Should I buy a car in Los Angeles or Florida?

010101 · 06-23-2007, 04:36 AM

I have a choice to make. I am moving to Florida in a couple months. I am going to buy a new car that will cost around $45,000 not including tax/title/registration. I currently live in Los Angeles. I am assuming these fees will be less in Florida. Does anyone know how significant this will be? I know how to calculate the fees/taxes for CA, but not for Florida. The reason I might buy it in LA is because I would probably be able to find a better deal, and I would have it all figured out before I moved.

theYardie · 06-23-2007, 06:27 AM

Taxes in Florida is 6%. Doc stamp and title fees will run you $220 to $250 when you sign. You'll likely get refunded some of that as the dealer collects more than is actually required by the state.

Also remember that if you buy in Cali you'll have to drive/transport the car all the way across the country. You may decide to include such costs in your calculations.

Where in Florida are you moving to?

EDIT: If you move to Palm Beach County the tax their I think is 6.25%. I lived their for 6 months. Also if you're looking for the e92, you'll be hard pressed to find a dealer in South Florida, and maybe even the entire state for that matter who will do better than $750 off MSRP.

BigDog · 06-23-2007, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theYardie

Taxes in Florida is 6%. Doc stamp and title fees will run you $220 to $250 when you sign. You'll likely get refunded some of that as the dealer collects more than is actually required by the state.

Also remember that if you buy in Cali you'll have to drive/transport the car all the way across the country. You may decide to include such costs in your calculations.

Where in Florida are you moving to?

EDIT: If you move to Palm Beach County the tax their I think is 6.25%. I lived their for 6 months. Also if you're looking for the e92, you'll be hard pressed to find a dealer in South Florida, and maybe even the entire for that matter who will do better than $750 off MSRP.

7% in orlando amd the cf area...

010101 · 06-23-2007, 08:23 AM

Thanks for the responses. I haven't finalized anything yet, but it will most likely be Satellite Beach (is this a nice area?) or somewhere near by. I've actually never even been there, so I need to fly out there and check it out first. My gf is transferring to a school out there, and since I can do my job anywhere I figured I'd go with her.

It sounds like taxes are quite a bit less in FL. Transporting the car across the country would be a little under $500 for the extra trailer plus whatever the extra gas would cost for extra load on the truck. Not that big of a deal, but it is something I am considering.

Another thing is that if I don't buy it in CA I will either need to rent a car or buy the new one immediately after I get to FL. I think it will probably come down to who has the car I want, and if there is one in both places which one ends up being cheaper when everything is added up.

STE92VE · 06-23-2007, 09:08 AM

If I'm not mistaken, Florida also charges a fee when you register a car that has been previously registered in another state.

http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/dmv/faqmotor.html#7

scubajag · 06-23-2007, 09:24 AM

You would be much better buying the car in Florida. First, you will be buying from a dealer who will give you a loaner when the new car needs servicing. Second, Florida has plenty of BMW dealers, and you can get a fairly good deal if you play their quotes against each other. Thirdly, we need the revenue, so come on down.

theYardie · 06-23-2007, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 010101

it will most likely be Satellite Beach (is this a nice area?) or somewhere near by.

I've never heard of it until now.

imaznumkay · 06-23-2007, 10:38 AM

vista bmw has bad reputation of giving clients the shittiest service ever (most likely, but not ALWAYS, but often...u see my point ha)
go for dealerships around fort lauderdale or pembroke pines if ur moving somewhere south fl

Revlis · 06-23-2007, 03:27 PM

Florida is dirt cheap!!! Buy it there, Housing is pennies, taxes are pennies... Too bad the weather sucks so bad and it's so over crowded with assholes.

My advice, Stay the HELL outta Florida if you can, it's pretty horrible. Lived there for 4 years.

Bonus was that your Little Mc Mansion is about a 1/4 what it would cost in most decent states and no state income tax.

BigDog · 06-23-2007, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revlis

Florida is dirt cheap!!! Buy it there, Housing is pennies, taxes are pennies... Too bad the weather sucks so bad and it's so over crowded with assholes.

My advice, Stay the HELL outta Florida if you can, it's pretty horrible. Lived there for 4 years.

Bonus was that your Little Mc Mansion is about a 1/4 what it would cost in most decent states and no state income tax.

amen brother amen!

florida is a shithole

thank god i'm moving to chicago in august

010101 · 06-23-2007, 05:13 PM

Haha.. is it really that bad? To be honest LA isn't the greatest place either. On paper FL looks really good to me. I'd be right on the coast (on an island actually) in a brand new place. Something like that in LA would cost me 4x as much.

Satellite Beach is between Cocoa Beach and Melbourne. It's just South of Cape Canaveral. What I have found out is that it doesn't really matter where I buy the car. The fees will be the same as long as I don't title it until I'm in Florida. Although it would obviously cost me more to have to pull it across the country. I just don't want to end up in Florida with a deal that didn't work out or fell through. I have had that sort of thing happen before, and I would have to rent a car there until I figure out what to do.

I'm curious about something else that is unrelated to cars. Does anyone know what the gun laws are like out there? In LA County it's impossible to get a permit to carry one. I'm assuming it's a bit more lax out there.

