I have to take issue with Sam's issue regarding emission control systems not
working or not being designed right...maybe my observation was tainted by
his "SHOUTING" in the subject line.....

Admittedly, the emission controls in vehicles built from 1968 to about the
mid 80's were nothing more than half-assed tack-ons which lowered emissions
in the short run and robbed engines of power and efficiency. I say short run
in that these deivices usually packed it in by 60k miles, and make it one
hell of a bitch to repair when they died when these cars were 10 years
old..and make one hell of a headache when a car is 20+ old.

However, if you look at any system that has come out of Germany at least
since the mid 80s to now...namely BOSCH...these are systems which are fully
integrated into the design of the engine and drivetrain and are reliable. My
86 GTI with 225k miles passes emissions tests no problem....my 93 EV went
thru the state emission test...with 0% HC (std. .5%) and .03% CO (std.
.29%). I have only replaced plugs and filters on the EV and set the timing
once.....18 months ago. I basically got the inspection sticker/emissions
test as an afterthought...I was driving around,killing time while my wife
was shopping, looked at the inspection sticker....saw that it was about to
expire, stopped at a garage and had the inspection done. No muss...no fuss.

Maybe before attacking the issue of emission controls, environmentalists,
non-environmentalists, maybe you should get some facts on emission controls
and their history rather than making blanket statements.

IMHO

Ric