How to Buy A Car With Cash On The Weekend

PrivateAuto Pay offers a better way—one tailored for weekend purchasing (or anytime). Make payments digitally anytime while avoiding the risks and awkwardness of cash. Complete deals seamlessly even when government offices are closed.

Why is Weekend Cash Car Buying Tough?

Trying to purchase a vehicle with physical cash on weekends poses some challenges. You need to have a large amount of cash (unless you’re buying a total clunker) on hand leading up to the weekend, which can be a bit nerve-wracking.

Banks are closed on weekends, preventing withdrawals of large sums needed for major purchases. Scrambling to gather enough bills beforehand is a hassle.
Carrying wads of cash around all weekend heightens security risks. The money could be lost or stolen before you finalize the purchase.
DMV offices have limited weekend hours, if they are open at all, delaying the ability to promptly title the car in your name.
Waiting until Monday might make you miss the deal. The seller may move on if another weekend buyer comes along with in-hand cash.

Weekend cash deals are extremely inconvenient at best and risky at worst. Fortunately, there’s a better way.

What is PrivateAuto Pay?

PrivateAuto Pay is our built-in payment platform. Think of it as Venmo for large transactions. There’s nothing else like it. Benefits include:

Fee-free payments up to $1M.
Instantaneous payments enable real-time deals—no waiting or coordination. Close the deal when you meet for the test drive.
Instant payments work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. No coordinating around banker’s hours.
Easily move money from your bank account to PrivateAuto Pay and vice versa. An instantaneous balance transfer can be done 24/7/365.
No exchange of contact or banking info—your sensitive information stays safe, protecting you from scammers.
Encrypted data protects you from hackers.
Escrow-like safeguards eliminate the need for an escrow service, so you can save money.
You can even buy a car remotely if you find your perfect vehicle in another state (and then arrange for transport right in the PrivateAuto app).
Use PrivateAuto Pay for your transaction even if you met the seller on another site, such as Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Just invite them to DealNow fast-track solution and enjoy the power of other transactional features.

How Does PrivateAuto Pay Solve Cash Issues?

With PrivateAuto Pay, you can ditch the paper money and pay instantly, safely, and conveniently right from your phone.

No more trying to withdraw thousands in cash at the last minute. No more limited banking hours or coordinating complex wire transfers. Just seamless, instant digital cash payments between verified accounts, 24/7.

PrivateAuto Pay is the only solution that combines ironclad security protections with the speed and simplicity of cash. Pay safely in seconds without ever sharing personal information. Enjoy escrow-like safeguards without the third party fees.

Whether transacting in-person or buying a car in another state, PrivateAuto Pay is the smartest way to pay. It brings cash into the digital era, so you can act decisively on a great used car while keeping your money secure.

Ditch the risks and hassles of paying in cash on a weekend. Go all-digital for payments and transactions with PrivateAuto Pay.

How Do I Buy a Car With Physical Cash on the Weekend?

If you buy a car with physical cash on the weekend, here are the steps you’ll go through:

1. Withdraw large sums of cash over multiple days, if banks even allow it before the weekend rolls around.
2. Transport large quantities of bills, making yourself a target for theft.
3. Meet a stranger in a random location with no protection.
4. Spend what seems like an eternity manually counting and verifying stacks of cash under the burning eyes of the stranger.
5. Hand over the cash, crossing your fingers that the seller will sign over the title and not doublecross you.
6. Hope or pray if you encounter difficulties.

Not all that convenient, is it?

How Do I Buy a Car on the Weekend With PrivateAuto Pay?

PrivateAuto is the only transactional marketplace that makes cash purchases simple and secure—even on weekends.

Here are the steps to paying cash for a car with PrivateAuto Pay—on the weekend or any other time:

1. Browse PrivateAuto listings and negotiate terms with sellers through secure messaging.
2. Fund your PrivateAuto Pay account. You can initiate an instant funds transfer from your bank into your PrivateAuto Pay account, 24/7. No limits on transfer amounts. If you need to get a loan for your car, you can do so right in the PrivateAuto app. Once approved, the lender will fund your PrivateAuto Pay account.
3. Meet the seller via our in-app scheduler—without ever giving out personal info such as email or phone number.
4. Review your in-app bill of sale, financing terms, and other documents. Digitally sign them in the app. The seller signs them as well, and you get a notification when they have done so. Once you and the seller have electronically signed the bill of sale, they are legally obligated to transfer the title to you after receiving your payment.
5. Once you receive the notification that the seller has signed the bill of sale, approve payment. PrivateAuto Pay will instantly transfer the funds to the seller’s PrivateAuto Pay account.
6. The seller transfers the title to you and gives you the keys.
7. Drive away in your new-to-you car with a binding record of the entire transaction stored in your PrivateAuto account.
8. Complete the title transfer at the DMV, and get new license plates and registration.

