Let me know if you know please :)

The paper-work isn't, but getting it to pass the smog can be tough.

smog isn't an issue, I know a guy that can get me the smog under the table.

They usually require a TEST ONLY. And then may come up as TEST ONLY the next time it needs to be Smoged also. My SE-R and it has trouble passing anyway, so it's a PITA.

I see, the car I may bring to CA is a Dinan SC, the guy says that it passes smog without a problem, we'll see

just make sure you have the registration or title IN YOUR NAME; then they just do an inspection and its usually pretty quick.

I beleive you have to have an address (or live) in the state your applying to.

You just need 3 items:

1. The Title
2. NOTARIZED Bill of Sale
3. Smog test

Then you just pay sales tax & go. I would avoid car shippers like the plague, as the half-dozen times I have used various companies I have never had a good experiance, to the point that I would rather spend more money on gas & hotels than use another one again. The bill of sale is a must for out of state cars, if you show up with the three above items and hand them a check for the sales tax you will have no probs...

Smog could be tricky, but all of the cars I have brought into CA have been classic porsches, so only 1 needed a smog (which it passed w/o issue).

thanks guys, nothing is still sure, I might not get that car, but if I do, I know what to do now. About the tax, I've heard somewhere that you have to pay 8.25% of the total value of the car, is that true? Also can I agree with the seller to write a much lower price in the pink slip?

thanks guys, nothing is still sure, I might not get that car, but if I do, I know what to do now. About the tax, I've heard somewhere that you have to pay 8.25% of the total value of the car, is that true? Also can I agree with the seller to write a much lower price in the pink slip?
as long as its not too far off.

usually, dmv in cali doesnt look and will go with what the price says on the transfer of title.

some states ignore that all together and use KBB.

You have to pay CA sales tax on cars brought into CA - there are two ways to 'ease the pain' as it were...

1. Have the seller write a lower amount on the title, this can actually be very small, usually on E36 M3's $7500 is a common number - you will want a seperate bill of sale with the true figure on it, out of GP.

2. Have the car given as a 'gift' - this is if you're feeling saucy, and there is no sales tax - these are spot checked, but I know people who have gotten away with this method - some sellers will go with this, some won't, they just put your relation to them as a 'friend' and put $0 as the sale amount - if there is a spot on the title for 'gift' they check it.

It's a hassle to register in state cars :eek:

thanks guys, nothing is still sure, I might not get that car, but if I do, I know what to do now. About the tax, I've heard somewhere that you have to pay 8.25% of the total value of the car, is that true? Also can I agree with the seller to write a much lower price in the pink slip?
8.25% of what you paid for the car + fees.
For me I bought my car for 14,500 tax was $1,051 and fees were $212 to give you an idea on how much you will have to pay. You can have the guy say you paied like 5,000 for the can on the bill of sale to save you some money. It will work my friend "paid" $7,500 for a 97 M3.
Chris

I got my porsche from AZ and paid the tax to them, and then Cali doesn't make you pay. So if the tax is less than Cali, pay it in the state you buy it from.

if you buy register it right away . I waited until I git pink slip and got over $600 in new late fines. :rolleyes

Thanks guys, one dumb question, even if you buy a car in CA from a private party, you do have to pay taxes, right.

Also, for those that have bought car from out of state, how do you handle the money? Do you send the money before the car is sent to you, or when you get the pink slip?

thanks

www.escrow.com

In-state cars also require sales tax, for out of state cars the process is usually...

1. Cash deposit, depending on value of car, usually $1k (or $500 if not sure)
2. Schedule a PPI, have the owner bring the car for the PPI and pay for it out of the deposit.
3. Call the mechanic on the phone and get the real info on the inspection
4. Have mechanic hand phone over to seller, discuss PPI
5. If you are still buying send 2 copies of a bill of sale, both signed, to the seller
6. Seller keeps one, signs other and mails it back to you
7. You mail the seller the balance in a cashier's check, then arrange shipping (ASAP, as the seller now has a sports car that is already SOLD and can be abused until they get bored), or (alternativly) hand it to him in a cashier's check when you pickup the car.
8. If you are shipping the car stress out for 1.5 months of delay, then get mad when car is dirty & abused from "enclosed" transport - if you pick it up have a fun ride home, no doubt noticing the car's various quirks.

btw, no seller is going to mail you the car's pink slip based on a deposit ;)

Scorp965 :buttrock