WHAT DID YOU DO TO YOUR BRZ TODAY?

[blewclouds]

Originally Posted by chanomatik

tS Fender Garnish: Activate!

Sorry, I'm confused and your car is so dark I can't figure out what "tS Fender Garnish" is. please explain.

[JPxM0Dz]

Originally Posted by blewclouds

Sorry, I'm confused and your car is so dark I can't figure out what "tS Fender Garnish" is. please explain.

Do you see the chrome STi emblem on the fender ? That's it

[enwave]

Originally Posted by zinzan

Wow, that sucks. I took contracts in California for several months to a couple of years in the past, brought vehicles into the state, and never registered them. Until I took a full-time job in Cali from 2002 to 2008, and even then, I didn't register until my out of state plates expired in 2006. No hassles, but I guess I was never dealing with a new car scenario.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Same. I renewed my CA registration on my 5 series for almost five years from here in Utah, since I still had a home address in CA.

That was when I was more reckless with money and had too much CA pride to think logically and take the lower registration costs here in Utah.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[chanomatik]

Originally Posted by Khazzy

Goes to get in car next morning. Windows frozen and has to reset window switches...

tS Fender garnishes look great!

Actually my handy brother was nice enough to pitch the replacement carport tent I paid for at Costco, so now I don't worry about frost collecting on my car or windows getting stuck! Also at that particular car wash they have blow dryers that you can handle which I use to dry out all the creases/hard-to-dry places: side mirrors, fender garnishes, taillight seams, window gaskets, door handles, trunk license plate lighting area and gas lid cover. Works really well!

And thanks! I think it's trying to snow right now, but I'm gonna run and get some shots with my Nikon during my lunch in a few hours.

[SirBrass]

Originally Posted by Ganthrithor

What did I do with my BRZ today? Today I went to change my car over to CA plates, and got my wallet gang-raped to the tune of $2,000! Whee!

Wall of text DMV story below:

So, I've been living with my parents in California for a few months since my lease expired in Colorado (I'd been living and going to school full-time there for two years). I came out here expecting to stay temporarily until I found work somewhere (potentially in CA, but I was looking nationally and internationally).

I didn't establish residency here because the state doesn't require you to do so until you either (DMV's list on their official site, btw):

• Accept gainful employment in California.
• Claim a homeowner's exemption in California.
• Rent or lease a residence in California.
• Intend to live or be located here on a permanent basis (for example, acquire a California driver license, acquire other licenses not ordinarily extended to a nonresident, registered to vote).
• Enroll in an institution of higher learning as a California resident or enroll their dependents in school (K-12).

The italicized condition is the only one that turned out to apply to me. I haven't found work (either here or anywhere else). With no career prospects on the immediate horizon, and it having been several months now, I decided two weeks ago to "do the right thing" and register as an official Californian, despite the fact that my CO car registration was valid until the end of April and I don't meet any of their other requirements.

Boy was that a retarded idea.

So I went down to the DMV and got a CA license with my local address. I went through the awkwardness of explaining to the DMV clerk that yes, I was moving back to the same address where my learner's permit and first ever driver's licence were issued to, because I was in fact a jobless un-person who had moved back in with my parents. Whatever. I took the driving test, paid my fees, had my super-high-resolution photo taken, and was told I'd get my new licence in a couple of weeks. I asked the clerk how long I had to register the vehicle now that I was becoming a resident and she said twenty days. Fair enough.

Fast forward to today. My new licence arrived last week, and I finalized a new CA car insurance policy last Friday afternoon (Which, incidentally, was also $600/yr more expensive than my CO policy, despite the weather being better, my car being stored in a way safer place, and me being a year older and wiser. Joy.). So, with my new proof of CA insurance and newly-minted licence in hand, I roll down to the DMV today. First I'm told I need to get the car smogged. Why do I have to smog a 13-month-old vehicle despite the fact that new cars don't usually need a smog check for the first five years or something? Because California, I guess.

Fine. I take my car and get a smog test done, which-- shockingly-- it passes. Who'd have thought, right? Brand new car with no cat modifications passes emissions? You don't say! So I go back to the DMV. I fill out their forms and wait an hour to be seen. I present the forms to the clerk.

