Can I buy a car in GA and pick up in CA?

[AznSensation]

My parents are buying me a car; however, I'm going to CA for grad school. I don't think I can drive across country. Is there a way where my parents can buy me a car in Georgia and I pick up the car in Cali?

 

[alphatarget1]

Why don't you buy a car in CA?

 

[StageLeft]

Yes you can pay a grand or two to have it shipped. Or you can man up and have a road-trip, that's what I'd do. Drive it!

 

[zerocool84]

It's going to cost you a lot to ship it. Probably more than the amount you are going to save buying it in GA. Just buy it in CA.

 

[Viper GTS]

Drive, it's a good experience. You'll gain an entirely new understanding of just how big the US really is and how little there is in between the coasts.

My only recommendation is take your time and don't just blast your way through. I've done it three times in a hurry, if/when I do it again I want to take my time & enjoy it a little more.

Viper GTS

 

[KentState]

The other thing to consider is the cost of a plane ticket back home, plus gas, wear and tear on the car to drive it that far. The can probably do they paper work using fax and overnight mail. I know I was able to do that when selling my home.

 

[santuitman]

Are Cali emissions much stricter? Would he be able to get inspections in Cali?

 

[MiataNC]

If the car is knew (or nearly) with low mileage, you may not be able to register it in CA. You may also have to pay CA state sales tax and/or other fees/penalties.

Be sure to check with the CA DMV before proceeding. They have specific rules for bringing in out of state cars.

 

[quikah]

Originally posted by: MiataNC
If the car is knew (or nearly) with low mileage, you may not be able to register it in CA. You may also have to pay CA state sales tax and/or other fees/penalties.

Be sure to check with the CA DMV before proceeding. They have specific rules for bringing in out of state cars.

If it doesn't have CA emissions, you can register it in CA as long as it was previously registered in your name in another state. You have to pay the CA sales tax minus any use/sales tax you already paid to another state + the regular registration fees.

 

[MiataNC]

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/bro.../fast_facts/ffvr29.htm

What You Need to Know Before Buying a Vehicle from Out-of-State
The Bottom Line

If you are a California resident and acquire a new car, truck or motorcycle from another state, it must be certified to meet California smog laws in order to be registered here.
Aren't All Vehicles California Certified?

Not all new vehicles are manufactured to be sold to California residents or businesses. Many manufacturers make vehicles to be sold in the other 49 states. These vehicles (49-State) are made with smog equipment that meets federal emission standards, but not California standards. 50-State or California certified vehicles are made to be sold to California residents.
What Is Considered a New Vehicle?

California law considers any vehicle with less than 7,500 miles on the odometer when acquired by a California resident or business to be a new vehicle. This holds true whether or not the vehicle has been registered in another state. If you acquire a new vehicle from another state, you may not subsequently drive it to accumulate over 7,500 miles to circumvent the law. DMV cannot accept an application to register the vehicle, and you cannot register or operate the vehicle in California.
Exceptions

As usual, there are a few exceptions included in the law. As a California resident or business you may be able to register a 49-State vehicle if you:

* Obtained it as part of a divorce or inheritance settlement.
* Purchased it to replace a vehicle stolen while you were using it out of state.
* Purchased it to replace a vehicle which was destroyed or made inoperative beyond reasonable repair while you were using it out of state.
* Were on active military duty outside California, and you registered the vehicle in the state of your last military service.

Check the Label

To find out whether a car or truck is California Certified, check the emission label under the hood. For a motorcycle check the headset or frame. The label should read that the vehicle conforms to California regulations, or that it is legal for sale in California.

 

[Synomenon]

Just buy it in CA and skip all the hassle that'll be involved in what you asked.

 

[imported_Lothar]

Buy it in Oregon.

 

[JulesMaximus]

You'd be saving yourself a lot of hassle if you just buy it in CA. You cannot register a new vehicle purchased out of state with less than 7500 miles on it in this state so if you're looking at new cars I wouldn't even consider trying to do this. If you're thinking of just registering it out of state and driving it while you're in CA, I wouldn't recommend that either. Upon entering the state you have 30 days to change over your registration. Cops will question you about it too if you get pulled over. Hell, they may even pull you over simply for having out of state plates.

 

[thegimp03]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
You'd be saving yourself a lot of hassle if you just buy it in CA. You cannot register a new vehicle purchased out of state with less than 7500 miles on it in this state so if you're looking at new cars I wouldn't even consider trying to do this. If you're thinking of just registering it out of state and driving it while you're in CA, I wouldn't recommend that either. Upon entering the state you have 30 days to change over your registration. Cops will question you about it too if you get pulled over. Hell, they may even pull you over simply for having out of state plates.

If he gets pulled over for out of state plates, the first thing he says is he's a student going to grad school. That has worked in the past for some of my out of state friends who went to school here.

 

[lurk3r]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
You'd be saving yourself a lot of hassle if you just buy it in CA. You cannot register a new vehicle purchased out of state with less than 7500 miles on it in this state so if you're looking at new cars I wouldn't even consider trying to do this. If you're thinking of just registering it out of state and driving it while you're in CA, I wouldn't recommend that either. Upon entering the state you have 30 days to change over your registration. Cops will question you about it too if you get pulled over. Hell, they may even pull you over simply for having out of state plates.

You only have to re-register it if you change your permanent residence. Not sure exactly what the legality for students is, generally if you spend more than half the year in one place, but again as a student I can't see them forcing you to declare permanent residence in a place that obviously is not.