Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community - FT86CLUB - CA buyers: Buying your BRZ or FR-S out-of-state

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CA buyers: Buying your BRZ or FR-S out-of-state

Decided to start my own thread here with information about buying a BRZ or FR-S out of state and then bringing it to CA. Instead of constantly harping about it in the Norcal available cars thread, I think it's worthy of its own topic. Several of us have done it now, and I've been getting a couple of PMs asking about the process. So I thought I'd do this and share the info I have. I have quoted a few others who also provided info - hope you guys don't mind. PM if you would rather have your name or quote removed and I will take it off. :thumbsup:

DISCLAIMER: I don't work for a dealership. I have no interest in selling you a car or getting you to buy one from a particular dealer. No guarantees you will save X dollars or get a car sooner than waiting in line at a local dealer or continually calling them. Just sharing the info and positive experience I had (as did others).

Read through this, and decide for yourself if you want to join the "CO>CA Cartel." :happy0180:

Here is a link to the CA DMV site, specifically the requirements for registering an out-of-state vehicle (i.e., you bring in a car from outside CA):
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/howto/htvr9.htm

I recommend reading through the whole thread if you are seriously interested in buying from out of state as there's a lot of info and advice here. But for the TL;DR version, here is a quick and to-the-point summary of the DMV process, provided by @mav1178

Quote:

Originally Posted by mav1178 (Post 1070643)

Since a lot of us are buying from out of state (especially BRZ), I figure I'd give everyone a heads up on what is needed to complete the process:

What you need to provide to the DMV:

Application for registration (usually the dealer will provide this)
Bill of sale (provided by dealer)
Certificate of Origin (provided by dealer)
Proof of financing/lienholder (if financing the car) (provided by dealer)
Smog check (you must do this)
Vehicle inspection report (can be done at the DMV, or at a local law enforcement agency that is qualified for vehicle inspection, aka any place that can write off a fix-it ticket, including CHP)
Statement of facts (you can fill this out at the DMV)

A few things to note:

The application for registration should be done by the dealer that's selling you the car, if they know how to sell cars out of state. However, some dealers might not send this to you, so you'll have to fill the form out yourself.
You must smog the car, there is no way around this. It's more of an outdated law that blanket-covers all "non-California compliant" cars, but in my opinion this law should be revised to exempt cars that meet California emissions (which some cars are, like mine).
Vehicle inspection report: you can print the form from the DMV site, and take the car to any police agency that can sign off on fix-it tickets. You can also do this at the DMV, but you will have to pull the car into the inspection lane and this takes longer. I did this at the LA County Sheriff's Industry station.
Statement of facts: the DMV employee will ask you to fill one out, but basically you're stating when and where you purchased the car, and for what price.
The registration date is based on the date you physically brought in the car from out of state. This date is provided as a fact on your application. Even though I registered the car today (7/15), my "entry date" was 6/30 and my registration states as such.
Make an appointment at the DMV... I had an 8AM appointment, was the first person for vehicle registration, and was in/out of the place in less than 15 minutes with all of my paperwork completed.

I know a lot of people hate the DMV, but I've never had any issues with going there. Having all of the paperwork ready saves a lot of trouble...

I paid no fees of ANY KIND in Colorado. The tax was forwarded to CA DMV via a Cashier's Check from Heuberger Motors, mailed to me, to be turned over to the DMV.

I had no CO RTD tax, no CO title/license fee, and temp CO plates good through 8/13.

Any dealer you buy from out of state that tries to charge you local fees, is not doing the paperwork correct.

Just an FYI.

