Will we ever have to worry bout passing inspection

I live in NY (a CARB state). thinking of getting an 02 or 03 TDI. I cant get an 04 cause...

if I get on 03 will i always be able to renew the registration and pass inspection? any help is appreciated.

Yes. It's grandfathered like my grandmothers '72 Dodge Dart. /images/graemlins/laugh.gif

That's what I thought. but what does that mean, that any new (stricter) emmision standards that come out (e.g. tier 2 with stricter NOx standards) only apply to newer cars and the older cars get the older laws (that's cool)?

yes.

Emissions inspections are done based on the rules in effect in the year the car was built.

OHMIGOD - a '72 Dodge Dart still running ?!?!