Helford

A question for all the car ninjas out there, if I may:

We're moving to NJ and want to buy a Land Rover Discovery (I think, purely because we've always had them at home). They are reasonably few and far between, and I've seen some in NY, PA and CT. I wondered if, given that we're moving to NJ, I'm simply creating more problems for myself buying 'out of state', or whether it doesn't really make any difference. Is it more expensive (ie am I taxed more) if I buy from another local state, or isn't it really an issue?

Thanks in advance.

Pulaski

Not really a problem, buying "out of state" is relatively common. I have never quite worked out the practicalities as I have never needed to, but I know you aren't taxed twice.

Rete

It's been many years but when my daughter purchased her car in NJ and we lived in NY, she paid for the car in NJ but was not charged sales tax at that time. She was charged the sales tax when she registered the car in NY at the DMV. Received a temporary license plate from the dealer upon proof of insurance. The plate was issued for X number of days in which she had to get the car registered.

My sister who lived in NJ always purchased their cars across the border in PA at a place called Friedman's or some variation of that spelling. It is a huge auto mall just off the PA turnpike. She would pay the tax in NJ when she registered the car.

Olly_

I live in NJ and bought my Cadillac from a dealer in CT. The dealer charged 7% NJ sales tax and passed it on to the MVC when it was registered.

One thing to watch for if you're buying out of state is to make sure you buy a car that's California emissions compliant, because NJ requires it. Most of the surrounding states are the same though so it shouldn't be a problem.

Rete

It was called 'Reedman's"

Bob

If you're going as far as CT/PA....just a bit further, there's a place in Framingham that specialises in doing up old Defenders and Disco's.

Land Rover Specialist and General Automotive Repair

As for buying out of state, often you pay tax in that state, then as a new buy, pay tax in your state and claim the tax back from the first state.

If the state/dealer doesn't do temp plates then you might not be able to drive the car home and have to get it towed to register the car.

Jerseygirl

We bought a new car from Mercedes Manhattan while we lived in NJ. It was straightforward...they sorted the NJ license plates and had them delivered to our home. We paid 7% sales tax...think that is the NJ rate not NY.

Edit: Have you tried Paul Miller on Rt 46...I got my Land Rover from there? It was a demo vehicle and was well priced.

ottotheboar

Check with the DMV requirements are in NJ if you bring a car from PA as it is the only state I know where a notary is involved in the sale process.


In VA all I need is a signed clear title and a bill of sale written by the seller but NJ may be different.


It may be worth running the VIN numbers through Carfax some of these car can have an interesting history to say the least.

Helford

Thanks, guys. That's all helpful. Despite having run LR Discoveries in the UK for years, they are such temperamental vehicles that buying a higher mileage LR3 is mildly scary. I wonder if a Ford Explorer would be a better bet given that they should be less technologically complex and so have less to go wrong.

That said, I love the Discovery and have no experience of the Ford!

Are US dealers likely to flinch if asked to put the car on a ramp as part of a pre-purchase inspection? I know my way around Discos well enough to convince myself of the condition of the car if I can poke around and remove a few of the belly panels. Never had a problem doing this in the UK.

Jerseygirl

I wouldn't buy a high mileage LR. In fact I wouldn't buy another full stop. Thank goodness mine was under manufacturer's warranty.

Before the LR I had 1 new Ford Explorer and 3 new Ford Expeditions. Never had any problems with them.

ottotheboar

If you like the earlier Discos there are plenty on Craigslist. I like Defenders so my knowledge is limited but have been told the D1 was the best, that being said they are long in the tooth these days and many converted to trail rigs.
I would take an Explorer over a high mileage LR3 any day.
There is a forum Discoweb will give lots of information.