Found a car you like somewhere else? We still got you! Use our new DealNow feature to fast-track a transaction with our infrastructure, even if you met the seller on another platform like KSL Cars.

DealNow offers all the same conveniences, along with a fast-tracked deal flow. It not only bypasses the car shopping, messaging, and negotiation steps, saves money by eliminating the need for an escrow service but you can also pay for the car on the weekend.

What are the Tax Implications of Buying a Car in Cash?

Unless you live in a state without sales tax, you’ll need to pay sales tax on your vehicle purchase. Other than that, there aren’t a lot of tax implications when buying a car—whether you pay cash or get a car loan.

Here’s what you need to know about tax implications for vehicle purchases in a general sense. Always do your research on your state’s requirements, as they may vary.

No income tax. A car purchase is not taxable income, so no income taxes are owed.
No gift taxes. Even gifting the car to someone later does not generally incur gift taxes unless it’s a very expensive car. Individual state rules may differ
Sales tax. You will owe applicable state sales tax on the purchase price. The rate varies by state but averages 4% to 7% of the car’s value.
Private sellers may not collect tax. You will need to formally self-report and pay sales tax to your local DMV when you register the car.
Sales tax exemptions: research what exemptions are available in your state. Some states waive tax if a transaction is between immediate family members, or if the registrant is a religious organization, government body, or some other exempt status.

What are the Disadvantages of Buying a Car with Cash?

Physical currency may seem like the most straightforward way to pay for a used car, but there are several cons of buying with cash:

What Is The Best Place To Buy A Car From A Private Seller?

There are many places you can buy a vehicle, but they don’t give you the transactional features to get the deal done safely, securely, and inexpensively like PrivateAuto does.

Here are some popular platforms for buying used cars online:

Bring a Trailer
eBay Motors
Local classifieds sites
Craigslist
Facebook Marketplace
Autotrader
Cars.com
AutoTempest

These are all “meetingplaces” rather than true marketplaces; they connect you to the vehicle owner but don’t give you the transactional infrastructure to get the deal done.

We are the only transactional marketplace that offers a full suite of tools that let you get the deal done quickly, securely, and easily

Here’s how we stand out from our competitors:

Verified users for trusted transactions.
Private in-app messaging with sellers.
Schedule vehicle transport within the PrivateAuto app
Eliminate the need for an escrow service.
Send instant offers on any vehicle.
Secure transfers of up to $1 million, instantaneous and fee-free
Shop for used car warranties and get warranty coverage
In-app test drive scheduling and document signing.
Complete purchases remotely without meeting in person (perfect for out-of-state transactions).
Apply for competitive financing from lending partners.
DealNow feature to fast-track a deal using PrivateAuto infrastructure.
Encrypted info protects your data from hackers
Shop insurance quotes and get coverage right within the PrivateAuto app

We don’t hate these “meeting places” at all. In fact, if you find a car on one of them and want to buy it, you can still use our transactional infrastructure to get the deal done. Simply invite the seller to our DealNow fast-track feature to enjoy the security, privacy, and immediacy of PrivateAuto Pay and our other features.

Find your Dream Vehicle on PrivateAuto

Here’s the PrivateAuto car buying process, and how we make it easier.

Browse used cars for sale on PrivateAuto.

1. Make offers on cars you like (PrivateAuto is one of the only platforms that allows you to offer what you’re willing to pay).
2. Message the owner and schedule a test drive without every giving out your contact info.
3. Meet up, inspect the car, and sign documents with the owner.
4. Send funds instantly.
5. Drive away with your new-to-you car.
6. Complete the title transfer and registration at your local DMV.

Looking to sell your car? Create a listing on PrivateAuto and connect with interested buyers today!

FAQ on Buying A Car With Cash On The Weekend

What if I can't afford to pay the full amount in cash?

Financing a used car is perfectly normal; most people can’t afford to pay cash upfront. With PrivateAuto’s integrated financing, you can buy your next car with ease and confidence when you get a car loan through our integrated lending partner.

The entire process happens seamlessly within the PrivateAuto app. After a credit score check, you can get approved in minutes for competitive used auto loan rates. The lender then deposits the funds into your PrivateAuto Pay account.

You’ll send payment to the seller from your funded PrivateAuto Pay account. The seller receives the funds instantly, the same as if you were sending your own money. No coordination with the lender required.

There’s no waiting on checks or loan paperwork. You’ll make payments to the lender afterwards, just like a typical car loan.

PrivateAuto understands that financing is often needed to buy a used car. We make the entire experience—from auto loan approval to driving off—hassle-free, so you can focus on finding the perfect car at the right price.

