87 Cabriolet won't pass smog in LA -- reparable? sellable?

Of course it is repairable..............for a price. I would look into buy back programs that the state/city runs. If you decide to go ahead and fix it a new cat may solve her problems.

You can't sell it without a smog cert.

Probably not worth the cost of repairs, nor the cost and inconvenience of selling it out of state. If it can't pass smog in CA then it's not going to be very attractive to buyers there. So your options are limited. Sell it online (Ebay?) with the notice it can't pass CA smog, and find an out of state buyer, or let it go cheap (mechanic's special) or for parts, or scrap it. If the body is in exceptional condition and it has low mileage on it, try advertising it on any number of car selling websites, including ones for classic cars like Hemmings. Buyers from states that don't have CA's onerous emissions testing would probably love an old Cabriolet.

Thanks. She says she can sell it "as is." Is that right? Any chance a used car dealer would take it on a trade in? We wants to buy a 5-year-old car to replace it. She's been using the same mechanic for a decade. I'd think if a catalytic could remedy the situation he would've done that.

Don't bother with a CAT - did that last year & it didn't make a bit of difference. There are still a few counties in CA that don't require the hardcore smog testing that most of CA does (I'm having the same issues), so advertising in one of those might be an option. Nevada, too - I bet someone there would be willing to make that short trip to LA & pick it up! Good luck