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Posted by: siverson Jul 6 2004, 12:05 AM

I bought a pair of $2 microfiber cloths at my FLAPs this weekend for window cleaning, and wow, they work so much better than newspaper/paper towel/rags/etc. Just thought I'd share the info, or maybe I'm the only one who doesn't know this.

What's the single best 914 purchase you've made?

My other runner ups would be:

- cordless impact wrench - big time/energy saver

- steel flares and 16x8/9 wheels - I never get tired of the look

- MAF to replace the AFM on the 3.6 - maybe more horsepower, but much more tractable at low RPMs

-Steve
(the microfiber cloths really aren't that neat - they were just the last thing of the day I got excited about - but they do work well)

Posted by: grantsfo Jul 6 2004, 12:10 AM

205/50/15 Falken Azenis Sports for $62 a tire

Posted by: Korijo Jul 6 2004, 12:13 AM

Jack stands <_<

Posted by: lagunero Jul 6 2004, 12:16 AM

Dremel comes to mind

Posted by: trekkor Jul 6 2004, 12:18 AM

Besides getting the car for $2200,
it would be the Koni's, or was it the Falken's, no, wait, the Smart bar...my Riviera's?

Posted by: TonyAKAVW Jul 6 2004, 01:46 AM

Well, the car in my avatar I ercently purchased for $1k. That was a pretty darn good buy. Its a 1970, with a sideshift conversion, decent body, engine needs some adjustments, but its a good beater until I get my real 914 project finished. Which brings me to the second best purchase...

I traded my friend Royce (goes by 'bondo' around here) a $4.99 frozen DiGiorno pizza for a 2.0 engine. The engine needs to be rebuilt, but so far the heads look very good and the cam shaft at least looks decent.

By far though, the best purchase has been a AAA plus membership. 100 mile towing is pretty nice, and I've used it I think 5 times now over the past 3 or so years. Its a nice way to tow rollers around.


-Tony

Posted by: McMark Jul 6 2004, 01:51 AM

I'd have to say that morphenspectras carpet kit has made me the happiest. Finishes out the cars look without breaking the bank.

Posted by: Lawrence Jul 6 2004, 02:05 AM

It's a toss-up for second place: Perry Kiehl's umbrella cover has provided me years of excellent service. I really like Craig's rear trunk kit, too.

But the very best purchase was time with my Toolwench.

-Rusty

Posted by: Juniors_914 Jul 6 2004, 02:06 AM

My car. bought it for $750 thats including towing (37 miles...from Orange County to LA)

Posted by: JerryP Jul 6 2004, 06:29 AM

I just bought a complete 74 2.0 car for $300. So far all I've taken off are a really nice dash, heater boxes and the trunk lock assembly. I opened the trunk and there was a brand new set of bilsteins still in the boxes. It's already outperforming my stinking mutual funds.

Hey wait...that's bad news.

Posted by: itsa914 Jul 6 2004, 07:28 AM

#1 would be PPI for my 70. It is a very solid car

#2 would be the two complete parts cars I got for $25
see story here http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?act=ST&f=2&t=6136&hl=parts%20cars&st=0

One turned out to be a Orange/White LE, to bad it was rusted away. See pics here http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?act=ST&f=2&t=6215&hl=parts%20cars&st=0

Posted by: Qarl Jul 6 2004, 07:40 AM

Well, my body cost me $4600 including shipping from out West, but I sold off over $3K in parts, so I got a pretty darn good rust-free body for around $1600.00. I woulda spent more fixing a bad body.

My best "deal" probably was a NOS main body wiring harness I found in Switzerland for $175.00.

Posted by: peridotian Jul 6 2004, 08:41 AM

A smaller steering wheel! I thought I would have to sell the car or shrink. But as soon as I lost the air con and put on a smaller wheel I fit better than in the wife's boxster!

Posted by: DNHunt Jul 6 2004, 08:46 AM

Turbo tierods. I enjoy then evertime I turn the car.

Dave

Posted by: anthony Jul 6 2004, 08:52 AM

The car was the best purchase so far. I was incredibly lucky to find such a nice car after only two months of looking. At the time I didn't realize how rare a really nice, all original, garaged all its life 914 is.

Posted by: dflesburg Jul 6 2004, 08:54 AM

Best purchase:

3 car garage so wife has a bay and lets me do what I want with my side...