No more going to an external bank for your personal loan and jumping through a ton of hoops. If you’re in the market, feel free to get started with car financing here!

Does PrivateAuto offer plans for loan payments?

PrivateAuto is a transactional marketplace that connects you directly with private sellers. You do not pay us for your car; you pay the seller. We do offer in-app financing options via a third party lending partner. You can apply for financing within our app. If approved, the lender pays the seller in full while you make monthly payments to the lender according to the terms of the loan.

Is paying with a check better than paying in cash?

Many buyers prefer a cashier’s check for payment rather than a cash payment. A cashier’s check seems more certain than a personal check for transferring funds. However, unless you’re standing in front of the issuing bank during business hours and they verify the funds, the seller—if they’re smart—won’t see it as foolproof. Criminals have forged counterfeit cashier’s checks to con sellers.

To be absolutely sure your cashier’s check is valid, some sellers wait for it to clear their bank before releasing the title. This puts pressure on you to pay a large sum while trusting the seller to sign over the car later. It also means meeting twice, which is inconvenient.

PrivateAuto is safe, instantaneous, and guaranteed. With PrivateAuto Pay, funds instantly appear in the seller’s account, unlike a cashier’s check. The entire transaction can be concluded when you meet for a test drive.

While cashier’s checks are a step up from personal checks, they’re not all that great. For convenience and instant, guaranteed payments, use PrivateAuto Pay.

Is it suspicious to buy a car with cash?

Buying a car with physical cash can seem suspicious to some sellers. The higher the purchase price, the more cash you’ll have to carry, and the more suspicious it seems. PrivateAuto Pay lets you pay cash digitally in a very non-suspicious manner:

– PrivateAuto Pay enables large transfers between bank accounts instantly, creating a digital paper trail. This provides legitimacy and fraud protection that cash lacks.
– Paying by PrivateAuto Pay avoids the risks of carrying large cash sums in person. Transactions happen remotely through the app for enhanced security.
– PrivateAuto Pay offers resource protection and support. With cash deals, you lose this benefit.
– Transfers via PrivateAuto Pay are seamless. Cash deals require extensive bill counting and verification at each transaction.
– There are no limits on transaction sizes through PrivateAuto Pay, while banks constrain large cash withdrawals.

How do I avoid scams when buying a used car from a private seller?

Unfortunately, when purchasing a car with cash, fraud is a concern. Criminals use a variety of methods, such as faked vehicle history, odometer tampering, or title scams.

PrivateAuto offers vehicle history reports with all premium listings, and also has identity verification and the security of PrivateAuto Pay. These measures cut down significantly on fraudsters, but it always pays to be vigilant.

Beware of sellers pressuring you to pay with cash immediately. Don’t hand over your cash without verifying the details and test driving. If a seller gives you a high-pressure “act now or lose out” ultimatum, it’s best to walk away. There will be other listings available without undue seller pressure.

The key is taking your time—carefully inspecting the car, verifying the VIN, test driving carefully, and not paying until you’re confident about going through with the transaction.

PrivateAuto helps by letting you schedule test drives securely and make payments only when terms are met. With a little patience, you can find the right car without being rushed into a fraudulent deal.

What to do after you buy a car from a private seller?

Buying vehicles from private sellers rather than car dealerships requires a few extra steps to make sure you can legally drive and register the car.

Key steps after buying a car privately are registering the vehicle, transferring the title, and getting new license plates issued in your name (unless you’re in California or Minnesota).

While specifics can vary from state to state, here are the basics of what you need to do after buying a car from a private seller.

– When you purchase the car, the seller should provide you with the signed title. Review it to make sure their name is listed and they signed it over to you.
– Before driving off, contact your insurance company to add the car to your policy. You typically need valid insurance in your name to drive legally. Make sure you have proof of insurance.
– Head to the DMV as soon as possible to transfer the title to your name and register the car. Bring the title, bill of sale, ID, and insurance documents. Pay any required sales taxes and registration fees.
– The DMV will provide you with new registration documents and license plates for the car in your name. These are required to legally drive the car.
– All states except California and Minnesota:the seller will remove the old license plates, and you will get new plates from the DMV and install them. Consider having the car inspected for safety and emissions testing, if required in your state. The DMV can provide guidance.
– Notify your insurance company that the car is now registered in your name. Provide them with the new VIN, plates, and registration.

Buying a car is sort of like starting a relationship. You’ll be spending a lot of time together. Start things off right by handling all the details associated with buying a car from a private seller.

Landon Epperly

Contributing Author

Landon Epperly is the Product Manager at PrivateAuto, where he thrives on turning innovative ideas into reality. With a deep passion for cars and boats, Landon combines his love for vehicles with his expertise in product development to enhance the online marketplace experience….