Wow... $500 for a year on a $25,000 vehicle?  Yikes.

I think we pay on based on weight here.  Both my 98 Grand Cherokee and my 89
Syncro Westy are each under $100 a year... no emissions testing, just a
safety inspection once a year... about $10 or so.  There aren't many things
we save on living in Hawaii... but there are a few!  No winter clothes
though... of course extra on suntan lotion, swimsuits and beach towels.
Food, gas and housing is also higher.  Food about like a resort area in the
mainland... Aspen, etc... Gas is $2.00 or more a gallon (although we've had
gas "wars," sort of lately... waaaayyy down to $1.90!)... and housing is
higher throughout the state, but cheaper in eas Hawaii (the Big Island)
where I live.

Why am I telling you guys all this???  Beats me.  But now you know.

Aloha,

Mick Kalber
89 Syncro Westy "Daddeo"
Tropical Visions Video, Inc.
62 Halaulani Place
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
808-935-5557
808-935-0066 (fax)
hotlava@interpac.net
www.volcanoscapes.com

----- Original Message -----
From: Bill N <freeholder@STARBAND.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, June 24, 2001 11:23 AM
Subject: Re: Annual Vehicle Tax

> In Arizona, you pay for plates based on the value of the vehicle.  Buy a
new
> car for $25,000 and you can expect to pay around $500 for the plates the
> first year, and then it will drop a bit every year.  My '81 Vanagon Westy
is
> about $30 for two years, and since I don't live in Phoenix or Tucson,
there
> is no emission testing to worry about.
>
> Bill
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Scott Grillo" <scottgrillo@COMPUSERVE.COM>
>
>
> > Connecticut is also usurious....   Registration (tags) are about 125 for
> > two years (they have a biennial system).  Then depending on where you
> > live, you get taxed on the car based on the mil rate for the town of
> > residence.  Finally, there are always the gotchas....  $20 biennially
> > for emissions, either $10 or $15 (can't remember) if you purchase a car
> > over 10 years old or is brought into the state for a safety inspection.
> > They also pulled another good one this year.  Seems they want everyone
> > to have the new style 'reflector' plates, even if your old ones are ok.
> > So, they have tacked $10 on the bill for new tags, which will have the
> > same numbers as old.  Of course, they've billed for them, but they
> > haven't delivered them.
>