I moved to LA back in 2001. Had to do CARB check when I registered with Cali plates; passed with no problem. I'm back in Cleveland but still have the plates.

 

the cars all put out the same emissions, just in the CARB states the warranty is longer so you pay a fee at purchase to supplement it.

 

Thanks!!!

Thanks for the input.

 

Glad to see you may be going to a sunnier place ...This winter is really getting me down

 

the cars all put out the same emissions, just in the CARB states the warranty is longer so you pay a fee at purchase to supplement it.

This is not actually true in all cases.
A quick example: The toyota camry (the version starting in 1992) sold in CA has a different exahust system than those sold in soem other states. I know because my old car needed some major exhaust work and I had to wait for the special system to be shipped to Minnesota.
Then the same age cars from other states pass SMOG easy.
I dunno if this applies to Passats though, they may have the same exhaust system everywhere. And all cars sold in the US with a well functioning exhaust sytem should pass SMOG.
Cars that don't either have problems or mods.
/But yeah, CA also gets longer exhaust warrenties, which i can't complain about

 

A quick example: The toyota camry (the version starting in 1992) sold in CA has a different exahust system than those sold in soem other states.

I've had cars in the past where the sticker mentioned "50-state emissions", presumably if it would pass anywhere in the US, or "not for sale in California" if the CA version was modified somehow.

The stealer said "it wouldn't be a problem" with the Passat, but these are the same people who can't do a simple oil change without getting oil ALL OVER the lower part of my engine & frame. They don't inspire confidence.

 

These days, with so many states adopting CA emissions laws (New York, Maine, New Jersey, Vermont, Massachusetts, Oregon, Washington, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Pennsylvania), there's not much financial justification in making the "49-state" car. You'll be fine.

 

Mac's right, I think in the past it was more common, but with the passat, there is no difference mechanically or in the software that I am aware of.

 

A short word of warning, I purchased a 2002 New Beetle for my wife weeks before having to move from Colorado to California and the first hurdle was convincing the DMV folks that we didn't purchase it in CO with the intent of "bypassing" California's supposedly stricter emissions laws. Once we proved legitimate CO residency for over two years (showing that we didn't just run to Denver to buy a car), then they eased up a bit, but as was stated above, had to pass an emissions test before licensing. More headache and hassle than necessary, but that's what the DMV's for right?