Looking for some help Options

[mr.midget]

Hey everybody, I'm new here and wanted to tap your expertise on everything 914. I've been looking to find a car I can maintain myself and have always wanted a Porsche. I should humbly mention I currently know nothing about fixing cars, but am really interested in learning, so I thought I'd ask some experts!

I recently stumbled upon a 1974 914 for sale across the street from my parents. the guy was asking $3500. He says it has a 1.7L fuel injected engine, 57k original miles. He and his brother work on cars, so he says it's about 90% restored and was probably garage kept the entire time (he's the 3rd owner) Says it needs a valve adjustment and might have a bad plug, but no significant engine trouble. No rust, but needs a new paint job.

I'd really appreciate anybody's input on what I need to look for when I go evaluate this car, especially anything specific to 914s I should know when I check it out.

Also, if you guys could fill me in on owning a 914. My brother-in-law has told me to be wary of the difficulty in working on the car, as well as the great expense and rarity of parts. I know nothing, but figure if I'm gonna learn how to work on a car, it might as well be on a sweet one. I'm not looking to completely restore it (yet), but I'd love to get it purring, paint it, and have a fun car to tool around on the weekends with. Am I getting in way over my head heere with a 914 as my first project car?

Thanks!

[ConeDodger]

Even trying to take culture into account (you're in Michigan, I am in California) that looks like a $1500 car teetering on the edge of being a parts car.

Why has that trunk been sprayed with bed liner? I would bet it is because the trunk floor at the trailing edges was rusting through.

That battery tray is being eaten up. I would bet the "hell hole" is going as well. That leads to the passenger side suspension console and the passenger side long.

The door bubbles are more concerning than that rear trunk but they are both rust.

And, it doesn't run.

I would increase your budget to 5-6K and look in California Oregon or the Southwest. Plan on a trip to tow it back or paying a transport service.

Eric is right. I am from Minnesota and there is a very good reason you don't see old cars every day in the summer in Minnesota Wisconsin Michigan and the likes. They're gone. This one might be all but gone.

Good luck... If you are married, look your wife deep in her eyes and ask her if she loves you right before you write the check for any old project car...

Restoration is expensive and time consuming. Divorce is more expensive and time consuming.

Oh... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)