Almost immediately there's some confusion. On their registration application there's a section that says something along the lines of, "If you purchased your vehicle less than a year ago, how much sales tax did you pay?" Naturally, since I bought the car in February of 2013 and it is currently March of 2014, I check the, "N/A" box on this section. Makes sense, right? A year nominally consisting of twelve months, and all that? Of course it does!

Except, this is the DMV, and fucking nothing makes sense at the DMV. The clerk immediately asks me why I didn't put the amount of sales tax paid onto the form. I said, "because I bought the car over a year ago and your form tells me not to put any numbers there unless I purchased the car within the last year, which is popularly conceived of as meaning, 'within the last twelve months,' and which would, therefore-- according to the colloquial meaning of the term-- not apply to my vehicle which was in fact purchased thirteen months ago." (Of course, I didn't put it quite this sarcastically: I don't have Asperger's)

So the raping began.

The clerk told me that no, I had to fill in the sales tax thing if the car had entered California within a year of purchase (which it had). I duly corrected the form, expecting not very much to come of it. BOY WAS I WRONG.

Once I could find how much sales tax I'd paid (for some reason two of the three CO tax-receipt papers didn't include the sales tax paid, so naturally I panicked and looked through all my other paperwork on the car before realizing that one of the other tax stub duplicates wasn't a duplicate at all and in fact had different information on it) the rest of the transaction went very smoothly and quickly. I was so pleased, and thought I'd be down a few hundred dollars and on my way with shiny new plates momentarily. And then, after a few minutes tapping away at her keyboard with her scary long fingernails, the clerk began a sentence with the words, "So, don't shoot the messenger..."

I had a bad feeling in my tummy parts.

The clerk proceeded to tell me with a straight face that my bill to register my car would be two thousand dollars. Wait a second, I thought. Dollars, right? Like, American dollars? Two thousand of them? Sorry, did I make a decimal error when I wrote down the purchase price of my car on that form? As it turns out, I hadn't! The clerk "explained" that because I was bringing a car in from out of state (the same car that I had purchased thirteen months ago and paid sales tax for in another state), I was liable for the difference between the amount of sales tax I paid in Colorado and what I would have paid if I'd bought the car in California. In addition to that, she said I was liable for about $400 in "late fees" because I hadn't re-registered the car within 20 days of entering the state! Interesting note: she actively refused to actually quote me the amount of the late fees: I had to work it out myself by asking her what a typical year's renewal fee would be (~$210) and combining that with the total amount demanded by the clerk ($2,000) and the amount of CO sales tax I'd paid ($750) and the clerk's number for "what the total CA sales tax would have been if I'd bought the car here" (~$2,100).

First of all, I don't see how it's legal for California to demand that I pay sales tax on something I purchased while a full-time, legal resident of another state. Why don't they collect sales tax on all the other shit I bought while living in Colorado while they're at it!? How is this even a thing? Unfortunately, since I became a resident on February 15th (a whole seven days short of one year from the day I bought my car) I don't think there's any way out of this extortion. How it's legal I have no idea, but it seems utterly absurd.

Second of all, I think I'm going to go back tomorrow and demand that the "late fees" be refunded. I don't see how they can charge me these fees based on the information on their registration information on their own site. I'll post it again:



I get that if I had been a CA resident when I bought my car, I'd have had to register it within 20 days of importing it to CA. That makes perfect sense. However, I wasn't a CA resident until two weeks ago.

Two weeks ago is when I decided that the bolded, italicized listed condition applied to me and that I should become Californian again. Shouldn't late fees be applied if I'd taken more than twenty days to register the car from the time I became a resident, not the time my car entered the state (at which point I would have been a "Nonresident whose vehicle was properly registered to them in their home state or jurisdiction")?

This really doesn't make any sense to me. Aside from the fact that the rules explicitly say what they say, if the clerk were correct, and I should have to pay late fees based on when my car entered the state (despite the fact that I was not a Californian), then anybody who came in from out of state to visit CA for more than 20 days would be forced to re-register their cars, which is completely absurd and I can't imagine is what the law intends. It seems like the bit I pointed to is specifically inserted in there to prevent this outcome.

