Thinking about joining your cult, but I want to do it right. Options

[Nickanator8]

Hello cultists, I've been a lifelong Porsche fan but I've never actually owned one. I've eyed boxsters and 944s on occasion but I've never pulled the trigger on either. Like many of you I spend my free time browsing the internet for cheap cars that would be poor financial decisions and recently a 914 has come into view.

Craigslist Post

Here's the thing that concerns me most about buying any vintage car as a project car, let alone a Porsche: parts availability and price.

My plans for this particular Porsche would be broken up into two phases. Phase 1 would be a basic restoration to being street drivable. I want a fun weekend car that I can bring to the occasional autocross and thrash about. Ideally something unique, fun to drive, and inexpensive to keep running. Phase 2 would be after a few years of keeping the car relatively stock and would be a slow evolution into a barely streetable race car that makes it unrecognizable to its original form.

The catch is that my automotive wrenching capabilities are limited to regular oil changes in my garage, and I'm a bit of a tight-fisted scrooge which is a contributing factor to why I have never purchased a fun car before. I'm concerned that diving into a 50+ year old non-running Porsche is probably not the best way to dive into project car life or Porsche ownership.

So with all that in mind, I ask you this: should I throw caution to the wind and add this pile of German metal to my garage, diving head first into the pool of Porsche, or should I play it safe and wait for a better example to begin my lifelong addiction?

[Van B]

That car will need to be stripped down and put on a rotisserie with weeks of cutting and welding to fix all the rust. The seller IMO is trying to avoid showing you what's really going on there by taking that underside pic from the front of the car looking back. That said I can still see the signs. Also, the wiring has been hacked on so, you would get to do lots of problem solving there.
Since you're not equipped for full resto work, do you have a shop that you would want to hand it off too? Also, are you considering other 914's or just this one?

Van

[Nickanator8]

That car will need to be stripped down and put on a rotisserie with weeks of cutting and welding to fix all the rust. The seller IMO is trying to avoid showing you what's really going on there by taking that underside pic from the front of the car looking back. That said I can still see the signs. Also, the wiring has been hacked on so, you would get to do lots of problem solving there.
Since you're not equipped for full resto work, do you have a shop that you would want to hand it off too? Also, are you considering other 914's or just this one?

Van

I'm mostly just considering this one right now because of it's proximity to me. I'm not specifically shopping for a 914 but they are on the list of cars I am considering as potential projects.

As far as resto work, I'm a stubborn DIYer so whatever project I would purchase would be a learning ground for me in all aspects of the project car life. Welding, body work, wiring, etc.

[second wind]

That car will need to be stripped down and put on a rotisserie with weeks of cutting and welding to fix all the rust. The seller IMO is trying to avoid showing you what's really going on there by taking that underside pic from the front of the car looking back. That said I can still see the signs. Also, the wiring has been hacked on so, you would get to do lots of problem solving there.
Since you're not equipped for full resto work, do you have a shop that you would want to hand it off too? Also, are you considering other 914's or just this one?

Van

I'm mostly just considering this one right now because of it's proximity to me. I'm not specifically shopping for a 914 but they are on the list of cars I am considering as potential projects.

As far as resto work, I'm a stubborn DIYer so whatever project I would purchase would be a learning ground for me in all aspects of the project car life. Welding, body work, wiring, etc.

The speedo is not original...
gg

[Nickanator8]

That car will need to be stripped down and put on a rotisserie with weeks of cutting and welding to fix all the rust. The seller IMO is trying to avoid showing you what's really going on there by taking that underside pic from the front of the car looking back. That said I can still see the signs. Also, the wiring has been hacked on so, you would get to do lots of problem solving there.
Since you're not equipped for full resto work, do you have a shop that you would want to hand it off too? Also, are you considering other 914's or just this one?

Van

I'm mostly just considering this one right now because of it's proximity to me. I'm not specifically shopping for a 914 but they are on the list of cars I am considering as potential projects.

As far as resto work, I'm a stubborn DIYer so whatever project I would purchase would be a learning ground for me in all aspects of the project car life. Welding, body work, wiring, etc.

The speedo is not original...
gg

So clearly a project of a project with mysteries under every panel?

[eeyore]

That car will need to be stripped down and put on a rotisserie with weeks of cutting and welding to fix all the rust. The seller IMO is trying to avoid showing you what's really going on there by taking that underside pic from the front of the car looking back. That said I can still see the signs. Also, the wiring has been hacked on so, you would get to do lots of problem solving there.
Since you're not equipped for full resto work, do you have a shop that you would want to hand it off too? Also, are you considering other 914's or just this one?

