| Author |
Message |
'75 308 GT4 (Peter)
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2001 - 6:31 pm: | |
After reading all of this makes me wonder what happened to that guy posting here a couple of months ago PREACHING the good word of bringing in Euro cars, so that he can see just how difficult it can be to do this.
We have emissions testing here in Vancouver. My car is exempt because of its age. But others with newer cars simply register it to an address outside of Vancouver in the rest of the province, if their car doesn't pass. But be warned that if something should happen to the car in California, be prepared to fabricate elaborate stories why the car isn't supposed to be in Texas or Idaho (your driver's license has your CA address, but the car is registered in another state, makes things sound fishy). |
BretM (Bretm)
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2001 - 2:31 pm: | |
How come it has been off the road for a year? The inspection? Just drive it and make a fake sticker. The whole emissions thing is blown out of proportion in the US anyway. Or do you need the inspection to register it (in NJ you don't)? I haven't gotten my car inspected yet (I've had it for 6 months) and I go to a family friend that will pass me no matter what. My car should pass though, it did in two other states in the past year or so. |
James H. (Jamesh)
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2001 - 4:20 am: | |
I would like to thank everyone for their help and support. I now have some very good leads and will be trying a few of them. With some luck, I will have the car back on the road again. It has been a shame to see the car parked in the driveway for over a year. I would also like to say that the people on this site are really good people. How often will you see someone offering a total stranger the use of their address. This has really touched me and I will try to keep up the standards you guys have set on this site.
James |
Sam NYCFERRARIS (Sam)
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 16, 2001 - 10:27 am: | |
Magoo,
Your comments are correct and welcome.
Our new member has a Ferrari he can't legally drive on the roads of CA but would like to. In four short days he received advice on some possible mechanical solutions (very costly); beauracratic solutions (saves money!) and illegal solutions (we should all oppose these outright - this should be a law-abbidding chat room - but I am against censorship of any kind regarding adult communication). In every chat, we all decide for ourselves what is helpful, what is entertaining and what is rude or simply wrong. It is pure, uncensored information sharing and enjoyment of the ferrari experience (yes, good and bad - we all happily take both) that is what is valuable. This chat let's us all share from all over the world --its great. Many minds working together to solve and discuss these problems and issues. I will now step off the soap box. |
Warren E. Smith (Magoo)
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 15, 2001 - 11:31 pm: | |
You know guys, when we use the internet to communicate, we can't hear voice inflection, we don't see facial expression and other body expressions that we see in face to face communication. This is why we should be careful as how we word our responses. Such is probably the case between Sam and James. However if someone intends to be an agitator on this chat line, get off we don't have time for you. MAGOO |
Erik Jonsson (Gamester)
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 15, 2001 - 11:08 pm: | |
No emissions here(except Boise) and personalized plates for 2 years is under $60. Tax is 5% and you will have to have a vin inspection here. You can use my Twin Falls, Idaho address! Much closer than Tx and much cheaper insurance. I was quoted ~$500 yr. full coverage from Haggerty as a "classic" |
Michael A. Niles (Man90tr)
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 15, 2001 - 4:16 pm: | |
Good idea. I did that for seven years to avoid 2X insurance rates with only 1/2 the coverage. I got double the coverage for only half my home state price. The out of state stuff does work. |
Sam NYCFERRARIS (Sam)
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 15, 2001 - 3:44 pm: | |
James,If you know anyone (friends family etc) in a less strict state, you can title it there using their local address and still enjoy the car in CA with the out of state plates and smog cert. Sound to me like that TX seller may OWE you (I know you feel you owe him (her?) a law suit) a least the use of the TX address so you can enjoy that sexy new european while you get this all sorted out. |
Michael A. Niles (Man90tr)
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 15, 2001 - 12:01 am: | |
Ok, we got that but what are you going to do? Let us know if we can help you in any way -- so far I think going to a "shoddy shop" would work. It doesn't matter if you are in the system -- once you pass, you pass. |
James H. (Jamesh)
| | Posted on Monday, May 14, 2001 - 11:46 pm: | |
Sam is correct. I will never purchase another European model / Gray Market Car again. Just because it has all the EPA papers does not mean it will pass emissions in your state. In fact, I will probably never purchase another out of state car because they may not have the California emission package. |
