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!

[dmenche914]

i would personally look for a 74 or newer, as the 75 and 76 require catalysts, have much more expensive exhaust systems, and i believe they all required air pumps. The smog stuff in general costs more to replace, causes shorter engine life do to higher temperatures, and limits performance. True the 75 is now smog exempt, but that could change with a simple vote in the state legislature (its been tried almost every year) Also technically, just because the car is smog test exempt, it is still technically illegal to change the smog stuff, and i have heard that road side smog monitoring will becoming to the bay area in the future, so you could still be busted, even if no testing requirements for your car.

If you wish to keep all the smog gear on a later car, and it is all functional, then go for it, just beware of the costs to replace it all if you ever need too. The early cars may also one day be busted for smog, but they are much less expensive to return to smog complience, as they had very little smog stuff to start with.

be advised of rust issues, and have a 914 person take a look at the car before purchase, i am sure you might be able to talk a lister near by into looking with you at a car, maybe buy him/her lunch for helping you out??? it would be well worth it, as a bad car can cause all kinds of problems for you.

i do not mean to cut down the 75 and 76 cars, they can be a great fun car, but they do not lend themselves to performance upgrades as easy as the early cars becuase of smog issues. They are however safer cars with better bumpers (somelike the looks, some do not) and better side impact metal in the doors (hence they weigh more, and since the stock engines had less power do to smog, are a bit slower) If you do not plan on modifing the car, and want better safety, a newer 75/76 car might be a better choice. All the 914s can be set up to handle extremely well.

I had a 70 1.7 car, and now have a 72 2.0 (converted from a 1.7) both were very fun cars.

Again, beware of rust on the 914, it is the biggest single mistake made in buying a 914, good rust free (or nearly so ) cars are out there, so wait for one with minimal if any rust. There are many rusty cars for sale, and they are junk, unless you spend big bucks and/or hard labour to fix them) Other than that , all the standard stuff about a 30 year old car would apply, check it carefully, drive it, compression test, have someone that knows about them take a look see.

good luck in your purchase.

dave