-alex

---- original post for historical accuracy ;) ----

So here's the setup. Back in July I was looking to buy a BRZ or FR-S. I quickly discovered that finding a car in the Bay Area was extremely difficult.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PMok (Post 292873)

I have called about 20 of the nearest Subaru dealers in the Bay Area over the last 3 weeks or so. ... For the most part the outcome is either 1) they sold at MSRP and are now sold out for all 2012 allocations, or 2) they are marking up between $1K - $5K. At this point I think my best bets are in Reno, NV or Colorado Springs. Both are taking orders at MSRP and do not seem to have long waitlists.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norkoastal (Post 293341)

Good info guys... What hassle would we have buying out of state? Additional tax, doc fees? This is my first new car purchase, so obviously this is hilarious to be on the hunt for the golden goose along with a few hundred like minded folks... The elusive dark blue manual BRZ/FRS will be mine!!!! :burnrubber:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fly Guy (Post 293529)

I know that you would still be taxed at the California tax rate of where you live. Doc fee might be different.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norcalscionchamp (Post 296504)

Some states have a reciprocity agreement where you pay the tax in one state and it counts towards the other states taxes

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norcalscionchamp (Post 297347)

But yes in CA you will pay the tax rate of the city in which you reside regardless of where you purchase

Quote:

Originally Posted by PMok (Post 322049)

well, I officially gave up on the California Subaru dealers today and took my business elsewhere... placed an order at the Subaru dealership in Colorado Springs, CO. This is the largest volume Subie dealer in America, and they are taking orders and selling BRZs at BELOW MSRP. No joke. So even with the cost of shipping this car to CA I am saving money over what most of the NorCal Subie dealers are gouging for.

As of today this dealership in CO still have a SWP Limited 6MT with Pkg 1A and spoiler that is unsold and due to hit their lot later this week. I almost bought it but decided to wait and get a WRB Premium instead, so I've placed my order with them. I have been working with Karen in their Internet sales dept. and she has been awesome so far answering all my questions.

http://www.heubergermotors.com/new-i...ventoryListing

Quote:

Originally Posted by PMok (Post 324460)

that link I posted, lists what they are offering the car at. But I'll throw it out here because it will likely change or be removed when they sell that car.

MSRP on the SWP BRZ Premium 6MT + Pop 1A + spoiler = $27255. Their internet price is $26655, + $389 dealer handling fee. You will have to add taxes and any license fees on top of that (no avoiding that). So it's about $211 below MSRP before tax.

They told me they will honor that price for any car ordered as well, for instance if you want a barebones BRZ no packages or options. $600 off the MSRP then add the other fees.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Proud of BOXER (Post 329581)

Just picked up a white limited 6MT from Lithia Subaru in Reno for 500 under MSRP. No haggle, no problems. Great people to work with! PMok, thanks for the heads-up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86BRZ (Post 382782)

Hi PMOK,
How much are you paying for shipping the car from CO to CA?

Quote:

Originally Posted by PMok (Post 383899)

They will ship it for $650. Not 100% sure yet if I will ship or drive it back though. The cost of airfare, hotels, meals and gas would come out about the same, but at least I'd get a trip/adventure out of it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86BRZ (Post 392362)

I found one in CO and ask them to ship...dealer charging $750 -$800. I just don't want to break-in a new car 15 - 18 hrs hard and immediate have 1000 miles on it when new...plus no time to do that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PMok (Post 392477)

yeah i feel the same way... but I also have some reservations about having them ship the car sight unseen - basically you've bought the car without ever test driving it. I guess anything weird would just have to be resolved under warranty.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86BRZ (Post 394738)

I got my paperwork in Fedex today, after this step the car will be on the truck. I will ask them to take some pics before load the truck and I will put my insurance effective before loading, even there may be some cheap trucking insurance for the shipping. In this crazy BRZ shortage, I can only trust Subaru production line and their warranty, cannot ask for too much. I also noticed I have to pay a 1.1% RTD tax for State of CO and some unknown title/license fee :mad0260:...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bones36 (Post 401349)

So I am ordering my brz in September and I can't find a dealer in the bay area selling at msrp. Is Lithia Reno Subaru my only hope?

Quote:

Originally Posted by PMok (Post 401389)

check out my previous posts in this thread ... Lithia or Heuberger in CO are selling at MSRP or slightly below. ... If you want to buy in Sept. or place an order, I'd put a deposit down now. You will have to be pretty lucky (sure, it happens) to just show up and buy one when you are ready.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shrike92 (Post 401829)

Thank you for the info PMok. Just reserved that black limited in CO. Has the options I wanted from the factory anyways and they did 600 under MSRP (and then added dealer handling etc).

