How To Buy A Car With Cash On The Weekend?
Buying a car with cash can save you a bundle, compared to financing. But cash can be cumbersome. Weekend car buying amplifies the headaches of traditional physical cash payments. Banks are closed, and carrying large sums is risky.
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.
Weekend cash deals are extremely inconvenient at best and risky at worst. Fortunately, there’s a better way.
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Banks are closed on weekends, preventing withdrawals of large sums needed for major purchases. Scrambling to gather enough bills beforehand is a hassle.
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Carrying wads of cash around all weekend heightens security risks. The money could be lost or stolen before you finalize the purchase.
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DMV offices have limited weekend hours, if they are open at all, delaying the ability to promptly title the car in your name.
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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:
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Fee-free payments up to $1M.
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Instantaneous payments enable real-time deals—no waiting or coordination. Close the deal when you meet for the test drive.
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Instant payments work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. No coordinating around banker’s hours.
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Easily move money from your bank account to PrivateAuto Pay and vice versa. An instantaneous balance transfer can be done 24/7/365.
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No exchange of contact or banking info—your sensitive information stays safe, protecting you from scammers.
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Encrypted data protects you from hackers.
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Escrow-like safeguards eliminate the need for an escrow service, so you can save money.
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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).
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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 our DealNow fast-track solution and enjoy the power of PrivateAuto Pay and our 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.
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?
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 uses PrivateAuto Pay for payments and 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.
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 uses PrivateAuto Pay for payments and 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.
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.
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No income tax. A car purchase is not taxable income, so no income taxes are owed.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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:
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:
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.
Here are some popular platforms for buying used cars online:
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eBay Motors
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Local classifieds sites
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Craigslist
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Cars.com
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:
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Verified users for trusted transactions.
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Private in-app messaging with sellers.
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Schedule vehicle transport within the PrivateAuto app
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Eliminate the need for an escrow service.
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Send instant offers on any vehicle.
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Secure transfers of up to $1 million, instantaneous and fee-free
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Shop for used car warranties and get warranty coverage
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In-app test drive scheduling and document signing.
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Complete purchases remotely without meeting in person (perfect for out-of-state transactions).
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Apply for competitive financing from lending partners.
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DealNow feature to fast-track a deal using PrivateAuto infrastructure.
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Encrypted info protects your data from hackers
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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!
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!
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!
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?
Is paying with a check better than paying in cash?
Is it suspicious to buy a car with cash?
How do I avoid scams when buying a used car from a private seller?
What to do after you buy 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....