06-23-2007, 04:36 AM	#1
010101 Lieutenant 29 Rep 423 Posts Drives: still deciding what to order Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: los angeles iTrader: (0)	Should I buy a car in Los Angeles or Florida? I have a choice to make. I am moving to Florida in a couple months. I am going to buy a new car that will cost around $45,000 not including tax/title/registration. I currently live in Los Angeles. I am assuming these fees will be less in Florida. Does anyone know how significant this will be? I know how to calculate the fees/taxes for CA, but not for Florida. The reason I might buy it in LA is because I would probably be able to find a better deal, and I would have it all figured out before I moved.
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06-23-2007, 06:27 AM	#2
theYardie Private First Class 1 Rep 100 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335I (e92) Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: South Florida iTrader: (0)	Taxes in Florida is 6%. Doc stamp and title fees will run you $220 to $250 when you sign. You'll likely get refunded some of that as the dealer collects more than is actually required by the state. Also remember that if you buy in Cali you'll have to drive/transport the car all the way across the country. You may decide to include such costs in your calculations. Where in Florida are you moving to? EDIT: If you move to Palm Beach County the tax their I think is 6.25%. I lived their for 6 months. Also if you're looking for the e92, you'll be hard pressed to find a dealer in South Florida, and maybe even the entire state for that matter who will do better than $750 off MSRP. __________________ IT HAS ARRIVED: 2007 e92 335i, 6MT, montego blue, saddle brown - premium package - sports package - comfort access - navigation w/ iDrive - bluetooth ---> I'LL RUN BACK OUT TO GET THE MILK! Last edited by theYardie; 06-23-2007 at 07:54 AM..
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06-23-2007, 08:23 AM	#4
010101 Lieutenant 29 Rep 423 Posts Drives: still deciding what to order Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: los angeles iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the responses. I haven't finalized anything yet, but it will most likely be Satellite Beach (is this a nice area?) or somewhere near by. I've actually never even been there, so I need to fly out there and check it out first. My gf is transferring to a school out there, and since I can do my job anywhere I figured I'd go with her. It sounds like taxes are quite a bit less in FL. Transporting the car across the country would be a little under $500 for the extra trailer plus whatever the extra gas would cost for extra load on the truck. Not that big of a deal, but it is something I am considering. Another thing is that if I don't buy it in CA I will either need to rent a car or buy the new one immediately after I get to FL. I think it will probably come down to who has the car I want, and if there is one in both places which one ends up being cheaper when everything is added up.
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06-23-2007, 09:08 AM	#5
STE92VE STEVIL Empire 218 Rep 6,297 Posts Drives: Fast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (0)	If I'm not mistaken, Florida also charges a fee when you register a car that has been previously registered in another state. http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/dmv/faqmotor.html#7 __________________ 2007 E92 328i 6MT-Space Gray/Black Dakota/Gray Poplar w/heated seats-PCD 4/27/07 (SOLD) 2009 E90 328i xDrive 6AT-Space Gray/Oyster Dakota/Dark Burl Walnut w/ZPP,ZCW,Xenons-ED 4/17/09 - Redelivery 5/30/09 (SOLD) 2014 E84 xDrive28i 8AT-Alpine White/Black Nevada/Silver Matte w/ZMV,ZLP,494 - DD 3/14/14 (SOLD)
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06-23-2007, 09:24 AM	#6
scubajag Scuba-JAG 24 Rep 528 Posts Drives: Jet Black 2006&07 B.R. E-92 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: St. Petersburg, Fl iTrader: (0)	You would be much better buying the car in Florida. First, you will be buying from a dealer who will give you a loaner when the new car needs servicing. Second, Florida has plenty of BMW dealers, and you can get a fairly good deal if you play their quotes against each other. Thirdly, we need the revenue, so come on down.
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06-23-2007, 10:38 AM	#8
imaznumkay Major 85 Rep 1,104 Posts Drives: 2010 E90 M3 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NY iTrader: (2)	vista bmw has bad reputation of giving clients the shittiest service ever (most likely, but not ALWAYS, but often...u see my point ha) go for dealerships around fort lauderdale or pembroke pines if ur moving somewhere south fl __________________ 2007 E90 335i JB 2010 E90 M3 JRB
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06-23-2007, 03:27 PM	#9
Revlis Now With 33% MORE Sarcasm Free! 157 Rep 3,462 Posts Drives: M4 i3 X3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Phoenix AZ iTrader: (0)	Florida is dirt cheap!!! Buy it there, Housing is pennies, taxes are pennies... Too bad the weather sucks so bad and it's so over crowded with assholes. My advice, Stay the HELL outta Florida if you can, it's pretty horrible. Lived there for 4 years. Bonus was that your Little Mc Mansion is about a 1/4 what it would cost in most decent states and no state income tax. __________________ A BMW is Just a Car, it doesn't make you smart, handsome, clever, better, cool, or wealthy.
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06-23-2007, 05:13 PM	#11
010101 Lieutenant 29 Rep 423 Posts Drives: still deciding what to order Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: los angeles iTrader: (0)	Haha.. is it really that bad? To be honest LA isn't the greatest place either. On paper FL looks really good to me. I'd be right on the coast (on an island actually) in a brand new place. Something like that in LA would cost me 4x as much. Satellite Beach is between Cocoa Beach and Melbourne. It's just South of Cape Canaveral. What I have found out is that it doesn't really matter where I buy the car. The fees will be the same as long as I don't title it until I'm in Florida. Although it would obviously cost me more to have to pull it across the country. I just don't want to end up in Florida with a deal that didn't work out or fell through. I have had that sort of thing happen before, and I would have to rent a car there until I figure out what to do. I'm curious about something else that is unrelated to cars. Does anyone know what the gun laws are like out there? In LA County it's impossible to get a permit to carry one. I'm assuming it's a bit more lax out there.
	Appreciate 0 Quote