Only down side is that they're telling me that SOA is not offering a lease on this car in August. I spoke to Jeff and he said they'd check again in September. I'm ok with financing it but would have preferred a lease.

I can't believe how hard this has been. I've been checking almost every dealership in CA for weeks and it seems like all the ones who have units are marking up like crazy, and the rest do first-come-first-serve.
I'm just glad to have it locked in for late September!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bones36 (Post 402140)

I have been emailing Lithia Reno Subaru and they want a $1000 non refundable deposit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PMok (Post 402998)

yeah, I was a little hesitant about that too, but hey if you have your mind set on buying a BRZ I truly believe they or Heuberger are your best bet. They will most likely get you the car this year, whereas otherwise you are hunting around in CA and *might* get one this year. These two dealerships are taking orders and not marking up. Sure you could get lucky and find one suddenly available locally that someone else flaked on, AND maybe it will be available at MSRP, but I took the "conservative" bet, I wasn't in a super rush anyways. If I was in a rush to get one, I probably would have just bought a FR-S, they are far easier to come by.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norkoastal (Post 403174)

I'll second this statement.. Heuberger has been pretty good with my blind purchase.. Car will be on a truck Monday en-route to my porch. About a month from first inquiry to signing paperwork :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86BRZ (Post 406618)

My wait will be over soon. The truck will pick up the car this Thur/fri and deliver next Tue. The driving is only 2 days as you know but I guess they may have some other shipment to pick up or deliver in some other cities. Technically, the car is mine now, sitting in a showroom a few states away for another few more days.:lol:

Quote:

Originally Posted by PMok (Post 406923)

I like to peek in on Heuberger's site from time to time to see what they have coming... I am sure they will be selling these without markup. So if you are interested and contact them, ask for Karen in the Internet dept and tell them PMok sent you...

http://www.heubergermotors.com/new-i...ventoryListing

Quote:

Originally Posted by PMok (Post 408683)

Take the time to read thru this thread... You'll see most CA Subaru dealers are marking up or straight up gouging. NorCal and SoCal. The CO or NV dealers mentioned 1) get cars more frequently, 2) sell at or under MSRP, 3) will ship car to you. Getting mine at below MSRP, even shipped to me. I hope in a year people will look back and laugh at this because BRZs will be a dime a dozen and easily found on a CA dealer lot anywhere, but for now, it's your best chance.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chilow (Post 408962)

The thing is, I plan on trading in my current car for a brz. Never traded in a vehicle before but I would assume I'll have to bring it to the dealership that has the car I want. Probably wouldn't make sense to bring my car to Colorado.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PMok (Post 409040)

Ah, yeah that's a complication. You could sell your car privately or go to Carmax... I think trading in your car for a new one is usually a weak bargaining position to go in with. Even when the price of the new car is negotiable, whatever deal you manage to get, they will just lowball you on the trade to get that money back. You should treat them like two separate transactions, because they won't really do you any favors if you try to make it one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silverpike (Post 409122)

... if you buy a car from outside CA (even new), the 6-year smog grace period is voided. This means the car must be smogged every 2 years starting from the year you buy it.
Not worth an out of state purchase IMHO, unless you are desperate.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PMok (Post 409138)

source? or I call :bs:

I don't see anything about that here:

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/smogfaq.htm#BM2537

Quote:

Originally Posted by PMok (Post 411502)

but I don't think that means buying a new car out of state will be an exception. it sounds like it would be if you were a non-resident of CA but for whatever reason you were living in CA for a period of time and brought your car from out of state. If you are a resident of CA then I think you are OK. But it's not really clear.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86BRZ (Post 413595)

My car is arriving Sunday from CO, it takes 4 days because of stops, and will go to DMV next week to register. I will find out this smog thing for all of us.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86BRZ (Post 422124)

