People have been registering cars out of state for years. Where there’s a will (to save $2500) there’s a way.
Of course, knowing CA, they would eventually require the “surcharge” on any large SUV registration, regardless of whether it was new or used.
You can always vote with your feet like I did.
that’s what I mean..you buy the car out of state, no tax owed..but when you register it the NEXT year, they’ll check their database and THAT’S when you get hit with the tax..