Reply to "Buying a out-of-state car in California questions"

Why would some guy in Florida pay the state of California $2900 because you bought his Pantera and you live in California?

YOU will pay 7.25% sales tax, among many other one-time fees when you register the car.

From my experience, you will not need to bring the car for smog if it is a smog exempt car. (74 or earlier, and some 1975)

You will need to bring the car to an actual DMV office with an appointment to have the VIN verified, or pay a "certified DMV VIN verifier" to come by your house. I do not know how many of those guys there are, but they are very useful. I do not know how to find one, except the "hot rod" guys seem to use them a a lot. Check the hot rod forums like H.A.M.B.

You CAN lie about the price to the DMV, if your conscience lets you sleep at night, knowing that some poor DMV worker may be worrying about how many paid vacation days they can spike onto their retirement when they turn 55.

Just don't lie too much about the price, or they will simply demand you get an appraisal.

In terms of negotiating a lower price, based on your living in California, and having to pay high fees, the seller couldn't care less. If anything, they don't want to hear about it, and will jack up the price.