[MAX2MINI]

Hello All

This is the first time I have purchased a car out of state. It was a 8-10 month wait in my state so I ordered from a dealer in upstate NY. Any lessons learned and/or problems owners might have had with pickup, markups, taxes, registration, title and/or any other issues would be greatly appreciated.

My MINI just got off the boat and is waiting to get into the VPC so its getting close. Can't Wait!

[MGB Boy]

I live in Vermont but bought my S from Keeler in Latham NY. They were obviously aware of this, and accounted for it (hopefully your dealer will do the same). Keeler checked the tax rate in VT, got the appropriate DMV forms for VT, and then at the time of delivery I paid VT taxes instead of NY taxes, they arranged for the car to be registered with the VT DMV, and they issued me a NY "In Transit" temp plate to cover me until the VT plates arrived in the mail. It was all as transparent as if it were a normal in-state transaction. Prior to purchase I had been concerned about the logistics involved (would they register/title it in NY, make me pay NY taxes, then I'd have to pay to register it in VT, and apply for a tax credit for out of state sales tax already paid, etc.), but it all went fine. Bug your dealer and ask how they intend to handle it.

-Ricardo

[vegan]

I bought an Illinois MINI while living in Minnesota. Unless NY and your state have a special arrangement, it is probably similar.

The Illinois dealer did not charge any taxes,registration or title transfer fees. The dealer moved my trade in license plates to my MINI.
They sent me "piece of paper" that I took to my local vehicle registration office, where I was allowed to pay taxes, registration and title transfer fees.
They issued license plates to me.
They told me the old plates should not have been on the MINI, but I never got pulled over.
(In Minnesota,license plates normally stay with a vehicle forever). (In Illinois,license plates normally stay with a person forever)

Hope this helps.

[stryder]

Assuming you're correct on Upstate, that'd have to be Keeler, as its the only dealer 'technically' upstate. So it looks like you've already gotten all the info you need.

My only advice is to watch out for any 'unnecessary' fees. I recall someone saying the dealer required like $100 for extra stuff, in state etc. Since you're dealing with NY you'll probably need to pay for a safety inspection, which is $10, beyond that, there shouldn't be any other fees (maybe a paperwork fee of $20 or something sane).

Check with the dealer forum on your specific dealer, and ask them if they've sold to anyone else in your state its becoming quite common for most of the 'less popular' dealers.

[Nonny_Darnell]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

How about this scenario. I am a military member, serving in Rhode Island, buying a car in CT, and a CA resident. I plan on moving back to CA in the next year. Where is the cheapest for me to register my car?

Cheers,
Nonny

[OregonCooper]

[quote=

Where is the cheapest for me to register my car?

[/QUOTE]

Probably Liberia.

In reality, you're probably supposed to be registered in the state you actually live in, regardless of your "official" home state.

[stryder]

Register in any state that doesn't have sales tax Honestly I have no idea how the military thing works... And if you move your car, you'll have to eventually move the plates anyway, so the only difference is sales tax when you buy it.

Maybe you could move to NH for the purchase... that would save you a nice amount, but with CT and CA you're stuck paying tax.

[Paul!]

Quote: Originally Posted by Nonny_Darnell

Ladies and Gentlemen,

How about this scenario. I am a military member, serving in Rhode Island, buying a car in CT, and a CA resident. I plan on moving back to CA in the next year. Where is the cheapest for me to register my car?

Cheers,
Nonny

With the military, you pretty much have the option of registering your car at your official state of residence (doesn't have to be the state your living in now) or the state that you're currently living in. Now I'm not sure of Rhode Island tax, title, and reg fees, but CA's fee is estimated at $2,475 to $2,775!!

FYI, I never actually found this on paper, but I was always told that in the military that out of the registration, your license, and your insurance, two of the three must be from the same state. IE. I have FL reg and licence, and VA insurance.

Hope this helps!

-Paul!