[rokndad]

If that's the car for you, and you want it, I say go for it and get your TOP's for the year and get in line for Jan 2, 2009. I did it with an out of state previously registered 2004 SPCNS and had no issue. Just finished with CHP and am awaiting my formal SB 100 cert in the mail, then set up appointment with Bureau of Automotive Repair for the smog certification and affixing of Exempt sticker with my sequence number on it.

Just pay your fees (Use Tax and Registration) within 10 days of bringing it into the State, and get TOP's until next year. If you tell your DMV folks that you're working on it to get it through smog, appointments with BAR and your calendar don't work out, etc, they're pretty good about giving you sequential TOP's for 60 to 90 days each. I left a gap of one month during Thanksgiving and it worked for me. Best wishes on your, hopefully, new acquisition!!