I recently sold my FI Z and found out something that may interest current FI owners. If you sell your car in the first 4 years it DOES NOT have to go through SMOG before you sell it, you pay $15 transfer fee at the DMV and they don't have to have the car inspected.

So you have 4 years to enjoy and sell without having to worry.

It's list on the DMV website.

 

Good find!! Emissions is definitely a big concern in Cali because of how strict the laws are out here. How long before we have to "smog" our cars anyways?? I have heard 4 and 6 years. Anyone know which is correct??

 

So you finally got rid of her Derek.........

 

No emissions testing for the first 5 years, then every other year based on the end of the VIN, odd and even years with the same end of the VIN.

 

what year was yours that you sold?

 

hmm.. good thing i don't live in the republic of kalifornia

 

Mine was a 2004, I had it for 3.5 years so it was 6 months away from being a pain in the ***. I found it while looking to see what i had to do to sell it. Actually called the DMV and they had no idea that was the case...but it's true.

It says model year, but it's nice to know that it's not that much of a pain if you do it in time.


ED, yeah it's been gone for a month or so...got a 335i coupe.

 

2004? thats odd that you would have to smog it so soon?

Good choice on replacement ..I think the 335's are great

 

If Cali is anythng like AZ and I expect its worse then selling an FI car can be a little more complicated. Az regs required engine mods to be CARB approved just like in Cali. In fact most states have adopted CARB as the gold standard. If the mod isn't CARB approved it isn't road legal and is legally only usable off road. If you sell the car in AZ you are required by law to inform the buyer of that fact. If you don't you are liable. Now what will happen if you don't tell them? Maybe nothing but if they subsequently find that it won't pass emissions and the cost to get it fixed they just might be talking to a lawer who will be quick to point out that the previoius owner is liable.
The state regs in effect should be seachable on the web. I found all of the AZ's with a little effort.

 

Dammit I told you I wanted those wheels .

 

Oh everything has to be legal when you sell it, but if the buyer understands and signs the form it doesn't have to be smogged, and not legal. If I had to get it smoged (you have to when you sell the car) I would have had to find someplace to look past the TK, or it would have been returned to stock.

 

Tell me about it. That why I am leaning towards just doing the full Vortech kit and being CARB legal and not worrying about it.

 

it will help you get your sticker, however.. your thirst for power will cause you to go for broke

 

Knowing me . . . . you are probably right. I'll be happy at first but will eventually want more.

 

So this is just for cars originally bought new in CA, right? When I moved back from OR I had to smog my 03.

 

If you commit Federal or State emission fraud, you can be sued for the costs to return the vehicle to oem by any new buyer -- years later if it fails emissions................of course the longer they wait the harder it is to prove it was you or your agent who did the mods.

When you persuade [bribe] a shop to pass a modified car you both are committing fraud against State and Federal Clean Air Act.

Best to launder [sell to] the vehicle to a dealer who is supposed to make emission inspections. If they buy it and don't come back to you within 30 days you in theory are off the hook.

For years been common to sell CA cars out of state to avoid these things.