FINALLY!! My wait is OVER!! WRB MT Limited arrived

Saturday. One day sooner. The biggest on-line/mail order sight unseen no test drive purchase ever! Odometer just like the document - 5 miles only landed in my front door! The only thing I can be picky about is the bumper and windshield is full of bugs after travel 1000+ miles, and the body is stick with a thin layer of Nevada desert dust. It comes off from a 40 foot long car transporter truck/trailer. Needs a good hand wash, that's all. I can tell the driver is a Pro do this load/ unload cars everyday so many times. My worry about the car may got a ding or scratch is over (or I should not be worry at all). Price? I have it @ MSRP shipped, plus license/tax of course. CO dealer also provide a temporary plate (paper) and CO tag so I can drive 60 days in CA until registration.
"Someone" suggested me to register almost 60 day to get full use and save a couple months of CA registration fees. I will post the DMV process after my visit to them, soon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vubaru (Post 422416)

I bought my BRZ in Portland, OR and drove it 600 mi to CA. Then I registered it with the DMV at 700 mi on the odo after getting it smogged and inspected, no problemo. I have tags, registration, etc.

My dealer did not take care of sales tax. The DMV did that when I registered the car, although they apparently f***ed something up so I need to go back, but I think it had something to do with my paperwork rather than an issue with the laws. I'll go back and handle it without an issue, most likely. Just a FYI.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlaineWasHere (Post 422844)

ANY car that is not purchased in CA needs to be smogged to be registered.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norkoastal (Post 422166)

I just got my car from CO last week.. Maybe I should wait too... hhhmmmm.. Now I need to look for CO temp tags in my paperwork.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86BRZ (Post 423428)

The little business card like tag is to put inside the car. The paper plate with a big hand written expire date is to display from the rear window inside.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86BRZ (Post 439887)

Today visit DMV, easy! No trouble but need to go back to provide the smog cert and real CO registration to complete it.

Here is a summary:

1. Yes, need to do a smog check, even the car is brand new. Say $50.
2. No re-smog every 2 years. It is a 5 years after this one, just like any new car.
3. Pay a $292 CA registration fee, just like buying in CA. Registration starting today. So It make sense to use the CO temp registration to the last day, because I walk out with a CA temp registration with today's date.
4. CA Sales tax collected in CO is all credited. My CO dealer hit me with Santa Clara rate, so I owe nothing. Otherwise pay the difference. Will end up the same anyway.
5. The CO RTD tax for 1.1% collected, it is paid to CO, no refund, no credit. $310 is wasted. [not every dealer charges this]
6. The CO title / license Fee collected and paid to CO, $267 is another waste, cannot credit to CA fee. [not every dealer charges this]
7. Misc: Waiting for the car for a 1 week or so after paid....(say cost $100 on car payment?)
8. Take my time off from work to wait in line in DMV...(pay rate @??)

My car is MSRP shipped. The fee wasted is about $727 in the process of bringing in the car. I would say I will go for MSRP + $1000 if there is a car available in CA, if I can go back and do this again. (It does not means I agree with this MSRP + practice)

(Bonus: I can go back to CA dealer and refund the lemon car if the CEL issue pop up and cannot be fix. Now I only limit to warranty repair.)

:bonk:

Quote:

Originally Posted by PMok (Post 456784)

I just signed my paperwork this weekend which was super simple - they FedExed it to me, I signed it and sent it right back with the provided FedEx envelope. Easiest car buying transaction I've ever had. My car arrived in CO on Thursday, I should receive my car here sometime this next week.

Just trying to help others get the car they want. Doesn't seem like shopping the Bay Area dealers will get you a car anytime soon (without markup).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norkoastal (Post 457773)

I will echo these comments... This is the way to get a BRZ to CA within a month end to end without BS CA markups or add ons.. Once the car has landed in CO its basically 2-3 days paperwork and then a 4 day transport wait to your doorstep ($600). HB use's a good truck company, but try to ask for the front placement (I got lucky as the car wasn't protected or wrapped anymore).

