If you are in a highly populated area where there are junkyards, then finding the correct parts shouldn't be a problem. If you can find a nice car to buy and have a little bit of mechanical experience don't let the CA version scare you.

The air filter thing sucks, but once properly tuned, my car ran OK with the old CA crap.

Yes, the rear end ratios are different. I think the tranny is different in some way also.

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'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R