Should I go back and politely ask for my $400 back? I think I should because I think the adamant DMV clerk from today was just an illiterate moron on a power trip, as DMV workers often tend to be. I'm not a lawyer, but I like to think of myself as possessing basic reading comprehension and logic skills, and them skills tell me this be some bullllll-shit. What do you guys think?

Anyway, tl;dr: I tried to do the right thing according to the DMV's wishy-washy definition of what "the right thing" is, and as a result am out $2,000 and probably have another couple of hours of DMV-drama ahead of me to try and get back $400 of those dollars which they appear to have taken in contradiction to their own policies. The moral of the story? Don't do the right thing. Since none of the "hard" definitions of residency apply to me, I could just as easily have waited until April when my CO tags expired and transferred residence and plates then. I'd have saved approximately $1,800 and a totally unnecessary trip back to the DMV to haggle with them and try to teach them how to read.

ARRRGGGGHHHHHH!

If someone asks me to take a job in CA, I'm going to tell them NO.

Especially if I have to pay a difference in sales tax (which sounds illegal as hell, unless the car was bought out of state by someone who was a CA resident at the time... that's just CA trying to make sure they get their pound of flesh even if residents try and get around CA taxes by purchasing cars out of state... which is still very shady), which is absolutely outrageous, considering I paid sales tax on my BRZ based upon the difference between cost of vehicle and trade in value of traded in vehicle (I paid sales tax on about $3k, not $29k, therefore), and if CA would then demand that I make up the difference from $2.9k (assuming 10% sales tax), that'd be insane.

Punishing people for moving there who only just bought vehicles before they moved? F*you, CA! Your weather isn't worth that crap!

[chanomatik]

Originally Posted by SirBrass

If someone asks me to take a job in CA, I'm going to tell them NO.

Especially if I have to pay a difference in sales tax (which sounds illegal as hell, unless the car was bought out of state by someone who was a CA resident at the time... that's just CA trying to make sure they get their pound of flesh even if residents try and get around CA taxes by purchasing cars out of state... which is still very shady), which is absolutely outrageous, considering I paid sales tax on my BRZ based upon the difference between cost of vehicle and trade in value of traded in vehicle (I paid sales tax on about $3k, not $29k, therefore), and if CA would then demand that I make up the difference from $2.9k (assuming 10% sales tax), that'd be insane.

Punishing people for moving there who only just bought vehicles before they moved? F*you, CA! Your weather isn't worth that crap!

Haha I love how you strongly implied an expletive, but then ended with a safe substitute expletive.

I almost moved to California last year, which would have put me within the "year" restriction. Glad I didn't! And glad I changed my mind about moving this year. Beautiful place, but I think I'll just stick to visiting my family and friends there.

Charging you for what you WOULD have paid IF you bought it there? Theoretical bills?! WTF, CALIFORNIA?!?!!!

[ntron1]

Originally Posted by Ganthrithor

What did I do with my BRZ today? Today I went to change my car over to CA plates, and got my wallet gang-raped to the tune of $2,000! Whee!

California is different from most states. Below is the example:

The value of a trade-in is considered taxable. For example, if you sold a car for $20,000 and accepted a trade-in valued at $4,000 as partial payment, tax would be based on the $20,000 selling price (that is, you would not deduct the value of the trade-in from the sales price of the car being sold when computing sales tax).

In Colorado sales tax is paid on the difference between the net trade in and the selling price of the new vehicle. For example: If your trade in is worth $15K but you owe $5K, the net trade in is $10K. If your new car is $30K and you trade in your old one, you pay tax on the difference ($20K). Because you only paid sales tax on the difference, California feels empowered to collect the rest. If California did not do this, everyone would buy cars across the border to avoid the additional tax. The Fun, Sun, Bikini's and Traffic must be worth a whole lot of money to some 'cause the California taxes are out of control.

Where you got screwed is the 1 year rule. You bought a car 13 months ago, came to visit your parents last week and decided to move back to take care of them. Apparently the DMV genius is on commission for not understanding the situation.

