Michigan changed their classic licence plate rules. Good or bad?

[Carfreak]

Oh yeah I do recall now seeing that info in Hagerty's general info.

There is a simple way to ensure you don't exceed the mileage limits, buy a few more vehicles, every year.

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

The point was that if your state was putting restrictions on when you could drive based on the type of registration you choose that then the insurance company didn't have to impose any restrictions because your state already did.

Then maybe it's time to shop around for another carrier- preferably one that doesn't see an onslaught of extra driving as a result if it. 

[Clewisiii]

Quick question. Speaking of the registration. Do other states charge registration fees based on original selling price or weight class. I thought it was funny that I had old cars cost more to register then a new car.

[Carfreak]

At a swap meet today

[Clewisiii]

You went to the swap meet in Monroe. I was thinking about going there. I did not know how much I might find for my car. But from Flushing to Monroe is a long drive. I am going to go to the one in Fowlerville next month. But I assume that will be smaller.

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

In PA, annual registration is $45.00/year for passenger cars with GVWR up to 9,000 lbs. A one-time 6% sales tax on the purchase price is collected at the time ownership is transferred (a/k/a titled in the name of a new owner) regardless of whether registration is issued. A title fee of $67.00 is also charged in addition to the sales tax. 

[Clewisiii]

My 94 DeVille was $250 a year registration.

[Carfreak]

You went to the swap meet in Monroe. I was thinking about going there. I did not know how much I might find for my car. But from Flushing to Monroe is a long drive. I am going to go to the one in Fowlerville next month. But I assume that will be smaller.

Yep, Monroe Swap was very good. Nice size with several hundred vendors; almost the entire fairgrounds were full.  It it is about an hour for us, has to be more than 2 hours for you.

Have you ever been to the Fowlerville Swap?  300 spaces there and not quite as big but a lot of stuff shows up. 

Weather?  Cool & very windy this morning had us wearing coats which were shed within a few hours, winds died down and I came home with sunburn - even had a few rain drops on the windshield about 5 miles from home. 

[Clewisiii]

No I have never attended a swap meet. I have only ever been to three car shows.

[Carfreak]

There's another good-size swap meet hosted by the Bearing Burners down I-75 from you in Shelby Twp. 

Someone told me it's on Sunday May 5 but not positive. 

[David King (kz78hy)]

The MI registration system is very expensive.  It is based on the MSRP of the car model.  It does not depreciate, so the 30 year old Cadillac that sold for 35k is still taxed as if it were new.  Also, there is no trade allowance on sales tax.  The 6% sales tax is based against the transaction total without any trade-in credit so you always are paying the the full price. 

This is one of the bad points of living here.

[Clewisiii]

There's another good-size swap meet hosted by the Bearing Burners down I-75 from you in Shelby Twp. 

Someone told me it's on Sunday May 5 but not positive. 

Sunday May 19th 9-4 on 21 mile.

[Carfreak]

The MI registration system is very expensive.  It is based on the MSRP of the car model.  It does not depreciate, so the 30 year old Cadillac that sold for 35k is still taxed as if it were new.   

Unless registered with a Historic ($30/10 years) or Authentic ($35/never expires) license plate then the cost is nominal.

[David King (kz78hy)]

Unless registered with a Historic ($30/10 years) or Authentic ($35/never expires) license plate then the cost is nominal.

That is correct and the usage limitations associated with those plates.  All my old cars have year of mfg. plates.

[TJ Hopland]

I assume there is also a time period that has to pass with the same owner before you can change the plate type.  You can't register it as a classic to avoid paying the sales tax then change it to a regular sort of thing.   I know MN has something along those lines. 

[Clewisiii]

You pay taxes to get the title in your name. Registration is separate.

I have the title for my 61 Cadillac and 52 Buick. I already paid the taxes. But I cannot register them until I insure them for the road. And I have not done that yet.

[Carfreak]

Clay,

Is there a reason you are waiting to insure your cars? Hagerty offers coverage even if your vehicle is currently under restoration. Likely you already have $$$$$ invested in the cars; you never know when tornadoes, fire, theft, etc. could occur. 

Suggest you contact Hagerty Agent and CLC member (former Motor City Region President) Chris Beltz. Classic Car insurance can be pretty reasonable. Chris' contact info is in the CLC Directory or you can contact me for it.

[Clewisiii]

I plan on getting restoration insurance once the body is back on the frame. Planning this fall.