I've got an "excempt" emission sticker on the windshield. The registration was transfered from my Suburban so it lists the X as a SW. The dealer said when I get the final paper work and correct new registration, my Excursion will be listed as a "truck". If so, it should be "exempt"? Right?

 

>I've got an "excempt" emission sticker on the windshield.
>The registration was transfered from my Suburban so it lists
>the X as a SW. The dealer said when I get the final paper
>work and correct new registration, my Excursion will be
>listed as a "truck". If so, it should be "exempt"? Right?


Could you tell me what SW means, jughead?

My X is not exempt from emission testing in my state. (MA)

Even if it was, they'd still make me pay the full price ($29 a yr.). My diesel was. Plus they only test emissions every other year but I still gotta pay every year for the extra emission tests. What a racket!!

 

Well good 'ol PA has their rackets too. If you're vehicle is exempt from emission testing, you still have to buy the sticker and have it displayed on your windshield for the law enforcment officers to easily identify it as being exempt.

Anyway SW=station wagon

 

You shouldn't complain to bad, since mine is diesel I don't have to have the yearly emissions testing ($25), but the state of Georgia makes everyone pay a yearly ad valorem tax on any registered vehicle. It is dependent upon what the rate is in the particular area, but a car worth ($37-45K) would run a yearly fee of $425-625, plus a $20 tag fee.

 

Here in Nevada if your truck is diesel and has a GVWR of 8800lbs or more you just go to DMV and get a smog exempt waiver. Make copies and send it in with the registration renewal each year.

Les

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 19-Jan-02 AT 10:38 AM (EST)]>You shouldn't complain to bad, since mine is diesel I don't
>have to have the yearly emissions testing ($25), but the
>state of Georgia makes everyone pay a yearly ad valorem tax
>on any registered vehicle. It is dependent upon what the
>rate is in the particular area, but a car worth ($37-45K)
>would run a yearly fee of $425-625, plus a $20 tag fee.


Tell me ABOUT IT! Here is Taxachusetts I pay $25 per $1,000 of retail blue book value every year for Excise Tax, $35 for tags/registration, $29 emission/safety sticker and mandated & regulated no-fault insurance. All this to drive on some of the crappiest roads in the US.

 

Jughead-
Obviously, this stuff varies from state to state. However, they generally adhere to a GVWR-based emissions classification system vs a vehicle classification system. Federal emissions requirements are significantly reduced for vehicles with a GVWR of 8500 lbs or more.

Here in Okla., all SUVs are deemed "wagons" based on seating capacity and having an enclosed cargo area. I'd suspect that if your 'burb was classified as a wagon, the X will be a wagon too.

Now, as for you guys whining about your paltry vehicle registration fees, you should move down here. One-time excise tax of 3.5% of the factory-delivered price (plus any dealer add-ons)... not the actual purchase price! Annual tags were just reduced to $90/year- down from 1.5% of the "value" of the vehicle based on model year. In addition to our "tag relief", the state just did away with safety/emissions inspections. They were only $5 but at least you had to have some kind of tread, wipers, and proof of insurance. Not any more.

And, you can't possibly claim to have the worst roads because we have them. Plus, for the privilage of driving on these once-paved paths with the hillbilly death express (see no more safety inspection statement above), you get to pay a healthy toll. Yes, welcome to Oklahoma- the turnpike capitol of the world.

 

Gad!! And, I thought there were only 6 people living in OK!

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 20-Jan-02 AT 10:06 PM (EST)]>Gad!! And, I thought there were only 6 people living in
>OK!


You know NoMo, one of my dearest friends in all the world is from OK. In fact, I have travelled all over the world and all of these great states of ours ('cept Alaska), and have always been "led" to someone from OK. Strangest dang thing. Okkies are some of the nicest folks in the land.(Well, for the most part, I don't know 'em all.)
So, I hope you don't mind a little OK ribbin' every now and then.

So, on with my reply...I didn't get to finish my above reply 'cause the wife was hurryin' me out the door this morn'. What I really wanted to say was something to the effect of...

