How about some details of registering the GT in Arizona? One of my short term options might land us back in the Valley. Two questions:
1. What is the deal with collector car status on the GT? Normally that's reserved for older vehicles.
2. How much are plates? What is the algorithm for determining the rate? My CO plates seemed to have bottomed out at about $850. They start off high (when new) and then go down to some residual value.
Registering in AZ:
Obtain a letter from insurance carrier that the car is insured as a specialty and/or collector vehicle. Take that letter to DMV and they will waive smog testing no matter what the year of the vehicle is. I am told that there is some sort of internal cross check between the DMV and the insurance carrier to prevent fake letters.
The annual registration fee is based upon the original base price window sticker, then reduced annually. I am paying roughly $1000 for a 2006 GT in 2013. The algorithm is as follows:
Vehicle registration fees include a $4.50, $8.00, or $9.00 registration fee (depending on the type of vehicle); an air quality fee of $1.50; an air quality compliance fee of .25 (depending on the location the vehicle is being operated in); and a vehicle license tax (VLT) assessed in place of a personal property tax charged by other states. The VLT is based on an assessed value of 60% of the manufacturer's base retail price reduced by 16.25% for each year since the vehicle was first registered in Arizona (15% before 8/1/98). Then, as of the Dec 1, 2000 reduction, the rate is calculated as $2.80 (new vehicles)/$2.89 (used vehicles) for each $100 of the assessed value.
For example, for a new vehicle that costs $25,000, and is registered for two years, the first year assessed value would be $15,000 and the VLT would be $420.00. The second year the assessed value would be $12,562.50 and the VLT would be $363.06. Other fees may apply when a vehicle is registered commercially.
Best, Tom