CA Trip Update / Attn. SoCal Oppos

"MM54" (mm54mk2)
01/30/2018 at 19:24 • Filed to: CA TRIP

It’s been confirmed - in mid-May, about half a dozen friends and I are taking a one-way flight into LAX, two of us are buying cars, and we’re driving back to Ohio/Pennsylvania.

I am one of those who will be car-buying - and this is where I ask for Oppo’s help. Not only do I have no idea what car I will be buying (or my budget, though that will be figured out in a month or two) but I’ve also never been to California or thereabout.

Ideas for cars

This car will replace the rusty-but-trusty 2002 Crown Vic P71 I’ve had for almost 5 years. Requirements are to be “the daily” which includes winter (aka brine fog) for 4-6 months out of the year, and needs to be reliable to be the “one good car” that no matter what I get into, there’s something to get me to work on Monday.

Now, this is Oppositelock and I am a sick man, so this can’t be any boring old car (especially since I’m travelling over 2,500 miles to get it). Looking for RWD or AWD (LSD preferred for RWD). Manual strongly preferred. New enough to not fall apart, and old enough to have some character and cost me <$10k at most (actual budget TBD). Bonus points for a wagon since I have hauling needs sometimes.

Samples of cars I have (at least passively) considered include: e36 328iS, first-gen IS300 (incl. sportcross, though no manual boooo), 80 series land cruiser (vetoed because fuel costs), volvo 740 (may not be reliable), e38 740 (will not be reliable), assorted WRXes (costly), and some others I can’t think of right now.

Other considerations

Being that we will be in CA for 2-3 days (then have a week planned for the drive back to be touristy) a lot of this will come down to what’s available at the time. I’m sure there’s some Oppos in southern California that have some ideas and can keep an eye out come closer to May... right? Maybe some who have a set of ramps to change oil on?

How does one buy a car in CA? Do we need a notary to do the title? How do your transit tags work (since I have to drive it home)? What are the odds there is a branch of my bank out there so I can pay cash? Any suggestions of Things to do while in the area, and a good place to stay (out of the city) a couple nights?

Thank you in advance, and expect to hear more about this trip (and car-picking) as it comes together,

DISCUSSION (25)

LJ909 > MM54
01/30/2018 at 19:58

So many questions. As a SoCal Native I can help you. As far as the DMV stuff, I would suggest doing some research on dmv.ca.gov since some new laws went into effect the beginning of the year.

As far as your purchase, I would go for the first gen IS. WRX’s are overpriced here. The other ones on your list you can find but you will have to search. But this being Cali im sure they are around.

While you’re here there is a ton to do. Beach, food, etc. Since you’re into cars I would suggest checking out the Peterson Automotive Museum in LA. Its fantastic. And what bank do you bank with?

MM54 > LJ909
01/30/2018 at 20:02

Thank you for the tips! I’ll be sure to look in to it, figures there’s more new laws.

My list is not all-inclusive, so I’m open to suggestions. I do like the idea of the first gen IS, especially being not falling-apart-rusty like they all were 10 years ago out here (currently extinct).

I have looked in to it and my bank does not exist west of Missouri-ish, so that will be an interesting hurdle to figure out.

LJ909 > MM54
01/30/2018 at 20:10

You should try and find the IS Sportcross. I know there are 3 for sale right now. 2 of them are in the LA area and one is in San Diego. But I think they are at dealers. Not sure if you want to deal with a dealer or private buyer.

You should find out if there are atms here in your banks network.

AestheticsInMotion > MM54
01/30/2018 at 20:14

I second avoiding wrx’s. It’s not as bad as Washington, but the tax is still very real. On the plus side, for whatever reason Evo’s seem to be much more realistic. That’s certainly an interesting—if not comfortable—car. Would probably still stretch the budget.

What about a Subaru Baja? Manual, boxer engine, swap drivetrain components like Legos with the faster family members. Moderately comfy, reliable if taken care of, truck bed when you need it... And you’d be hard-pressed to find a more winter-ready vehicle.

Or go full awesome and grab a Volvo s60r/v70r.

