Car registration question (Washington, Long Island: for sale, home, purchase)

[Zarathu]

Originally Posted by Nor'Eastah

Maineah is a direct descendent of Margaret Thatcher, who once said, "The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money".

As long as it happens after I'm dead.

[OutDoorNut]

Originally Posted by Nor'Eastah

Maineah is a direct descendent of Margaret Thatcher, who once said, "The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money".

And the problem with capitalism is you eventually starve the workers to death.

Then your money is worthless with no one to boss around.

[Zarathu]

Originally Posted by OutDoorNut

And the problem with capitalism is you eventually starve the workers to death.

Then your money is worthless with no one to boss around.

As long as it happens after I'm dead, which won't be that long, at most about 25-30 years. Should be enough money in the coffers for that.

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by OutDoorNut

And the problem with capitalism is you eventually starve the workers to death.

Then your money is worthless with no one to boss around.

Greece invites you and people like you to move there and enjoy the fruits of modern socialism. Pack your flack vest.

[irisheyesafire]

Hello, I know this is a bit of an older thread, but I'm hoping I can still find someone with helpful info. My family and I are on the cusp of a move to Maine (within a few weeks to a couple months, depending), and we currently have no vehicle and I am really searching and searching to figure out whether to - 1) buy something here (currently Arkansas) then register there (contemplating what benefits, if any, there would be by doing this?); 2) or, fly there then buy there. However, my main concern is, of course, expense, and I'm really trying to figure out the Maine excise tax and etc. We currently will be seeking an older vehicle in an extremely low price range, like a 10 - 15 yr old vehicle, for a low $ to last us at least a couple years anyway until we can move up a notch or three. How does the excise tax work on vehicles that are older (what is the amount, and/or does it apply to ALL vehicles or only through certain number of years old, as I'm only seeing a mil rate that goes back to a 6 yr old vehicle)...? Please forgive my ignorance. I'm really striving to figure out at least a close estimate of what to prepare for - say, if I buy an older vehicle of approximately '95 - '00 year model, what would the excise tax be on such a car/truck.

We've been long anticipating a move to ME. We were married there in '07, have been there a few times during winter and summer, also lived in South Dakota and LOVED it - and boy we HATE the swealtering, often triple digit temps PLUS high humidity of 60 - 80+%, Arkansas summers.

Anywho... we still will need to be most frugal and very modest in our means, so crunching numbers for all sorts of things is what I spend most of my time doing and what I'm really working on for our move. Right now I'm on the vehicle portion of number crunching.

OH, and one more thing - would it really benefit us to be seeking a 4-wheel drive? We will be living not too close to coast (need a lower cost), but not probably more than 1/2 hour to an hour away (? - we're still investigating rentals in a few areas), and not "planning" to go north of Bangor if that far.

Many, many thanks to anyone who can assist us with any helpful vehicle information (taxes, inspections, and/or absolutely anything)!

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by irisheyesafire

Hello, I know this is a bit of an older thread, but I'm hoping I can still find someone with helpful info. My family and I are on the cusp of a move to Maine (within a few weeks to a couple months, depending), and we currently have no vehicle and I am really searching and searching to figure out whether to - 1) buy something here (currently Arkansas) then register there (contemplating what benefits, if any, there would be by doing this?); 2) or, fly there then buy there. However, my main concern is, of course, expense, and I'm really trying to figure out the Maine excise tax and etc. We currently will be seeking an older vehicle in an extremely low price range, like a 10 - 15 yr old vehicle, for a low $ to last us at least a couple years anyway until we can move up a notch or three. How does the excise tax work on vehicles that are older (what is the amount, and/or does it apply to ALL vehicles or only through certain number of years old, as I'm only seeing a mil rate that goes back to a 6 yr old vehicle)...? Please forgive my ignorance. I'm really striving to figure out at least a close estimate of what to prepare for - say, if I buy an older vehicle of approximately '95 - '00 year model, what would the excise tax be on such a car/truck.

We've been long anticipating a move to ME. We were married there in '07, have been there a few times during winter and summer, also lived in South Dakota and LOVED it - and boy we HATE the swealtering, often triple digit temps PLUS high humidity of 60 - 80+%, Arkansas summers.

Anywho... we still will need to be most frugal and very modest in our means, so crunching numbers for all sorts of things is what I spend most of my time doing and what I'm really working on for our move. Right now I'm on the vehicle portion of number crunching.

OH, and one more thing - would it really benefit us to be seeking a 4-wheel drive? We will be living not too close to coast (need a lower cost), but not probably more than 1/2 hour to an hour away (? - we're still investigating rentals in a few areas), and not "planning" to go north of Bangor if that far.

Many, many thanks to anyone who can assist us with any helpful vehicle information (taxes, inspections, and/or absolutely anything)!

