Has anyone who is a resident of California bought a new Mini out of state?? How are the taxes and registration handled?? On the DMV website it states the following:
"What should a California resident look for when buying a new vehicle from another state?
California residents are prohibited from importing, purchasing, or leasing a new vehicle from another state, unless the vehicle was manufactured for sale in California and the Environmental Protection Agency label certifies the vehicle has California smog equipment. California considers a new vehicle to be any vehicle with less than 7,500 miles on the odometer at the time it is purchased or aquired."

Please let me know your experience.

Thanks

 

First Welcome to MCO :smile:

I bought mine in Utah, and had no problems restering it at all. The MINI is 50 state smog legal which makes it easier. All I had to do was let them know the miles on it when it entered California, and have it smoged. There was some other form I had to fill out at the DMV. I already had my plates ordered so as soon as I got the "certificate of orgin" (pink) I went and picked them up too.
Buying out of state was worth it for me. Instead of paying the mark-up in CA all I had to pay was for a hotel room when I went to get it, and by the time I got home it was almost half broke in.

5 1/2 weeks and 4500 miles... Man I love this car

Oh any wait is worth it too.

Nik

 

Was it completely necessary to get your MINI smogged. I am 30 days overdue on my temporary registration and want to get it registered tomorow. Also do I have to get the vehicle weighed?

 

I just got mine from Mini of St. Louis last weekend and have an apointment with the DMV only to verify VIN and smog cert. I'm only paying California Tax same as if I bought it here in So Cal, but at least I'm not paying $5000 over MSRP. My dealer took care of everything else. I don't expect any problems, but highly recommend buying out of California. From what I've read here, registering and sales tax are pretty easy

 

Hi folks,

On my website, hyperbluemini.com, I have a post about how to deal with ordering out of state, hopefully it will be informative for you. Go to the site, then choose the September 2004 archives, and find the article called "DMV Fun". (edit: here's a direct link for you.) Shouldn't be too hard.

To those of you still waiting to buy, I highly recommend dealing with Julie at Classic MINI of Mentor, OH. She was an absolute pleasure to work with from California, and she does this stuff all the time, so you can really trust it'll be done right. Tell her Mike sent you!

-mike

 

Very cool - thank you, Mike! I'll be sure to say hello to Julie for you. (I'll be seeing her next month!)

One thing I didn't quite understand. On your DMV-fun page, it sounds like you went and got your smog test before you went to the DMV - is that right? Is there some sort of form you're supposed to bring to the smog test facility or do they have it already?

Thanks!

 

Cool, LombardStreet! Glad it was helpful. And yes, I did smog the car before going to the DMV. You have to provide them with the smog test form from the smog facility.

Let me know if I can be of any more help.

-mike

 

The only problem I've encountered by buying out of state is that dealers don't want to service your vehicle. I've talked to three about doing my 25K and each says because i bought out of state I won't get premium service ie car washes (don't want them), stand in line behind dealer buyers for service, and no loaner vehicles. Ugh. I guess they think you'll possibly never buy a car from them - bad customer care I think. You never know who I could refer.

And an interesting note about getting it registered in California. I got mine smogged. The technician said there a an official notification that went ot the state that made the car suspicious - as far as origin - because of the 7500 mile rule. It got me concerned that I'd have to jump through more hoops. Not. It is a standard thing for cars with low mileage being registered in CA from out of state. No big deal. But then the realer clencher. I took all of my paperwork in - sales invoice, smog cert, etc - paid the taxes, informed them of the lender. All the right things. Low and behold the CA DMV sent me the pink slip. I still have it and ther is no mention of a lender. Little oversight on the part of the DMV I'd say. Also on the part of the lender. The audit evidently for the loan has never been done so they don't know I have the pink either. Interesting little dilemna. I still pay every month so no worries to Chase!

Still with the service problems I would have purchased out of state, premiums being what they are. But like i said I've probably sold 20 cars for Crevier, Brecht or Long Beach Mini so the mentality of "second class" buyer is dumb for them.

 

If patient, try waiting for MSRP at Long Beach Mini. The waiting lines are slowing coming down. I got on the list for a 2005 MCS in June, am told order will be placed next month with delivery in early March.

 

I bought my MCS in from MINI of the Hamptons, and had it trucked to CA.

No issues registering with the DMV.

First - Smog tested at independant smog test garage
2nd - Go to DMV and wait for hours and hours
3rd - provide smog test to DMV, pay CA sales tax, pay for registration
4th - Go outside and drive MCS round for a visual check of VIN by DMV staff
5th - Go back in and pick up registration - or temp registration if you're going for special plates

That's it. Other than the usual long wait at the DMV, it was no problem.

Chris.

 

same as Mike (mlebeau) I got mine from Julie at Classic Mini.... super service..... I had an appt. with the DMV to register my car and on a recent day off, I just decided to get it all done.... went to get it smogged.... then to the dmv.... 1st tip, line up to the info and say that you're registering an out of state vehicle and then line up outside to have it inspected... once you get it inspected, line up again to get a no. and the waiting begins... in all honesty, I only waited 15 mins. and I was all done.... very uneventful....... the main thing is not only do you avoid the $3-5k over MSRP but you also avoid having to pay your annual dmv fee on that amount..... good luck....:smile:

 

Very good point. A while back, someone also suggested getting your accessories on a separate invoice from the parts dept, instead of having them appear on the dealer invoice, for the same reason - you avoid paying tax on them over and over and over for as long as you own your car.

 

"If patient, try waiting for MSRP at Long Beach Mini. The waiting lines are slowing coming down. I got on the list for a 2005 MCS in June, am told order will be placed next month with delivery in early March. "


There are dealers that can order you a MCS just the way you want it and have it to you within two months! :smile:

Here in Indianapolis, we sell all of our cars at MSRP not matter what you buy! We have shipping companys that will bring the car to you! No hassle on your part!

If you or anyone else are interested PM me!

 

Waiting in line is down time, no motoring opportunities.
Here is how I did it in less tha 40 minutes:
Make an appointment with DMV; the earlier in the day the better.
Have smog test completed.
Arrive 20 to 30 minutes early.
Park in the "Inspection Only" area and open bonnet.
Inspector cecks VIN, and hunts for "Catayst" plaque. Show the inspector that the palque is on the driver side wheel well. :smile:
Make certain tha inspector has completed the form correctly.
Get your number, wait in line. Yes, you are more than likely early for your appointment.
Show DMV your paperwork, build sheet or invoice.
Write check.
Collect plates and registration. :smile:
Go motoring.

 

40 minutes?! Took me like 15, no joke. It was extremely speedy, doing pretty much the same as you described, and which is already outlined on my page linked above.

-mike

 

40 minutes in Orange County is very fast for a DMV transaction.

 

I am a salesman with a MINI dealership in Indianapolis. We have sold a number of MINI's to clients in California. As explained in the MINI's Service and Warranty booklet "The California Emissions Control Systems Limited Warranty applies to all 2005 US specification MINI vehicles sold, leased, and/or registered in California, Maine, Massachusetts or Vermont." (pg.27) So, even if it is purchased in another state, as long as it is registered in California your fine.

If you would like to purchase a MINI, please contact me at (317) 5734364 or jbarth@dreyerreinbold.com

 

Yes, but it should be noted that you still have to smog the car if registering in California.

-mike