How to transfer a title into my name if the vehicle can't pass smog?

I purchased a 2000 ford mustang a few months back, and when I picked up the car, the owner informed me, that the car could not pass smog, but if i registered it in my home state (KY, i'm here on active duty) instead of here in CA (san diego, specifically). We exchanged money for car and went our own ways. Later on i found it was more difficult than I had thought to register it in KY, since I'm going to be out of state for more than 9 months. So now I'm stuck with the car, can't transfer the title because the car can't pass smog. What are my options?

Repair the emissions issue. Until you do you will never be available register the vehicle in any US state which requires emissions testing.

Find out how much it will cost to get it to pass smog. KY smog standards are US federal and not quite as strict as in CA.

Because really, if my 1988 Dodge can still pass CA smog, a 2000 model should as well without too much in the way of repair.