No inventory, buy out of state and ship?

[paticus]

I'm a pretty tall guy 6'6"+, and want to purchase a 2020 Denali 2500. It cannot have a sun roof due to the loss of headroom.

 

Thats a tough configuration to find! And definitely not available locally or within my dealer's trade networks.

 

I reached out to some dealers out of state, who can arrange shipping a vehicle with my configuration. I would purchase through them, and ship through uShip or similar. 

 

Is this a terrible idea? Any tips for doing this kind of transaction? It's a new vehicle with 50 miles on it, from a 4.1 star dealer (500+ vehicles in inventory). The car will travel from Colorado to California. I'm hesitant to buy sight unseen, even with a new vehicle.

[Wiggums]

Make sure it has California emissions.

I have a Mexican-registered Cheyenne (Mexicans call Silverado that) and it does have California emissions on it, has the sticker under the hood. That was for the 5.3 engine.

You should make sure it has that.. otherwise, you CANNOT register it as a new vehicle here in California.

[Jay P]

I would not ship, I would fly in and drive home. That way you can drive before you buy and as mentioned make sure it's a US truck with the correct emissions for where you live. A plane ticket these days is probably cheaper than shipping although you would still have to pay for the fuel to dive it home.

 

Jay

[lapoolboy]

Yep.  Fly to Colorado or have someone drive you (it's not that far from Cali).  

[RyanbabZ71]

I rented a car and drove to Michigan (5hrs) to pickup my truck I ordered


Ryan B.

[paticus]

Oops, it’s actually Kansas (been talking to a lot of dealers). So not quite as close. 

on the topic of emissions, it *looks* like this is CA compliant, but I’m not totally sure how to interpret it.

 

 

 

[flattop]

Correct me if I am mistaken, but wouldn't a 2500 (9200 GVW or more) be exempt from any emissions? Here in upstate NY they are exempt. They just get a safety check (lights, brakes ect.) Is California testing a 2500 for emissions?

[paticus]

1 hour ago, flattop said:

Correct me if I am mistaken, but wouldn't a 2500 (9200 GVW or more) be exempt from any emissions? Here in upstate NY they are exempt. They just get a safety check (lights, brakes ect.) Is California testing a 2500 for emissions?

https://dieselnet.com/standards/us/ld_ca.php#levii

 

This link lays out the cryptic details and ratings if you're interested 

In summary, this truck/year has to qualify under the "Lev III" standards. Which looks California specific (some other states follow the same standards). According to the table, 14,000 lbs. and under needs to show they pass emissions standards. 

 

The emissions badge on this sticker shows ULEV270, which is under the Lev III standard.

 

 

[flattop]

10 hours ago, paticus said:

https://dieselnet.com/standards/us/ld_ca.php#levii

 

This link lays out the cryptic details and ratings if you're interested 

In summary, this truck/year has to qualify under the "Lev III" standards. Which looks California specific (some other states follow the same standards). According to the table, 14,000 lbs. and under needs to show they pass emissions standards. 

 

The emissions badge on this sticker shows ULEV270, which is under the Lev III standard.

 

 

Good to know! Thanks

[Steve-2019]

17 hours ago, flattop said:

Correct me if I am mistaken, but wouldn't a 2500 (9200 GVW or more) be exempt from any emissions? Here in upstate NY they are exempt. They just get a safety check (lights, brakes ect.) Is California testing a 2500 for emissions?

Nope.  When I used to live in CA (2 years ago) most counties have smog testing requirements, but there are a few areas that do not until you sell it.

[Dunn]

I would not hesitate to buy out of state, many many people do.....could maybe pay a third party to inspect the truck or have it in paperwork upon receipt and inspected by buyer or fly out and pick it up.....

 

they delivered mine to my house from 100 or so miles away but basically I bought it sight unseen....never went to dealership at all and it was 10pm, lol which is a big no no for buying vehicles.....everything was fine

 

I wouldn't worry too much on new truck unless delivery dude messes it up......

[flattop]

18 minutes ago, Steve-2019 said:

Nope.  When I used to live in CA (2 years ago) most counties have smog testing requirements, but there are a few areas that do not until you sell it.

Wow, They really stick it to you in California! A 3/4  or 1 ton work truck that is by design not fuel efficient or environmentally friendly, gets smog tested like some commuter car? I guess this is one time I can say New York is doing the right thing not sticking it to Farmers, construction workers, Campers ect. that drive a large truck.

[Wiggums]

Yes, sticker's good. It's California-complaint. That's the BIGGEST mistake a California buyer can make. Before, it was just a $300 smog impact fee then the feds said it was unconstitutional so California said.. fine, no more $300 smog impact fees, it cannot be registered, period.

Mexican-built GMC Sierras and Chevrolet Cheyennes (Silverados) are all California-compliant. Dealerships from out of the state expect you to know that, they are not liable for California laws.

[AmeliaNorth]

In general, first it is necessary to be 100% sure that you just want to install this roof by any means necessary.
Having decided on this step, we cut a hole in the roof of the car, frame this ""new"" roof from above, get inside the car and look on the spot what and where it is necessary to weld, that supports of this roof could be attached.
Having coped with it, and making sure that the roof can rise and fall, begin to puzzle over the locks which fix the roof in the lowered position (and which, as I understand, are not available).
Bring better using guardianautotransport.
Roof still is not light, for this reason, something should obviously help lift it.
In the raised position it should be something to fix, probably there should be some racks.
And finally a tarpaulin or something else should be on the walls.

Edited July 29, 2021 by AmeliaNorth
grammar mistake

[Dunn]

so i just got done registering my 2021 GMC elevation today in california and purchased in Arizona

 

i had to get smog cert, weight cert, vin verification, pay difference in tax between arizona and here....i could have wrote down whatever as they didnt even check....even though GM weighs specific vehicles and its on the sticker DMV didnt care.....had i known all this prior it would have made it easier/faster but i didnt.....but other than that it was pretty painless, on document it said i had a year to register it if purchased out of state.....i bought it feb 15th and no late or penalties, i did get a 3 month tag from dealer....also my registration starts from today not from febuary so i got few extra months i guess.......i went to san clemente DMV cuz its empty usually.....

 

but yeah as long as truck is california compliant you shouldnt have any problems......maybe get a smog and weight cert b4 you go so you wont have to leave and go back....i also have to smog every 2 years they said....

 

my truck was built in Ft Wayne, IN

Edited July 27, 2021 by Dunn