Posted by: tat2dphreak Jul 6 2004, 09:05 AM

the car itself... 1500 for a rust-fixed body
followed closely by the engine


a rust-free '72 body:1500
a running longblock: $2000,
interior pieces : $200


not having to fix headlights, and rust, and engine on my first teener: priceless

Posted by: 914rick Jul 6 2004, 09:11 AM

I would have to say that the single best purchase/investment in the car has been one of Raby's 2270s . I love it.

Posted by: Aaron Cox Jul 6 2004, 09:22 AM

falken azenis 205/50/15
tarett holow seaybar
5 lug fuchs/911 suspension

Posted by: scotty Jul 6 2004, 09:22 AM

Joining this bbs... wait... that was "free"

Seriously, a third brake light ..or the PMO's for the six

Posted by: boxstr Jul 6 2004, 09:36 AM

One single purchase comes to mind recently. Registration fee to WCC #1. Meet lots of great people from this BBS and saw alot of really nice 914s. Also had a great time driving all over Northern Calif. with other like minded drivers.
Had a blast at Candlestick park autocross, some really excellent drivers there.
Smile that wouldn't go away after taking the Corkscrew at Laguna Seca in the 9146GT 3.0 with Mrs K in passenger seat.
And last but not least a great day at Partsheaven swap meet.
CCLINPRICELESS

Posted by: Mueller Jul 6 2004, 09:42 AM

My roller bearings !!!!!!

seriously, I'd have to list my leather wrapped MOMO shift knob, it feels so much better than the hard plastic factory knob, it really made a differance and is something that I highly recommend

Posted by: jandro62 Jul 6 2004, 09:50 AM

new shift bushings for my tail shifter. Having fourth gear again was a nice bonus. The other treat is the Momo steering wheel. Its bolstered in all the right places, looks great, and has a quality feel to it. Way better than the old one with the floppy horn pad.

Alex

Posted by: seanery Jul 6 2004, 09:54 AM

buying a 2nd 914 for street use was my best single purchase.

Posted by: markb Jul 6 2004, 09:55 AM

The 71 I'll be picking up in about an hour. Standard rusty hellhole & no battery tray, but solid otherwise. I sold the guy an engine I had as a spare, and he ran out of ambition. He called me yesterday & offered it to me for $600.00. He did still owe me $500.00 for the motor, so I guess my total is $1100.00. Not bad all things considered, but I really didn't need another 914. Guess I'll just have to bite the bullet & live with it.

Posted by: ! Jul 6 2004, 09:58 AM

H4 replacement headlamps.....those old sealed beams sucked.

Posted by: rdauenhauer Jul 6 2004, 10:11 AM

Gotta be the LE complete and unmolested with a bad battery for $1500.
Ill never forget that drive home.

Posted by: J P Stein Jul 6 2004, 10:17 AM

A rebuilt, sat on a shelf for 9 years, 2.7L long block for 500 bucks. Sold the RS pistons for 500 bucks, sold the cams for 100 bucks......then money started flowing the other way.

Posted by: VegasRacer Jul 6 2004, 10:32 AM

My favorite up-grade was putting an 85 Carrera front end on my car.
It corners great and I love the stopping power with bigger brakes.
The 5 lug conversion led to my best value purchase ..... 6 real 15x7 Fuchs for $25 each.

Posted by: SLITS Jul 6 2004, 10:36 AM

1970 rust free roller (engine & trans came with it, but out of car) $5.00 at auction

1974 2.0 Zambezi Green running - $600 - Unfortunately I wrecked it about 3 months later.

Posted by: dmenche914 Jul 6 2004, 10:50 AM

Best buy was a 1970 914 1.7 with alloys and rool bar for $900. was my first 914, tons of fun till it got wrecked.

dave

Posted by: boxstr Jul 6 2004, 10:57 AM

It's a toss-up for second place: Perry Kiehl's umbrella cover has provided me years of excellent service. I really like Craig's rear trunk kit, too.


Thanks RUSTY, check is in the mail.
CCLINSUNNYCAMP

Posted by: Andyrew Jul 6 2004, 11:25 AM

Hmmm ooh toughie..

I love my 5 lug conversion, in that line I love the deal I got with the wheels and that I hope to keep getting... (4 rep fuch's 300, 4 cookies 100, 3 phone dials 30)

I do gotta say that I loved driving when I had my dads racing seat in.. It just looked soo good and fit me sooo well.. That matched with my momo steering wheel and AWESOME shift knob (thanks Karl) made the interior just the way I wanted it.

