Need advice buying out of state...

[Robert357]

I found my dream tremor but unfortunately it’s located in Texas and I live in California. I’m not sure what the standard operating procedure is in purchasing this tremor. Will a local dealer have it transferred to their lot so that I can purchase it or do I have to go to TX and figure out how to get it home?

And to further complicate the issue, I also have a trade-in. If I have to go to Texas in order to purchase the vehicle, do I also have to get the trade-in out to Texas as well?

I apologize if any of these questions are completely rookie league, but I’ve never been in search of a vehicle so difficult to find a before. Any and all advice is sincerely appreciated and thank you to all that make this forum so helpful.

 

[cookiemonster]

You could try to have a local dealer get the truck. Odds are they won't be able to do it because no dealer wants to give up their super duties, and honestly, from what I've heard about California dealerships, you're probably better off buying a super duty from the Texas dealer anyways.

Trade-in would be trickier - at that point your easiest path would be to just sell it on carvana or carmax. Note those companies are usually way overpaying for used vehicles right now anyways, so the odds of a dealer beating their price is slim.

Everything I've read here, Texas dealers are more than happy to sell you a super duty at a fair price and get the deal done. So either you could fly out to inspect and test drive the truck before you sign, then drive it back. Or if you want to roll the dice, I'm sure they'll be more than happy to deliver it to you if you want to buy it sight unseen.

 

[Apparition]

I’ve always wanted to fly somewhere and road trip a new vehicle home. I think it’d be fun.

 

[Harzack223]

I live in NH and got my tremor out of NY. The dealership was about 2.5 hours away. They drove it to me and drove my trade home. I never set foot in the dealership or met any of the people I did the deal with. I know your situation is a bit different being a much farther distance. Like stated above I would try to sell your vehicle out right beforehand. Contact the dealer and go from there. I've heard of dealerships picking you up at the airport so anything's possible.

 

[Rich Pune]

I've driven out of state to trade-in and purchase a new vehicle. It's just like going to your local dealer, only you negotiate over the phone/email and drive further.

 

[Loshad]

If your trade-in is a pickup you'll get good money from CarMax if it's clean. If you do a deal with TX dealer and drive your trade-in there then they've got you right where they want you. Sell it locally and fly there or have it shipped.

Remember Rule #1: Do not tell them your financing plans or whether you intend to trade-in! Agree on the price first and get it in writing!

 

[Baja Medic]

I usually buy out of state and pay the taxes at my local Ca DMV.

 

[Racer00]

Bought mine near St. Louis. Flew down from Michigan for $120. Dealership driver picked me up at the airport, I inspected the truck, did the deal and drove it home, Easy as could be.

 

[Robert357]

Excellent advice from everyone, thank you very much for your thoughtful responses.

One more question… If I were to pick it up in Texas, would any of you be concerned about driving it back at long high speeds without an initial break in on the engine?

 

[Rich Pune]

Excellent advice from everyone, thank you very much for your thoughtful responses.

One more question… If I were to pick it up in Texas, would any of you be concerned about driving it back at long high speeds without an initial break in on the engine?

I wouldn't. I drove my wife's Grand Cherokee home, 240 miles, pushing +110mph for long stretches. The thing still runs. I also immediately pulled my travel trailer, coincidentally the same drive, at 80mph in my last truck. It didn't suffer any issues.

 

[Cococounty]

Excellent advice from everyone, thank you very much for your thoughtful responses.

One more question… If I were to pick it up in Texas, would any of you be concerned about driving it back at long high speeds without an initial break in on the engine?

I purchased our tremor in Texas flew in dealer picked me up drove me to the car lot and I drove it all the way back to California 80 and 90 mph no problems with the motor

 

[Loshad]

Take back roads and enjoy Texas! Hell, you'll be driving your new Tremor, it ain't like it will not be enjoyable!

