Here's how things stack up between California and NJ:
Registration: '02 Sprint ST with 56,000+ miles on it, book value $2500:
NJ: $31.50 (may of this year)
CA: $134.00 (today)
Registration: '93 Civic with 195,000 miles on it, book value $1500:
NJ: $36.50 (last year, hasn't risen for this year)
CA: $99.00 (today)
Smog testing:
NJ: annual, free, free retest if you fail
CA: every 2 years, $58 at the station I went to, $25 for retest after repairs of your car fails (mine did)
New catalytic converter: $225 (either state)
So yeah, I just dropped $541 bucks today.
Just the mandatory registration and smog crap added up to:
NJ - 68 bucks total for both vehicles
CA - 316 bucks total for both vehicles
Yes, California charged me nearly 500% more for registration and smog than NJ.
If I drove anything that was actually worth money the multiple would be even worse, since California essentially levies an annual property tax on the value of every car and motorcycle registered in the state. To make it even worse, the tax is based on how much you paid for it when you first bought it, not what it is worth now, so my worn, tired Triumph gets taxed the same as a mint, low mile '02 that has never left the garage.
I am amazed anyone ever buys any new vehicles in this state.
Furthermore, gas was $2.10/gal for regular in Jersey when I left and 4 days later regular was $3.10/gal in L.A. - about 50% more!
....and to add insult to injury, the sales tax rate is now a whopping 9.75%, and it was "only" 8.25% before April 1st of this year. One reason for the sky high reg fees? The car tax (personal property tax portion of the aforementioned reg fees) doubled this year.
No wonder people are leaving in droves. For the first time in a decade, I'm actually budgeting down to the last dollar every week and making a conscious effort not to buy anything but absolute essentials. Looks like I'm going to be couchsurfing for at least another month in an effort to save money.
I'm cringing at the thought of what my truck will cost to register if I ever get it out here, and I still need to switch my driver's license over next week...which will probably cost another $99.00 if today's experience is any indicator.