Quote:

Originally Posted by PMok (Post 458152)

they just let me know that it's going to be a little while longer before they can deliver it. The truck won't be available to pick my car up until next Monday, so then a few days beyond that to get my car. They said another company could do it sooner for $100 more but I am ok to wait a little bit more. Oh well, in the meantime while it sits there at the dealership this week I am going to get window tints applied at a nearby place, saves me the trouble of taking it somewhere later on my own time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86BRZ (Post 458660)

Mine probably get at the front at one point, because the bumper and windshield are full of bugs and sxxt when she arrived. I belielve those cars will change spots on the truck bed depending on pick up and drop off, and I believe these trucking guys, moving cars daily, will try hard to think the best way to work less to move cars up and down.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shrike92 (Post 473476)

Thanks for the update. I'm taking mine in soon and I was pretty bummed about possibly losing the 5 year exemption.
I know when mine got off the truck from CO it was in the front bottom position and completely covered in a fine layer of brown dust. No bugs luckily but the dust was everywhere.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PMok (Post 473507)

Same here, my car just arrived today! mine was the last drop off for the truck so it was in frontmost spot. Spots of dirt/dust everywhere, unfortunately I had to get to work so no time for more than a quick rinse that didn't help that much.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j1...21002-1301.jpg

***

Meanwhile, in the Bay Area... :rolleyes:

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86_ZN6 (Post 517819)

Subaru Marin ... 2 BRZ's in stock and ready to go. 1 is a Limited Dark Grey Metallic with a 6 speed manual trans. *The other is a Satin White Premium with a 6 speed transmission.

The White one is MSRP + $3995 and the Grey one is MSRP + $4995.

so let me know whos stupid enought to buy this cars

***

So there you have it. Anyone else who has had experience buying a BRZ or FR-S in a nearby state and bringing it into CA, please chip in with your experiences. :)

Good post man! well done

HAHAHA I orriginated this process, I flew to Denver to buy my car in Centennial CO, on July 2nd,

Spent the next 2 days driving it back to SoCal, including a break in trip to the top of pike's Peak with less than 100mi on the ODO.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c9...god/photo4.jpg

I opted to pay no tax in CO and defer the tax to California, this was no problem at all with my dealer, and I got a half sheet of paper for the back window with a 60day registration and the aforementioned business card sized slip of paper.

When i got ta cali (and the registration period mostly elapsed) i went to the DMV and played their games.

1.) VIN verification,
2.) Smog
3.) $2797 registration and tax

I highly recommend not shipping the car several reasons.

1.) my flight to denver was ~$204.00 and gas was about $180 (1200mi/27mpg*~$4.00 (gas is actually cheaper but this will give safe number))
I stayed in hotels 2 nights at about $85 each so...204+180+170=$554.00

2.) no better way to bond with your new baby than taking the long way out of colorado then leisurely driving through beautiful Utah and Nevada.

3.) California expects (requires) you to register within 10 days of the vehicle entering the state. if it arrives on a bill of lading from a trucking company... well that's your game to play i guess...i wanted to use all of the Colorado reg time I could.

4.) you are buying this car to drive it right?.........so drive it already quit mucking around....

I drove my SWP BRZ back from Utah. was fun! Would've done it again in a heartbeat had I not been able to get a white FRS locally.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8525

Some of us.....(me)...... were foreign to manuals for a few years prior to this purchase and might not treat the car ideally on first drive.. Add to that the sleepless nights with your brand new car parked somewhere you've never been before, rock chips from long drive, eh.. i'll take the shipping option and have 1k more miles to play.. :D (new sig is born)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norkoastal (Post 519892)

really?

I thought we were buying these cars to drive them.

Road trips are a wonderful part of living in America, I highly suggest you get over whatever phobia you have and start driving your car outside your home city....ASAP, and as often as possible,

No one is going to steal a car you can't sell parts off of yet, and you have full coverage i assume, so, go drive...paint chips happen...it's not gold plated DRIVE IT

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkullWorks (Post 520154)

After having the car a couple months I completely agree with you (driven the PCH and Lake county pass), but those first few lights and hills hit the nerves until I felt comfortable with the clutch... I was just about to pull the ticket to fly but the cheap trucking cost was way less than expected.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkullWorks (Post 520154)

I totally agree with you, and I really wanted to drive it home, but I got busy with work and it just made sense to ship it. Wish I could have done Pikes' Peak...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norkoastal (Post 519892)

:D (new sig is born)

Awwww yeah! joining the Cartel!