Most 10-15 Y/O vehicles that have spent their lives in Maine are piles of rust by then. That's probably why they don't have excise tax figures for them going out that far. Seriously though older vehicles pay a minimum once you reach a certain point. I don't know that point as I have not had a vehicle that old in 30 years. If you are planning to buy I'd buy a vehicle out there and drive it to Maine. As stated before any vehicle that old in Maine is bound to be a rust bucket.. Just don't be surprised when it starts to rapidly age once you hit the salty roads!!
You can get along fine with 2-WD. I'd suggest snow tires if you're not all that familiar with driving on snow.
Inspections are yearly. They are unfortunately necessary in this salty state.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

"figure out whether to -

1) buy something here (currently Arkansas) then register there (contemplating what benefits, if any, there would be by doing this?)

Buy in Arkansas. They don't salt their roads. Buy all season tires with an aggressive tread. Get a 4WD. The best small ones are the Subaru Forester and the Toyota Highlander. An alternative is a Toyota Tacoma crew cab. That's a great vehicle.

If you really need a big one, the best is the GM Suburban series with a Diesel.

2) or, fly there then buy there.

If you fly you might save on the travel expense depending on the number on your family.

In the near future an older economy car that gets good mileage should be in the mix. A Honda Civic or VW Diesel will get 50 MPG.

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by irisheyesafire

Hello, I know this is a bit of an older thread, but I'm hoping I can still find someone with helpful info. My family and I are on the cusp of a move to Maine (within a few weeks to a couple months, depending), and we currently have no vehicle and I am really searching and searching to figure out whether to - 1) buy something here (currently Arkansas) then register there (contemplating what benefits, if any, there would be by doing this?); 2) or, fly there then buy there. However, my main concern is, of course, expense, and I'm really trying to figure out the Maine excise tax and etc. We currently will be seeking an older vehicle in an extremely low price range, like a 10 - 15 yr old vehicle, for a low $ to last us at least a couple years anyway until we can move up a notch or three.

I would buy a beater in Arkansas and pay extreme attention to rust. You should be able to find a 20year old sedan with no rust on it in Ark.

... How does the excise tax work on vehicles that are older (what is the amount, and/or does it apply to ALL vehicles or only through certain number of years old, as I'm only seeing a mil rate that goes back to a 6 yr old vehicle)...?

For each year that a vehicle ages the excise tax goes down. Eventually it bottoms out at $5. That is what I have been paying on our older vehicles.

The problem is that few vehicles in Maine last long enough to get to that old age. I have spoken with college students here, who return down South for the holidays. While down South they pick-up cheap old beaters that are clean of rust, and bring them up here.

... Please forgive my ignorance. I'm really striving to figure out at least a close estimate of what to prepare for - say, if I buy an older vehicle of approximately '95 - '00 year model, what would the excise tax be on such a car/truck.

It will be different according to the year of manufacture and the Blue Book's MSRP for the vehicle.

If you know exactly what year and what make/model of vehicle you can call most town offices and they will lookup the excise for it.

... OH, and one more thing - would it really benefit us to be seeking a 4-wheel drive? We will be living not too close to coast (need a lower cost), but not probably more than 1/2 hour to an hour away (? - we're still investigating rentals in a few areas), and not "planning" to go north of Bangor if that far. ...

4WD is good if you plan to do a lot of off-road driving. Otherwise it is an added expense and may involve higher maintenance costs.

I have a 4WD Willy [an old station wagon from before they made Jeeps], and a 4WD pickup. The only time that I find I need 4WD is when I am off-roading [or in the process of pulling a vehicle that is stuck in the ditch, and even then the 4WD function causes my tires to bark. It is not a feature designed for use on pavement]

I recommend driving a Front-WD vehicle so long as you plan to stay on pavement or gravel.

[irisheyesafire]

Thank you all so much for the fast and thorough replies!

Northern Maine Land Man, we had a VW deisel a few years back, and YES it was awesome on fuel! Would love to find another but haven't been having much luck there (last one was totaled on a surprise doe).

I'll probably look for a front wheel drive then, and yes it sounds like a plus to buy in the south and drive up. Will have to really investigate all the numbers and see. Also, if I buy in AR and get an old beater and pay $2000 or under, I pay no sales tax (ha, allowing I can get one that cheap that will GET me to ME ). Is Maine similar regarding sales tax on used vehicles under a certain $ or do I still pay sales tax no matter the cost of the ride?

Thanks to all of you a thousand times!

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by irisheyesafire

Thank you all so much for the fast and thorough replies!

Northern Maine Land Man, we had a VW deisel a few years back, and YES it was awesome on fuel! Would love to find another but haven't been having much luck there (last one was totaled on a surprise doe).

I'll probably look for a front wheel drive then, and yes it sounds like a plus to buy in the south and drive up. Will have to really investigate all the numbers and see. Also, if I buy in AR and get an old beater and pay $2000 or under, I pay no sales tax (ha, allowing I can get one that cheap that will GET me to ME ). Is Maine similar regarding sales tax on used vehicles under a certain $ or do I still pay sales tax no matter the cost of the ride?

Thanks to all of you a thousand times!

You'll still have to pay sales tax in Maine before you register the car. Maine has very archaic laws regarding vehicle purchase and excise taxes. Perhaps we can address these problems when we do away with welfare.