 

[Dark Horse Fred]

I found my dream tremor but unfortunately it’s located in Texas and I live in California. I’m not sure what the standard operating procedure is in purchasing this tremor. Will a local dealer have it transferred to their lot so that I can purchase it or do I have to go to TX and figure out how to get it home?

And to further complicate the issue, I also have a trade-in. If I have to go to Texas in order to purchase the vehicle, do I also have to get the trade-in out to Texas as well?

I apologize if any of these questions are completely rookie league, but I’ve never been in search of a vehicle so difficult to find a before. Any and all advice is sincerely appreciated and thank you to all that make this forum so helpful.

Go get it; make sure they are locked-in on your trade-in value. California will charge for sales tax when you register it.

 

[jrisalvato]

Excellent advice from everyone, thank you very much for your thoughtful responses.

One more question… If I were to pick it up in Texas, would any of you be concerned about driving it back at long high speeds without an initial break in on the engine?

I bought mine last August. After doing weeks of a nationwide search to find exactly what I want, I found it in Irvine, CA. I live in Vegas. still took 6 weeks to get (I bought it pre-build & delivery). On August 29th I flew to OC, dealership picked me up from the airport, I signed the paper, then drove home to Vegas. Two days later the family & I took a 3 week 4,600 mile cross country trip towing our 8,600lb travel trailer. As of today (back in Irvine as a matter of fact on business) I have 11,442 miles on her. She's done amazing these past 6-7 months. I wouldn't worry too much about a "break-in period".

I almost bought one from a dealership in Des Moines, but during our back and forth they ended up having a tornado go through town and cut power and phone for a few days which delayed our communications. Within that time frame the dealership in Irvine was able to guarantee me the truck I wanted in about the same time frame. I was also talking to a dealership in TX and Phoenix. Problem is by the time I was ready to move forward those trucks would sell because they were already sitting on the lot. Once a dealership had them physically on the lot they had no problems moving them fast, and at whatever price they wanted. That's why I ended up getting my pre-build but allocated to a dealer. Tremors wouldn't sit on a dealer but for a few days before they sold. Inventory was extremely low and delivery was delayed due to COVID. At one point last spring the factory in KY shut down for a number of weeks so made things more difficult and it took them awhile to recover.

I sold my Tundra privately and paid it off before I listed it for sale so that I had title in hand. Made it more lucrative to a private buyer and made the transaction that much faster. If you're able to float the cash (if you have a loan) I would recommend doing that.

 

[Hitman5532]

In California, you need to rack up 7,500 miles on a new vehicle before you can bring it in state. Big road trip basically...

 

[cookiemonster]

In California, you need to rack up 7,500 miles on a new vehicle before you can bring it in state. Big road trip basically...

I think all super duties are 50 state certified so this won't apply.

 

[jrisalvato]

I think all super duties are 50 state certified so this won't apply.

Pretty sure they are. I highly doubt Ford would make a 49 state version and a separate 50 state version. I bought mine in CA and drove it out of state so mine is definitely 50 state.

 

[Hitman5532]

I think all super duties are 50 state certified so this won't apply.

It has nothing to do with that. A while back, they got pissed that people were driving to our neighbor up north (Oregon) and buying cars, because Oregon had no sales tax and we have ungodly taxes, then bringing them back. The address the "loss" in tax income they added the stipulation.

 

[Gingersnap155]

It has nothing to do with that. A while back, they got pissed that people were driving to our neighbor up north (Oregon) and buying cars, because Oregon had no sales tax and we have ungodly taxes, then bringing them back. The address the "loss" in tax income they added the stipulation.

Yeah you pay taxes no matter what now in California.

 

[Apparition]

It has nothing to do with that. A while back, they got pissed that people were driving to our neighbor up north (Oregon) and buying cars, because Oregon had no sales tax and we have ungodly taxes, then bringing them back. The address the "loss" in tax income they added the stipulation.

I have to pay tax in the state I license/register the vehicle. Does California not do that?