I'm not a lawyer, but it seems to me that this is a burden on the
manufacturers rather than on the user, since the phrase is "buy a NEW car".
The operative word is "new".  Sounds to me like (at this point), the law is
simply stating that you cannot purchase a new "49 state" version in
Washington.  Not to say there isn't more to this, or that more may soon be
forthcoming.

Karl Wolz

|-----Original Message-----
|From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
|Don Hanson
|Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2011 2:59 PM
|To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
|Subject: Washington state...changes in vehicle licensing rules..
|
|  Not interesting maybe to the general readership of Vanagon list, but the
|Wet Westies...this is us....and maybe an indicator for other states...
|
|  I just got my renewal notice for the vanagon registration and right
|there....paraphrase...
|
|  "be advised if you buy a new car it MUST now comply with California Clean
|Air standards to be registered in Washington state."
|
|   I certainly hope they don't intend to create the same type
|inspection/compliance/arbitrary and inconsistent rule requirment nightmare,
|nationwide, that California has with their CARB....
|
|  Not that I, as a tradesman, will ever again be able to afford a new
|vehicle on my 'worker-wages' but.....
|
|  Don Hanson