Buying non-California car for California?

[Nuke61]

I've seen some good prices here for Z06's but there's a question that needs to be answered before I can even consider purchasing from Z06 Vette members. I live in California, so my question deals with smog legality.

I looked it up on the Ca DMV website and they say that I can purchase a 49 state car and register it in Ca under certain circumstances that I don't meet. So the other alternative is that the car was manufactured for sale to all 50 states. There's a little sticker in the engine bay (by radiator, I think) that says that the car can be sold in all 50 states, or it says that it specifically can NOT be sold in California.

Could some of you some guys who don't live in California check what your sticker says? Thanks.

Oh yeah, what about a 2001 vs. 2002+ model year? I know the change from 385Hp in 2001 to 405 in 2002, but when I look here at dyno numbers, there doesn't seem to be any consistent difference between an '01 and '02 as far as stock Hp or track (MPH) numbers.

[Resist]

What year is the car you want to buy? I bought my new 2003 Z06 from out of California and all I had to do was get it smogged (which is just a scam since it is 50 state smog legal). Then have the DMV inspect it, so they could see the Federal 50 state smog sticker. Then pay the state taxes (out of state dealership didn't collect it), to the DMV and they gave me my plates.

Buying a used car to bring into California is a bit different depending on the year. I think the mileage is what matters on most used cars.

[Nuke61]

Thanks, I didn't notice that the rules were different for used cars. After reading further, it turns out that any car that has over 7500 miles is considered used and the 50 state smog sticker doesn't apply. It just has to pass a CA smog test.

[JUICE]

I recently bought an out of state car and got it registered here in Cali. There were no real problems, the DMV will just do a quick visual inspection to make sure it's not stolen or anything. Only problem was passing the smog because the car wasn't stock.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

[Nuke61]

Originally Posted by JUICE

Let me know if you have any more questions.

Yes, actually, one more question. I've noticed that in the Autotrader, Z06s are selling for several (i.e., 3 to 5K less) thousand dollars cheaper in the Midwest and Eastern U.S., compared to California.

Anyone know what it costs to get a car transported from, say, Florida, to San Diego? Basically, cross-country price?

[Resist]

I paid $1500 for an enclosed carrier to ship my car from North Dakota to California. It would have cost $1000 for an exposed carrier.