Van

Get the seller to throw in some jackstands and that will be the most right (Dirk Wright?) start...

[Nickanator8]

That car will need to be stripped down and put on a rotisserie with weeks of cutting and welding to fix all the rust. The seller IMO is trying to avoid showing you what's really going on there by taking that underside pic from the front of the car looking back. That said I can still see the signs. Also, the wiring has been hacked on so, you would get to do lots of problem solving there.
Since you're not equipped for full resto work, do you have a shop that you would want to hand it off too? Also, are you considering other 914's or just this one?

Van

Get the seller to throw in some jackstands and that will be the most right (Dirk Wright?) start...

I've heard of the hell hole so that is absolutely a concern. Considering the drive would be about 100 miles for me I'd be asking for a lot more photos before driving out there, let alone making an offer.

[Cairo94507]

That car is not stock. Has rust and that should worry you. Additionally, as already stated, that is not the original speedometer so the car probably has more in the are of 200K miles on it. Rust is the death-nail for these cars unless you are very good with a welder and fabrication or have a large checkbook to pay for those repairs. You need to find a solid west coast car to start with. Be patient, they do opt up all the time.

[914_teener]

Hello cultists, I've been a lifelong Porsche fan but I've never actually owned one. I've eyed boxsters and 944s on occasion but I've never pulled the trigger on either. Like many of you I spend my free time browsing the internet for cheap cars that would be poor financial decisions and recently a 914 has come into view.

Craigslist Post

Here's the thing that concerns me most about buying any vintage car as a project car, let alone a Porsche: parts availability and price.

My plans for this particular Porsche would be broken up into two phases. Phase 1 would be a basic restoration to being street drivable. I want a fun weekend car that I can bring to the occasional autocross and thrash about. Ideally something unique, fun to drive, and inexpensive to keep running. Phase 2 would be after a few years of keeping the car relatively stock and would be a slow evolution into a barely streetable race car that makes it unrecognizable to its original form.

The catch is that my automotive wrenching capabilities are limited to regular oil changes in my garage, and I'm a bit of a tight-fisted scrooge which is a contributing factor to why I have never purchased a fun car before. I'm concerned that diving into a 50+ year old non-running Porsche is probably not the best way to dive into project car life or Porsche ownership.

So with all that in mind, I ask you this: should I throw caution to the wind and add this pile of German metal to my garage, diving head first into the pool of Porsche, or should I play it safe and wait for a better example to begin my lifelong addiction?

You don't "live" a great life by playing it safe: ever. So short words of advice since you asked.

I was in your position many years ago....maybe 25 or so ago.

There is an old axiom: that the cheapest Porsche will be the most expensive car you ever own.

So with a 914 find the best body or tub you can. If it has a good running engine better yet. If you don't have mechanical skills....well this community and your own will to learn is an opportunity and not a negative thing.

Your post reads self-defricating, so if you move forward:

Save your money per the above.....change your mind and your rear will follow.

My .02 FWIW.

[Nickanator8]

That car is not stock. Has rust and that should worry you. Additionally, as already stated, that is not the original speedometer so the car probably has more in the are of 200K miles on it. Rust is the death-nail for these cars unless you are very good with a welder and fabrication or have a large checkbook to pay for those repairs. You need to find a solid west coast car to start with. Be patient, they do opt up all the time.

That totally makes sense. I guess I was hoping that the rust wasn't all that bad. The mileage would be concerning if it was that low anyway because my understanding is that Porsches like to be driven and get funky when why sit for long periods of time.

Guess I'll keep my eyes open for something else.

[Nickanator8]

Hello cultists, I've been a lifelong Porsche fan but I've never actually owned one. I've eyed boxsters and 944s on occasion but I've never pulled the trigger on either. Like many of you I spend my free time browsing the internet for cheap cars that would be poor financial decisions and recently a 914 has come into view.

Craigslist Post

Here's the thing that concerns me most about buying any vintage car as a project car, let alone a Porsche: parts availability and price.

My plans for this particular Porsche would be broken up into two phases. Phase 1 would be a basic restoration to being street drivable. I want a fun weekend car that I can bring to the occasional autocross and thrash about. Ideally something unique, fun to drive, and inexpensive to keep running. Phase 2 would be after a few years of keeping the car relatively stock and would be a slow evolution into a barely streetable race car that makes it unrecognizable to its original form.

