I would first make sure you have a contract for continued work before signing on the dotted line. We have never purchased a new truck since we started. We do just fine with older equipment, in fact we have no problems compared to the new trucks with the new emission systems. I run Cats in all my equipment which are Pete's. I like the Pete's, but that was my choice. They are all good if set up right. Not all of the trucks I own were O/O spec trucks, but they were converted at far less cost than new. We have all mechanical with a minimum of 500HP and 15 18 or 20 speed transmissions and 373 ratio rears as the highest road gear. This is what works for us and the newest truck in the fleet is a 1996. Its not a problem for us to take a 10 G truck and throw 40 more in it and have a better truck than what I can buy for the price of the new ones available. If you are worried about Carb standards, you are only required to meet the standard in place of the vehicle at the time of manufacture. No state has the authority to place in effect a law that is more stringent than the Federal law in effect.
However, the Secretary may prescribe, for a motor vehicle operated by a carrier subject to subchapter I of chapter 135, a safety regulation that imposes a higher standard of performance after manufacture than that required by an applicable standard in effect at the time of manufacture. (b) Preemption. - (1) When a motor vehicle safety standard is in effect under this chapter, a State or a political subdivision of a State may prescribe or continue in effect a standard applicable to the same aspect of performance of a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment only if the standard is identical to the standard prescribed under this chapter.
However, the United States Government, a State, or a political subdivision of a State may prescribe a standard for a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment obtained for its own use that imposes a higher performance requirement than that required by the otherwise applicable standard under this chapter. (2) A State may enforce a standard that is identical to a standard prescribed under this chapter. (c) Antitrust Laws. - This chapter does not - (1) exempt from the antitrust laws conduct that is unlawful under those laws; or (2) prohibit under the antitrust laws conduct that is lawful under those laws. (d) Warranty Obligations and Additional Legal Rights and Remedies. - Sections 30117(b), 30118-30121, 30166(f), and 30167(a) and (b) of this title do not establish or affect a warranty obligation under a law of the United States or a State. A remedy under those sections and sections 30161 and 30162 of this title is in addition to other rights and remedies under other laws of the United States or a State. (e) Common Law Liability. - Compliance with a motor vehicle safety standard prescribed under this chapter does not exempt a person from liability at common law.
Hope this clears things up. California will bankrupt from lawsuits for violating this