Heyo. I bought mine from Lithia Reno Nevada. Great experience over all. I was planning to road trip back down the PCH to get home but timing didn't work out :(.

Main things to worry about are having to smog the car again for initial registration and then getting the car registered at a DMV within the 14 day temporary permit.

Have you tried some of the more obscure dealers? Say Berkeley, Novato, up towards Sacramento etc.?

I'm surprised to hear the shortage and markups are still rampant.

I think an FR-S would be easier to get in CA and avoid all this hassle. But finding a BRZ without markups right now is like catching a unicorn.

It's been about 6 wks of happily driving a CO BRZ here in CA :) You can add me to the CO>CA Cartel.

Find a good dealer who will help you thru the process. My dealer sucked and was not knowledgeable when I asked about requesting the paperwork, etc. You'll need the "Certificate of Origin". It's a very important document and it was like pulling teeth to get this from the original dealer. This is a certificate that follows the car from the Port of Origin and comes from Subaru.

I also paid the CA tax at the Subie dealer (Arapahoe Go Subaru, near Denver). They miscalculated the tax which is an easy mistake to make so I don't mind.. but i'm still going thru the refund credit process because I ended up paying about $170 too much. Have no idea if i'll ever see this refund. Sales people there are great. Their Finance and Admin staff... Whole different story!

Btw.. not sure if this was mentioned. Evidently they require a smog every 2yrs instead of the first 5 year waiver.

Regardless.. couldn't be happier w/ the car. Thank god I didn't settle for a FR-S :)

This was during the drive home passing thru Moab in the wee morning hours with my bro.
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphoto...69712648_n.jpg

I was very fortunate to find the exact trim and color BRZ from Lithia Subaru up in Oregon City, OR. It was painless and I received my car shipped via truck to a nearby Home Depot for pick up. I negotiated with the dealership to help chip in for CA taxes and they sent me a check right after I got the car registered here.
Don't wait 6-8 months out just to get a "no-go" from your CA Subie/Toyo dealership.

I have not registered my car with DMV yet (made an appointment for next week) but Heuberger has been very good with the paperwork. About 2 weeks after I bought the car, they fedexed me a set of papers - the cert of origin, a cashier's check to DMV for the CA state tax (that I paid/financed with the car), and all the DMV forms I needed, already filled out ready to give to DMV. So I imagine it should go very smoothly at DMV, I just need to go get smogged this weekend. Those who already smogged - is it electronically transmitted or do they give you papers to take to DMV?

Quote:

Originally Posted by PMok (Post 520620)

... Those who already smogged - is it electronically transmitted or do they give you papers to take to DMV?

When I went to get smogged, they normally send it in, electronically, for you. It doesn't hurt to take the hard-copy with you to the DMV.

Quote:

Originally Posted by likebutter (Post 520476)

Another owner who got his from OR! :thumbsup: exact same method as described, right down to the home depot :D.

Quote:

Originally Posted by likebutter (Post 520656)

When I went to get smogged, they normally send it in, electronically, for you. It doesn't hurt to take the hard-copy with you to the DMV.

This. I've never had a problem, but it's still a good idea to confirm at the smog place that they've submitted it electronically, take the hard-copy with you and if the DMV balks tell them that they should have the electronic record and ask them nicely to double check. I've found that things go very smoothly at the DMV if you simply have all your papers with everything filled out properly. They consistently tell me that most people go in with nothing ready and still expecting to get their registration completed anyway, so they'll love you if they think you're trying to get it right.

I don't know if this is just be being lucky or what, but I didn't any rock chips coming back from Vancouver, WA and the 5 is a fun drive to Nor Cal ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Re~Mix (Post 520312)

Have you tried some of the more obscure dealers? Say Berkeley, Novato, up towards Sacramento etc.?

I'm surprised to hear the shortage and markups are still rampant.

