Buying in CA?????

[mph]

Hello...Looking at purchasing a used LC in the Los Angeles area. Is there anything I need to know about buying a used car in CA? Any rules, etc. Also, does anyone have a good shop or dealership around the LA area that could look at the vehicle; inspect it, etc.?

Thanks for your help!!

 

[wesel123]

Pretty easy. No rules about taking a truck out of CA. just make sure you get the title signed on both the release of liability and the mileage statement.

I did the reverse of you, bought my LC from a guy in Salt Lake drove her home. The next morning got her smogged and registered. It was that easy.

 

[cnynrat]

You might check if Larry at Dirty Parts would take a look at it for you. His shop is in Culver City. IMO he operates one of the better off road shops in the area, and he's a long time LC afficianado.

 

[luk4mud]

TLC in Vany Nuys is considered the experts in this area. They have a preinspection program that is reasonably priced.

 

[brentbba]

TLC in Vany Nuys is considered the experts in this area. They have a preinspection program that is reasonably priced.

Other cruiser shops in the valley and north are Specter and Man-a-Fre. Don't know if either had a PDI tho.

 

[Ryanmb21]

Make sure they smog it for you, it's a requirement that they have to give you the smog certificate when you buy.

 

[ntsqd]

Make sure they smog it for you, it's a requirement that they have to give you the smog certificate when you buy.

A good idea anyway, but it may not matter to Utah.

 

[Willman]

Looks like hes in Park City......

No smog required if i remember right....

 

[dallen341]

smogging

I would still have it smogged. Smogging will provide some indication of the condition of the emissions related equipment as well as the motor.

 

[orionkhan]

I would still have it smogged. Smogging will provide some indication of the condition of the emissions related equipment as well as the motor.

I would agree with that. Engine codes and such will cause the vehicle to fail the check(like a check engine light). You might not be concerned with smog related items, but at least you would know about the issue prior to purchase.

 

[CSG]

If you want to take possession in California and drive it out of state you will have to pay California's sales tax on the vehicle. Otherwise, you will have to take delivery outside of the state (to pay the Utah sales tax instead).

 

[alosix]

If you want to take possession in California and drive it out of state you will have to pay California's sales tax on the vehicle. Otherwise, you will have to take delivery outside of the state (to pay the Utah sales tax instead).

Now that sucks ..

Another thing to note. CA doesn't do any sort of periodic safety/mech inspection. The emissions system should be in one piece, but make sure to checkout the rest of the vehicle pretty good.

Jason

 

[hoser]

If you want to take possession in California and drive it out of state you will have to pay California's sales tax on the vehicle. Otherwise, you will have to take delivery outside of the state (to pay the Utah sales tax instead).

I do not think this is correct. If you buy it and drive it/transport it directly out of state, you will not owe CA any taxes. Taxes will be paid to your own State, if applicable. Just be sure to have original title, last registration card, bill of sale and anything else your State requires. I would also get smog certificate from seller as mentioned earlier.

Also, be certain the title matches the VIN on the vehicle and that it is a clean title (not a salvaged title).

 

[CSG]

It is correct. Check for yourself.

 

[hoser]

Okay, here's what I found:

"Private party purchase for out-of-state use, one-trip permit

The purchase of a vehicle from a person in California, who is not required to hold a dealer's license or a seller's permit (private party), is generally subject to use tax at the time the vehicle is registered with the DMV. However, a purchaser is not required to pay California use tax if the only use of the vehicle purchased from a private party in California is to remove it from the state and it will be used solely thereafter outside this state. This exclusion from use tax requires that no other use can be made of the vehicle in this state. A One-Trip Permit may be issued by the DMV in lieu of registration, for operating certain vehicles while being moved or operated unladen for one continuous trip from a place within this state to another place outside this state. This exclusion does not apply to sales tax."

So, if buying from a dealer, the vehicle would need to be transported by a shipping company. Otherwise if from a private party, the buyer just needs a one-trip permit.

Source: CA Board of Equalization (page 10): http://www.boe.ca.gov/pdf/pub52.pdf