Shipping to CA

[OEMPlus Raptor]

As soon as you mention California in this forum, it gets political. It's the tired dead ass joke that everyone's drunk uncle tells around the holidays. But yeah that dealership is BS, emissions are good in California, just make gotta a do a few extra steps when registering for the first time after that it will be business as usual.

 

[Dudebrodude]

I've shipped a couple vehicles to CA and have a 2024 R coming from Pennsylvania at MSRP. Literally getting picked up by transport today. During my smiling and dialing, I talked to 300+ dealers and only had a few that wouldn't deal to CA. They said they would sell to a Montana or South Dakota LLC.

MSRP is possible, but few and far between.

 

[TomDirt]

As soon as you mention California in this forum, it gets political. It's the tired dead ass joke that everyone's drunk uncle tells around the holidays. But yeah that dealership is BS, emissions are good in California, just make gotta a do a few extra steps when registering for the first time after that it will be business as usual.

I bought a 2012 3.5 ecoboost from a dealer in Vegas in 2018, that was originally purchased in New York. The CA DMV office in Victorville treated it like is was some sort of exotic car. Wanted it weighed, smogged, and a physical inspection appointment with a moron that didn't know the first thing about the most popular vehicle on the planet. Oh, and the assc lown clerk charged an extra $350, and was unable/unwilling to correct her mistake while I was there, so I had to wait for the refund.

Typical.

 

[Dudebrodude]

I bought a 2012 3.5 ecoboost from a dealer in Vegas in 2018, that was originally purchased in New York. The CA DMV office in Victorville treated it like is was some sort of exotic car. Wanted it weighed, smogged, and a physical inspection appointment with a moron that didn't know the first thing about the most popular vehicle on the planet. Oh, and the assc lown clerk charged an extra $350, and was unable/unwilling to correct her mistake while I was there, so I had to wait for the refund.

Typical.

Vin confirmation, weight, and smog is always required before you can register in CA. Had to do it with my TRX from Ohio and will be doing it with my R next week once delivered from PA. AAA makes it really easy if you have the weight already done.

 

[tractorman]

I bought a 2012 3.5 ecoboost from a dealer in Vegas in 2018, that was originally purchased in New York. The CA DMV office in Victorville treated it like is was some sort of exotic car. Wanted it weighed, smogged, and a physical inspection appointment with a moron that didn't know the first thing about the most popular vehicle on the planet. Oh, and the assc lown clerk charged an extra $350, and was unable/unwilling to correct her mistake while I was there, so I had to wait for the refund.

Typical.

Smog, weight (for pickups and trucks), and a VIN verification/inspection have been the norm for any out-of-state vehicle being first registered in California for as long as I can remember. On the VIN verification, they also look for the EPA tag, GVWR tag, and of course for altered VIN plates. When I shipped my new Raptor in from Ohio, I had to do all of that, which seemed a little odd for a brand new vehicle - but no big deal.

 

[TomDirt]

Smog, weight (for pickups and trucks), and a VIN verification/inspection have been the norm for any out-of-state vehicle being first registered in California for as long as I can remember.

But why? Where is the logic for treating a mass-produced, 50-state legal truck built in Michigan; like it is somehow different because it was parked in another state?

It's just one more bureaucracy job-creating revenue source that should have been eliminated decades ago.

 

[tractorman]

But why? Where is the logic for treating a mass-produced, 50-state legal truck built in Michigan; like it is somehow different because it was parked in another state?

It's just one more bureaucracy job-creating revenue source that should have been eliminated decades ago.

Some of it does seem unnecessary. But I think physically checking VINs to help keep folks from transferring stolen cars is an ok idea. Having to have a brand-new truck smogged seems silly, as does the weight certificate for a F150. It's just a small hurdle that you must get over when bringing in a vehicle from out of state.

I had a Unimog 416 that I had to take through this process. They had no idea what to do with that. But I was kind and helpful to our local DMV (good folks actually) and I got it titled and registered. But it was an oddball, and you might expect some hoops to jump through. An F150 is the opposite of being unique.

 

[OEMPlus Raptor]

Some of it does seem unnecessary. But I think physically checking VINs to help keep folks from transferring stolen cars is an ok idea. Having to have a brand-new truck smogged seems silly, as does the weight certificate for a F150. It's just a small hurdle that you must get over when bringing in a vehicle from out of state.

I had a Unimog 416 that I had to take through this process. They had no idea what to do with that. But I was kind and helpful to our local DMV (good folks actually) and I got it titled and registered. But it was an oddball, and you might expect some hoops to jump through. An F150 is the opposite of being unique.

I agree but if it saves you some money off of your purchase and its a one time thing then it's worth it, especially for an "R" at sticker.

 

[TomDirt]

physically checking VINs to help keep folks from transferring stolen cars is an ok idea.

No one has ever physically checked the VIN when I've bought or sold within the state of kalifornistan; since I started driving in 1979.

Should I just steal cars within the state to evade authorities?