Buying a car when you’re moving out of State

Often car buying is associated with a life event. A child is born. A new job. Marriage. Divorce. Moving.

With regards to moving, almost 40 million people move each year; with approximately 9 million people moving out of State.  Many will either drive their vehicles to their new homes, ship them with the moving company or with a transport company. 

But what if you were planning on getting a different car - - do you buy it before you move or after?

Buying before you move allows you to avoid shipping a vehicle that you intend on selling; however that is not what I usually recommend.

It's typically better to bring your old vehicle to the new State and then do the transaction. First off, you will have a vehicle to use while you settle in.  Second, you can make sure that you are getting the right vehicle for your new lifestyle. For instance, if you are moving to the North - will you want 4 wheel drive?  If you are moving to California, Texas, or Georgia - does the commute time influence the vehicle you want?  Third, you will avoid any uncertainty with sales taxes, registration fees, etc. and you will be able to quickly register the vehicle in your new State with having to re-register the vehicle after you move.  This is especially true if you lease since re-registering after you lease is typically more complicated.  The leasing company will have to first obtain the title from the original State before they can help you re-register it.  Finally, you will have the benefit of doing business locally so if you have a problem with the sale or with the vehicle, you will have the ability to remedy your problem with your local seller.

Now here's a little known fact for those that wish to dispose of their current vehicle in their old State and take delivery of a new vehicle in the new State (note it only applies to "New" vehicles).  Dealerships perform "courtesy deliveries" for other dealer's customers. So if you purchased a vehicle in your current State you could take delivery after you move in the new State without shipping the vehicle. You would take delivery with a local dealer which was pre-arranged by your dealership.

This process is set up by the dealer and can provide you with the benefit of registering your vehicle in your new State without any shipping or transportation costs.  The dealership may charge a fee of a couple of hundred dollars for the accommodation - however, it is significantly less than the costs of shipping a vehicle.