Back by popular demand, I'm trying to find other buyers on the West Coast who don't want to pay the premiums being required by CA dealers to buy a MINI. In mid-2003 I originated the "group buy concept" at Classic and brought together 7 buyers who all purchased from Julie Saxa at Classic. Since '03, there was one large purchase from No. & So. CAL (13 cars shipped on 2 trucks) and Julie continues to sell 3-4 cars a month to West Coasters who either ship individually or fly & drive.

I've just ordred my 4th MINI from Julie, a Hot Orange/Blue MCS Cabrio with an automatic; and it's due in late April; and I'm looking for partners to fill a Concours Transport Systems enclosed truck with MINIs to save on the cost of shipping. Buying out of state is easy and painless, especially through Julie.

If you are interested in personal & professional service and a MINI at MSRP, plus being able to load it up with accessories at 20% off, then contact Julie today. You also get:
a full tank of gas
MINI rubber floor mats
European Package Shelf
Glove Box Organizer
included with your purchase.

Shipping together we can save up to 40% of the cost of shipping individually. So, PM or email me if you're interested in joining our group. Cars ordered now will arrive in late April/Early May, and you'll have it long before summer.

Charlie
carolla@scu.edu

 

Last October, I ordered a MINI from Julie at Classic, and picked it up in December. I gotta say, she should be a role model for all the MAs around the country. By the time we got to Cleveland to pick up the car, it felt like she was practically family. Talk about personal service - a real "Nordstrom's" experience!

Okay - here's an example: Julie picked us up at the airport and drove us back to Classic. When we got there, the car was sitting on the showroom floor with a sign on the windshield saying "Hello - my name's Tillie. Please don't touch me - I'm going home, today!" Julie had been browsing around the board here and NAM, and putting two-and-two together, figured out my handle and the name I had already given my car. So she made the sign! How cool is that?

So if anyone's not sure about whether to sign up for Charlie's deal, Julie (and the rest of the crew at Classic) are just great. I couldn't recommend them any more highly.

The only downside is you won't get to meet her in person! She's a sweetie!

(Yeah, okay - I admit it - I'm in love!)

 

If anyone in California (or the West) is looking to buy out-of-state, go with Classic!! They are the best!! I just got my CR/W MCS 3 weeks ago and it was a great car buying experience. (How often do you hear THAT?) Mike Kost was my MA and he was awesome! He is so friendly, helpful and courteous. He really took care of me. When it came in, he even took pictures of it and e-mailed them to me. It was delivered (by Concours - they were great!) with a full tank of gas, rubber mats, a cup holder, a Mini key chain and 2 toy Mini cars. At Classic, they really go the extra mile for their customers. Plus, they make you feel like a friend instead of just a customer.

If I ever want to trade in my MCS for a new one, I'll be going back to Classic!!!

 

John Monk at MINI of Nashville was terrific to me. MSRP, free mats and shipping is less than from Classic. If you're special ordering they may be able to get you on the build list quicker so check out both places before deciding. Of course, a group discount on shipping (from either place) will save you several hundred dollars.

 

Thanks Lefty, but I'll stick with Classic. The difference is only 150 miles more from Mentor to Santa Clara, and I called last Saturday to place the order and the car will be @ Classic in mid-April. Quick enough for me !
Charlie

 

I wanted to thank the NAM Community for joining in this "group buy" from Julie at Classic. As of today, there are 3 MINIs coming to CA in May, and we expect two more orders before the week is out.

If you've thought about buying out of state to avoid the profit-conscious CA dealers, give Julie and call and join our group. All cars are at MSRP, plus parts & accessories are 20% off MSRP.

Charlie

 

As much as I love California .. it would be great if I could avoid the sales tax here in Los Angeles at 8.25%. Would buying from Classic help me avoid participation in sales tax?

-mark=

 

In California, when you purchase a car from a dealer, you pay the sale tax rate for the city in which you register the car with DMV. So, if you live in a city where there's a transit tax or an extra tax for highway improvement, that's what you pay. For example,in Santa Clara, CA, the tax rate is 8.25%. In Monterey, it's 7.25%.
You can look up the rate for any CA city here http://www.boe.ca.gov/cgi-bin/rates010105.cgi And, if the dealer is marking up the purchase price over MSRP, you're paying sales tax (and registration fees) on that amount.

When you buy out of state, at Classic in Ohio for example, you do not pay any Ohio Sales Tax. The only fee is a $125.25 fee for documentation and title (from Ohio DMV). (You pay more at certain CA dealers for this fee!) When you eventually register the car in CA, you will pay a Use Tax, which is the same as the sale tax rate for the city in which you register the car. Transportation costs are excluded from this amount.

CA passed a law last year which now requires that a car must be operated outside of CA for a year to avoid paying the use tax upon importation into CA. So, in the end, you still pay CA sales/use tax

 

The Concours Transport truck is half-full. Julie got our 4th order today, a fully-loaded MCS headed to Auburn, CA. The other 3 are going to Santa Clara, San Jose, and San Francisco ! Room for only 4 more.................

Come on all you NAM members that complain about the high price of buying a MCS in CA. Now's your chance. Call Julie @ Classic on Saturday 440 266-6700, or email her at julie@driveclassic.com

Charlie

 

In CA your annual vehicle tax is based on what you paid for the car, so if you pay a (let's say) $2500 markup, you're going to be paying more vehicle tax every year than someone who bought the same car without the markup.

Be sure to PM Chief_Charlie and ask him about other ways you can save on things like accessories when you buy from Classic!

 

I am the first stop for the CA bound transport (unless a certain person in Reno signs up HINT HINT)! I can't wait for my Mini to show up on my doorstep! I am so excited. All of you CA buyers who want to join me come on and jump on the band wagon. Classic Mini is the way to go: Discounts Gallore!!!

