Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
A man of few words!
Seems strange that each state handles registration and smog tests so very differently. Some states go by the chassis number/year of manf, others by the Statement of Origin, others by the engine SN/year, others by year you actually register the vehicle and some even by what you want the year to be -- like '57 Speedster. I read story of the GA title company getting in trouble with CA -- but some of the examples were unbelievable -- a Cobra kit car worth $120k - must have been machined piece by piece. I recently gave my daughter my old '90 4Rnr (I'm VA she's WV) -- signed title and gave her a bill of sale saying I gave it to her for exchange of $1. What a mess -- the bill of sale had to be notorized and had to say she paid at least $500.
Seems strange that each state handles registration and smog tests so very differently. Some states go by the chassis number/year of manf, others by the Statement of Origin, others by the engine SN/year, others by year you actually register the vehicle and some even by what you want the year to be -- like '57 Speedster. I read story of the GA title company getting in trouble with CA -- but some of the examples were unbelievable -- a Cobra kit car worth $120k - must have been machined piece by piece. I recently gave my daughter my old '90 4Rnr (I'm VA she's WV) -- signed title and gave her a bill of sale saying I gave it to her for exchange of $1. What a mess -- the bill of sale had to be notorized and had to say she paid at least $500.
I think the DMV in the state of Cal-eee-forn-ya' can be, no should be, likend to Java the Hut in Star Wars...a large menacing creature unable to get out of the way of its own girth! As such, renegade sorts or folks with less time on their hands or dollars in their pockets, try to get clever and work around this globiual mass, sometimes bending the rules a taste to preserve their own sanity more than saving a few pesos!
Now, I'm not saying fraud is right. What I am saying is there are so many discrepencies and often incorrect interpretations by Java's minions, if you can keep one awake and interested in your transaction, that fraud can occur in the blink of an eye!
We drive replica Porsches, most often powered by a VW derived engine. Why can't these cars be titled as a, say VW, circa some year akin to when that which we represent was originated and be done with it?
How hard is that?
Now, I'm not saying fraud is right. What I am saying is there are so many discrepencies and often incorrect interpretations by Java's minions, if you can keep one awake and interested in your transaction, that fraud can occur in the blink of an eye!
We drive replica Porsches, most often powered by a VW derived engine. Why can't these cars be titled as a, say VW, circa some year akin to when that which we represent was originated and be done with it?
How hard is that?
Hey Paul, interesting comparison between the DMV and Jabba the Hutt. I remember Jabba as being a pretty self-centered creature, mostly interested in his own pleasure and comfort. So, what does Jabba (ne. the DMV) want? Three things. First, all the money he/it believes is coming to him/it. That means a 50K replica should be taxed at 50K value. Second, the police connection: A car that has a registration which says it is a 1968 Volkswagen should look like one. Third, California, like Tennessee, has bad air. The DMV does not want people to circumvent pollution checks by deception.
It seemed clear from the dep. att. gen. person's statement that the greatest concern is the first item. In a cash strapped state such as California, like most states in fact, the collection of taxes assumes a very high priority which means that extraordinary measures are perhaps deemed to be necessary.
I will watch with great interest the fallout from this communication and, indeed, see if and how other states deal with this issue.
ps. now we know that we are being watched.
It seemed clear from the dep. att. gen. person's statement that the greatest concern is the first item. In a cash strapped state such as California, like most states in fact, the collection of taxes assumes a very high priority which means that extraordinary measures are perhaps deemed to be necessary.
I will watch with great interest the fallout from this communication and, indeed, see if and how other states deal with this issue.
ps. now we know that we are being watched.
Yes, someone is certainly watching this site, and I imagine, many other 'replica' oriented sites.
So much for privacy issues on the internet (I know this is not a private site, but that has been discussed in the past).
So much for privacy issues on the internet (I know this is not a private site, but that has been discussed in the past).
When someone is buying a used replicar he/she has a responsibility to be honest with the sales price, that's where the taxing entity kicks in and that's where they should butt out!
Sure there is some higher tech smog stuff missing from these cars, but by the same token, reading about how well everyone on this site, as an example, primps, preens and tunes their cars, and on the flip side, how little they drive them, we are not a threat to the ozone!
Now a thundering Cobra may generate a little more exhaust fumes, but again, for what they are and how little they are driven, they are not the environmental threats that are posed by the glutinous SUV contingent crowding the planet's roadways and clouding the air as an example!
That being said, the more exotic replicars may start out as a turnkey sold for 'X'dollars and be taxed accordingly as well, or they may be a roller that receives a buzzillion dollars in upgrades and commands a higher price at resale, again, dodging the tax man is wrong, but making the process so damn difficult is in part what drives (no pun intended) folks to seek easier alternatives for titling.
Maybe one-size-fits-all registration is something DMVs across the country should look at for specialty cars such as ours, pan-based, tube-framed or what-have-you? If the prospect of compliance wasn't an onerous beast, maybe the policing efforts wouldn't be neccessary?
Sure there is some higher tech smog stuff missing from these cars, but by the same token, reading about how well everyone on this site, as an example, primps, preens and tunes their cars, and on the flip side, how little they drive them, we are not a threat to the ozone!
Now a thundering Cobra may generate a little more exhaust fumes, but again, for what they are and how little they are driven, they are not the environmental threats that are posed by the glutinous SUV contingent crowding the planet's roadways and clouding the air as an example!
That being said, the more exotic replicars may start out as a turnkey sold for 'X'dollars and be taxed accordingly as well, or they may be a roller that receives a buzzillion dollars in upgrades and commands a higher price at resale, again, dodging the tax man is wrong, but making the process so damn difficult is in part what drives (no pun intended) folks to seek easier alternatives for titling.
Maybe one-size-fits-all registration is something DMVs across the country should look at for specialty cars such as ours, pan-based, tube-framed or what-have-you? If the prospect of compliance wasn't an onerous beast, maybe the policing efforts wouldn't be neccessary?
Devil is int the details -
You buy a VS turnkey car - sales price is easy --- includes all parts and assembly so value is the price paid just as with a GM car.
You buy a used kit assembled car - includes individual pieces and sellers time. So again the value is price you paid.
Real knundrum is those who buy a kit and the individual pieces (sales tax was paid on individual pieces - engine, chassis, gauges, wheels, tires, etc). Is the value for sales tax the kit plus parts? owners time should be free despited fact it took 300+ hours. I content sales tax should be paid only in kit purchase. But what about the follow on yearly property taxes which are based on blue book value (VA still has yearly car tax!)?
You buy a VS turnkey car - sales price is easy --- includes all parts and assembly so value is the price paid just as with a GM car.
You buy a used kit assembled car - includes individual pieces and sellers time. So again the value is price you paid.
Real knundrum is those who buy a kit and the individual pieces (sales tax was paid on individual pieces - engine, chassis, gauges, wheels, tires, etc). Is the value for sales tax the kit plus parts? owners time should be free despited fact it took 300+ hours. I content sales tax should be paid only in kit purchase. But what about the follow on yearly property taxes which are based on blue book value (VA still has yearly car tax!)?