OK, is “The People’s Republik of Kalifornistan” better? . I spent 20 years there and it made my career and I can EASILY say that my best experiences were there. However, the current state of the State is pretty poor- I just didn’t want my kids to grow up thinking that some of the “normal” behavior there now is acceptable. I’ve run the Rubicon a number of times, ridden or driven all the tracks there, spent countless miles in the Mohave and Death Valley. I’ve had to use a winch to extract myself in the snow of the Sierra, and then watched the sunset on the beach, in the same day. So yes, I know it well. That’s why I talk trash about it- a wonderful place has been ruined.

But staying on task, the emissions stuff you mention actually is part of why I have determined when buying an older vehicle, more stock is better. The only hard part about CA in terms of modifying is emissions. I’m kinda past caring about loud exhausts and intakes and all that crap. There are plenty of machines that go plenty fast out of the box (plus all my years riding at the fun tracks in CA quenched my thirst for speed), and the Disco will never be even a brisk machine, so I just accept it for what it is- meaning keeping it stock to emissions standards is just fine with me.

I did the same thing when I was into BMW E30s. My first one was a bit “messed with” and kind of a pain. By the time I got my second, it was ridiculously stock and thus really easy to work on. It kinda makes the whole experience more fun to me...