Buying out of state Tesla for MA resident

[webcrawler]

Given that MA doesn't issue temp plates, any ideas on how to buy out of state Tesla? Through Tesla or private party.

Tesla has reintroduced shipping at $2K but wonder if that can be avoided.

 

[CraigDStrauss]

Yes, I bought my model X (which was located in Paramus, NJ) from the Natick mall Tesla store. They offered to ship it to me for $1,000 but I am in the NJ area for business quite often so I picked it up and drove it home to Massachusetts. All you have to do is arrange to pick up your plates at the Tesla deliver center in Massachusetts (I went to Dedham). Then take your plates with you to wherever you are picking up your car. They will install the plates and you can drive away.

 

[tga]

In my experience, buying a car out of state as a Mass resident is a huge pain. After you pay and get paperwork (bill of sale and title/certificate of origin), you can go to the DMV and register/get plates. After that you pretty much have two choices, either ship the car to you or make another trip to the seller with plates in hand to pick up.

I bought a 911 from a dealer in TX once when I was living in MA. After paying, they fedexed the paperwork and arranged the shipping from TX to MA. I registered the car while it was in transit. I paid ~$1300 shipping (in 2007), so $2k isn't unreasonable, depending on how far the car is being sent, especially if you don't yet own the car (if something happens during shipping, it's not your problem).

I've also traveled out of state with a car trailer in tow, and brought the car back (unregistered) in a single trip. But you need a trailer and something to tow it with (both/either can be rented).

I bought a car from a private party in NH once and made 2 trips (inspect, pay, leave with paperwork, then go back with plates and drive home). NH dealers near the boarder will often register for you. They won't issue a NH temp, as MA doesn't recognize any state's temp plates when driven by a MA driver.

 

[glide]

You can pick up in any other state. That state will issue the temp plates for you.

You then will be responsible for registering the vehicle in MA.

Expect a 4+ month process. Do not expect any help from Tesla.

One other thing I would add; if Tesla does not have the title IN HAND for the vehicle. Walk away immediately.

 

[tga]

You can pick up in any other state. That state will issue the temp plates for you.

And as soon as a MA resident drives that car into MA, they are driving an unregistered vehicle. Out of state temp plates are not valid in MA when driven by a MA driver. If stopped, they risk heavy fines, criminal charges (misdemeanor), and impounding the vehicle:
Temporary Plates - Illegal in MA - sometimes... - Deland, Gibson Insurance

 

[glide]

And as soon as a MA resident drives that car into MA, they are driving an unregistered vehicle. Out of state temp plates are not valid in MA when driven by a MA driver. If stopped, they risk heavy fines, criminal charges (misdemeanor), and impounding the vehicle:
Temporary Plates - Illegal in MA - sometimes... - Deland, Gibson Insurance

How is it that they do not recognize legally issued plates from another state?

Seems like a clear violation of the commerce clause to me. But hey, it’s Massachusetts.

 

[tga]

But hey, it’s Massachusetts.

Yep. One thing I learned quickly when living there is that very little at the Mass RMV makes sense. They seem to go out of their way to make things confusing and difficult.

 

[yousexy]

very little at the Mass RMV makes sense

You got that right. I worked with RMV for a little over a year and from an oversight agency, I absolutely hated the RMV. Pain in the butt agency, they literally fought us on every single piece of legislation and policy change. We pushed hard on customer service area and the RMV always had an excuse for everything.

 

[glide]

It seems like they are actively trying to discourage people from buying vehicles out of state. Which, to my understanding, is illegal.