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

[JM9ISM]

Thank you for all of you guys. Since Alex has been to Whittier which is kinda close to my house too. I'll be there tmr and will give u guys an update afterwards

[JM9ISM]

Originally Posted by monisan

I might do this. I'll post my experience if I do get that refund

@JM9ISM - I went to the West Co DMV on a weekday around 3:10. That DMV is pretty packed but with an appointment you might have to wait like 10-15 minutes. They did let me register though so if you're close by you can try that one!

Thank you Monica!

[chas3wba0]

Any good/bad experiences at Pleasanton DMV? That's probably where I will end up going for mine

[JM9ISM]

Just a quick update: I went to Whittier DMV today around 1 pm and all the process finished in 1.30 hr with no appointment! AWESOME

REMINDER: DO NOT GO TO BELLFLOWER DMV.

[puravida]

if any of you are AAA members . . . they have dmv services . . . super easy, hassle free. i had no trouble registering my car last week and was out in about 15 minutes with my plates. (apologies if this has been suggested before--i have not read the entire thread)

[tonylop33]

Originally Posted by puravida

if any of you are AAA members . . . they have dmv services . . . super easy, hassle free. i had no trouble registering my car last week and was out in about 15 minutes with my plates. (apologies if this has been suggested before--i have not read the entire thread)

Did you get plates for an out of state car at AAA? At least at Northern California AAA offices, they can not perform out of state registrations. I use AAA for DMV services whenever I can, but could not use them for the out of state registration.

"Please contact DMV for these services:
• CA Drivers License Transactions and Printouts • Vehicles/Vessels Origination from a Dealer • Out of State Registration Renewals/Transfers • Vehicles/Vessels with Unavailable Records • Off Highway Registration Renewals/Transfers • Disabled Parking Placards"Source

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by puravida

if any of you are AAA members . . . they have dmv services . . . super easy, hassle free. i had no trouble registering my car last week and was out in about 15 minutes with my plates. (apologies if this has been suggested before--i have not read the entire thread)

This can't be done on a new, out of state car.

-alex

[puravida]

Originally Posted by mav1178

This can't be done on a new, out of state car.

-alex

okay . . . not sure what to say . . . that was not my experience . . . bought my car from heuberger . . . took it to AAA, they did the inspection, registration and issued my CA plates.

maybe its different in socal. i took my car to the laguna hills AAA office.

[PMok]

Originally Posted by puravida

okay . . . not sure what to say . . . that was not my experience . . . bought my car from heuberger . . . took it to AAA, they did the inspection, registration and issued my CA plates.

maybe its different in socal. i took my car to the laguna hills AAA office.

yeah, I am in NorCal and tried this, and got the same explanation from AAA... they said they cannot register new out of state cars. If your local AAA office does let you do it, then definitely take advantage of that, will almost certainly be faster and less painful than going to the DMV without an appointment. If I remember right they charge an additional service fee (like $4 or $6) but well worth the convenience.

[Cyzerman]

Originally Posted by puravida

okay . . . not sure what to say . . . that was not my experience . . . bought my car from heuberger . . . took it to AAA, they did the inspection, registration and issued my CA plates.

maybe its different in socal. i took my car to the laguna hills AAA office.

I'll be buying from heuberger once I sell my current car!

[996garage]

I originally called the AAA customer service line, and the person said they can title my new BRZ. Then I went to 2 different SoCal offices(Cerritos & Torrance), and both said that was incorrect and that they can only do used vehicles.


AAA offices can be very inconsistent with their policies. When I bought a used car the owner had lost the title. First AAA office we went to said they could not help us since we didn't have the title in hand, and that we had to go to the DMV. Drove 15 minutes to the next AAA office, and they said "no problem" and registered the car. Go figure...

[Cyzerman]

Saving money to buy BRZ. Any down side to buying out of state? Any help is appreciated.

[Scoobybrz]

Originally Posted by Cyzerman

Saving money to buy BRZ. Any down side to buying out of state? Any help is appreciated.

Only down side for me was the wait. Overall, the entire transaction was straight forward.

[Cyzerman]

Originally Posted by Scoobybrz

Only down side for me was the wait. Overall, the entire transaction was straight forward.

Thank you for your help. That's the problem I'm having with waiting to save money for the car. I'm having to learn patience. Lol.