Sounds a little strange to me. Where I live a smog test is not an issue.
However, a smog test in the next city (where it's required) will fail if the
ECU light is on, or does not work, regardless of a pass or fail at the
tailpipe.

"Chief_Wiggum" > wrote in message
news:GhyHd.41419$St.23336@fed1read03...
> It's true that a car will fail the smog test if the OBD computer hasn't
> gone through enough "drive cycles"
>
> The only problem is though, that you don't know for sure that he didn't
> just
> clear the codes to sell the car, and a "check engine light" will pop up
> after a while.
>
> It very well *could* be just what he says, but unless you trust him, or
> have
> some recourse you don't know for sure.
>
> 4k for a 97 sounds like a good price if the car is in nice shape.
>
> You might try telling him you will hold back $500.00 until it can fully
> pass
> the inspection. If he has nothing to hide, he shouldn't have a problem
> with
> it.
>
> good luck!
>
> "Nielsen" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I am about to purchace a 97 Miata Limited Edition which has been
>> sitting in a garage for some time. Seller has to smog and register it
>> before sale.. well... it passed the smog test but the ODB2 computer
>> failed ???
>> Seller claims it failed because he recently gave it a new battery and
>> it needs to be driven a while before the ODB2 computer comes back up -
>> is this just a minor issue or should stay away from this one ?
>>
>> Another factor: it has 97K miles on it and he's asking $4K is that
>> reasonable ??
>>
>> Thanks for any answers
>> /Rene
>
>