"Maybe they charge ya'll that much cause there's only 6 peope who would actually LIVE in OK."

but the moment has been lost....

Guess I won't complain about Mass. taxes anymore....

 

Heck, most of us Okies (at least me) can take all the ribbin' anyone can give. Mostly 'cause no matter how bad we are... there's always Arkansas!

Now, your 6-person thing is a little off. That's the minimum number of people that are allowed to ride in the [regular] cab of any pre-1980 pickup. There's also a weight limit for the 6 people, but we won't go there... :P

 

Well, I was at the deal this AM to repair some scrathes on the back doors caused by the window molding scraping the top of the dual rear doors. Anyone else have this problem?

Anyway, I asked about the "exempt" emission sticker. Service man states that now, all new vehicles are shipped from the factory with exempt stickers. These stickers are valid to the first inspection period. Is this a BS answer. He then went on to confuse me about the EPA regulations, dealer delivery etc....

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 21-Jan-02 AT 11:50 AM (EST)]>Well, I was at the deal this AM to repair some scrathes on
>the back doors caused by the window molding scraping the top
>of the dual rear doors. Anyone else have this problem?

Yes, mine has, what I assumed to be, normal wear marks. What did they do to yours?

>
>Anyway, I asked about the "exempt" emission sticker.
>Service man states that now, all new vehicles are
>shipped from the factory with exempt stickers. These
>stickers are valid to the first inspection period. Is this
>a BS answer. He then went on to confuse me about the EPA
>regulations, dealer delivery etc....


This has got to be a state thing. Can you get a copy of these "stickers"?? I can't imagine Ford making the X a LEV vehicle if no-one is gonna check or if they didn't have to. What purpose would it serve?

 

Jughead,
My understanding is that all NEW vehicles do not need smog checks for the first 2 years of service, diesel or gasoline. I bought my wife a new car in 2000 and haven't had to smog it yet. After the 2 year period you have to smog as usual. But as I said above,in Nevada if you have a "diesel" with a GVWR of at least 8800lbs you can get a smog exemption waiver and just mail in copies with your registration renenwal.

Les

 

Last summer (2001) We bought our Xcursion. It's a '00. I took it to the dealer for the required yearly inspection so I could get my tags. Lo and behold my truck comes up for emissions testing beyond the normal safety inspection. Here in MA they run 'em on a dyno to measure levels at varying loads and RPM. I still pay the full amount no matter if they check emissions or not, but the emission test takes an extra hour.

MA has some pretty strict emission laws. I think that they must be adding to the requirements of the Feds. Maybe to help line their pockets?

It doesn't do a whole lot for the air since all of our neighboring states aren't as strict and all their air blows over to MA. All of our air blows over to England! So, we're paying to clean the air for a different country.

 

>Yes, mine has, what I assumed to be, normal wear marks. What
>did they do to yours?
>

Monsta---we first noticed the scratches on the top of the tailgate doors the day we took delivery. That day we were told (and had to wait) that a "technician" adjusted the molding and window. They said the window was coming down too far. We were instructed to return to have the scratches repaired. Today the paint-match guy buffed out just about all of the scratches.

I had an opportunity to talk with the paint-match guy. He said not only could the window/frame cause the scratches but also the grime and grit that just happens to settle on/in every crack in the back of the vehicle. He buffed out the scratches as best he could. He said he thought about touching the area up but was afraid he wouldn't be able to match not only the color but also the factory finish. He said most people wouldn't even notice those scratches.

I asked him about the colored waxes available and he admitted to using them on occassion. For my red "X" re recommended that if I were to use those waxes to cover up scratches that I should get the black and the red and mix them together.

He also pointed out to me that it isn't necessary to slam the doors closed or the rear window. He lowered the rear window until it was about 8 inches from the doors and released it. It closed without slamming. He did the same with the large doors of the "X" He closed the door until he got about 6-8 inches away from the body and then gently shoved it close without any banging!----that one I'll definetly pass on to my children.

Len