Question: A friend of mine who is moving to California wants to buy my 2004 Nissan 350Z Touring Roadster. I live in Texas at the moment. He asked me if my car would pass the California emission standards. I have no clue what the answer would be. Anyone has an idea? my car is in perfect shape, it's got 15,500 miles on it and it is a 6-speed. Any clues? Thanks

 

hmm... I think it should be ok unless it has some mods

 

I have no mods.

 

Why would it not pass?

30 years ago cars were made in two models: the California model, and one for the rest of the states. Today, all vehicles sold me all emission requirements in all states.

 

Should be fine.

 

As long as you keep the catalytic converter, it should be fine

 

+1 Even fifteen years ago for some manufacturers. The 350Z is 50-state legal, so you should have no problems.

 

My Z and former 02 Maxima both unmodded and both bought in WA passed Cali emissions w/no problem.

 

Are you 100% sure about that 2nd fact? I'm not given what I see here http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/compx...Field=Findacar and given that when Ford added their PZEV/SULEV Focus, it was standard in CA but an extra cost option in most other states. See http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpconta...4/pageNumber=1 and http://media.ford.com/newsroom/featu...?release=16147.

 

+2. I'm not sure about the 30 year rule, but from experience I can tell you that there are different versions of vehicles. I purchased a 97' Eclipse in California. It has different components on it compared to an Eclipse sold in Texas. The state inspection people have pointed this out to me on several occasions.

 

read the label on the inside of your front hood. It'll tell you if it's legal for California or not emission-wise.

 

Pretty much all the Japanese cars these days are Low emissions vehicles... now the Fords made in Mexico on the other hand... lol

 

The Sentra is made in Mexico.

I don't think the OP will have probs passing Cali emissions. While I'm fairly sure that all/most cars sold in the US now are 50-state vehicles (capable of passing emissions tests in all states; not all states even require any testing by the owner), I suspect that CA and a few other states get even lower emission versions given some examples I posted earlier.

 

I dont want to sound like an *** but here in Houston, TX we have the exact same emission laws as Cali. Just so you know. ( my $.02 )

 

Thanks for the clarification.

 

Correct. Different versions of a vehicle is not the same as being able to register a vehicle in a particular state. As an example is a new California 260Z can be register in any state. Only a California 260Z can be registered in California.

The OPs question is about passing emissions and registration. A vehicle which does not pass California emissions can not be registered in California.