Audistein > MM54
01/30/2018 at 20:26

In CA you just have to get the title and fill out the form on the back to buy a car. No notary or anything. Plates come with the car unless they’re customized. Make sure the car you buy comes with a proper title and registration. I would recommend making a bill of sale too which you and the buyer sign. You have to call your insurance immediately (leave a voicemail with year/make/model) and make sure you have your insurance card from another car on your policy with you.

I’m not entirely sure, but I think the proper thing to do would be going to the CA DMV and transferring the title and getting a “One Trip Permit” that would allow you to drive back to OH/PA. That would probably be the best way to do it rather that registering the car in CA and then re-registering it in another state. CA has sales taxes on used cars which you pay when you register it as the new owner.

I think most people just drive back on the CA plates and re-register the car in their home state. You legally have a period (I think 10 days) to notify the CA DMV of your purchase so you could just drop the forms in the mail for transfer of title and leaving the state to the DMV the day you buy the car. I don’t know if this will successfully get you around paying CA registration though, so look into that. Even if you get pulled over if for speeding or something on your way out if you say you bought the car less than 10 days ago it shouldn’t be an issue. One Trip Permit would probably be better than taking this risk but again I’ve never done either so I’m not sure.

If you try to buy a car that doesn’t come with the plates or if the owner doesn’t have the title you’ll probably run into a lot of problems. I would try to avoid that.

An E36 would be awesome. They’re not especially reliable but pretty easy to fix I’ve heard.

I think the Lexus IS300 did come with a manual in the sedan but not the wagon. Super rare though.

Thomas Donohue > MM54
01/30/2018 at 20:36

Not only do I have no idea what car I will be buying (or my budget, though that will be figured out in a month or two) but I’ve also never been to California

Seven people, two cars to be named later, and a cross country trip.

I anxiously await your post(s) in May!

Seriously, you’ll need to sort out the registration/license plate/insurance thing before buying the car and driving it out of state. Even if the seller agrees to let you take the car with the CA plates, it may not be legally registered car. Not something you want to find out if you get pulled over in Justice, Oklahoma.

functionoverfashion > MM54
01/30/2018 at 20:39

This is funny - just a few days ago, a friend proposed a similar idea to me. Except he wants to buy something specifically impractical, to drive back to NH to sell. Like, buy something not-rusty that would be all but extinct in New England, bring it home, sell for at least what we paid, and ideally a good bit more to make the trip very inexpensive overall.

A grand idea. But we both have jobs, wives, and kids. So... it may not happen this summer. I will most definitely stay tuned into your adventure, though. I was already thinking about how to handle title/tags, etc. and I’ll be curious what you find out. Of course, each state will vary...

GolfR Guy > MM54
01/30/2018 at 20:49

As far as places to eat, use Jonathan Gold’s 101 list . He’s the food reviewer for the LA Times. Or check out types of food you don’t have in Ohio/Penn (Korean BBQ, Japanese Ramen, Authentic Chinese food, really great/cheap tacos, street-food, and anything else you’d really want to try. Of course, where you’re staying plays a part in that too.
AirBNB’s for the most part are affordable especially for 2-3 days. If you want to be near LA proper (downtown, Santa Monica, Culver City) then try staying around there or in the South Bay (Torrance, Long Beach, Redondo beach). If you want to stay out of the city, try looking for places in Topanga, Encino, La Cañada, or San Fernando; these will be close to some good driving roads too.

MM54 > functionoverfashion
01/30/2018 at 20:50

If I wasn’t desperately in need of a new daily, I’d be doing something similar - so much potential to flip something that is, like you said, all but extinct here in the land of salt and rust.

MM54 > Thomas Donohue
01/30/2018 at 20:52

I have bought several cars from out-of-state so I have dealt with the transit tags and temporary registration thing before (and the adding it to my insurance and getting the dossier faxed to the DMV) - just not sure of the details of how it works out west!

It’s bound to be a great time or a total disaster, time will tell!

MM54 > AestheticsInMotion
01/30/2018 at 20:55

What was the turbo legacy wagon we got in the states? Those are neat too. I’ve never been convinced with the looks of the Baja. If only a Brat weren’t so impractical for my needs!

