Trying to ressurect a 79 spider

[RRoller123]

What is this "back fee" business?

[spiderrey]

The car hasnt been registered since 98. The state wants the back fees to the tune of 700. Mark ,I think I have those two options covered. my girl always has a trick up her sleve. And Joe thats in the process.

[RRoller123]

So they want you to pay the registration fees for all the years that it wasn't on the road, therefore consuming no public services? I am quite surprised that this hasn't fallen to legal challenges. Sounds crazy.

[wachuko]

So they want you to pay the registration fees for all the years that it wasn't on the road, therefore consuming no public services? I am quite surprised that this hasn't fallen to legal challenges. Sounds crazy.

Surprised?? It is California!

[RRoller123]

Even for CA this sounds crazy. What if you wanted to resurrect a car from the early 1950's that had at one time been on the road? They would want many thousands of dollars in fees for all the time it had been sitting, NOT contributing pollution and CO/CO2? I am from MA, of course, and we are looney here too, but not like this. I must say I really am surprised. I guess this just encourages cars to be scrapped, thereby lowering the supply of used cars and raising prices... wait a minute, isn't that what cash for clunkers did?

[124JOE]

he could sell it mexico as is

[spiderrey]

If your not gonns use your car you are suppposed to put it on a non op. That costs ten bucks. Then you pay nothing till it goes back on the road, otherwise they think you have been driving it while not pay its fees.

[RRoller123]

That at least makes some sense.

[So Cal Mark]

A car can't be registered unless it's insured, so if an owner doesn't complete the NON-OPERATIONAL form, the license fees compound each year with penalties and interest. DMV used to drop cars out of the system after 5 years, then you could re-register with only current fees due. Once they upgraded the state computer system, they had the capacity to store records forever. And since the state is broke, they want back fees no matter what. Back fees used to be waived if you did a lien sale, but that changed also and back fees are due if they are in the system

[RRoller123]

So I suppose someone could just register it in another state and then transfer it back to CA.

[So Cal Mark]

that doesn't work either, Calif keeps the car in their system now. Most states don't cross reference registrations with other states. They're serious about collecting back fees

[RRoller123]

Man that is ugly.

[So Cal Mark]

you have to be really careful buying a car now if the registration is expired

[RRoller123]

Just one more reason to head out. Absolutely beautiful state but apparently run by fools. We have pretty much the same problem here in MA (but our RMV is not nearly that bad!). A good friend of mine just retired, SF Bay area, took his millions and said adios.

[deftone]

Even with the back fees this looks like a good purchase. I paid $500 for mine and it needs a full engine rebuild plus interior plus floors replaced!