and trade-in section.
Can the car be brought to me instead?
That is a conversation for the phone. Call 251-625-2131 and ask about the vehicle you have in mind, and we will tell you honestly what is possible.
Worth the drive to Daphne.
Pick a vehicle, call 251-625-2131 with your questions, and we will have it ready when you arrive.