I live in S. California and have been very serious about buying a MCS the past few weeks. It's finally come time to buy one, and, in light of the dealership markups out here, as well as how hard they are to find, I've looked into buying one out-of-state. Mini of the Hamptons has just what I want, with no mark up, and can ship it out to me... sounds good right?
Here's my question, and hopefully someone can help me out. Will I have to pay New York sales tax plus a California use tax? If this is the case, there goes the whole "save by not paying any markup" idea.
Any input, info, advice anyone has would be appreciated.


Thanks,

Chris

 

Can't say for sure on the taxes, but I'm 80% sure you only have to pay CA taxes. Can't really see why MOTH would be any different from amazon.com when it comes to that part of the tax code.

That said, here's my unsolicited opinion on your plan:

When I called MOTH, they said there estimate on shipping to the West Coast was about ~$900-$1000. When I was shopping around in SoCal around mid-March, I found that the low end on Cooper S markups (for custom orders, not from incoming stock) was about $1,500 if you really worked the negotiations.

For me, considering MOTH no longer made sense with those numbers.
- No tax savings,
- More paperwork hassle to do all the registration stuff myself, and
- The risk of something being not-quite-perfect on the car and begin unable to complain in person (dealbreaker at a $600 difference)

Your own risk tolerance and patience for paperwork may vary from mine. But if I were you, I would call all the SoCal dealers and tell them the deal you have going with MOTH including the shipping cost and see if they can match it. Telling them you have great financing lined up, but would consider dealer financing if they match the rate or beat the price might help win them over.

Sorry to be repetitive if you've already been down this road. As always, your mileage may vary.

Quinn

 

You'd pay sales tax in the state in which you first register the car. Buying my car in NY, live in MA....

Check around about the shipping rates; you may be able to find something cheaper, or even decide to fly out one way and drive the car back (hey, several people've done it around here! ).

Good luck!

 

Quinn
I had the same problem, I will not pay more than MSRP. I believe that the manufacter should not let the dealers do this. I saw one dealer in the Northwest markup a S $5,000!
I bought my car from Mini of Charleston at MSRP great people, shipping to Portland $950.00. Talk to Dana
I would buy from a dealer accross country before I paid more than MSRP.
You will only pay tax Calif.

Rick

 

Hi Chris,

By your name I'm assuming you are a Biola student or grad. Me to! Wife and I both Biola grads, and my son is there now.

You can get MSRP from Eastbay mini in Pleasanton. You have to wait a bit longer though. I bought from SF mini with a dealer markup less than shipping from the East coast. They will deal with you.

I ordered Jan 30, and my car is at the dealer waiting to be picked up on Friday. I didn't want to wait the extra 3 months for Eastbay.

Get on the phone and call around. You may find a great deal in CA.

For the registration you will pay sales tax for the county you are living in plus $45 doc fee plus $172 license and stupid California environmental extortion (aka tire) fee.

Good luck and go Eagles!

Andy

 

I live in KY and bought mine in OH.
They give you all the paperwork needed for your state.
They also give you a check for your state's taxes.
Not quite all tho. I had to come up with an additional $200.

 

I live in N. CA.. I know your pain! I just bought one in Florida. Here is some info. Shipping is going to cost. If you don't mind the miles and a little vacation, fly there to pick it up! You will have to pay sales tax when you register it. You should not pay taxes to Mini of the Hamptons.

1. See if Mini of the Hamptons will give you a permit for a week. If not......

2. Here is how you do it. Go to your DMV there in southern La.. Have the Vin#.
Tell them that you are buying a car out of state. Ask them for a 1 way Permit to get the car home (10dollars). Then go get your Mini. If you don't like it, your out a plane ticket + 10 bucks.

Know that you will have to have the Mini smog checked before you register it, you will also lose the New car smog exemption for 4 years.

Maybe you will see me on Route 66 in the beginning of May. That is how mine is coming home!

 

You only pay the sales tax of the state you live in. Many Chronologically gifted people try to get away with this by saying they live in Florida when they actually live in ny and just spend a few months in florida.

i am bored. :smile:

 

>>Chronologically gifted <<




In all my travels, I've not yet heard this one!

 

>>I live in S. California and have been very serious about buying a MCS the past few weeks. It's finally come time to buy one, and, in light of the dealership markups out here, as well as how hard they are to find, I've looked into buying one out-of-state. Mini of the Hamptons has just what I want, with no mark up, and can ship it out to me... sounds good right?
>>Here's my question, and hopefully someone can help me out. Will I have to pay New York sales tax plus a California use tax? If this is the case, there goes the whole "save by not paying any markup" idea.
>>Any input, info, advice anyone has would be appreciated.
>>
>>
>>Thanks,
>>
>>Chris

