Patrick - this is good advice from Markos ...Patrick,
If you are serious about selling your car, this is the venue to explain the situation. The car is titled in CA but presumably unregistered? The car runs but does it drive? It has no taillights. Will the border patrol let you drive or trailer a car through without going to through customs?
How do you intend to receive payment? A smart seller wouldn't accept a money order or bank check. I smart buyer wouldn't carry $16K cash in Mexicali. Can you personally cross the border to complete the sale? Can you stay in the US and hold the car with deposit while the buyer attempts to register the car? It is a risk to you as a seller, but you are taking on the burden which makes the car more sales worthy. You might even be able to use a pawn shop as a consignment broker.
Can you provide details on the salvage title? Can you post pictures of the entire car, with details of known problem areas.
People are interested in this car, but they think it is a scam. You have a few hurdles to overcome. Transparency will help...
Johnny Cash "One Piece at a Time" keeps popping into my head on this one.
NMNA. I have been emailing with the owner. The car is actually sitting in Mexicali (Mexico). He said he would bring it across the border to Calexico (California) to show any prospective buyers. The car originally came from the State of Washington and has been sitting in a Mexican warehouse since 2005. The owner does not have the pink slip. Can you transfer ownership in the State of California without a pink slip or any registration papers? I have no idea. Maybe some of you know the rules of the California DMV? There's no set asking price for the vehicle. The owner said "make me a good offer and you can buy my car." Seems a bit weird to me...
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/ssd/cto/4525049452.html
I spoke to the owner yesterday. He said he is going to register the car in California and then sell it. Everyone who has contacted him is asking the same question - How do we know this car isn't stolen? Based on our conversation, I do believe this will be a legitimate sale...
Just received an official Vehicle Registration Certificate from the State of Washington. Previous owner's incidentals are on this document. Dated 10/23/2003. VIN # 2240572. This car was registered on the CS Registry site on 4/30/14. Very recent. What's my next step? Contact DMV in Washington? Contact previous owner? Contact Police Department? Run like hell?