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Smart ForFour on PCH this morning

Discussion in 'General Automotive Discussion' started by need4speed, Jul 30, 2005.

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  1. need4speed

    need4speed Formula 3

    Nov 3, 2003
    1,616
    Pacific Palisades
    #1 need4speed, Jul 30, 2005
    Hi All,

    I saw a red and silver ForFour this morning around Santa Monica going towards Malibu. It had a Mexican license plate. I asked the driver about the car and he said he bought it in Mexico and drove it back. I also asked about registration and he says he won't be able to register it for at least a year, maybe 2.

    The car looks cute as hell. I know my girl would love to have one. But traffic separated us before I could ask any more questions.

    So I'm asking here. If you buy a car and register it in Mexico, is it the same as registering it in the US. Meaning, do you have to show a valid address in Mexico? And what about insurance? Anyone know the logistics of what I just described?

    Thanks
     
  2. JaguarXJ6

    JaguarXJ6 F1 Veteran

    Feb 12, 2003
    5,533
    Black Hawk, CO
    Full Name:
    Sunny
    #2 JaguarXJ6, Jul 30, 2005
    You're not going to be able to register it here until the Smart cars are put through the CARB to receive their sticker and the model meets crash test safety standards.

    Be careful about being seen by the same patrol or else they could impound the vehicle and make you start accumulating storage fees/fines or force you to sell it/export it.

    Its no different than bringing in a grey market vehicle from Europe or Japan or Canada. Its more difficult if the cars have never been imported. You're asking for trouble.

    Not only will you have to sell it or make it legal for the US (including paying for crash tests if it hasn't been done and you REALLY want to keep it), see below.

    http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/osreg.htm#BM2558

    "Nonresident vehicle owners who move to California must register their out-of-state vehicles in California within 20 days of the date they accept employment or establish residency in California.

    If a resident of California aquires a vehicle from another state or country, fees become due the date the vehicle enters California and must be paid within 20 days to avoid late penalties."

    http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d01/vc516.htm
    http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d06/vc12505.htm

    These summarize what is needed to establish residency. Indeed, you are a resident.

    http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochure...acts/ffvr10.htm

    Use Tax. "Collected at the same rate as your California county of residence sales tax. It is due on all vehicles purchased in California and those brought into this state. Existing law imposes a use tax on a vehicle purchased outside of California and brought into California within 90 days of purchase. New legislation effective October 1, 2004 through July 1, 2006 requires payment of use tax on a vehicle purchased outside California and brought into California within 365 days of the purchase date."
     
  3. Peter

    Peter F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Dec 21, 2000
    6,440
    B.C., Canada
    #3 Peter, Jul 31, 2005
    Not to rub it in, but we have them in Canada (ForTwo only... For now at least, they're considering bringing the ForFour as well) and are proving to be quite popular. I see at least one a day here in the suburbs of Vancouver, even more in the city.

    Heck, I've even considered getting one (perfect for my short commute to work)!

    I've heard that by '06/'07, they should be for sale in the U.S., so my advice: Be patient, you'll be able to eventually get one.
     

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