Hi, I decided to post my question here rather than the California forum because I wanted broader exposure and thought part of the discussion might be relevant to other US states as well.
While I anxiously wait for my 2012 E92 which is still a month or so away, I thought I'd try to calculate the precise out-the-door price to avoid any surprises at the dealership. Can knowledgeable members please review my calculations? Thanks!
Car: 2012 E92 M3
Agreed-on Sale Price: $68,500
Additional charges will include sales tax, various DMV fees, dealer documentation fee, and other miscellaneous fees.
Sales tax is charged on the entire sale price, including destination and gas guzzler tax. It sucks, but that's the way it is. (Search if you disagree.) Tax rate differs by municipality. For San Jose it is 8.25%, or $5,651. None of the fees below is subject to sales tax.
The DMV fees have many parts. Fortunately the California DMV web site offers a calculator to figure out the exact amount. This calculator also tells you the sales tax from your ZIP code. It is at:
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/wasapp/FeeCal...VehicleFees.do
The total DMV fees are $555 in my case. Details:
Current Registration: 43.00
Current California Highway Patrol: 23.00
Current Vehicle License Fee: 445.00
Current County Service Authority for Freeway Emergencies Fee: 1.00
Current Fingerprint ID Fee: 1.00
Current Smog High Polluter Repair Fee: 6.00
Original Smog Abatement: 6.00
Alt Fuel/Tech Smog Fee: 8.00
Current Auto Theft and/or DUI Crime Deterrence Program: 1.00
Current Abandoned Vehicle Fee: 1.00
Current Air Quality Management District: 6.00
Current County Transportation Projects Fee: 10.00
Alt Fuel/Tech Reg Fee: 3.00
Use/Sales Tax: 5,651.00
Reflectorized License Plate Fee: 1.00
Total Registration Fees: $555.00
Now for the doc fee and misc fees. I couldn't find a definitive text on these, but I did find a somewhat indirect description in the verbiage of the proposed legislation called AB 1215. In it it says:
(
http://www.aroundthecapitol.com/bill...110AB121590CHP)
Existing law makes it a violation of the Vehicle Code for the
holder of any vehicle dealer's license to commit specified actions,
including, to advertise the total price of a vehicle without
including all costs to the purchaser at the time of sale, except
taxes, vehicle registration fees, the California tire fee, as
defined, emission testing fees not exceeding $50, actual fees charged
for certificates, finance charges, and any dealer document
preparation charge, and prohibits the dealer document preparation
charge from exceeding $55.
According to this the documentation fee can't be more than $55. I will assume the dealership charges the maximum.
The California tire fee is $1.75 per tire, or $7 for our 4 tires. (
http://www.boe.ca.gov/info/fact_sheets/ca_tire_fee.htm)
The emission testing fee is not applicable to vehicles younger than 6 years old. (
http://www.dmv.com/ca/california/emissions-testing)
The quoted text doesn't say the exceptions mentioned are the complete list, but I am going to assume it is because I couldn't find any better information. I suppose this is a big assumption and a potential weakness in my argument if dealer tacks on more fees. Does anyone have a more definitive list of fees?
Finally, adding up all of them I get $68,500 + $5,651 + $555 + $55 + $7 = $74,768. My out-the-door price should not exceed this. Does this sound correct?
I left out financing from the discussion, because I figured financing is simply an additional step after arriving at the out-the-door price.
Thanks in advance for all comments!