Important question for all the Texans

[Osiris]

So...How do all you Texans with tinted windows ( darker than legal ) get around this ******** inspection nonsense??

I can't believe that in this state, dark tinted windows matter more than air quality, since there are no emissions laws ( until the A-holes in charge find out there's money to be made in doing this ).

I've been told by four separate shops that my windows are too dark and I will not be able to pass inspection until I have it removed.

Is it just the front windows? or the whole friggin car?

My windows are 15%, BTW.

Thanks for all your help, But I'm really wishing I was back in AZ right now.

 

[SHOfun 93]

Well,
I think the Tx law is no darker than 30% on the front and you CAN go 15% on the rear and back window. I have gone run arounds with the tint shops trying to get them to go darker, but they won't. My advice is to get a "HOOKUP" from somebody that knows a shop that will pass it without checking the tint too closely. I don't know what the big damn deal is with the tint anyways. We have 100 degree days around here constantly, and we NEED TO PROTECT the interiors of these cars!! Oh well, I feel your pain, but try that. If not, it is gonna be peel time.....sorry..

 

[sdpatt]

Just for the record, we DO have emission inspections in the DFW and Houston areas. Rather than attenuating the light, get the legal shaded tints from 3M that stop the UV and infrared wavelengths that create the interior heat and damage. Yes, they cost a little more, but they also come with lifetime warranties. And you won't have the problem with the legality of the tint.

 

[kaoticSHO]

About a year ago, I had my car tinted with the 3M stuff that blocks UV-A/B then limo tinted (5%) on all the door windows and the back glass the front glass I tinted 35%. It makes for a VERY dark ride.

I am going to change this set-up soon because I realize that it is just too darn dark, especially at night.

 

[Osiris]

I've got the Llumar stuff. I've always had good luck with it as far as keeping the car cool and lasting quality.

If I have to re-tint the front windows, then that won't be so bad. I don't know anyone here who knows anything, but I really think it's a crock of festering dogshyte.

But oh well, I really don't have much say-so I guess. The ont saving grace I may have is since I still own a home in Phoenix, I can renew my AZ registration and the Texas Dept of Motor Vehicles can go screw itself.

 

[SHOfun 93]

GOOD ONE! People do the same thing over here with NM so close..get around it somehow....say..can you make our spring get-together the 20-21 of April? would love to see that sho in person...

 

[FordLover]

Roll down the windows, and pull the fuse, or unplug from the switches in the doors. You can just tell them that the windows don't work anymore. I'm not sure what the law is on the back windows/rear window.
-Martin

 

[Osiris]

Where's the Spring G2G going to be?

I can plan for it, someone send me some info on it.

 

[SHOfun 93]

Well we are planning on the weekend of the 20-21st of April. We will meet at the Oasis Hotel west of Austin at between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. We then will go through some aggresive driving through the beautiful areas around west Austin area, with occasional stops for group shots and such. We usually stop for some high speed runs and races at the area by the dam (I can't remember the name) for entertainment. We end up the day at the Oasis for reflection and a good meal. Would love to have you join us. I will try to get the mapquest link for the Oasis. I have copies of the route which I can make copies of and hand out at the hotel that morning. I will try and get ahold of Hugh Johnson who was a LSSHOC vet before he sold his sho for a Audi TT. He still joins us however. There are a few members there in San Antonio if you would like to get together and have a little convoy. There are more members at topica.com. Just look for LSSHOC. Hope you can join us.. burn_out

 

[Osiris]

I'd love to come!

I'll request the time off of work, and am I to assume that this will be an overnight thing, or just an all day thing?

If people will be staying at the hotel overnight, is there a group room rate set up?

How many GenIII's are going to be involved? Not that it matters much, I was just curious if I am the only one or not.

 

[SHOfun 93]

There is another gen3 in the Houston area. I'm not sure who owns it. Some folks get a hotel and stay over, others drive back that night. Depends on how far away you are coming from. Some also go down by Kerrivile and do some driving around there. I'll have to get with Sergio Perfetti and see..but that date is correct.

