Buying a new, out-of-state Tacoma - Is it convenient?

California has so many regulations and hoops...daaaaaaammm

You can buy a car anywhere and bring it in. Sales tax is capped at $300 whether purchased in state or out. Trailers do not need licenses at all. There is a property tax that is billed every year at registration time though. About $200 or until the vehicle gets over a few years old then it drops quickly. High mileage vehicles are exempt or pay very low registration fees. No smog checks or inspections.

 

I am in Seattle and I'm looking outside the state because Tacomas seem to be cheaper just about everywhere else. A dealer in CA told me today that they charge sales tax in CA (which is about the same as Seattle) and they give a temporary permit to drive the vehicle home where I'm supposed to register the vehicle in WA. Sounds simple enough as long is it's true.

If the tax and fees can be worked out I an happy to take a trip down to CA to save $1,000+. It is difficult to find a 4x4 with the Sport option but Carson Toyota said they would build it for me and honor USAA/Zag pricing.

 

What price did they quote? I don't see why you would want to buy in California (prices are pretty stiff, at least around my area...). The best deals I heard of seem to be from dealerships in Texas.

 

I bought my truck in Athens, Ga and didn't think i had any problem until a month later I was driving around here in North Carolina and got pulled over for not having an inspection! haha didn't even think about Ga cars not having to get inspected!

 

Using USAA and looking for DC Sport sans JBL the best I could find:
SoCal $28,537
WA: 29,659