[che_socal]

Does anyone know what sort of work/steps would be involved in buying a car off a dealer in a different state than you're in, and shipping it to your state? Especially when "your state" happens to have stricter emissions?

In my case, the "your state" is CA, so this seems like a very probably issue.

Other than probably a lot of paperwork, are there huge engine/exhaust modifications that may be needed to meet the stricter requirements?

Is this just a stupid idea in general?

 

[Busabob]

If it's stock you're fine. All GM cars have been 50-state compliant for several years. I would fly and drive, flew to NYC to get my car and drove back to AZ, great trip.........bring a radar detector.

 

[Domsz06]

What he said.^^^^^

Cali's strict rules have not taken effect yet, and don't matter to cars that are 50 state legal, which the v is.

Buy a plane ticket and a Valentine 1.

 

[jb_bgg]

I just bought a used 09 registered in another state. When I registered in SO CA the "system" prompted the DMV agent for a smog certificate. I requested management confirm the requirement as this was a 2 yr old, 50-state compliant auto that should not require smog. Manager said it was required since it was an out of state car. After wasting an entire moring this was not a battle worth fighting so I had it smogged, but I'm 95% certain they were wrong. In the case of purchasing new, you shouldn't have an issue.

 

[GM-4-LIFE]

I have done this many many times in the past 10 years. All GM vehicles produced starting in the 2001 model year are 50 state legal. If you buy a vehicle from an out of state dealer, you must have the vehicle smogged here in California before getting the vehicle inspected at the DMV. Once you have smogged the car and have had it inspected at the DMV, you fill out all applicable paperwork, pay the sales tax and license fees to the DMV and you are done. That's it. It is actually a very easy process. If you have any questions, let met know.

 

[Gary Wells]

I'm thinking that there is something to do with a specific Republik of Kalifornia emissions code, and even though all since '01 are 50 state compliant, unless you have the C5F code, or whatever it is, you must smog. I think that if you have the correct code, you don't have to smog.

 

[Domsz06]

not sure about now but when I moved to cali in 2006 with my 2007 corvette I did not have to have it smogged. Granted I didn't end up tagging it in cali since they tried to charge me sales tax on it since it was under one year, and they would not take my exise tax from OK as a credit. I told the DMV lady to shove the 8grand I owed them right up there arse. I never did tag that vette, just left it tagged in OK and drove it every weekend

 

[GM-4-LIFE]

I'm thinking that there is something to do with a specific Republik of Kalifornia emissions code, and even though all since '01 are 50 state compliant, unless you have the C5F code, or whatever it is, you must smog. I think that if you have the correct code, you don't have to smog.

Even though the car had the YF5 emissions label under the hood and it stated that the car was CA compliant, the DMV still makes you smog the car. This only applies to new vehicles that have NEVER been registered in any other state and are new with an MSO and has never been titled or tagged in any other state. Trust me, I have done this at least 7-8 times over the years and every single time, the DMV here has made me smog it to verify it will pass CA smog standards. It has never failed!

The last couple of times I purchased a CTS-V from an out of state dealer, I had the car courtesy delivered here at a California Cadillac dealer and since they were doing the DMV paperwork on the car, I did NOT have to smog the car. I did have to pay the courtesy delivery fee though which wasn't exactly cheap.

 

[Gary Wells]

OK, thanks for the correction, Shawn.

 

[thebigjimsho]

I flew to San Antonio to buy my '09 and drove back to MA. No problems for me...

 

[che_socal]

Thanks everyone! It makes total sense that all or virtually all domestic cars should be 50-state compliant.

According to the "United States emission standards" wikipedia page (sorry, too newbie on forums to be allowed to post a link yet!) there's effectively 14 "CARB states" (California Air Resources Board), so it's no longer 50 vs 49 state compliant, it's 50 vs 36, so no wonder manufacturers might as well go for 50.

This quote (from the same webpage) was also interesting and news to me:

"The EPA has adopted the California emissions standards as a national standard by the 2016 model year and is collaborating with California regulators on stricter national emissions standards for model years 2017–2025."

 

[mrl859]

I just bought a used 09 registered in another state. When I registered in SO CA the "system" prompted the DMV agent for a smog certificate. I requested management confirm the requirement as this was a 2 yr old, 50-state compliant auto that should not require smog. Manager said it was required since it was an out of state car. After wasting an entire moring this was not a battle worth fighting so I had it smogged, but I'm 95% certain they were wrong. In the case of purchasing new, you shouldn't have an issue.

In California, change of ownership requires smog, even if one day old.

 

[Skanlez]

I know I'm bringing out an old thread but couldn't find the answer to my question. May buy a CTS V out of state with a Lingenfelter upgrade. I live in California, will I have any issues when I go to DMV to have them inspect it? What about smog, any issues there? If I could pass the DMV emissions, I can try and find someone to do a special smog for me. But prefer it to pass with flying colors.

Thanks in advance