Stage turbo cars not legal on highways...

[crazie.eddie]

I just got back from my local Chrysler Dealer. I spoke to the Service manager, who was a cool guy. He just recently purchased an '04 GT with manual trans. Most of the guys saw my engine mods and liked it, especially the Service Manager. He asked alot of questions of where I got my mods. I was reluctant to mention about my Stage 1, but I did. He actually warned me about the Stage Turbo kits, becuase Mopar (supposedly) will register your VIN as a Race/Off Road Vehicle. Supposedely, if a police officer runs your VIN and see that it is an off road vehicle, they can remove your plates and tow your vehicle. That kind of scares me, but I have not seen or heard of anyone happening that to, not yet that is. Especially all those SRT-4 folks out there. Can anyone confirm this or have known of this to happen?

[Cal Cruzer]

So did this genius mention just how they do this? So DC or any manufacturer can just send something to the DMV and automatically revoke your rights? How popular do you think a manufacturer would be if they put themselves in the position of policing the highways like this. If this were the case, every time a car didn't pass a smog test at the dealership they would have it towed away. The worst that they can do is not give you a cert to send in to register your car.

There was a recent flap about Mitsu or Subaru (can't remember) reading some posts online about some guy bragging about blowing his car up at the track and they refused to warranty the repair because is was abused. This guy should have just kept his mouth shut. I think they may have put it in their INTERNAL system that it was not considered a street car, but they sure didn't have it towed away, just denied his claim.

Dealership personel just like to jack you up with rumors like that.

[crazie.eddie]

He never really specified. I know he's not trying to scare me with the Stage 1 waranty issues, becuase he's actually going to Hahn and having some upgrades done on his '04 PT GT.

I thought it was kind of obsurd though, since I know a few of you have gotten tickets and no mention about your plates being removed and car being towed, since it was deemed as an off road/race vehicle. I also keep an eye on the SRT Forums and I haven't seen any mention of that happening as well.

[MichaelDay]

I have never heard of any manufacturer requesting a modification to the DMV VIN database to show a Race/Off Road status for a modification. The state a vehicle is registered in might make such a change if during a smog test or inspection they found major modifications to the emissions systems but I have never heard of that actually happening either.

[CREWZIN]

So DC or any manufacturer can just send something to the DMV and automatically revoke your rights?

They aren't revoking anyone rights. DC registers the ECU as a way of tracking the parts to a particular vehicle in case the car/truck is stolen and parts start to show up that can be identified by police. These Stage Kits don't automatically make the vehicle "off road" as some parts can be easily taken off when the owner is not going "off road or "racing". The VIN/plate check on the police computer won't show the officer/deputy if the car/truck is on/off road as "off road" vehicles shouldn't be allowed to register for a plate in the first place.

If this were the case, every time a car didn't pass a smog test at the dealership they would have it towed away.

The smog testing stations DO send a report to the DMV if a car/truck doesn't pass the emissions test, but most states have a 30/60 grace period to get the car/truck fixed and tested again. Dealerships don't tow your vehicle away but what does happen was pointed out by your next "worst case scenereo".

The worst that they can do is not give you a cert to send in to register your car.

Yes, you won't be able to register your car...just as good as having it towed away

[crazyjoe]

Uh, hey CREWZIN ol buddy, have you ever had a car towed involuntarily? It's not like they hire the best and brightest for those jobs, they usually just hire someone intimidating. Towing can severely damage your vehicle (especially body kits, etc) whereas not having it registered just means you can't drive it...you could still take it to shows, etc.

[Gary04GT]

quote:Originally posted by Cal Cruzer

So did this genius mention just how they do this?...How popular do you think a manufacturer would be if they put themselves in the position of policing the highways like this...The worst that they can do is not give you a cert to send in to register your car...Dealership personel just like to jack you up with rumors like that.

It's a shame that some DC dealership staff, who really don't know what they are talking about start unfounded rumors. No wonder the sales of STAGE 1 kits have been much lower that Mopar/DC expectations. With this kind of "great" [B)] public relations [B)] do you really expect that STAGE 2 kits will ever be made available to the consumer--sort of doubtful, [:I] if you ask me. [:I]

IMHO, until DC/Mopar decides to spend the money to get CARB certification for the performance MODS they sell as part of their "new" Speed Shop concept nothing much will happen. [B)] This buzz word--Speed Shop--has been out there for over a year now and not much has been done at local dealerships. [V] The next time you visit your DC dealership ask the Service Manager what's going on with the Speed Shop concept that is being promoted by DC/Mopar and see what you are told. Hopefully, it will more fact than....

In the meantime, I will be having FUN driving my STAGE 1 turbo car and not listening to or starting any of those rumors that some people like to talk about.

[8)] [8)]

[quicksilverdon]

[quote]quote:Originally posted by Gary04GT

[i]No wonder the sales of STAGE 1 kits have been much lower that Mopar/DC expectations.

Dunno what their expectations were, but I read that over 10% of SRT owners went stage 1, which is very high, IMHO.

As to being towed, if it would happen anywhere, it'd be in NJ, and I've never heard of it.

[RallyDRock]

wont the thing still pass smog with stage 1?
each state has different DMV system so it may vary.
the cat is still there so no visual.
maybe only in california. ive heard of police stopping riced out hondas and writing for non carb certified intakes and such.

just dont drive like an a hole and then you wont get pulled over and everything will be great. and if you do get pulled over dont be a D to the officer and you'll be fine.

[CREWZIN]

quote:Originally posted by crazyjoe

Uh, hey CREWZIN ol buddy, have you ever had a car towed involuntarily?

Joe,

To answer your question the way you put it, YES. I've had several cars towed (in the line of duty...see profile). Police/Sheriff's Office don't hire anyone. Several different towing companies are usually under contract to the departments on a rotating basis...therefore no one towing company gets all the towing jobs. But, agree that they don't come to tow a vehicle with kid gloves.

To answer your question as if you meant me...I've had to have my Vette towed twice, making sure it's a flatbed and caution is taken when lifting it onto the bed. I also stay with the car from pick-up to drop-off point.