You can't buy a vehicle outside CA and register it there until 7500 miles? That's insane. I knew it was a dictatorship but wow.
How much for a new Tacoma?
- Thread starter Chris142
- Start date
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/handb...oncertified-direct-import-vehicle-exemptions/
There are exceptions but…
That's probably not true even for CA. Will brace in case I am wrong.
Having to meet federal emissions rules does not seem like that onerous an issue.
Jackson_Slugger
$50 Site Donor 2022
Forget Toyota. I'd look at a Ford Maverick or Ranger first...
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Well…brace…
Read the link. You cannot buy a new car outside CA and register it unless you meet certain conditions, like military service or your vehicle was damaged while out of state, or there was a divorce, or other property settlement.
Once it hits 7,500 miles, then it’s a used car and can be registered if it meets Federal emissions standards. But until it gets to 7,500, it cannot be registered in California.
Simply: you cannot buy a new car outside California and register it in California.
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Then people in California should stop complaining about the above MSRP mark ups. Their government has created them. The local dealers have an oligopoly, can't blame them for using it.
Its worse than Southeast Toyota and their Port installed options. At least I can choose to drive to VA to buy a car.
Its not new. Back in 2019 when I bought our Rav4 there was a long thread on prices paid. The California prices even back then were several thousand dollars higher than what anyone else paid.
My brother bought a new Honda CRV and was able to get the best deal using his Sam's membership as a bargaining tool. He lives in Missouri. He claimed it worked better than if he went to the dealership on his own. Costco also has this enhancement. I have never tried it however we are looking for a new vehicle and will try this.
Pass the company website if you're having trouble finding what you want at the price that you want... takes minutes on these sites, maybe worth it to put out there. Every dealer has slow days... and they know people shopping there are not going to settle for the markups you are seeing. If you like something, why would a $60 fee get in your way to join?
https://www.costcoauto.com/new_cars/
https://samsclub.truecar.com/samsclub-landing/
https://www.truecar.com/
How does the "Steve Jobs loophole" factor in ?
I think you are wrong on this, the car must meet CA emissions standards, that is all as far as I can tell.
Personally not familiar with any CA laws, but if it only needs to meet CA emissions you have options as Nevada, Washington, Oregon cars should also meet the CA emissions requirement. Might be worth a little more research or a trip to the registry to ask what your out of state buying options are?
Yeah, that's the marketing speal, my subaru has it and its an interesting trick that works pretty well on a smooth icy road, but I rather have a low range if I was going down steep stuff off road semi regularly...
If your hill descent control is usable in 2wd or 4 hi, try it alone going down hill rough hill leaving the transmission in D, and you will see the limitations of brake control on each wheel individually, as ABS can't replicate the steady constant under rotation of the tires locked to the drivetrain speed regardless of how much grip each tire has.
Then try 4 lo and locked in low gear with no HDC and just drag the brakes a bit, to help the open front diff distribute engine braking evenly, and add some gas as needed to maintain speed. Should be much smoother with less locking and unlocking wheels.
I also think that the vehicle can be from the Northeast which uses CA standards.
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
I feel your pain, but this has been the norm for 3+ years now with dealer purchases. There's got to be a 200 threads on this on BITOG alone.
The problem is worse with Toyota and more terrible yet with supply/demand and cult like followed vehicles like a Tacoma.
Reading your threads over the years, would you really be happy with a new Tacoma at the price they command?
Lots of unhappy owners have traded them for (gasp!!) 2022+ Nissan Frontiers over at a Frontier board I follow.
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
My hill descent control only works in 4HI or 4LO and only under 15mph - otherwise you just have the normal ABS/traction control. Also, I can put it in D, it won't matter, it holds low gear unless I floor it. So, no not a marketing speel. There is even a button to press to disable hill descent control if I choose.
In fact what you really want to do is nose over the hill, and once gravity takes over take your foot almost off the gas - the computer will do the rest, and will not let the wheels lock up - brake pressure per wheel to max friction.
Toyota is very similar, except it limits it to even slower - I want to say under 5mph. I
Its designed for off road / low speed. No idea what Subaru does.
