Buying a car and then moving out of state

mz321

Hi everyone,

I'm graduating from college and buying a new car for the first time.

I'm currently living in Massachusetts, but in a month I'm moving to Virginia to start a new job. The question is, would it be advisable to buy a car in Massachusetts (if I can find a good deal), driving it around for a few weeks in Massachusetts, and then moving it to Virginia? Would I have to get MA plates first, or can the temporary one from the dealer work for some time? Would I need to buy insurance first in MA and then again in VA? If the 2 state solution is too expensive, then I can just buy when I get to VA. That might not be ideal though, because I would need a car after moving there immediately and so may not have much time to negotiate.

It's my first time owning a car, so I'm a bit dumb on the whole paperwork issue. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

stever

Congrats times 4! (graduating, job, move and new car).

I'm getting ready to move this summer to a different state and neither of my old cars may survive the trip. My preference though, is to move and get an address, and then get a new car. That way I avoid one DMV. :-)

Tax issues can be tricky too. It'd be worth a call to the Virginia DMV and try to find the person with the right answer - mainly you don't want to pay a lot of tax in Mass and then wind up paying a bunch more tax to register the car in Virginia a month down the road. Some states have reciprocity agreements to even "sales" taxes out but some don't.

Renting often seems like money down the drain but that could be an option to give you time to search and negotiate, especially if you can rent from a "rent-a-wreck" kind of place. But if you're under 25, that may not be an option either.

Insurance costs should be pro-rated even if you have to change companies (and you may have to), but again, you can't assume it'll work that way. You'll have to check with an agent, and preferably get something in writing if you decide to buy in Mass first and then move.

movingsoon

I know you wrote this over a year ago, so this might be a futile exercise. However, I am in the same boat. I live in MA, intend on buying a car here, and then will be moving to VA for a new job. I also need a car as soon as I get there and driving my car would be the best way for me to move. I am wondering how to avoid all sorts of fees, like having to register the car twice and whatever else both MA and VA will throw at me. If you have any wisdom, please share. Thanks!