buying/paying for an out of state car purchase

I am considering my first out of state car purchase & I am wondering how to safely do the multi thousand dollar transaction & not get ripped. I ain't comfortable sending money to a stranger plus how do I arrange/pay for a shipping company to transport it. Newbie here on this stuff. I am too old for a road trip! Help me do the right/safe thing here & thank you very much for your time/tips/suggestions/help. RR