I think the screws have been tightened a bit. It's at least safe to say that
California 2003 emission stadards are a lot more stringent than Montana 1980
standards.

It is my understanding that in California smog testing is not required for
vehicles over a certain age (I think 25 years). I have uncovered no mention
in my research of a maximum required expenditure for younger vehicles. Two
Bay Area mechanics (one a VW specialists) mentioned nothing about a work
around. Both suggested that I take the van back to Montana. If there is
another solution I'd certainly like to know about it... anyone?

-j-bird

San Francisco
80 Westy

----Original Message Follows----
From: Ron Tipton <uther@dragonhome.org>
To: Jason Milam <jason_milam@HOTMAIL.COM>
CC: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM, uther@dragonhome.org
Subject: Re: Calif: Buying out of state
Date: Mon, 11 Aug 2003 15:04:49 -0400

 > Have you invesigated the smog issue?  A friend brought his '80 Westy to
 > California from Montana intending to sell it here. Not having been
 > manufactured for sale in California the vehicle is lacking emissions
 > equipment required by the CA DMV. Estimates to bring the thing up to code
 > were around $1200 - $1500 - and that's with no gurantee that it would
pass
 > the actual emissions test even then. He'll be driving it back to Montana
to
 > sell it there most likely... unless any listers are interested...

Wow!  Things must have changed.  When I moved to Berkeley from Columbia
Mo. I brought my cars with me.  Neither had been manufactured for sale
in California.  This was around 20 years ago and the cars were a 10 year
old Volvo that I purchased in Norway and a one year old Toyota Land Cruiser
from Mo.  At that time there was a maximum amount you had to spend (I think
it was around $150) and they let the car be licensed even if it didn't pass.

People move to California all the time and I can't believe that all have to
buy new cars or spend thousands of dollars on their current cars.  There
must be some sort of way around this.

Ron

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