Kate Buys CarsTri-State Auto Buying Center
Proudly serving Mid-Michigan

Sell your car.Skip the runaround.

A real, KBB-backed offer from a local team you can trust. Kate and the Tri-State Auto Buying Center team make selling simple—and they’ll come to you.

✓No obligation✓No pressure✓We handle the paperwork
Kate sitting with her Goldendoodle on the tailgate of a red pickup truck
“Local means showing up.”
✓ Saginaw · Born & raised
✦ Third-generation auto family
✓KBB participating dealerA real written offer
★4.9 Google ratingTrusted by local sellers
⌁We drive to youAcross Mid-Michigan

How it works

From first hello to check in hand.

No dealership visit. No negotiating with strangers. Just a clear process built around your schedule.

01

Tell us about your car

Share a few vehicle details online or give Kate a quick call. It only takes a few minutes.

Simple by design →
02

We come to you

Choose your driveway, your bank, or another convenient spot anywhere in our service area.

Simple by design →
03

Get a real offer

After a simple in-person evaluation, receive a written KBB-backed offer with zero pressure.

Simple by design →
Kate with her Goldendoodle beside a red pickup
Home baseSaginaw, Michigan

Meet Kate

Automotive know-how.Hometown heart.

Meet Kate, the friendly face behind Kate Buys Cars and a proud third-generation member of the McDonald Auto family. Born and raised in Saginaw—and still calling it home—she grew up immersed in the automotive world right here in the Great Lakes Bay Region.

Whether she’s enjoying the outdoors with her loyal Goldendoodle or helping a neighbor sell a vehicle quickly and fairly, Kate is focused on making the whole experience simple, honest, and hassle-free.

✓ Kate Buys Cars is presented by Tri-State Auto Buying Center.

The people behind the process

Local experience, one friendly team.

These are the people who keep every detail moving—from your first question to the final handshake and check.

Kate's Mid-Michigan car-buying team gathered together with their dog
Rooted in SaginawA team that knows cars—and knows the community.
✓ Real people. Real local help.
Kate from the Kate Buys Cars team

Kate

Third-generation auto family

Meet Kate, a proud third-generation member of the McDonald Auto family. Born and raised in Saginaw, MI—and still calling it home—she has grown up immersed in the automotive world right here in the Great Lakes Bay Region. Whether enjoying the outdoors with her loyal Goldendoodle by her side or helping local folks sell their vehicles quickly and fairly, Kate is passionate about making the car-selling process simple, honest, and hassle-free.

Berta from the Kate Buys Cars team

Berta

20+ years in automotive

Berta brings over 20 years of automotive experience to Tri-State Auto Buying Center—from business development to the sales floor—and she’s one of the first voices you’ll hear when you reach out. She has a natural ability to make a complicated process feel simple, and by the time a buyer arrives at your door, she’s already made sure everything is in order. Outside of work, her time belongs to Miguel, her dog, who she’ll tell you is the best co-worker she’s ever had.

Tiffany from the Kate Buys Cars team

Tiffany

7 years in automotive

With 7 years in the automotive industry across business development and sales, Tiffany knows how to cut through the noise and make things simple for sellers. At Tri-State Auto Buying Center, she keeps everything coordinated behind the scenes and makes sure you always know exactly what to expect from first call to final handshake. She’s known for giving real answers—not a script—and for making the whole experience feel easy. When she’s not working, you’ll find her somewhere outdoors with a tent and a campfire.

Cary from the Kate Buys Cars team

Cary

20+ years in automotive

Cary brings over 20 years of automotive experience to every transaction—and a way of working that makes sellers feel like they’re in good hands from the first conversation. He’s straightforward, efficient, and genuinely cares about getting the deal right. At home, his world revolves around his family and his two dogs, Thelma and Louise, who have very strong opinions about everything.

Where we go

Mid-Michigan is our neighborhood.

From the Great Lakes Bay Region to Metro Detroit, Lansing, The Thumb, and northern Mid-Michigan, the team meets you where it works best.

⌁ Your driveway, your bank, your choice

Great Lakes Bay Region

Saginaw · Bay City · Midland · Freeland · Frankenmuth · Birch Run

Flint & Metro Detroit

Flint · Detroit · Pontiac · Troy · Sterling Heights · Macomb · Lapeer

Greater Lansing

Lansing · East Lansing · Okemos · DeWitt · St. Johns · Owosso

The Thumb & North

Caro · Bad Axe · Sandusky · Cass City · West Branch · Gladwin · Clare

Don’t see your town?

Give Kate a call. We may already be headed your way.

Call Kate

Why sellers choose us

A better way to sell—without doing it all yourself.

✓No strangers test-driving your car
✓No dealership pressure
✓No confusing value ranges
✓No paperwork left on your plate
Clear answers. Fair offers. Neighborly service.
That’s the Kate way.

Good to know

Questions, answered.

Still wondering about something? Kate is just a call away.

(989) 321-8986
Do I have to come to your location?

No. Most purchases happen right at the seller’s home. Kate and the Mid-Michigan buying team can also meet you at your bank or another convenient location.

How do you determine my offer?

Your offer is based on the vehicle’s year, make, model, mileage, features, condition, history, and current local market demand. A brief in-person evaluation confirms the details.

How quickly can I get an offer?

The first conversation usually takes less than ten minutes. Once the details are reviewed, the team will arrange a convenient evaluation time and work to get you a written offer quickly.

How do I get paid?

If you accept the written offer, the team handles the paperwork and issues payment according to the names shown on the vehicle title. Any lien details are reviewed before closing.

What kinds of vehicles do you buy?

Cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans in a wide range of years and conditions are considered. The fastest way to find out is to submit your vehicle details or call Kate directly.

Is there a fee or obligation?

There is no fee to request an offer and no pressure to accept it. You stay in control from the first conversation to the final decision.

A few minutes is all it takes

Ready to see what your car is worth?

Start online or talk with Kate. Either way, you’ll get clear next steps and zero pressure.

CallGet an offer