83 911 SC Euro in California

[zacherrin]

Currently looking at purchasing a 911 SC. A nice one has come up but its a euro and I am in Southern California. I am wondering if this is a bad idea as the guy says he is having problems getting is smogged as it is. Is this something I should avoid being in southern california and all the smog regulation? Anything I should ask or look for? Any help would be appreciated.

[zippy_gg]

I am afraid you already know the answer to your own question...
If the current owner has issues getting the car smogged you won't have much more luck, unless the car only needs a new cat...
Find out why the car wouldn't pass smog, then make a decision or post here where some experts can chime in.

[zacherrin]

Yeah I plan on talking to his mechanic, he says he is confident he will get it to pass but I am wondering if this is something I am going to have to do every 2 years and the work being done is just a band aid or if its a permanent fix like adding a cat and whatever else is needed to get it to pass.

[nkotselas]

Where exactly are you from?
I am from San Diegoand let me give you an idea of what I have. Its a 78 euro sc that was imported here in the 80's. Its passed smog all these years. I have just installed a euro spec 3.2 which is supposed to be even harder to pass because it was built to not pass CA smog, but the previous owner had smogged it and my mechanic is positive he can get it to pass smog now, I believe him.

The Euro and CA sc's didn't vary too much. If you add a cat (PO should have already, you should be fine) look underneath to see if he has one.

Also I would recommend to have a very good PPI done, he may not be passing smog because of engine troubles, and that's a whole different story.

So in the end, don't let the fact that its a euro affect your decision too much, rather pay attention to the engines condition