 

[FordLover]

I've always driven over the night before (friday) and stayed in a hotel, that way since we have to be at the Oasis resturant at 10AM I'm refreshed and alert to do some pretty serious driving. We don't have group rates but we don't have many people either. Everyone pretty much does their own thing. About 5 of us drove in friday night, 5 more drove in Saturday morning, and the rest lived close enough that they didn't stay in a hotel room at all.

Joe Rampy owns a white 97 and I believe he is considering going. That's the only gen 3 I know of near me.

 

[Osiris]

What kind of " serious driving" are we talking about here? Is there a track nearby or is this to take place amongst the public?

I'm in NW San Antonio, so I'll drive over in the morning, I can do either, I suppose, but I'd like to know a bit more about the driving part, I'm not that much into racing anymore unless it's a bit safe, I like my $48.00 per month insurance rate.

 

[SHOfun 93]

Well we usually pair off into 2 groups...psycho...and non-psycho..and we go through the curvy roads west of Austin at a comfortable rate. Lots of fun. The racing part, we go to a dead end road west of the dam and using FRS radios, we stay in touch for traffic and open her up on this long strech of blacktop. sometimes head to head, sometimes solo. YOU WILL HAVE A BLAST! Trust me.

 

[Osiris]

It sounds like a blast...Using 2 way radios to alert for traffic? Cool idea, I suppose since you have done this in the past the fuzz hasn't been a problem?

I close on my house next week, so by that time, I might have a nice new set of chrome 17's on the car, not to mention the springs..

 

[SHOMurph]

I'll be in the ol' man non-psycho cruising group.

Feel free to pass me....I cruising fo' luv-lee ladies.

 

[Axianator]

SHOMurph:
I'll be in the ol' man non-psycho cruising group.

Feel free to pass me....I cruising fo' luv-lee ladies.

LOL, that's freakin' hilarious, Mike.

Yeah, I'm getting more and more into wanting to go. I'll have to get some more specifics from Jer before I decide.

 

[SHOfun 93]

Well, last year Martin was showing me his wigwags and I just about rearranged a guardrail at 90 mph. WHOOPS! just an idea what the psycho group runs. Well all will have fun, no we don't have problems with the fuzz and a FRS radio would be a great investment. They are a blast to chat while you tear up the roads.....Eh Martin?

Adam, You NEED to go..not want...NEED. You won't forgive yourself..call in sick..national holiday..make something up...WHATEVER!!!LOL! thumbs_u

purplsho, you will have to forgive me but I never caught your name..love to add you to the sign up sheet!!!

<small>[ March 25, 2002, 11:16 PM: Message edited by: Jeremy Hohn ]</small>

 

[DfwSho]

I'm considering driving the beast down. I really enjoyed myself on the last run as I was in the psycho group.

My current 12 mpg may or may not affect my driving plans depending on how much premium fuel is at the time of the run.

I really wanna hook back up with you guys! Maybe Jason Steffek and I could do some high hp runs over by the dam!

 

[mexican]

PrplSHO:
So...How do all you Texans with tinted windows ( darker than legal ) get around this ******** inspection nonsense??

I can't believe that in this state, dark tinted windows matter more than air quality, since there are no emissions laws ( until the A-holes in charge find out there's money to be made in doing this ).

I've been told by four separate shops that my windows are too dark and I will not be able to pass inspection until I have it removed.

Is it just the front windows? or the whole friggin car?

My windows are 15%, BTW.

Thanks for all your help, But I'm really wishing I was back in AZ right now.

20% light transmission on the front side windows. Dark as you want on the rear as long as you have side mirrors. Call the DPS they'll tell you the regs. It might even be on the web. It's amazing that tint shops don't know the law. Or they don't give a shit, gimme your money, have a nice day. I think the law is for the cops, so they can see in your car.