Other than cash, what is the safest method of payment for a car with an unknown, out-of-town buyer?

Cashiers check from bank, meet at bank to verify check is good.

I don’t know if this is the safest way, but I just had them bring a certified check and meet me at my bank to verify it’s good before my car leaves. I actually almost lost a car once by a fake certified check that I accepted at my home. Dumbass gave me his real name and address for title, but he gave me a fake check for a $20k corvette. Had a hard time getting the Nashville police to help until I told them I was going to his house with a gun. They met me there and got my keys for me.

Thanks for the suggestions!

Wire transfer. And for absolute certainty, you want it handled as a wire transfer and not ACH. Once a wire clears and is in your account, it is good money. ACH money can be clawed back by the sending bank. For a cashier's check, I would want the bank that wrote the check, not my bank, to tell me it's real. And I'd want them to do it in person at the branch.

Some of this depends on how much money we're talking about, of course.