MT state registration

[beemerb0y]

Hello all,
I live in CA and have come across a Backdraft Cobra for sale locally. However, the seller (who is not the original/1st owner) has it registered under a Montana LLC. Is it possible to switch this to CA registration easily? What difficulties may arise? It does not have the SB-100.

Thank you

[hauss]

NO!

[twobjshelbys]

Most people with Montana LLC registrations do it to avoid taxes and have never seen Montana let alone live there (there are people that do, maybe yours does). Regardless, you could be opening a big can of worms. Do your homework very carefully before buying it and trying to register it in CA. You should start with the assumption you will have to go through the SB100 process.

[beemerb0y]

Yep they open an LLC in MT and register their cars there to prevent sales tax.

But what would it take to turn this car (or any out-of-state purchase) into CA-registration? Does it help that the car is already here but plated in Mt?

[Cashburn]

Originally Posted by beemerb0y

Yep they open an LLC in MT and register their cars there to prevent sales tax.

But what would it take to turn this car (or any out-of-state purchase) into CA-registration? Does it help that the car is already here but plated in Mt?

I would avoid this car if you intend to register it properly in CA. There are too many people involved in the process at DMV and it only takes one to squash your dream of registering said car.

If you buy it and register it in MT, that's up to you.

I also seem to recall that you cannot bring a car that is 2 years or newer into CA, some other wacky law?