V-10 California fizzle

7113 Views 23 Replies 11 Participants Last post by islander, Aug 6, 2004

nealsg

Discussion Starter · Jul 8, 2004

I live in S.Cal and went into the Valenica VW dealer today, all excited to test drive a V-10 - just for the hell of it. (i'm waiting until Sept for the new V-6's before I make up my mind between the 6 or the 8 ).

You can imagine my shock to find out that because of cal smog rules, v-10 TDI's are not legal in CA. In fact, the dealer had no plans to get one - period.

Is that correct? I'm all for strict smog controls - it's one of the reasons the air in ca is a lot cleaner than it used to be - but there are lots of old rabbit and Mercedes diesels on the road here belching smoke and soot like chimneys.

So what gives?

thanks

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V10 SUVW

· #8 · Jul 31, 2004

nealsg said:
I live in S.Cal and went into the Valenica VW dealer today, all excited to test drive a V-10 - just for the hell of it. (i'm waiting until Sept for the new V-6's before I make up my mind between the 6 or the 8 ).

You can imagine my shock to find out that because of cal smog rules, v-10 TDI's are not legal in CA. In fact, the dealer had no plans to get one - period.

Is that correct? I'm all for strict smog controls - it's one of the reasons the air in ca is a lot cleaner than it used to be - but there are lots of old rabbit and Mercedes diesels on the road here belching smoke and soot like chimneys.

So what gives?

The good news is that the V10 is sold in 45 states -- if you can find one -- VW will only import 850 over the next two years. Only 850! But if you get lucky, buy it in one of them and bring it to CA as a used vehicle.

CA makes no sense in this case. I can buy a Diesel Dodge Ram pickup that gets less mileage but they won't let VW sell Diesels: Idiots at work.

The V10 is a phenomenal machine. I love mine! I sometimes enjoy driving it more than my 996 Twin Turbo.

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V10 SUVW

· #10 · Jul 31, 2004

Re: V10 TDI import from another state to California???

statini said:
Is it possible to buy a Touareg V10 TDI in another state and bring it over to California??? Won't California disallow this? Has anybody done this in California? I like the V8...probably going to wait for the 05 model....but if I could get a 2004 V10 ....that would be better!!!

Thanks....

Yes there are ways to do it. You just have to figure out what works in your situation. The screwy rule says that Diesel passenger cars can't be sold new in CA (you can buy new Diesel pickups and Excursions that get worse fuel economy all day long -- go figure!). But you can buy them used in CA (good luck ever finding a used V10 instate) or you can buy it new or used out of state and bring it in as a used vehicle after it has 7,500 miles on it and then register it in CA (or keep it registered out of state by meeting those requirements, e.g., business reasons, out of state property, family, etc.). And CA does not require smog tests on Diesels.

This will all change in 2006 when the oil companies are finally required to get their act together and start producing Diesel that's 10 times lower in sulfer. Today the U.S. produces the worst quality Diesel in the world (a joke for a nation that claims to be so sensitive to the environment)! By 2007 automakers will be able to sell Diesels in all 50 states.

What really peeves me is that the 5 loser states care more about the oil companies than me as a consumer or VW (and others) as a manufacturer.

I hope you decide to get a V10 now rather than wait. At least do it out of principle. Because Diesels aren't as popular as gassers in the U.S., the "system" will not care about you. So look out for numero uno (as our Governer would say)!

Good luck!

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V10 SUVW

· #13 · Jul 31, 2004

haso0on said:
do you guys use leaded or unleaded diesel ?
because i heard in some countries thy use unleaded diesel...

There is no such thing as leaded or unleaded Diesel. Perhaps you are referring to #1 or #2 Diesel grades. We have both. #2 is used in the summertime and year-round in our warmer areas. #1 is used in the wintertime. #1 grade is resistant to gelling at cold temperatures, which diesel tends to do when cold.

We also have biodiesel, which is a wonderful thing and is the world's first alternative fuel that was invented in the late 1800s by Rudolph Diesel who invented the diesel engine. It's easily made from vegetable or plant oils or animal fat. Rudolph's thought is that these sources are readily available by farmers whom he percieved as the primary benefactors of his new engine. In today's geopolitical world it's a great way to relieve dependency on pertoleum oil but is still not available in sufficient quantities or at an economically viable cost. By the way, it burns cleaner than U.S. petrolium based Diesel.

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V10 SUVW

· #15 · Jul 31, 2004

statini said:
V10SUVW,

7500 miles??? Is there actually a rule that says 7500 miles = used??? I guess I could bring the V10 into CA and drive it while registered out-of-state, unregistered in CA till I reach 7500...then register it in CA......BUT aren't out of state cars supposed to be registered in CA within 30 days of entry regardless of any business or other reason?

How did you handle the registration issue? Did you actually drive it in CA for 7500 miles before registering it?

Thanks

Why yes there is! If you go to www.dmv.ca.gov it will give you all the information you need. And actually CA doesn't even give you 30 days: it's 20. It's all about money and CA wants yours in a bad way. Be sure to read all the info on the web site. It's actually a good site (it better be with all their rules and regs!). Again it's up to you to find a way to meet CA's registration requirements and exceptions. CA can be a Nazi state when it comes to some things. You just have to be smart.

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V10 SUVW

· #17 · Aug 1, 2004

Each state is different but I woldn't let that stop me. The V6 TDI is a great choice, too. I'm not as familiar with it but from an engineering and design perspective it will have the performance of a gasser V8 and better fuel economy than a 4 cyl. The V10 performs like a gas V12 and gets better economy than a 6 cyl.

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V10 SUVW

· #23 · Aug 5, 2004

And they call it the "United" States. So much for Federal standards.

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