Put my final reverse light in yesterday when I got home. Thank goodness for junkyards on eBay. No help at all from the MINI forum. Very disappointing, but whatever. I did it (with help from Melissa).

 

I took the S to my local garage so it can get inspected. We aren't allowed to make appointments for that (some stupid State rule) so you either show up and wait or drop off the vehicle the night before. I went for the latter. If they pass it, I'll take the S and give them my truck and then I'll be good for another year.

 

They're talking about doing away with emissions testing here. I think what they're not talking about it - something more elaborate and expensive will replace it. I find it to be a joke as it stands right now, more anything won't be so funny though.

 

 

Emissions is pretty dumb in MD as well... I got a waiver one year because I was too low. and another time i passed with a test pipe.

 

We don't have emissions testing here. At least not the kind where they actually test the exhaust gases for bad things. We have what they call a "physical safety inspection." There is a list of close to 100 things they go over. It is mostly just a visual inspection of stuff like brake pads, tread depth, wiper blades, lights, etc but they also go over the exhaust to make sure it is all there as the manufacturer intended. No test pipes or crazy loud "mufflers." Another big no-no is people who modify their lights - LED conversion kits and the like. Those are considered illegal modifications and won't pass inspection.

 

Since I believe it is just the TDOT's way to get revenue for roads (& I like roads so this isn't a "I ain't payin' for no dern roads" rant) I think they may move to a more "advanced" means of revenue generation like what they have up there with the passes, etc.

 

you only have to do that in MD when you buy a new or used car.

 

And I have heard that that it is no-joke. I have a buddy that moved to MD from upstate New York. He had an old but serviceable Jeep Cherokee that he tried to register in MD when he got there. They told him that it would need close to $2000 (yes, two thousand) worth of repairs before they would let it in.

 

Most states are. The traditional way of paying for roads has been with a tax on gasoline. But cars are way more efficient now (not to mention the coming electric revolution) and we have a lot more roads. Gas tax doesn't cut it anymore so they have to get creative.