Buying a used car in SoCal ship to Hilo

[EightFingers]

Matson was four weeks for us.....

[Mimosa]

A family member recently bought a 2006 Rav4 in Las Cruses N.M . and drove it to PASHA in Long Beach Calif herself. First port of call is Hilo - Took 4 days from Long Beach Calif to Hilo.
California requires many extra pollution control electronics and Ariz - N.M. and Hawaii do not . Try and get title transferred there and not here .Insurance from out of state is not valid here .
We have State Farm no fault for Hawaii .
Good Luck
Mrs.Mimosa

[Kapoho Joe]

Great point Mrs. Mimosa! DO NOT BUY A 'CALIFORNIA' CAR. They have all sorts of extra junk you don't need and require specialized parts.

[leilanidude]

California requires many extra pollution control electronics and Ariz - N.M. and Hawaii do not .
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It was generally minor differences. Not to be concerned about over the last few years.

Things changed in 2007 when 4 other states started using the CARB standards and then you had some 45 state emission legal vehicles. If I recall, VW diesels of the time were in this group. In 2009 it went up to 14 states and most recently AZ also adopted the standards. In 2016 the EPA has matched CARBs standards and CARB began to collaborate on the standards for the rest of the US from 2017-2025 with the EPA.

[Kapoho Joe]

Thanks L-Dude, good to know but sad to hear.

[Durian Fiend]

I would first look to buy a Kona Kruiser. There are plenty of used cars to be found on island.

[leilanidude]

quote:

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Originally posted by Kapoho Joe

Thanks L-Dude, good to know but sad to hear.

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Not really.

California sells enough cars that most major manufacturers were already selling 50 state cars because they didn't want to produce two different models.

Don't base a used car buying decision on a sticker that says "CARB COMPLIANT" as the 49 state version is probably exactly the same anyway.

[Kapoho Joe]

Probably is not good enough when buying any vehicle. At least do your research if there are issues. As recently as 2003, I ran into a CA vehicle with a bunch of junk on it that the Federal version from the same year did not have. That was 15 years ago though...

[rrlovesbi]

Never thought about the emissions issue. I did speak to someone at the California DMV. I was told that I can transfer the title to my name in California for $ 15. without registering it. By transferring the title the car immediately is recorded in your name, similar to a deed to a house. The CSR said that in the case of any "issues" there will be no question that the vehicle is your property even if you lost your paperwork and it will also be easier to insure it.

[kalakoa]

I can transfer the title to my name in California for $ 15. without registering it

Do they print a new title on the spot, or mail it to you later?