buying a 914 Options

[scabo7]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif) i'm falling in love with these cars and presently shopping for a 2.0. i've got my eye on a 1975 (no engine rebuild) but looks great with around 50k miles. what kind of work can i expect to do on it? (no rust) how can i obtain a vehichle history report to research history for accidents etc? should i spend over 5k for original one in great shape or restored? what should i look for? help!

[tod914]

Rust is the biggest issues with these cars like the other guys said. What is your intent for the car? Daily driver, weekend driver, show car? The price range varies greatly depending upon what your looking for. A nicely restored car can range from 6-8K. Some higher depending upon the qualitly of the work, and what was done. Alot of these cars now have rebuilt engines. Who rebuilt it? Is is documented? What was rebuilt on it? Obviously there are places that do exceptional work and others that do not.
There's a few on the board for like $3500 and up that might be worth looking into. Again, all depends what your looking for.
A PPI is most important! If your serious about a car, have it gone over with a fine tooth comb, compression and leak down test, etc. Find out what it needs and what it would cost to fix/replace that. 30 year old cars typically need new weather seals, cost which like $1200 or so to do it all, rear window reset, bushings, shocks, fuels lines..... the list goes on and on.
On occassion, you will see some exceptionally nice low milage original cars for sale. A yellow 75 with 10K recently went for around $18,000. There is a 74 with 24K on it that is being sold for $18500. A 76 maluga red with 24K for around 19K. A delphi green 74 was being offered for $14K. Those cars where all original and exceptional contition. Not your every day nice 914. As you can see the prices range varies quite abit.
You can find a nice car for 5-6K. But if it you need to put another 5k into it, is it worth it? Putting 5K into a 5K car, typically doesn't make it as nice as a 10K car being offered for sale. If you are handi and can do the work yourself, great! Big savings there. Bear in mind though, parts for these car are high.
For a daily driver, maybe find one that has a nice repaint, no rust, and documented engine rebuild, brakes, etc.
Regarding rust plenty of threads on that. But battery tray area, longitudes, remove outer rocker panels and look inside, floor pans, behind the seats where water came in from a leaky rear window, trunks, etc. You basically want to cover every inch on it when your inspecting it. Also, if the car has been respayed, there was probally a reason for it, any pre-paint photos? Undercoating on bottom can hide rust. Test the pans with a screw driver or something.
Good luck with your search!