Not aware of a Berkeley Subaru but I believe there is one in Albany, and no all of the Bay Area/Sac dealers were charging mark-ups last I checked, at least on BRZ's...

Capitol Subaru was saying they're not marking up. Someone on here said there's a long waiting list, though.

I am here! There are plenty of info about the "how to" already (thanks Pmok for copy my posts). Overall, I still think it is a fun experience, and I will recommend all to look further away if no luck in CA.
1. Buy a $30k car sight unseen, not even a test drive. It is a test to tell how much you love (or can love) the BRZ. I keep telling my friends I "mail order" this car...It is fun!
2. Ask my dealer to snap me a few pics, including the ODO with 5 miles on it and the pics below. Buying a car off from iphone is fun!
3. The whole negotiation on email, phone call, fedex docs is easy...I dont have to stay in a dealership for a few hours to buy a car. Everything done at my own desk. Fun! No BS Market adjustment....
4. Waiting the car to arrive is like waiting for the first date. Checking the calender each day, looking at the clock the whole day long on the arrival day...did not have that kind of excitement for a while since teenage...it is so much fun!
5. No word can describe the truck comes to your door, unload the car, hand you the key and sign off on it. It is a very different buying experience for a very different car. Jump in the car for the first time in a deliver method so unusual, it becomes a very good part of my memory.
5. There is always another chance to buy another Honda Accord from a CA dealer, this waiting list "force" me to buy out of state, and this situation does not come often. Enjoy the process and learn something new too.
6. If I did not do this purchase and keep waiting the CA waiting list....my car is still not build yet !...I am going to miss all these fun in the last couple summer months like Mt. Hamiltion, HWY 9, parking lot drifting...and all these people keep staring at me like eye candy (not me, my car really).
7. Too bad, I like to car too much and don't want to put miles on it, besides don't have the time to fly and drive...I can only imagine this will be so much fun to do a road trip too. How about use the "market adjustment" MSRP+ money and get a nice hotel and a few days off for this trip, a BRZ vacation?

After go through all these, I say it is no longer about the difference in money anymore. It is about the BRZ, my BRZ.

For those who bought out of state and drove it home, how did you drive it back on the way home to break in the engine?

I set a timer to vary my RPM / speed / gear every 10 minutes since I was mainly on freeways. The best way to take the side streets the entire way but time was not on my side.

Thanks for this thread, I am not in CA but PNW and the Reno, Oregon, Colorado, Idaho dealers may be a good solution for me not to have to wait. With a vacation week coming up in early Dec this may be the perfect option as long as it isn't snowing everywhere by then.

I actually would love to do a fly and drive as a purchase option as long as there is no problem getting the local dealer to handle problems if I run into the CEL issue.

When I bought my '90 Civic Si back in 1990 I was home on leave from the military when I bought it and I actually broke in the engine on the drive from Seattle to Kileen Texas, and it worked out fine and the engine lasted problem free for 16 years until I finally had to sell it because too many other parts were wearing out, hoping the BRZ will work out the same way, I'm definitely as eager about it as I was about my old Si which I still miss, and was a reason I wanted another good handling car with just enough power to have fun without getting in too much trouble...

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkullWorks (Post 519715)

1.) Time is money.
2.) Agree.
3.) I got a Colorado reg, and I don't have to register until December either.
4.) See number 1.

We all love to drive our cars, however not everyone has the time to take 2-3 days off driving to and from Colorado. Just ayin'... So I wouldn't say people are 'mucking around...'

Anyways... purchased my vehicle from Mike Shaw Subaru in Colorado. Great experience. I had the car shipped out to California by Intercity Lines, a superb carrier. As mentioned previously, I have vacation plans for the rest of my usable vacation, and I would rather spend the time 'bonding' with my car on the mountain/canyon roads out here in California.

My salesperson was Beverly, and she was absolutely awesome. Gave me all the paperwork I needed to get everything moving along.

Quote:

Originally Posted by spitz (Post 522027)

1. Dealerships are often open late on fridays and most of us have weekends or atleast 1 or 2 consecutive days off.

2. money is also money...