The catch is that my automotive wrenching capabilities are limited to regular oil changes in my garage, and I'm a bit of a tight-fisted scrooge which is a contributing factor to why I have never purchased a fun car before. I'm concerned that diving into a 50+ year old non-running Porsche is probably not the best way to dive into project car life or Porsche ownership.

So with all that in mind, I ask you this: should I throw caution to the wind and add this pile of German metal to my garage, diving head first into the pool of Porsche, or should I play it safe and wait for a better example to begin my lifelong addiction?

You don't "live" a great life by playing it safe: ever. So short words of advice since you asked.

I was in your position many years ago....maybe 25 or so ago.

There is an old axiom: that the cheapest Porsche will be the most expensive car you ever own.

So with a 914 find the best body or tub you can. If it has a good running engine better yet. If you don't have mechanical skills....well this community and your own will to learn is an opportunity and not a negative thing.

Your post reads self-defricating, so if you move forward:

Save your money per the above.....change your mind and your rear will follow.

My .02 FWIW.

I came here to collect as many pennies as i can. Thanks for the feedback!

[mepstein]

The seller is correct. It’s a $40k car …after you put $60k into it.

Always buy the best Porsche you can afford and get a ppi or at least someone very familiar with these cars. They are all parts cars unless proven otherwise.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

[Superhawk996]

. . .I was hoping that the rust wasn't all that bad.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif) weren't we all! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

[914_teener]

Hello cultists, I've been a lifelong Porsche fan but I've never actually owned one. I've eyed boxsters and 944s on occasion but I've never pulled the trigger on either. Like many of you I spend my free time browsing the internet for cheap cars that would be poor financial decisions and recently a 914 has come into view.

Craigslist Post

Here's the thing that concerns me most about buying any vintage car as a project car, let alone a Porsche: parts availability and price.

My plans for this particular Porsche would be broken up into two phases. Phase 1 would be a basic restoration to being street drivable. I want a fun weekend car that I can bring to the occasional autocross and thrash about. Ideally something unique, fun to drive, and inexpensive to keep running. Phase 2 would be after a few years of keeping the car relatively stock and would be a slow evolution into a barely streetable race car that makes it unrecognizable to its original form.

The catch is that my automotive wrenching capabilities are limited to regular oil changes in my garage, and I'm a bit of a tight-fisted scrooge which is a contributing factor to why I have never purchased a fun car before. I'm concerned that diving into a 50+ year old non-running Porsche is probably not the best way to dive into project car life or Porsche ownership.

So with all that in mind, I ask you this: should I throw caution to the wind and add this pile of German metal to my garage, diving head first into the pool of Porsche, or should I play it safe and wait for a better example to begin my lifelong addiction?

You don't "live" a great life by playing it safe: ever. So short words of advice since you asked.

I was in your position many years ago....maybe 25 or so ago.

There is an old axiom: that the cheapest Porsche will be the most expensive car you ever own.

So with a 914 find the best body or tub you can. If it has a good running engine better yet. If you don't have mechanical skills....well this community and your own will to learn is an opportunity and not a negative thing.

Your post reads self-defricating, so if you move forward:

Save your money per the above.....change your mind and your rear will follow.

My .02 FWIW.

I came here to collect as many pennies as i can. Thanks for the feedback!

Figuratively for the pennies. Good luck....hope is always a good thing but hopefully unaffilated with the add on CL.

[Nickanator8]

. . .I was hoping that the rust wasn't all that bad.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif) weren't we all! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

:cries into ant hill of rust:

[jdamiano]

It’s good you are asking here what’s in the Kool-aid. Too many don’t ask, take a gulp and end up sick or dead. In this case the poison is rust. Buy a car with as little as possible even if you have to travel to get it. Everything else is fun and doable.

[Van B]

. . .I was hoping that the rust wasn't all that bad.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif) weren't we all! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

I don't know what you're talking about! Every time I find more hidden rust on my car I say to myself, "well at least it's not that bad..." (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bootyshake.gif)

[mlindner]

Ya, all stock. 914's did not come with carbs.....

[Nickanator8]

Ya, all stock. 914's did not come with carbs.....

lol, K&N anything did not come from factory.

[930cabman]

Study all the above input from the 914 psych ward!! it is all true and good information.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

Might be a good idea to look a bit more and find a decent one