Thinking about buying a 06 S2000 out of state and brining it into California.

Anyone know the headaches I will incur with the Calif. DMV ? I know there are some rules about X many miles on a car or they think you purchased it out of state to avoid some taxes and of course smog rules, etc.

I am assuming the S2000 is a 50 state car and this car has 4,500 miles on it so I don't know if I can safely register it here or not. I am going to surf the DMV web site, thought I would ask here also.

I had a 03 all lined up ready to go and I was supposed to be driving that 03 home right about now but it fell through.

 

bump,,,,,,,,,, I'd like to know too....

 

the dealer in Jersey that i bought my S at was great. They charged me the VA taxes and plate fees which are a lot less than NJ's. To my knowledge tho bringing a new car into the state of CA shouldnt be an issue cause all cars that come into america/made in america have to pass CA emissions anyway

 

Seems right to me as well. I live in OR, but bought the S in WA. I was able to avoid paying WA taxes because of this. Got a trip permit (WA cant issue OR temps), got home, got a temp permit and it was done. Simple and easy.

 

The S2000 is a 50-state car so you can register it in CA.

I bought my car new in boston and drove it to LA 4 months later.

Your best bet is to call the DMV and tell them every detail of what you plan to do. They'll tell you exactly what to expect since every case is a little different. For example, the scenario could be different depending on if you have to register your car in the purchase state before bring to CA.

When I registered my car in MA, I had to pay all the MA taxes, registration fees, excise taxes, etc.

When you arrive in CA, you must register your car within 30 days. To register your car in CA, you must first get a smog check. Then you go to the DMV. They inspect your car. Then they charge you a fresh registration fee and taxes. Because I paid 5% MA tax on my car already and CA tax is 8.25%, I had to pay the difference. After paying, I walked to another counter, picked up my new CA plates, and left the DMV.

Lastly, you can only pay by check or debit card. Cash may be an option, but credit card definitely is not.

 

lady at the DMV said that if I buy a new car out of state, I have to to prove its a Calif. car which she said it would be but i have to get papers from Honda to prove it, then I have to pay full sales tax/registration fees no matter what I paid in the other states.

If I bring in a used car like a 06 then I just have to pass smog, pay the difference in registration and its done, easy

I know on a motorcycle, the bike had to have minimum 6,000 miles or I was taxed as new, but that is not the case on a car.

and as to why out of state ? because I found a Laguna Blue in Texas with a hardtop that I really like the price on

 

Proving the CA passes CA emissions should be easy. There's a sticker on the underside of the hood that specifically says CA.

Getting a smog check on a nearly new car pissed me off. Waste of $60 or whatever I paid.

Good luck!

 

i registered my S in VA so i didnt have to pay NJ tag and title which i lucked out with as well.