Hi Chris,
I live in TX and bought my MINI from Roadshow in Memphis, TN.
There would have been several options for the purchase:
pay tax in TN on purchase, and then pay the difference to the TX tax in TX. This is I believe how it would work in some states.
Pay tax in TN. Pay full tax in TX and request and receive a refund for the TN tax.
This is how I did it: this option was available through the MINI dealer in TN since I financed the car through MINI financing (and this was one consideration for going with them). Since I financed through MINI, they set it up as an out-of-state sale. The TN tax was not charged on the sale, and they were able to charge the TX tax and include that in the financing amount. The whole transaction was set up by th edealer through a company that does all the paperwork for such transactions, I believe they are called title solutions.
So, I did the purchase, signed the papers and drove off with my TN temp tags. On the financing I had to pay the MINI price - msrp - plus TX tax, title and license plus about a $100 fee for the title solutions company fees. I drove to TX. After 30 days I had no other paperwork yet, and Dorian at Roadshow MINI kindly and immediately fedexed me another temp tag. After 7 weeks I received in the mail from title solutions my new TX tags and tax sticker, and the copy of the car title (the original being with the financing company). All I had to do in TX was to get the state inspection sticker.
Very simple, very straightforward, great service from dealer (thanks, Dorian!) and from title solutions.
Cheers,
Markus

 

The out of state dealer you buy from will give you a "drive off permit", meaning you have to get the car out of that state and register it in your home state when you get there. Make sure you have valid insurance, check with your company about this. Otherwise, they won't hand you the car.

You will not pay tax in the state you buy in. You have to pay tax at the DMV in CA. In cash, not as part of a loan unfortunately. thats the only thing that sux about it

 

>>I live in S. California and have been very serious about buying a MCS the past few weeks. It's finally come time to buy one, and, in light of the dealership markups out here, as well as how hard they are to find, I've looked into buying one out-of-state. Mini of the Hamptons has just what I want, with no mark up, and can ship it out to me... sounds good right?
>>Here's my question, and hopefully someone can help me out. Will I have to pay New York sales tax plus a California use tax? If this is the case, there goes the whole "save by not paying any markup" idea.
>>Any input, info, advice anyone has would be appreciated.
>>
>>
>>Thanks,
>>
>>Chris


Chris,

I live in Southern California and just got my MCS from Keeler MINI in Latham New York last Tuesday. I ordered my car on January 18th, it was produced on 2/20 and Keeler received it on 3/19. It was picked up by the trucking company on 3/25 and delivered to me on 4/1.

Keeler took care of EVERYTHING. I paid them my Cali sales tax, licensing and doc fees. They are using a title agent to take care of my DMV paperwork. You do NOT have to go to the DMV in California. The only thing you have to do is get a smog check which I did the day after I got my car. Keeler placed a 30 day "In-Transit" permit in my car until my plates and registration come to me.

It was soo easy, carefree and fun. I paid a premium for an enclosed carrier to get it out here, but it was far cheaper than paying a mark up here in California. Just do it. You won't regret it.

 

Ahhhh it's conversations like these that make me happy to live in Oregon, land of no sales tax. Ahhhhhh.

Bought Zeek at Roadshow MINI in Memphis and had him trucked out. Cost $915 and took about 8 days. MUCH cheaper than the markups at NW MINI durring mid summer 2002.

R

 

Why not have a MSRP Mini and a great vacation too?

Mini of Hawaii has lots of cars and it's $800 to ship to the west coast. You won't be the first CA person to do this.

Our sales tax is half what California's is, which was wonderful when I bought Sadie.

 

i just wanted to thank you to everyone for your replies to my questions. your input has helped me out alot. after reading what you guys had to say, i talked to the dealer, and it looks like they'll take care of the CA tax and registration on the loan. now i just gotta decide whether to take a few days off and drive it from NY to CA, or just wait while a truck ships it out...

and yes, andy, biola class of 2000. rosemead class of 2005 (so i hope).

 

>>i just wanted to thank you to everyone for your replies to my questions. your input has helped me out alot. after reading what you guys had to say, i talked to the dealer, and it looks like they'll take care of the CA tax and registration on the loan. now i just gotta decide whether to take a few days off and drive it from NY to CA, or just wait while a truck ships it out...
>>
>>and yes, andy, biola class of 2000. rosemead class of 2005 (so i hope).

I drove my car back from Memphis, and took 3 days for the drive (could be done in one day). It was a great bonding experience with my new 'Celeste'. If you drive back, keep in mind that for proper breaking in you want to avoid extended highway cruising at constant speed! You need to vary your revs as much as you can (and stay below 4000-4500 rpm), work the gears, slow down, accelerate. So, taking time for the drive back and driving along minor roads is both fun and better fro breaking in!

Cheers,
Markus

 

>>i just wanted to thank you to everyone for your replies to my questions. your input has helped me out alot. after reading what you guys had to say, i talked to the dealer, and it looks like they'll take care of the CA tax and registration on the loan. now i just gotta decide whether to take a few days off and drive it from NY to CA, or just wait while a truck ships it out...
>>
>>and yes, andy, biola class of 2000. rosemead class of 2005 (so i hope).

Well you know my opinion on that one! As stated above........Drive!!!!!!!
I rode my motorcycle La to Springfield MA. a couple of years back!!! Backroads the whole way. What a beautiful country we have.......NY, PA, Maryland, KY, Ok, Route 66 etc........drive the backroads....just expect when you get gas that you will be there for an extra 10mins. answering questions!!!!!!!!!!! Enjoy the ride!