3. enjoying the car is priceless.

4. don't let yourself think I have "free time" laying around i can spend all nimbly bimbly like a kitty cat. I work 16 hours a day 6 or 7 days a week, but I would have felt like a tool having the car driven through such beautiful scenery, at an increased cost, on a trailer...when it was so easy to just fly out and drive it back...did I have to bust ass when i got back to play makeup...yes...but it also timed out perfect for a fourth of july road trip so i only had to take one day off. I run a company and do alot of consulting and custom work for friends/race teams etc. but if you don't make time to drive the best driver's car in a decade, you might as well leave it on the lot, these cars must be driven to be appreciated, the colorado mountain roads must also be driven to be appreciated...made way too much sense to me, had to drive it back

Don't get me wrong. I completely agree with you... That this is the driver's car of the decade, and it should be driven! But I'm simply saying there are alternative ways for people to enjoy their car. Just because they didn't drive it from Colorado to California, does not mean they should just 'leave it on the lot' or they are 'mucking' around, or making it a permanent decision that it'll be a garage queen.

And I, by no means, let myself assume that you are 'laying around.'

Quote:

Originally Posted by kludger (Post 521920)

I actually would love to do a fly and drive as a purchase option as long as there is no problem getting the local dealer to handle problems if I run into the CEL issue.

Talking about CEL, what if it went so bad and the car go lemon, does it go with CA law or Purchase state law ?

I've heard purchase law state... not entirely sure :(

found this resource online:
CO: http://www.carlemon.com/lemon/CO_law.html
CA: http://www.carlemon.com/lemon/CA_law.html

it looks to me like a lemon would be covered under both state law and federal laws about lemons. The CO and CA laws look pretty similar in function, though the terms are different. Both define a 'lemon' as a car that needs to be repaired for the same issue 4 or more times, or a car that is out of service for more than 30 days. From what I can tell the CA Lemon Law can be invoked for the first 18 months/18,000 miles after buying the car. The CO law however only lasts for the first year after purchase of the new car.

DISCLAIMER: I am not your lawyer and this is not legal advice, so if you actually have issues, do your own investigation.

My last part of the registration was completed yesterday , I walk out DMV with the plates, 6XQxxxx . It is done. Dealer send my title and paper ( perhaps the sales tax they collected too) to DMV directly, smog check transmitted electronically, the gal said I over paid a little so there will be a few hundred refund to me.

Make sure go to DMV on line and make an appointment, save a lot of waiting time.

I just bought my BRZ from CO this weekend and drove it home. This week I will be doing the smog and DMV paperwork to register the car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86BRZ (Post 523438)

Please let us know if your refund goes thru. I'm going thru the same hassle with my CO dealer and they somehow forgotten about me.

Wanted to thank you for this thread/advice from earlier threads. I followed your advice and got my BRZ from Heuberger. Just had it delivered yesterday! Now to get it smogged.

My experience was a tad different, because they didnt charge me any sales tax. I assume it will be easy enough once they send me the title/dmv paperwork.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaiji (Post 526614)

Congrats on the new car and by the sounds of it a decent experience...

You usually have to mention this to them as they are being paid with a single check for the car. I wanted the taxes to roll into the loan so they sent me back a check for the difference... I handed this check to the DMV along with the certificate of origin.

btw.. here's my theory on why they have a lot of BRZs to sell in CO @ MSRP. So that region historically sells a high proportion of AWD Subies due to the weather there. So they probably earned good allocation counts from SOA. However, not many will want a RWD car in those climates hence, they probably have a tougher time selling the BRZs.

They were about to give me a killer deal on a STi and it made it a tough choice but BRZ FTW!

Quote:

Originally Posted by RYU (Post 526943)

That is the reason why. Different market so low demand. Same reason why I've heard of people getting BRZs at near invoice in some of the eastern states.

Good theory, I am also thinking once winter time is here more people who have BRZs on order will end up cancelling and going with a AWD car...

Quote:

Originally Posted by RYU (Post 526943)

Yep. Heuberger is also the #1 volume Subaru dealer in the U.S.