Ok, if I had to take a stab, it would probably be the 6 rear trailing arm shims that I got for 6 bucks.. I dont know if you can beat that!

Andrew

Posted by: double-a Jul 6 2004, 11:29 AM

talk about major improvements, i recently replaced the 165/70s that were on the car when i bought it with yoko avs es100 205/55 tires. definitely handles like a different car, on stock suspension no less. i think my next improvement will be turbo tie rods, whenever i get around to it.

~a

Posted by: Martin Baker Jul 6 2004, 11:34 AM

.........

Posted by: iamchappy Jul 6 2004, 12:24 PM

SAMMY SEALS

Posted by: SirAndy Jul 6 2004, 12:30 PM

the *correct* shifter-bushing for the firewall ...

Andy

Posted by: boxstr Jul 6 2004, 12:49 PM

Martin I can't say for sure, the polls have not been tallied. Not sure when,where,what,how much,etc.
CCLINWCC#3PNW

Posted by: Toast Jul 6 2004, 01:15 PM

Posted by: 9146986 Jul 6 2004, 07:29 PM

Lawrence,

Thanks, a 100 times thanks! I think I've sold over 200 now, with no complaints! A few owners out there have ordered replacement bungees (after between about 12 and 18 months of constant UV exposure the bungees wilt).

We all know why we need it!

PK

Posted by: 9146986 Jul 6 2004, 07:31 PM

oh yea


Attached image(s)

Posted by: kwales Jul 6 2004, 07:49 PM

My three hunnert dollar junker car.

Very interesting car..... First PO put 57k on it in 3 years. Second PO puts 13k on it from 1977 to today but ran the car through a salty winter and parked it indoors away from light.

Second PO decided to restart the engine- decided it had a valve problem and bought two brand new factory 2.0 heads for a fix. He bolted them in, put the engine in and it wouldn't turn over.

Kenny buys car after noticing shiny heads with 3 intake studs. Asked about engine got above story. Interior has 3-4 years of wear and tear, an uncracked dash, and when I lifted the floor mats, found rugs that may never have known feet. Wiring harness now resides in the rust free North Carolina car.

Rust is so bad that the car has no floor....

Those heads are so purty...

Ken

Posted by: URY914 Jul 6 2004, 08:03 PM

That first set of 15x7" Revolution wheels and Hoosier autocross tires.

They made the car come alive.

Paul

Posted by: ! Jul 6 2004, 08:12 PM

Hey Perry....do they fit lowly 911s?

Posted by: aircooledboy Jul 6 2004, 08:17 PM

Hands down: my current address

I have 4 teener's now, prolly gonna add a new flag ship to my little fleet by the end of the month and I still have room to add 20 more and keep them all inside!!!!!

Man I love living in the country

Alright, maybe not 20, but 10 more easy

Posted by: blaize Jul 6 2004, 10:54 PM

Well my car was $500 damn near rust free, all the aftermarket suspension bits and a 2.0 engine. and its a side shift 73.

But last week I got a swet of 16 by 7 fuchs (real ones) 911 front shocks and full front brakes. all for $200

Posted by: a.munoz3 Jul 7 2004, 01:53 AM

I aswell think the tie rods are best purchase

Posted by: wheelo Jul 7 2004, 02:14 AM

Previous Owner... chopped my ashtray by 1/3 for some unknown (stupid) reason .... was so happy to find a good replacement for cheap ! Also, won bid on e-bay, for electronic ignition and hot-coil, less than 1/2 actual cost !

Posted by: ablose58 Jul 7 2004, 02:35 AM

The best 914 purchase of mine is KERMIT.

Posted by: Lawrence Jul 7 2004, 02:49 AM

No, thank you for a quality product. There are only a few things that I will recommend without hesitation; and the umbrella is on the very short list.

I may need to get a new set of bungies when I come home. I've had it for 5(?) years or so... so I've got my money's worth. How much for new bungies? I suppose I can have someplace just stitch them in.

-Rusty

Posted by: 9146986 Jul 7 2004, 07:30 AM

Lawrence,

No problem getting you new bungees, just let me know when you need them. You should be able to have a local upholstery shop sew them in. You can always send it back and have me do it, but as high as shipping has gotten, it's your call. Unless you leave it on, outside they'll last a very long time.

