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

[scudzey]

So I've got a particular situation. I bought my car a couple months ago, and since that point found out that my employer is relocating me to San Diego in October. Is there anything special regarding the process to get my car registered in respect to the relocation?

[PMok]

Originally Posted by scudzey

So I've got a particular situation. I bought my car a couple months ago, and since that point found out that my employer is relocating me to San Diego in October. Is there anything special regarding the process to get my car registered in respect to the relocation?

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/howto/htvr9.htm


you'll need to smog your car in CA and go register your car at the DMV within 20 days of bringing the car into the state. Since your car is already registered in another state I'm thinking you won't have to worry about some of the things discussed in this thread like the cert of origin or bill of sale. Think you still need VIN verification (can be done at DMV).

FWIW I see plenty of cars in CA with out-of-state plates though and I am pretty darn sure most don't register within that 20 day window.

[toldog]

Hi all,

I'll be joining the CO>CA cartel very soon and will be flying in to pick up my BRZ. I plan to do the road trip back to the bay area (San Jose) over 4 days going through New Mexico and Arizona.

For those who bought from Colorado and drove back:

What were your experiences?
Recommendations as to what routes to take or avoid?
Any places worth stopping by along the way?

Thanks!

[Fot49]

Originally Posted by PMok

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/howto/htvr9.htm


you'll need to smog your car in CA and go register your car at the DMV within 20 days of bringing the car into the state. Since your car is already registered in another state I'm thinking you won't have to worry about some of the things discussed in this thread like the cert of origin or bill of sale. Think you still need VIN verification (can be done at DMV).

FWIW I see plenty of cars in CA with out-of-state plates though and I am pretty darn sure most don't register within that 20 day window.

the penalty fee is ridiculous if you don't register within the 20 day window. i am not sure which date they go by: date the car was purchased and date the car was first operated in CA. I don't know how they check the accuracy of the date first operated, but honesty bit me in the butt and I paid 135% of the registration fee additional. Don't hesitate to register the car as soon as you get the paperwork.

Heuberger has also mentioned as long as they get the paperwork to you the same day or one day before the 20 day deadline, the responsibility lies with the buyer to make sure it gets done. That being said, you should receive the paperwork in time, but maybe have to take a half day off work to wait in line at the DMV.

[PMok]

Originally Posted by Fot49

the penalty fee is ridiculous if you don't register within the 20 day window. i am not sure which date they go by: date the car was purchased and date the car was first operated in CA. I don't know how they check the accuracy of the date first operated, but honesty bit me in the butt and I paid 135% of the registration fee additional. Don't hesitate to register the car as soon as you get the paperwork.

Heuberger has also mentioned as long as they get the paperwork to you the same day or one day before the 20 day deadline, the responsibility lies with the buyer to make sure it gets done. That being said, you should receive the paperwork in time, but maybe have to take a half day off work to wait in line at the DMV.

good to know... They go by date it was brought into the state. Because in theory you could have bought in CO, and spent two weeks or more driving around in CO or wherever before bringing it into CA. I'm not saying you should lie, but when they asked me when it was brought into the state, I said 10 days ago and they did nothing to verify that, they simply entered that as the date and moved on with calculating the fees/taxes.

Definitely make an appointment to save time at the DMV. If your 20 day period is coming to an end and you still haven't received your paperwork, set your appointment on the 20th day and keep pestering the dealer to get that paperwork to you on time.

[PMok]

Originally Posted by toldog

Hi all,

I'll be joining the CO>CA cartel very soon and will be flying in to pick up my BRZ. I plan to do the road trip back to the bay area (San Jose) over 4 days going through New Mexico and Arizona.

For those who bought from Colorado and drove back:

What were your experiences?
Recommendations as to what routes to take or avoid?
Any places worth stopping by along the way?

Thanks!

I didn't drive mine back and kind of regret it, but I had seriously considered doing it. Just didn't have time so I had it shipped. If I had driven it back, I was going to spend day 1 going up to Pikes Peak (which is really very close to Colorado Springs) and then head to Salt Lake City. Then either dip down to Las Vegas or head on to Reno. Depending on your preference that might be perfect time to do the first oil change at about 1000 miles. Or continue on home and deal with the oil change later.