I am concerned with the reliability of an older Volvo, especially with an R at the end - not old enough to be a tank, but old enough to be developing weird problems. Those are very cool, though!

functionoverfashion > MM54
01/30/2018 at 20:56

My friend who proposed this recommended NOLA as a starting point because he has a friend there who runs a hotel. A quick look at the local craigslist, though, revealed a bunch of “I know what I have” or else garbage. So... maybe a place like SoCal is a better idea.

MM54 > LJ909
01/30/2018 at 20:56

No ATMs either :(

I could deal with a dealer (ha! a pun!) for the right car at a good price. If nothing else, they’d certainly know how to handle the paperwork!

MM54 > GolfR Guy
01/30/2018 at 21:03

Excellent advise - thank you!

AestheticsInMotion > MM54
01/30/2018 at 21:04

Getting a solid color one without the body cladding helps a lot, but yeah.... They’re certainly not lookers! Hmm.... I can’t recall. Might be able to find a decent 2.5rs?

Okay, here’s two more. They’re certainly not massive but they’ll seem big compared to the rx7! Immaculate, well-maintained wwithbinder-full-of-reciepts, Quattro manual TT’s are under 10k all day. Wait wait, I know, you said reliable! Okay fine... How about a manual g35/37 coupe? Surprisingly spacious inside, great commuter with that perfect blend of luxury and performance!

LJ909 > MM54
01/30/2018 at 21:24

Damn. You should just pull out the money and have it with you then. But yea if you’re willing to deal with dealers that opens up more cars and options.

CompactLuxuryFan > MM54
01/30/2018 at 21:38

10K’s a really generous budget I feel. You’ll be spoiled for choice even in CA! Shift will sell you this 328xi https://shift.com/car/c115013 . I’d be tempted to sell you my B7 A4 Avant manual for that much :P

Boxer_4 > MM54
01/30/2018 at 23:18

Turbo Legacy wagons were available ‘93-’94 and ‘05-’07, with only ‘05 available with a 5-speed manual.

MM54 > Boxer_4
01/31/2018 at 18:20

Sounds hard to find! Something to keep an eye out for, though.

MM54 > CompactLuxuryFan
01/31/2018 at 18:21

It is an optimistic figure, 5-7k is more likely, but will depend on how the tax return comes back and a couple other factors

MM54 > LJ909
01/31/2018 at 18:22

I don’t really want to fly across the country with several thousand dollars in cash...

MM54 > AestheticsInMotion
01/31/2018 at 18:25

Most options fall in size between the rx7 and crown vic!

The audi would be out due to the “reliable” thing as you picked up on. I’ve never been particularly in to the g35/g37's styling, a bit “squinty jelly bean” to me. Good suggestions, though - I do appreciate the input.

Boxer_4 > MM54
02/02/2018 at 20:23

1,571 ‘05 Legacy GT wagons with the 5mt were sold in the US... so yes, hard to find!

MM54 > Boxer_4
02/02/2018 at 21:08

Ouch. Right now my two main candidates are an e36 328is or a first-gen is300; the downside to the former is reliability, the downside to the latter is the near-impossibility to get one in manual (including the sportcross which didn’t get the manual at all). I’m sure everything will change by May, though.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > MM54
02/03/2018 at 13:57

You should have ten days for the plates on the car. California cars generally keep the plates with them for sale. You do not need to do shit while in the state for 10 whole days, which is weird. I’m used to NJ where you have to immediately go to the DMV and there is no legal way to drive the car there unless the previous owner brought the car there with legal plates. California is much easier honestly since you can just ignore it. Not sure how it works out of state though, but as long as it’s insured you should be fine.

I’d really look to spend more than 2-3 days in the area though. I think that’s fine for the immediate Los Angeles area but it could really be worthwhile to take some time to travel some up the PCH or go to Yosemite, or further north to San Francisco. Just very different areas and would really be worth some time to see while you are here. And make sure you also account for the time spent purchasing the cars and fixing any immediate issues like changing oil, getting tires, etc. That stuff could take 2-3 days on its own.

Additionally in general for the trip back, make sure to account for a couple of days for mishaps or detours. I had planned my trip out extensively and yet I still changed it quite a bit along the way. Nothing was set in stone, I just kind of winged it day by day. I didn’t book anything until the day before in most cases just to remain flexible.