MikeZ,

I do now make one for a 911 Targa, it's $25 more ($135), but like the 914 cover, I pay shipping.

The best purchase?? It's a hard one, probably my lift in the shop. It's saved my knees.

PK

Posted by: jfort Jul 7 2004, 07:33 AM

It wasn't cheap, but I really like the RennShift. Every shift is much more precise. And I thank my previous owner, Jim Chambers, for the short gears. One expects to be set back on a shift to 2nd, but to have it for 3, 4 and 5 -- well, it just brings joy to my life.

Posted by: shoguneagle Jul 7 2004, 09:41 AM

The single best item (purchase???) for the 914 did not cost anything. It is this board and the information and "advice" you get along with the people you meet. Best deal in town!

Steve Hurt

Posted by: Jenny Jul 7 2004, 11:51 AM

odd question... what do people use the umbrella cover for? short term parking, or long? If long term, why not a full car cover? I always heard this was a good product, never thought to question why it was. Testimonial?

Jen

Posted by: anthony Jul 7 2004, 12:44 PM

I put my car cover on and off the car. It takes 30 seconds.

Posted by: itsa914 Jul 7 2004, 12:49 PM

I use mine when at Auto X events to keep the sun and bird out when not running my car.

Posted by: 9146986 Jul 7 2004, 12:53 PM

Great question Jenny!

My cover is waterproof, it's not breathable. From my experience the so called breathable covers will let water (that soaked through the cover) eventually evaporate, but they are not waterproof. My cover takes up less trunk space. If it does get wet, it's not as hard to deal with as a full cover. It's cheaper than a full set of roof seals, and even if you've got all new seals there's no guarantee that they won't leak. If you've got a 914-6 it keeps rain water out of your engine bay. Generally speaking, it's easier for the female 914 drivers to put this on, than the roof; for quick stops. I don't endorse doing it, but I've had customers who have accidentally got rained on with the Umbrella Cover, and with the roof in the trunk, and it still kept the interior dry.

I guess I could've done a "Latenight" top ten list. Didn't want to turn this into a "Umbrella Cover" thread, anymore than it has.

PK

Posted by: skline Jul 7 2004, 12:54 PM

My best purchase was the 125.00 I spent for brand new Euro tail light lenses. Of course, it was back in 82. Now they are 145.00 each. I guess currently the best purchase for my 914 was the NOS rear quarter panel for $75.00 from D&G last year. I only needed half of it so it hurt a little cutting it in 2 pieces. I needed the sail panel and the front half of the panel to remove 3 pounds of bondo and rust from my car.

Posted by: redshift Jul 7 2004, 04:05 PM

I bought a 74 2.0 with all options and 42k for $450, drove it home, and buffed off the Ford Interior Blue, drove it another 135k, and sold it when I got this piece of shit.


M

Posted by: Jenny Jul 7 2004, 04:22 PM

Thanks Perry. I'll probably be contacting you soon.

Jen

Posted by: Eric_Shea Jul 7 2004, 05:24 PM

1. This Board
2. MAP Torch... Hands down!
3. My $300.00 tub swap that netted me about $2k in parts (sorry Karl)

Speaking of parts... if any club members see anything they need and there's no bids on it I'll pull it.

Posted by: Neal Jul 7 2004, 08:09 PM

Front sway bar from Dave Said..... night and fricken day !


Neal

Posted by: jim_hoyland Jul 7 2004, 08:18 PM

My best purchase was a second 914 top. One has the traditional black color; the second is the car's color.

Posted by: tesserra Jul 7 2004, 11:28 PM

Best purchase was my first 914.
76 2.0 with 89,000 orig miles, everything worked, ran a fresh tank of gas through it and it passed CA smog! NO cracks on the dash, etc, etc $500.00 !!!
Got it from one of those donatate your car for the tax deduction places.
Took it auto-xing and got hooked.

George

Posted by: sanman Jul 8 2004, 12:29 PM

set of (real) 5 lug fuch 2 15x6's and 2 15x7's $75 all four
paid 150 for a set of riveras oh well you live and you learn

Posted by: GWN7 Jul 8 2004, 02:56 PM

Tennessee...the $200 buy it now car from Ebay.....Fuchs, 916 bumpers, Momo wheel, FG hood (gone now) and the car is a almost rust free Cali car originaly.