[SirBrass]

Just how I normally talk, man. I have a special hate for the f-bomb, and doubly hate it if it slips out of my own mouth.

Originally Posted by ntron1

California is different from most states. Below is the example:

The value of a trade-in is considered taxable. For example, if you sold a car for $20,000 and accepted a trade-in valued at $4,000 as partial payment, tax would be based on the $20,000 selling price (that is, you would not deduct the value of the trade-in from the sales price of the car being sold when computing sales tax).

In Colorado sales tax is paid on the difference between the net trade in and the selling price of the new vehicle. For example: If your trade in is worth $15K but you owe $5K, the net trade in is $10K. If your new car is $30K and you trade in your old one, you pay tax on the difference ($20K). Because you only paid sales tax on the difference, California feels empowered to collect the rest. If California did not do this, everyone would buy cars across the border to avoid the additional tax. The Fun, Sun, Bikini's and Traffic must be worth a whole lot of money to some 'cause the California taxes are out of control.

Where you got screwed is the 1 year rule. You bought a car 13 months ago, came to visit your parents last week and decided to move back to take care of them. Apparently the DMV genius is on commission for not understanding the situation.

AZ taxes vehicle sales tax the same way as CO. Makes sense, actually. It also promotes trade-ins, though for low dollar trades, it's more advantageous to privately sell the car for more than a dealership would give you, and use the cash gotten in the sale as part of the downpayment on the new vehicle, and accept sales tax on the entire vehicle, as you would have only been given a few thousand off the vehicle with a trade-in.

Either way, such a system gives you options.

I'd go on, but it could be construed as being political (about how states should compete with each other for residents, and that CA is shooting itself in the foot by doing this and other things), so beyond what I just put in parenthesis, I'll leave it at that.

[chanomatik]

Originally Posted by SirBrass

Just how I normally talk, man. I have a special hate for the f-bomb, and doubly hate it if it slips out of my own mouth.

No I totally understand. I'm the say way, which is why I found it doubly humorous. I used to cuss a bunch, but now I enjoy the challenge of word alternatives. I call it "Extreme PG". Plus it just makes it easier to talk to random people and have pleasant conversations.

Much respect, Sir(Brass).

[dbrandt01]

Oil change today with motul 0w20, was at 3808 miles. I know a lot of people like to change their own oil, but I don't. Express Oil charged $28 since I furnished my own oil and filter.

[sklimo]

Originally Posted by Marchy

drove my car into work, and got this tracking info in my email. monday will be a good day

I know whats coming!!!!!!!! Can't wait to see pics

[chanomatik]

Better pics.

[SirBrass]

Love the plates! Didn't you also used to participate on IWSTI or NASIOC, @chanomatik? Your forum name rings a bell from elsewhere.

[Ganthrithor]

Originally Posted by ntron1

California is different from most states. Below is the example:

The value of a trade-in is considered taxable. For example, if you sold a car for $20,000 and accepted a trade-in valued at $4,000 as partial payment, tax would be based on the $20,000 selling price (that is, you would not deduct the value of the trade-in from the sales price of the car being sold when computing sales tax).

In Colorado sales tax is paid on the difference between the net trade in and the selling price of the new vehicle. For example: If your trade in is worth $15K but you owe $5K, the net trade in is $10K. If your new car is $30K and you trade in your old one, you pay tax on the difference ($20K). Because you only paid sales tax on the difference, California feels empowered to collect the rest. If California did not do this, everyone would buy cars across the border to avoid the additional tax. The Fun, Sun, Bikini's and Traffic must be worth a whole lot of money to some 'cause the California taxes are out of control.

Where you got screwed is the 1 year rule. You bought a car 13 months ago, came to visit your parents last week and decided to move back to take care of them. Apparently the DMV genius is on commission for not understanding the situation.

This didn't actually even come into play for me, since I did a private party sale on my old car and actually sold it several months after I'd already bought the BRZ. CO sales tax is just a lot lower than CA, I'm afraid. Still, good to know that there are even more ways to be over-taxed in good old California!

The best part is, even after collecting all this money, we're still broke all the time! CA is the best place to live, but man is this state a mess.