Finally received my 2022 Telluride EX Nightfall, AWD, with Tow Package. Made a down-payment and financed with USAA (1.89 %). Here is a timeline breakdown and CA DMV experience. Hope this can help future owner purchasing out of state from CA.
06/08/21- placed order with i25 Kia and placed $500 refundable deposit.
06/23/21- order filled and gave me ETA of 08/05/21
07/22/21- dealership began emailing documents to sign electronically and email back. Spoke with USAA about new purchase (Loan application/Dealer funding Request form...etc). Dealership told me now new ETA is 07/29/21
07/23/21- dealership overnight paperwork via UPS to sign and overnight back. Wrote address of DMV on a sticky note I wanted dealership to send documents to register the vehicle. Filled out several paperwork to include DMV Reg343 (mostly filled out by dealership)
07/26/21- vehicle arrived at dealership...yes earlier than expected.
08/04/21- transportation company picked up vehicle at dealership. Cost is
$1500 to ship (added in the price of the vehicle0. Funny thing is the transportation company told me I had to pay ~$850 for cost of shipping. Told them to talk to dealership as I paid them. So found out dealership is making money off shipping. Still better than the crazy markups here in CA.
08/07/21- vehicle delivered to doorstep here in San Diego
Only thing that bothered me was the vehicle sat at the dealership for about a week (07/26/21 to 08/04/21). Finance prolonged the process and I had to directly speak with him to get the vehicle shipped out. Was not happy with that. But overall happy the wait time was faster than if I ordered thru another dealership. Shout out to Dominic (Sales guy) in keeping me informed throughout the process. He texted me when Window Sticker came in,
VIN was created,...etc.
DMV information and experience: (
mistake - went initially without SMOG check and was turned back. So get your SMOG done!!)
08/10/21- received 1st class mail from CA DMV in my mailbox. Had copies of several documents. Had letter stating San Diego field office (that I picked and wrote on the sticky note) has received the original title and to come in to register the vehicle. If not completed by a certain date, original title will be returned to USAA. In there was copies of: MDV For Reg 343, CA sales tax paid, Certificate of Origin for Vehicle, Dealer's Bill of Sale, Purchase Agreement, Security Agreement, DMV generated fees, Incomplete DMV application. Take this with you to DMV.
08/23/21- Went to local DMV. After reading these forums, somebody posted that SMOG may not be needed. I went without SMOG hoping the EPA sticker under the hood was good enough. Drove to the back and got in line for Vehicle verification for inspection. Of course passed everything and he checked the sticker under the hood and I asked him about SMOG. He said the sticker means the vehicle meets EPA regulations and can be registered in CA and all states. He said he thinks they will still ask for SMOG once I go inside. Hoping he would be wrong, I got a number and waited my turn. Lucky the wait was really short. Once my turn, they asked for SMOG and I tried to explain that I may not need one but she and a Supervisor confirmed that I needed a SMOG as it was coming form out of state. I asked if I go now and get it, if I had to wait in line again, and they said unfortunately yes. I tried to argue but they were adamant. I even showed them the DMV website. They said again it only means the label shows the vehicle meets EPA and can be registered in CA. So I left disappointed and returned after an hour an half with SMOG completed. After another wait, they found my Original Title and DMV forms sent from dealership. So didn't have to fill out any forms. Lady calculated the
registration fees and paid $430.56 with checkbook. Received registration and plates and no more visits.