 

Hey, macaid! Congrats on making a great decision. Looking forward to meeting you and your car. (We're in Sacramento.)

What's your "spec"? (In MINI-speak, what did you order?)

 

Hey, Charlie - I'm confused. Is the sales tax rate based on:

1. the city where you reside?
2. the city where the DMV office is?
3. the city in which the dealer does business? (assuming you buy in CA)

And if the correct answer is (3), what happens if you buy the car out of state? (1) or (2)?

Thanks for your knowledge and experience - and all the work you're doing to help put more MINIs in the hands of us deserving Californians!

 

Lombard Street,

Sales Tax (on an original sale which takes place in CA); or Use Tax (on the value of the vehicle being brought into California) is based upon the rate for the city in which the car is registered by DMV.

You can look at the Board of Equalization's web page http://www.boe.ca.gov/cgi-bin/rates010105.cgi
and find what this rate is. For cities that have a transit tax or highway initiatives, the rate is higher.

Folks who purchase in CA and pay a large dealer markup are paying sales tax on pure profit, plus paying a Vehicle License Fee (VLF) on top of that!

Charlie

 

Is there a deadline for this group buy? I am almost ready to buy...

matt ma

 

Matma92ser,

Yes, this Group Buy "closed" when we filled the truck with 8 MINIs about two weeks ago; however, Julie is still selling cars to folks on the west coast as I write.

Please call or email her to get your order placed. I know that she has at least 2 or 3 sold right now that are coming to CA in June.

Call her at 800 388-1098 or 440 266-6700; or email at julie@driveclassic.com

I can give you further details via a PM or email if you'd like

Charlie

 

Thanks Charlie. I e-mailed Julie to ask for details.

Are there any issues that need to be addressed because a non-CA car is being registered for use in CA?

thanks,
matt ma

 

You will need to get a smog check - all MINIs are 50 State cars, so after that you need only take it to DMV for a 3 minute inspection (verifying smog equipment) and do the other standard DMV paperwork.

 

matra92ser,

Registering a MINI in California that has been purchased out of state is a straightforward process. There are only a couple of minor differences from buying a car from a CA dealer, and they include having to handle the DMV transactions in person rather than having the dealer do it for you (which they generally charge you for as a documentation fee; ) In addition, you have to take the car to be tested at a Smog station, and have the vehicle verified by a police officer or a DMV employee to be sure the documentation matches the vehicle and that it is
CA smog-legal.

The requirements are laid out at the CA's DMV website, here:
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/osreg.htm#BM2561 including what forms you will need---which you can download from their website

Essentially the steps include:

What paperwork you need:

-Purchase Agreement which DMV will use to establish value for CA registration fee and tax purposes.
-Statement of Origin from BMW or a Vehicle Title issued by the State where you bought the car. This establishes your legal right to possession of the car. This should be FedEx'd to you from the dealer after purchase.
-Proof of insurance coverage from your insurance agency/agent.
-Vehicle Verification performed by a Police Officer or DMV. The forms are available online (page 2 of Form 343). The owner cannot complete this form. It has to be done by the officer or DMV employee
-Smog Certificate (see below for requirements)
-Application for Title and Registration (DMV Reg Form 343, available online from DMV)

What you have to do:

-Get a Smog Certificate. Check:
http://smogcheck.ca.gov/ZIPAREA/ziplookup.aspx by your ZIP Code to see whether you live in an area that requires a Basic or Enhanced Smog test. The MINI will pass as it is certified in all 50 states (as is the JCW Kit) You just have to have a Certificate to register an out-of-state car in CA. Just find the Smog Station that will do it for the cheapest price.
-Have the Vehicle Verified. Check with your local Police Department to see if they provide this service or check with the local office of the Highway Patrol. Otherwise, you will have to have this done at the DMV Field Office, and it usually requires an appointment at the time you also register the car. You'll need all your documentation AND the vehicle for this, and it generally can be done in less than 1/2 an hour. (Schedule this for the same time as your registration appointment.)
-Make an Appointment at DMV. Once you have your Smog Certificate, your verification, and all the paperwork mentioned above, you're ready to register the car at DMV. Bring your checkbook. They don't take credit cards at most offices. You can make an appointment online at DMV. Look here for how to make an appointment:
https://eg.dmv.ca.gov/foAppt/Welcome.jsp

What it's going to cost:

-Registration: Approximately $40. You may pay about $17 more if you are changing the Title or adding registered owners
-Use Tax which is equal to the sales tax you would pay in the CA city in which the car will be registered. You can use this link to determine what what percentage of the purchase price the tax will be:
http://www.boe.ca.gov/sutax/pam71.htm
-Vehicle License Fee (VLF). VLF is equal to 2% of 100% of the value (purchase price) of the vehicle when first registered in CA, less 66 2/3% . For example, VLF for the 1st year of registration for a $23,000 MINI would be $23,000 x 1 x .02 = $460 less 66 2/3% or $460 - $306 = $154 . (Next year when you register the car it would be $23,000 x .9 x .02 less 66 2/3% or $414 - 276 = $138) and so on.

That's it....and when you leave the DMV office, you'l have your license plates and tags for the year!

Charlie



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Thanks Charlie. Very good info.

 

Is it hard or does it take alot of work to get the out of state Mini to pass a smog test in CA with all of our strict standards with vehicle emissions?

 

Your MINI won't have any problems passing California's smog test. MINI is a 50 state legal car. The emissions system isn't any different on the ones sold outside of California.

I brought my MINI into California after a year of having it in Colorado (it was purchased in New York). My car tested at <1% of the california standards, so JMO, but California's much discussed "strict" emissions standards aren't that strict.

 

Nothing to worry about. It's no problem. Even with the JCW kit, Minis will pass CA smog.