Moving to CA with Porsche

[engineer1776]

Hello All,

I am being relocated from Indiana to Palo Alto, California by my company. Though my car is for sale, I am going to take it with me and enjoy it until the right buyer comes along. Here's are my questions:

1. Will it be "easier" to sell in the bay area rather than Indiana?
2. What are the emission rules, etc in CA (there are none in Indiana) and how will they impact me driving and selling the car?

Thanks,
Mark

1986 Carrera Coup--all original

[MattKellett]

Mark, If you do bring your car with you to CA , you will need to register within approx 10 day (or there abouts). To register, the car will need a smog check. To sell a vehicle in CA you also have to have had the car smogged! So, if you do want to sell here to someone who wants to register in CA, there is no way to avoid the smog. Will your car pass or not?, well that's the big question. You might find it easier to sell in Indiana, or rather less hassle you your part.

I wish you luck on your move, a Porsche is a great car for this area, lots of enthusiasts here and some great mechanics.

Matt

[trader220]

When I moved to Calif I kept my NJ drivers license and registration and insurance for months without a problem. In addtion both my Porsche and bike were stolen from my garage in Cali and I never had an issue with my insurance co or the CHP when I reported the theft becasue I had the shipping bill for both .

[louielargo]

Matt is right,
We have many addics and resources in the area.

Good luck with the move.

Best Regards,

Louie

[yelcab1]

The 1986 Porsche has a cat converter and that is I believe an all 50 states car. If it works decently, you should not have a huge problem passing the vehicle.

Since you are an out of state mover, you are treated differently than an in-state resident who simply buys the car out of states and brings it in. If your car has all the original equipment and it works, then if you dont pass, you get to see the referee who will issue a pass after thoroughly going through the car to make sure that it is all there, and it works as designed, and that it does not pass only because it was not designed to.

But, it will pass because it was designed to.

[JP911]

You may decide you want to keep it once you get involved with the Bay Area Pelicans! During the non-rainy season there are driving events (AX and track days) galore with several different organizations, including the PCA. We are also a very active DIY community.
Welcome to the left coast.

[Zeke]

The man says the car is for sale. Why assume it isn't? The question is, where to sell it. Well, I don't know the demographics of your locale in IN, but there is no shortage of money up in the bay area.

For the next few weeks anyway. Real estate has already hit the wall hard here in CA and only the tremendous momentum is carrying some sales. By the end of summer CA will have crossed the threshold of a full blown recession that will be picked up by the statisticians early in '07.

So, wherever you decide to sell, don't waste any time.

[kjb]

welcome to Palo Alto, Mark!

This town is big enough for two 86 911 coupes, and the weather is good enough to enjoy the 911 thoroughly all year. Feel free to ask questions: we're all here to help.

/ Johan

[tobluforu]

Sell it now. Smog laws suck here in Ca. If your car does not pass the first time then it becomes a hassle. If it was me I would get rid of it. Porsche's are a dime a dozen in the south bay/palo alto. I worked in palo alto for a while. Very nice area with lots of money. Venture capital (area) of the world.
Good luck

[Steve87-911]

If you decide to sell it in Cali, and if it is stock and still has a good cat, O2 sensor, etc., then I *think* you only need to connect the "brown wire" that's in front of the DME brain to make it Cali legal. If it runs well it should pass.

[lateapex911]

I'm jealous!!!!!!!

Or, sell it now, wait until the recession mentioned above, and buy a pre 75 and avoid the smog altogether!

FYI: I lived in Cali for 2 years. I kept my dr lic from CT, and got a Cal lic. Told them I lost my CT lic, showed them the birth cert, took the big test, and all was good. Didn't even get around to that for a year or more. no issues with out of state plates, etc. Car was a 73. That was in 97, I imagine things may have "tightened up" a bit since then.

[tobluforu]

The rolling dyno has changed things quite a bit. This is not to say that his car would not pass. But also some people will not touch an out of state car based on the fact that weather hear is pretty good to our cars compared to other states.
Sell now

[engineer1776]

Wow, as always great responses to my questions. I appreciate the advice and will keep you posted on my decision.

Mark

[engineer1776]

I sold the car before moving. Thanks for your help.