Smog Test when Selling/Purchasing a 3rd Gen Rx7
 

Hi forum -


As stated in my "introductory" thread, I've returned to the forum to ask for advice regarding purchasing an Rx7 that the owner will not smog.


Here is the background.


The owner and I have agreed on a sale price for a 1993 Rx7. When first looking over the car, I asked about smogging the car and I thought I understood him say that the car likely will not pass smog due to the exhaust setup, but that he has someone who can help him pass. Now that we have agreed on a price and are trying to arrange a time we can meet to finalize the deal, he is saying he doesn't have time to smog and the car is being sold as is. He is also saying that my interpretation of his smog comments were misunderstood. Its my understanding that California DMV law requires the seller to smog before transferring the car. Does anyone have any advice or thoughts on how I should proceed?


Thanks,
Chris


PS. I'm not trying to throw the owner under the bus and the details of this situation are as best as I understand them. If something doesn't add up or make sense I'll happily try to make sense of it.

Straight from the Cali DMV:

When a vehicle is more than four model years old, a seller must provide evidence of a current smog certification except when one of the following occurs:

The transfer occurs between a spouse, domestic partner, sibling, child, parent, grandparent, or grandchild.
A biennial smog certification was submitted to DMV within 90 days prior to the vehicle transfer date (a vehicle inspection report may be required for proof of certification).

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/vr/smogfaq

Right... so as it relates to negotiating and purchasing a FD Rx7, I'm wondering how the forum feels about proceeding? The way I see it, I have two options. I can buy the car "as is" and deal with a likely failed smog car on my own, or I say no thanks and move on to the next classifieds ad.


I'm sure this forum has plenty of experience in this department because these cars can be challenging to pass smog. Does anyone have a similar experience and care to share their story?


Thanks,
Chris

If the car won't smog and the buyer refuses to smog it then do not make it your problem.
If you want to make it your problem then you will have nobody else to blame in the long run.

This is the question of should I buy it?..should I leave it..
THAT is your personal question and I would not ask that someone sway you into spending YOUR money.

^This

If your hoping to buy the car and immediately drive it, your probably in for a hard bargain and an expensive one at that

now if you want one that you can buy and immediately drive, move onto the next one

What do people on this forum do when they sell their modified cars? Won't the vast majority of them fail smog?

A good tuner with the right engine setup can get the car to pass smog all day long.
The thing is that most guys just slap on shit and don't think about the aftermath and the legalities of smog testing.
The key is you have to have the parts installed on the car to pass,and if you don't then you don't pass,simple as that.

I appreciate the feedback. You have reaffirmed my initial feelings which is the deal is likely dead unless I want to take on additional risk. I suppose I could offer him less money with the assumption that I'll be responsible for smogging. I'll think on that but I imagine I'll pass on it. Back to the classifieds!
Thanks.
Chris

My advice?...Buy Stock,emissions passed.

THEN..later on when you get some research and info under your belt,and see what others are doing up close and personal and you now have the ability to do the mods yourself then take on the tasks.
This gives you the time to just plain old DRIVE The car and ENJOY IT.

Cali is the worst state when it comes to emmisions.

California is great for smog! yep.
The seller is responsible, I'd suggest you stick with that. Lack of time seems suspicious.
What modifications are on the car?
A stock computer is critical for passing smog, including getting the check engine light to come on at startup.
The airbox is an obvious modification that may trigger a visual fail.
Intercoolers are free.
Even stock, these are necessarily the easiest cars to smog. They need to be tuned up and running well.

Good luck! These are fun and beautiful cars.

The smog laws are an interesting dichotomy for CA car people... on one hand, I'm happy that our environment is being cleaned up and is constantly improving. On the other, I kind of wish I could build a badass car that has no smog trouble what so ever. But that is another topic for another day.


The car (which I believe is still for sale) has a v mount intercooler, greddy exhaust, a KN style air filter and a power FC (It has other mods but those are the related mods he told me about). It was tuned a couple years ago by a local shop and when I spoke to the manager they said at the time it ran great.


Thanks,


Chris

My apologies for keeping this thread going when the original question has been addressed, but I have a related new situation that and don't want to start a new thread unless its totally necessary.


Long story short, I spoke to another gentlemen who has an Rx7 for sale locally and he also said it will be the buyers responsibility to smog the car. His car is in much better condition and comes with stock parts. (the car currently has aftermarket parts installed, not the stock parts) It's also being tuned as we speak. His argument is these cars are unique and because special tuning is needed for them to run optimally, it shouldn't be the seller responsibility to smog.


My question: Do people often buy these cars and smog themselves? Is that common?


Thanks


Chris

It doesn't just apply to RX7's. I've purchased vehicles in the past off CL and the deals were good enough that I bought them and took care of smogging the vehicle myself. I actually just became an FD owner this week - I bought the car in Tucson and took care of smog when I got it here to CA.

Though really, it's the seller's responsibility to have the vehicle smogged before transferring the title. If they really want to sell the vehicle, it's on them.

It can definitely be done without issue. The car needs to pass smog at some point, but responsibility is a negotiable item. Treat it just like any other repair. Assign a dollar value to the repair and adjust your offer accordingly.
Legally, it is the seller's responsibility to smog it. Your legal recourse is to take them to court and prove the seller mis-represented the vehicle. It won't be worth your time and effort even if you are victorious. It sounds like the seller is saying it won't pass smog and simply doesn't want to deal with it.

If I were selling my RX7, I would include a smog cert. Seems like the best way to make everyone happy, and I'd probably get a better price.

It you don't already know these cars well, or have an expert that does know them well, you may be better off to look for one that the owner will smog. Hard to tell what it would need - but they probably did get in smogged in the last 2 years so it may not be all bad. See if you can look at their last results if you want to proceed.