Blog

Short blog posts, journal entries, and random thoughts. Topics include a mix of personal and the world at large. 

What's a smog check?

Recently, a friend asked me about the process of getting her car smogged. I sheepishly replied that I never owned a car long enough (and old enough) to require that service. In California, smog requirements only apply to cars older than six years from new. Then it’s a biennial requirement. The longest I’ve owned a new car is three. Even the one used car I bought - the dearly departed Porsche 911 GT3 - had one more year to go before needing smog check when I tearfully sold it.

Needlessly to say, cars is where all my disposable income goes. Utterly disposed.

The friend booked an appointment at the gas station down the block from where I live. Good to know such service is available within walking distance (even though I’d have to drive the car there to get it smogged). I’m currently on year three of BMW M2 ownership, so it would be another four years yet before that car has to be smog checked. Will I own it for that long? I certainly hope so, but I said the same thing about the GT3…

2023 is not the year to be extravagant with spending, right? Look at the numerous tech companies laying off workers in preparation for recession that can’t seem to arrive. The unemployment rate - 3.4% - is at its lowest level since May of 1969. It seems people are employed, but just not spending as much. Look at Dell announcing layoffs today, because people are not buying as many computers.

So I’ll be keeping the M2 through at least this year. Previously plan of adding another car to the stable has been put on hold. Sorry, San Francisco: you won’t be seeing a chunk of sales tax from me. Maybe you should cut back on throwing enormous money at the endless homeless problem.

Press F to pay respects.