Smog Check Hell!

My biggest objection is that CARB appears to be unfairly forcing drivers out of paid for low insurance and DMV cost vehicles and into debt... My automobile is as clean as the standard however, I am forced to the gold or star stations, at higher cost. Heaven forbid I fabricate something line a CAI and being individual cannot do the required testing to get an EO to pass. Yes, I understand I "could" go to a ref and get a pass but that's the rub. Just unfair especially as the intake is pre 95 with no thermostatically controlled inlet... so it is not a visual fail.

 

I know what you mean. I just did a smog recently on another vehicle. I was required to go to a test only station which most star stations are. $51 including electronic fees but I could have simply gone to a regular smog place and paid $30 for the same thing.