Me in front of the van as a robust toddler with my two sisters.The van just failed it's smog inspection. I'm so mad. CA used to have a law that made cars older than 30 years exempt. Makes sense to me. I mean if they make it that long they've earned a little reprieve you know. But no. They changed it so that anything 1976 and newer will always have to pass smog. The van is a '76.
The last 5 years or so we've beat the system by living in UT and keeping the van registered in CA. That was an automatic waiver since we couldn't be expected to drive to CA just for a smog inspection. But now we're here and no waiver will be given. Everything that's wrong with government can be summed up in the fact that the van has to pass a smog inspection. What ever happened to rewarding people for being frugal and "wearing it out" instead of just buying it new when you can't afford it. That's what CA wants me to do. In the midst of it's own financial failings it thinks the best policy is for me to retire a perfectly functioning vehicle and buy a new one. Well for the record the van is not worn out. It's been running great. I mean it probably gets 15 miles to the gallon on the freeway, but guess what, so does every other van, truck, excursion, escalade, or whatever else that's big. Even the newer ones. Can't they respect all that the van has been through and done for a brother. Here's a drop in the bucket of highlights:
-towed our other "newer" cars to the shop when they break multiple times
-pulled a tree out of the ground at my parents house.
-brought multiple generations of Lovstedt's home from the hospital (myself and my second daughter)
- helped people move
-been a portable Motel and temporary residence in college.
The van taught me about the world. Showed me things. Took me everywhere I wanted to go. About 266,000 miles worth of places so far, with as much gear as I wanted. So when CA says to me that the state will buy my car from me for up to $1000 if I take it to a dismantler to "retire" it, I shake my fist at them. If we let them get away with this what's next? Social Security is too expensive for the state? Let's offer people money to "retire" their useless loved ones that are a drain on the system. Well, no way CA government. You are heartless van murderers and I hate you.
So now what? I have to get it repaired I guess. The guy says it runs rich under load and a carb rebuild should fix it. Who knows what that costs, but it's the principle. The van will survive until she dies in a fiery ball of glory as I drive her into the ocean.
All my girls. Present Day.
