crazycanuck

I am moving from Manitoba to California this fall. I will be hauling most of our stuff down there with a trailer (luckily I have family members close that own a trailer and are willing to let us borrow it). Does anyone that has moved from Canada to US have any advice, specifically relating to vehicles? Should I bring my vehicle with me and deal with the importing process and hope it passes California emission regulations, or should I leave the old beater here and buy a car when I am there? How difficult is it to import a vehicle and register it in California?