[snoflewis]

for those who bought out of state, how much was the car after it was all said and done (TTL, delivery, dealer fee, etc)?

just trying to get an idea of these fees, as i've never bought a new car before.

[drew_dice27]

Originally Posted by snoflewis

for those who bought out of state, how much was the car after it was all said and done (TTL, delivery, dealer fee, etc)?

just trying to get an idea of these fees, as i've never bought a new car before.

I drove my car back and it cost me just over 29k (Not counting gas). If you're going to ship it, add about $700+/-
For anyone curious, TTL cost $2,700 for CA

[tonylop33]

You can you this calculator on the DMV site to get a good idea of registration and tax fees.

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/FeeCalculator...VehicleForm.do

[mf0722]

For those who have recently purchased from out-of-state and received a VIN verification from the dealer, was this accepted by the California DMV or did you have to provide CA DMV form Reg 31 completed by someone in-state? Heuberger supplied me with a VIN verification letter on their letterhead signed by an inspector. I talked to Jackie in Heuberger's title department, who said she believed the letter would be accepted by the CA DMV.

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by mf0722

For those who have recently purchased from out-of-state and received a VIN verification from the dealer, was this accepted by the California DMV or did you have to provide CA DMV form Reg 31 completed by someone in-state? Heuberger supplied me with a VIN verification letter on their letterhead signed by an inspector. I talked to Jackie in Heuberger's title department, who said she believed the letter would be accepted by the CA DMV.

You need http://apps.dmv.ca.gov/forms/reg/reg31.pdf, it will make everything easier if it's done before showing up to the DMV.

Read the quoted first post in this thread of a summary of what I did. I spent 10 minutes at the DMV with an 8AM appointment.

-alex

[mf0722]

Originally Posted by mav1178

You need http://apps.dmv.ca.gov/forms/reg/reg31.pdf, it will make everything easier if it's done before showing up to the DMV.

Read the quoted first post in this thread of a summary of what I did. I spent 10 minutes at the DMV with an 8AM appointment.

-alex

I did read through this entire thread, Alex, and thanks for taking the time to write up your experience and instructions. Did you receive a vehicle verification from the dealer you bought from? Since I did and hadn't seen it addressed in this or any other thread, I thought I'd throw it out there to see if there was any information about it. I intend to run to a nearby CHP office and get them to fill out Reg 31 for me before I go to the DMV, so I'm not concerned with the letter from Heuberger's title department. But maybe it will help someone who assumes, possibly incorrectly, that such a letter from the out-of-state dealer is an acceptable VIN verification. I will ask the DMV about the validity of the letter. If it isn't valid proof, then I can let Heuberger know to stop sending this with the registration packet.

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by mf0722

I will ask the DMV about the validity of the letter. If it isn't valid proof, then I can let Heuberger know to stop sending this with the registration packet.

Some states allow the dealer to provide documentation as validated in their state, however CA requires a vehicle inspection (mostly just to verify VIN):

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/howto/htvr9.htm

The vehicle must be inspected by an authorized DMV employee, law enforcement officer, or a licensed vehicle verifier. These inspections are most easily obtained by bringing the vehicle to the nearest DMV. There is no charge for the inspection. For faster service, make an Appointment(s) .

Having said that, Heuberger won't assume you're in CA or any other state. If they sell out of state, they prepare one batch of paperwork so it's easier for them to conduct business, which is (IMO) the right way to go about it.

-alex

[mf0722]

Originally Posted by mav1178

Some states allow the dealer to provide documentation as validated in their state, however CA requires a vehicle inspection (mostly just to verify VIN):

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/howto/htvr9.htm



Having said that, Heuberger won't assume you're in CA or any other state. If they sell out of state, they prepare one batch of paperwork so it's easier for them to conduct business, which is (IMO) the right way to go about it.

-alex

They assumed where I intend to register the car since they sent me a completed Application For Registration form for California (Reg 343).

My issue is mainly with the advice given that the included letter may be acceptable proof of VIN verification. It may be good enough in other states, but if it isn't in California, that information can only help Heuberger and Californians considering buying a car from another state. I'll find out on Monday.