California registration

[a4adam87]

I am a California resident. If I purchase a car from out of state, how much more is it going to cost me to register it in California?

Anyone had experience with this?

[angryswede]

not much at all.
it's like $20
people will tell you it's a lot, but they changed the laws and it's not much at all. you have to do a smog check and an extra $20 or so when you register the car.

[illusive45]

Don't forget the use tax. Its basically a sales tax which can add up to be a grand or two depending on how much the car you're gonna buy costs.
CHA-CHING!

[S4 Avant]

I purchased a vehicle from out-of-state last year, and it didn't cost me much at all. Just to give you an idea, it was an '85 Chevy K5 Blazer that I reported a purchase price of $1,000. The total fees I paid with tax, license, reg., etc., was $139. Of course alot of this depends on the purchase price of the vehicle you plan to buy.

If you buy a newer vehicle, I think it has to have 7500 miles or be 3 years old in order to register it here in CA (not 100% sure on this). This has something to do with the emissions laws here, but is something you should look into if you're purchasing a newer vehicle from out-of-state. Call the DMV or AAA, as well as CHP for more information before you actually buy out-of-state.

[a4adam87]

Originally posted by illusive45
Don't forget the use tax. Its basically a sales tax which can add up to be a grand or two depending on how much the car you're gonna buy costs.
CHA-CHING!

The use tax? I thought that was only if you were from out of state.

So its going to be very expensive....

[angryswede]

any car you buy you're going to have to pay tax on though, and it will all cost the same here in cali. if you can, get the guy you buy from to write a bill of sale for something cheap like $2k or something. it will save you on tax as well as registration every year (your registration fees are based on your cars value)


Originally posted by a4adam87
The use tax? I thought that was only if you were from out of state.

So its going to be very expensive....

[Imperial]

Adam, I take it the avant is either gone or on the way out then, yes?

[Delta00]

Originally posted by angryswede
any car you buy you're going to have to pay tax on though, and it will all cost the same here in cali. if you can, get the guy you buy from to write a bill of sale for something cheap like $2k or something. it will save you on tax as well as registration every year (your registration fees are based on your cars value)

I have always thought of this, but If i was buying a car for $20,000 will they expect somethings up ever if they see $2,000. I suppose I can claim it was wrecked and I built it back up if the problem ever came along....

[lawong]

Read: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/howto/nonresident.htm


California law prohibits importing and/or registering a new vehicle (one with less than 7,500 miles at the time of purchase) unless it meets or is exempt from California emission standards. If you acquire a 49 state vehicle (vehicle manufactured for all states except California) from another state or country and do not qualify for one of the exemptions, you cannot register your vehicle and must immediately remove it from this state. You may purchase a One-Trip Permit to do so.

...

How much will I have to pay?

The fees due depend on a variety of factors and are determined by your application. In addition to the usual registration fees, you may have to pay the following:

* Registration Fee $31
* Vehicle License Fee (VLF)-Based on the value of your vehicle.
* Permanent Trailer Identification (PTI) Fee $20. All trailers, except trailer coaches and park trailers are under the PTI program. PTI trailers are not subject to registration fees, CHP fees, county fees, and vehicle license fees. PTI trailers pay a $20 original fee and then a $10 service fee every ten years for renewal.
* Weight Fee-$8 to $539. Assessed on pickups with an unladen weight of 8,000 lbs. or less, and commercial motor vehicles operating under 10,001 lbs. This fee is based on the empty or unladen weight.
* CVRA Fee
* Use Tax-This tax is similar to sales tax. It is collected at the same rate as your county of residence. It is due on all vehicles purchased in California and on those brought into this state. Existing law imposes a use tax on a vehicle purchased outside of California and brought into California within 90 days of purchase. New legislation effective October 1, 2004 through July 1, 2006 requires payment of use tax on a vehicle purchased outside California and brought into California within 365 days of the purchase date. Any sales taxes paid out-of-state will be considered when computing the use tax due this state. This fee is due for ownership transfer of recently purchased vehicles.
* County Fees-County fees range from $1 to $8. The fees support various programs such as air quality, auto theft deterrence, emergency call box, and abandoned vehicles.
* Penalties-When fees due the state of California for a nonresident vehicle are not paid within 20 days of the date they became due, they are subject to a 40% penalty.

[Delta00]

So, THEORETICALLY could I buy a car from some private seller out of state, get hte forms and fill them out for 3 months prior, so I claim I just took delivery of the car, and paid for it before, and dont have to pay the "use" tax, i guess it does sound like a stretch...

[S4 Avant]

Originally posted by angryswede
get the guy you buy from to write a bill of sale for something cheap like $2k or something. it will save you on tax as well as registration every year (your registration fees are based on your cars value)
This is exactly what I did in my example above. Never had a problem.

[a4adam87]

Originally posted by Imperial
Adam, I take it the avant is either gone or on the way out then, yes?

Yeah, the avant is gone!! Sad to see her go but I needed to get something that was an automatic.

Looking at either the 2001 S4 avant or an 2002-2004 a4 avant again.

[Imperial]

Originally posted by a4adam87
Yeah, the avant is gone!! Sad to see her go but I needed to get something that was an automatic.

Looking at either the 2001 S4 avant or an 2002-2004 a4 avant again.

That's too bad! You're avant was very hot indeed, but I feel you on the automatic. I love manual, but it can get old FAST in traffic, heh.

Good luck with the next purchase

[foofighter]

Adam you sold the avant quick! did a member here buy it or did you list it? let me know as our avant will soon be up for sale as well.

[a4adam87]

Originally posted by foofighter
Adam you sold the avant quick! did a member here buy it or did you list it? let me know as our avant will soon be up for sale as well.

I sold it via the auto trader online. It was only listed for 2 days. It sold way quicker than I thought. So now I am without a car.

What are you getting?

[a4adam87]

Originally posted by Imperial
That's too bad! You're avant was very hot indeed, but I feel you on the automatic. I love manual, but it can get old FAST in traffic, heh.

Good luck with the next purchase

Thank you! I will definitely miss the car because I had just the way I wanted it. My wife not being comfortable driving a stick was the main reason.

I hope I can find something quick but there isn't much in California right now and I really don't want to go out of state.

[foofighter]

Originally posted by a4adam87
I sold it via the auto trader online. It was only listed for 2 days. It sold way quicker than I thought. So now I am without a car.

What are you getting?

sweet that's the route we'll be taking then...looking to order the new A6 [:D]

[angryswede]

is this transworld adam?

if so, what up, it's scott from angry (if you couldn't guess)

Originally posted by a4adam87
I sold it via the auto trader online.