I noticed on invoice California emissions and 49 state (Federal) car option.

IS THERE A DIFFERENCE IN EXHAUST, COMPUTER OR ADDED SMOG STUFF FOR CAL. CARS?
DOES ANYONE HERE KNOWS WHAT THE DIFFERENCES ARE?

A friend NON-CAL. car bought outside of Cal. passed Cal. smog, why the added smog stuff needed for Cal. cars

If failed smog do you get a waiver since the car was not purchased in California?

 

Can't help much with California requirements. But, I believe ALL gasoline vehicles manufactured in the U.S. are 50 state compliant.

Look at the emission sticker under the hood. It states the vehicle meets all Federal AND California emission requirements

Regarding California requirements........

I'm speaking only from what I have read of owners seeking exotic cars from out side of California.

It appears that. after purchasing a vehicle in another state, California requires some kind of emission testing and certification. I am lead to believe it is NOT an instant process, although it does NOT require several pay periods. I think there is also some discussion regarding sales tax.

 

According to Ca. DMV, a car does'nt require a smog test for the last 6 model years. After 6 model years you will have to have a smog test, every two years, after that.
As you know, the smog test can be a real ***** to pass, with aftermarket equipment. Anything that does'nt look stock, under the hood, and the car can cause you to fail, on the spot.
After 6 model years, just make sure everything looks stock, and that the engine will run clean enought to pass, the sniff and dyno test. California is real tuff on aftermarket equipment. You have to have a CARB sticker on all aftermarket equipment, installed at test time. Been there, done that many times. Not a lot of fun. "Moon"

 

On my build sheet it lists mine as having option : FE9 = 50 state emissions
I would think most have that (I think)...

 

There isn't a special car for California. They are all the same. It makes bring cars into California a bit easier.

For non-50 state cars and assuming the emissions equipment were left alone, it just requires a normal inspection. It's nothing horrible.

But to add to the fun, if the car was a California car originally, registered in another state and then brought back in, it has to be reinspected. Go figure.

 

I remember hearing about people having to pay like $1500 to import 49-state cars into California if they were moving there, to compensate for the extra pollution burden. What happened to that?

 

It was only $300 and was deemed unconstitutional by the state and the DMV was required to give back the money collected to the owners. This was years ago and now just an urban legend.

All new cars are now 50 state legal.

 

Hmmmm...... I paid that, and never got my money back.