Sam NYCFERRARIS (Sam)
| | Posted on Monday, May 14, 2001 - 5:40 pm: | |
Curious, Should we learn from James and be prudent(that is a word you never hear about a ferrari owner)and suggest Euro car purchases subject to a state smog cert. As a personal policy I only buy the USA cars (love the euro 's speed etc. but try to reduce the many gotcha variables I am dealing with in a purchase) I know many Ferrari models are only available in quantity in grey market cars so smog srt. is a big issue, esp. in CA. I know of lots of Euro cars, are they all passing wiht a wink and a nod and a $50 crisp bill? |
308i80 (Lamont)
| | Posted on Monday, May 14, 2001 - 1:14 pm: | |
Call or e-mail Mark Spencer, VELOCE , specializing in Ferrari's in Campbell Ca. 408 369-9792 {[email protected] |
Mark Stevens (Firecopter)
| | Posted on Saturday, May 12, 2001 - 11:01 pm: | |
Have you thought about Oregon??? Email me and I will give a number of a smog station in Santa Maria. They smoged my Mondial when I bought it. I still scratch my head figuring out how it passed. They definately know how to tweek 6 1/2 cylinders to look good on the computer!!!!!! |
James H. (Jamesh)
| | Posted on Saturday, May 12, 2001 - 9:27 am: | |
Hi Erik, Unfortunately I am already in the States computer system because I had to go to them for the initial emission test and will have to go back to them for the retest. And Sam, I also have to apologize for being so sensitive. Its just this whole experience have been such a nightmare. I will share this whole experience later in hopes that others who will be purchasing their first Ferrari will learn from my many mistakes. |
Erik Jonsson (Gamester)
| | Posted on Saturday, May 12, 2001 - 4:40 am: | |
James, do some asking around at the "shoddy" garages- they will point you to a grease-the-palm friendly test station and may simply hook up a different car to get a pass. I had a 74 VW which wouldn't pass and paid a guy $50 and recieved my Smog cert the next day! There are people willing to do this still...as the fine is enormous for them, yet many shops are after the quick $100 bill. You may have better luck in an outskirts town(humboldt, danville...) + there are guys who know how to do fixes- such as running a high amount of alcohol, leaning the mixture, changing plugs, advancing timing- all to trick the test computer.
Best of luck,
I will contact a San Jose friend and see if he knows of a place for you.
Erik |
Sam NYCFERRARIS (Sam)
| | Posted on Saturday, May 12, 2001 - 1:41 am: | |
James -- welcome! no harm intended in the least, some mountains you climb and some, well, you just find a way to get around them. If there is a solution to your perdicament, I am sure the guys here will know or help you but it is not always cheap. But there are some real knowledgable, creative and helpful pros here - sorry for the wisecrack. |
Craig Dewey (Craigfl)
| | Posted on Friday, May 11, 2001 - 3:25 pm: | |
The lambda sensor is in the exhaust system and feeds back information to the ECU/fuel injection unit for emission control. If you don't have the sensor, you may not have the wiring and logic necessary to incorporate this sensor into your vehicle/engine system. The car certainly would also need a catalytic converter and air pump to meet emission standards . I suspect your best bets might be to:
1. Find a "friendly" emissions test station
2. Determine what exceptions can be made to CA law to allow you to drive-- some states have limited mileage provisions.
3. Continue to look for someone who knows this conversion
or... maybe moving to TX would be easier (I hear thos CA emission laws are very tough!!)
Good Luck!! |
Michael A. Niles (Man90tr)
| | Posted on Friday, May 11, 2001 - 2:47 pm: | |
We are free and easy going here. Jokes are in abundance but seriously Sam may have given you the cheapest advice based on the budget you proposed. Money no object, your task is easy --just the wait for parts may be long. Money as an object, its a bit@#. There is a reason why most of us buy American spec cars. California throws another wrench into the mix with its emmisions laws. What you need is to talk specifically with a person who has done a 308 Euro conversion --some of these things are sometimes left to a pro hence you screw up a really devalue the car.
Welcome to the forum and take the techincal advice seriously and the other stuff with a slice of humor. F stands for both Ferrari and Fun. |
James H. (Jamesh)
| | Posted on Friday, May 11, 2001 - 1:33 pm: | |
Thanks Sam for your reply. Sure is a nice way to welcome a new member. |
Sam NYCFERRARIS (Sam)
| | Posted on Friday, May 11, 2001 - 11:49 am: | |
Move to Texas. |
James Hom (Jamesh)
| | Posted on Friday, May 11, 2001 - 11:40 am: | |
I purchased a Euro 84 308GTS that was registered in Texas and now I am trying to register it in Northern California(Bay Area). It did not pass the emission test and am told a Lamda system needs to be installed. Can this system be installed by myself? Do I really need this to pass emissions test? Can anyone help me with some information. I am now low in funds as I have already spent 4300 for a 15,000 service and 2,000 on a new muffer/cat converter. The car has been sitting for a year now and its time to get it back on the road. |