vehicle taxes (Charleston: sales, how much, buying)

[hammdy]

I live in another state right now and plan to move to Charleston pretty soon (next month or two). I'm also in the market for a new car, and am trying to figure out if it would be cheaper to purchase it now, or wait until I move to SC. If I buy it now here's the breakdown of taxes, reg, etc in my state (based on a 2002 model year car, 3500 lb, $50000 msrp, $20000 current estimated value):
title: $25
registration until Feb 2010: $240
sales tax: (5% x $18000) $900
total: $1165

I've found the following data from this website for costs in SC SC Department of Motor Vehicles :

Title and Reg. fees: $24 + $15 + $30 = $64
Sales tax: (5% of purchase price or maximum $300) so $300 in sales tax

that means $364 plus whatever in "county vehicle property tax" it would cost. I can't seem to find any information on how much vehicle property taxes are. Do you think based on the vehicle info given earlier that the property tax would be more than $801? ($1165 - $364 = $800)

If this is all too confusing here's a summary: please estimate how much a 7 year old $18000 3500 lb. vehicle would cost in property tax in Charleston County. Thanks!

[guttata]

I think you would be better off buying in SC because of the maximum $300 sales tax limit - compared to other states. Even if you bought out of state, you wouldn't be able to register your car without paying the auto property tax. So, the auto property tax is the same regardless of whether you bought in state or out of state. The tax is dependent on the value of the car (as determined by the state). I would guess it's about $300-500 for an $18k used car - the tax should decrease every year as the value of the car decreases.

[hammdy]

That's true that I'm going to have to pay the property tax when I move there either way so I guess it would be cheaper to wait until I move. Thanks!

[OleTomCat]

The property taxes on my wife's Durango was only about $400.00 when we first bought it three years ago, now it is down to about $200.00, you will have to pay this regardless of whether you buy the car out of state or not and it is an annual tax that goes down as the car depreciates.