For no cat? I took it to the same place as last time, and only did suspension stuff between then and now... and the guy wants to fail me?

 

Maybe the laws have changed? Cats are starting to be required in many states, more every year.

 

The first time I had inspection I did it myself at Toyota, then last year I brought it to Mazda, and passed. Now he wants to fail me?

I guess he asked if I had cats because the car let out a POOF when I turned it off. Damn convertible mini cooper S's trying to mess around

 

Stu,

Not sure how it is in NC, but in VA, they do check for emissions equipment being in place. They don't do the sniffer test where I live, but North VA does. Currently I have a hollow cat on there, but I'll have to probably throw on a used stocker or something to get through the inspection because I'm sure they'll know something is up when all their eyes are burning from the exhaust..lol. I then have an RB exhaust that I can install.

I do have the option to do antique plates next year. One time fee of $50, no emission checks, no safety inspections, no need for tags. The catch is that it can't be a DD and you have to have another car they you own to be listed as your DD.

Kent

 

^^ That won't be a problem for me. Do the antique plates start at like 25 years old or something?

 

Mmm, emissions-exemptness. I got mine this year. I send them a check and they send me my tabs.

Old cars are awesome.

 

I wish the antique plates were available everywhere. I'd so do it. Especially if they added the emmission exemption.

 

luckily no emissions at all where i live. But even if there was collector plates are 100 bucks for life only clause cant drive in January February :P

 

I had a quick look at the NC DMV site and it looks like you guys need the car to be 35 yo for antique status. It appears that you guys don't need safety inspection for any cars 35 yo or older (antique plates or not).

For VA, it is 25yr for the cutoff. Starting Jan. '09, '84 models are able to get antique plates. Here are the rules for VA.

http://www.dmv.virginia.gov/webdoc/c...es/antique.asp

 

what about hobbyist plates you guys have those?

 

The law used to be 25 years here also. I think most of the east coast states adopted this law about the same time. Then good 'ol NC changed it to 30 years a while back. Then they didn't like that, so they moved back to 35 years. Which is stupid. I would be more worried about having a saftey inspection on older cars than newer ones

 

Well, they failed my protege as well. Apparently if you do not run stock tail lights, they can fail you. I mean, they are DOT approved! Geez, mazda. I am never going back there for inspections again.

Oh Sam, guess what else they failed me on with the RX? Windshield Wipers. I got a kick out of that.

 

In Ohio we have emissions testing , but there are 2 ways around it Collectors plates which you have to qualify for depending on rarity of the carand you neeed a differaent vehicle for your DD. Or option #2 Historical plates which are cheaper but have a limited use and your car has to be 25 yrs. old or older and you need a nother vehicle for your DD. I got the Historical plates for my '79 SA this year so that I could drive to closer autox events instead of using the truck and trailer.