For Sale: 2005 BMW 330 ZHP, Imola 6MT (not mine) SD, CA

[therealm3]

Found this one while doing my normal searches. It doesn't look too bad.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=302538997&dealer_id=58237362&car_year=2005&systime=&doors=&model=330I&search_lang=en&start_year=2003&body_style=SEDAN&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&search_type=both&distance=500&min_price=&rdm=1310011296698&drive=&marketZipError=false&advanced=y&fuel=&keywords_display=&sownerid=100023432&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&end_year=2005&showZipError=y&make2=&certified=&engine=&dma=SACRAMNTO-STKTN-MODESTO_SN&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&body_code=8&transmission=Manual&default_sort=distance&max_mileage=&color=&address=95835&sort_type=distance&max_price=&make=BMW&seller_type=b&num_records=25&cardist=476&standard=false

[llll1l1ll]

Looks nice. They want 18,500 for it. Too bad I'm so far away. Shipping costs would outweigh the actual purchasing of the vehicle, as it is probably a dealer and I would have to pay some taxes on that thing for both CA and MD.

It would only take me a day and 19 hours to drive it to my place, though!

[aurelius]

...it is probably a dealer and I would have to pay some taxes on that thing for both CA and MD.


CA really screws itself that way. Or at least its car dealers. Last I looked into it, when buying from a dealer, an out of state buyer owes CA tax unless the car is shipped out of state.

Seems like there might be a way to get the tax back from CA once the car is reg'd in another state. Anyone know?

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Mark, in 2006 I bought a BMW from a California dealership. I was a resident of another state. To get around the sales tax issue, I had the Northern California dealer drive the vehicle to a border town in Nevada. I took possession there. No CA sales tax.

Because I did it that way, I am not sure if there is a way to get CA sales tax back once you've registered in your state.

[BimmerRules!]

Looks nice. They want 18,500 for it. Too bad I'm so far away. Shipping costs would outweigh the actual purchasing of the vehicle, as it is probably a dealer and I would have to pay some taxes on that thing for both CA and MD.

It would only take me a day and 19 hours to drive it to my place, though!

Did you call them to obtain the price? If yes, did you sense any room adjusting the price? Thanks!

[llll1l1ll]

No, I just simply looked at the bottom of the ad. It's listed in the description.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

That's a good price. My only hesitation is buying it from one of those dealers. I happen to know exactly where this dealership is. It's one of those lots where there are about 60 cars or so. There are a hodge podge of makes on the lot. They don't know much about the cars they sell and it's difficult to get answers about previous work on the car, etc. Also, I simply have a skeptical feeling about those dealers that set up shop on Mission Gorge (there are about 3-4 of them along that street -- not counting some of the more traditional Toyota dealers that are near there, too).

Understand that my position is based, in good part, on gut. I have never done business with any of these lots.

[therealm3]

Yeah, I hear ya Marcus and I would be hesitant too. But I did buy my second BMW from a "questionable" used car lot and it turned out to be a great car. It was exactly the build and color combo I wanted so I took a chance. Flip side of that is I bought an M3 from a CCA member and service manager at a dealership and that car was a constant problem with hidden issues. We unloaded it after a few frustrating years. So, sometimes you just never know.

As far as out of state goes, my only experience has been bringing a car into CA and that wasn't a problem. Just paid taxes here.

[BimmerRules!]

Yeah, I hear ya Marcus and I would be hesitant too. But I did buy my second BMW from a "questionable" used car lot and it turned out to be a great car. It was exactly the build and color combo I wanted so I took a chance. Flip side of that is I bought an M3 from a CCA member and service manager at a dealership and that car was a constant problem with hidden issues. We unloaded it after a few frustrating years. So, sometimes you just never know.

As far as out of state goes, my only experience has been bringing a car into CA and that wasn't a problem. Just paid taxes here.

Thank you both for the color.

[BimmerRules!]

No, I just simply looked at the bottom of the ad. It's listed in the description.

Oops! I saw no price listed in the left link of autotrader and assumed I need to call. Thanks!

[llll1l1ll]

Haha no worries I almost did the same thing.

[Mike V]

This car looks exactly like mine did. My old 2005 Imola/Gray 6spd is the only 2005 zhp in the registry with that color combo, so it's weird to see this one pop up.

[tomjonesrocks]

I live in San Diego. So I've been researching this.

The selling dealer has an "F" BBB Rating:
http://www.bbb.org/san-diego/business-reviews/auto-dealers-used-cars/san-diego-auto-gallery-in-san-diego-ca-171987771/

...and some Union Tribune article in 2007 wrote of some business called the "Auto Gallery of San Diego" (same name as who is selling this--though I can't confirm the address) being sued by multiple buyers who bought wrecked cars. Same place?
http://www.10news.com/news/11015612/detail.html

The chance of a manual ZHP with low mileage being sold in my own backyard seems very rare--but this seems like a lot of "smoke" to ignore.

It sounds like they also don't actually have the car "in hand" either...for whatever reason.

I *still* might see this thing at whatever point it's actually 'on location' but no way I'm going down there without a gearhead to go over the thing with me. The cruising-by-at-lunch on my own idea is off the table. At this dealer and with this reputation (and price of this car+low mileage) would assume SOMETHING is up...

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Tom, I'd pass on this one. Too much smoke.

Still, if you really are interested, then hire Shane Nguyen to go down with you. He owns Euro Auto Spot (off Miramar Road).