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Old 08-16-2007, 08:52 PM
 
26 posts, read 186,134 times
Reputation: 37

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Hello! I am moving from Kentucky. I am debating whether I should drive down in my car that isnt really worth much, or fly and buy a car in LA? Is it better and cheaper to buy a car in LA?
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Old 08-16-2007, 09:38 PM
 
1,297 posts, read 5,511,150 times
Reputation: 572
Quote:
Originally Posted by agranville View Post
Hello! I am moving from Kentucky. I am debating whether I should drive down in my car that isnt really worth much, or fly and buy a car in LA? Is it better and cheaper to buy a car in LA?
Drive out with your cheap car, secure your residence, work, get to know the areas where the dealers are, check the papers, internet ads, then leisurely shop for another car and take your time to get the right car and the right price.

Buying a used are isn't fun or easy in Los Angeles. There are many available but it takes time, a clear head, and diligence to avoid getting burned.
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Old 08-16-2007, 10:31 PM
 
18 posts, read 19,562 times
Reputation: 16
You are in for some culture shock coming from Kentucky to LA.My cousin is from Lexington and he could not get over the cost and the traffic here when he visited me last month.I hope you have some moonshine to sell because this place is expensive.
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Old 08-17-2007, 12:58 AM
 
Location: Cincinnati
1,749 posts, read 8,340,471 times
Reputation: 784
L.A. is brimming with cheap used cars. The caveat is that you have to be able to sniff out the good ones from the bad ones. I just bought a DIRT cheap BMW convertible from a celebrity. I still can't believe how cheap it was. I'll point out...I'm a semi-expert when it comes to buying used cars which is why I almost never waste my money on a brand new one. If your car is good and reliable, why not keep it? The only thing is that California has very strict smog checks and will your vehicle pass? Sometimes they require additional equipment i.e. "California Emissions". In L.A. you need a car with good a/c, good brakes, decent stereo and that doesn't overheat in stop and go traffic.
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Old 08-17-2007, 06:10 AM
 
26 posts, read 186,134 times
Reputation: 37
Quote:
Originally Posted by SmogBird07 View Post
You are in for some culture shock coming from Kentucky to LA.My cousin is from Lexington and he could not get over the cost and the traffic here when he visited me last month.I hope you have some moonshine to sell because this place is expensive.
LOL. I was there over Christmas and New Years this past year visting my sister in Culver City. I flew in and rented a car from the air port. I got a whiff of the traffic first hand. It was hectic but everybody here say I drive crazy so I kind of fit in. I didnt know though if I could take the long drive which would take about three to four days. One day if your drive straight through and no amount of moonshine could keep me sain through that!!!LOL
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Old 08-17-2007, 06:12 AM
 
26 posts, read 186,134 times
Reputation: 37
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sorcerer68 View Post
L.A. is brimming with cheap used cars. The caveat is that you have to be able to sniff out the good ones from the bad ones. I just bought a DIRT cheap BMW convertible from a celebrity. I still can't believe how cheap it was. I'll point out...I'm a semi-expert when it comes to buying used cars which is why I almost never waste my money on a brand new one. If your car is good and reliable, why not keep it? The only thing is that California has very strict smog checks and will your vehicle pass? Sometimes they require additional equipment i.e. "California Emissions". In L.A. you need a car with good a/c, good brakes, decent stereo and that doesn't overheat in stop and go traffic.
What do you mean by strict checks? Since you are a semi-expert tell me to make a 31 hour drive from Kentucky to LA, what do I need to make sure that is okay with my car? I know have new tires and breaks fixed but what else???? LOL
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Old 08-17-2007, 08:54 AM
 
Location: Arlington, VA
261 posts, read 1,667,474 times
Reputation: 113
Quote:
Originally Posted by agranville View Post
What do you mean by strict checks? Since you are a semi-expert tell me to make a 31 hour drive from Kentucky to LA, what do I need to make sure that is okay with my car? I know have new tires and breaks fixed but what else???? LOL
I assume it's that you have to pass an emissions test before you can register your car in CA. If you have to pass periodic emissions checks in Kentucky like we do here in northen VA, you're probably ok. If not, you may need to pay to get your car updated or apply for some sort of waiver.
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Old 08-17-2007, 10:02 AM
 
26 posts, read 186,134 times
Reputation: 37
I've never heard of an emissions check. We do not do that here! It doesnt matter what car you have you can have it here, you just cant have tint any darker than .5. Thats the only thing I know.
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Old 08-17-2007, 10:03 AM
 
Location: California
157 posts, read 675,524 times
Reputation: 75
Newer cars tend to be ok in California, if you come to Cali driving a 91 VW Jetta you might have a problem. Personally, I would sell there fly out and buy here. Just find a <edit name>and you shouldn't get burned, I have bought my last 5 cars thru <edit name> and always get a good deal.

Last edited by jimj; 08-19-2007 at 06:37 AM.. Reason: advertising
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Old 08-17-2007, 12:54 PM
 
2,589 posts, read 8,641,798 times
Reputation: 2644
Quote:
Originally Posted by agranville View Post
I've never heard of an emissions check. We do not do that here! It doesnt matter what car you have you can have it here, you just cant have tint any darker than .5. Thats the only thing I know.
i mentioned this to you in the other thread. did you forget?
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