Possible new 914 owner + 700 mile drive home tips Options

[1973tii]

I'm strongly considering buying my uncle's 914. It's a green 1975 1.8L garaged California car in excellent mechanical and cosmetic condition.

We're 700 miles apart and if I got it, I'd fly down and drive it home. That said, I have a sneaking suspicion that this car, as lovingly maintained as it is, could demonstrate a gremlin or ten on a long, sustained drive in warm weather. The 914 is currently taken out very infrequently, for short drives.

As knowledgeable 914 owners, what sort of recommendations would you have for this trip (other than a AAA membership -- (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) )? A reasonable amount of tools will be carried. Beyond that, should I have a few electro-mechanical switches "in stock", along with a belt, etc, etc...? Any notorious parts that should be carried? I'm competent with the diagnostics/wrenching, but have no experience with these cars and don't know what breaks.

Thanks!

[carr914]

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If I were you, I would rent a Uhaul Trailer to get it home.

Just too many variables on a car that has not been maintained by yourself

[detoxcowboy]

"Strongly Considering?" I assume by your handle you have enjoyed a 1973 BMW 2002 tii? If so and as a previous 1974 2002 tii owner I also stongly reccomend the 914 either as a complimentary vehicle or even as a replacement for your vintage "Driving Machine". I loved the 2002 tii an d they still turn my head but for pure driving memoiries the 914 is much more of a drivers vehicle and you will find driving these 2 seaters exhilerating and much more of a pure sports car than the 2002 tii. Just by coincedence and like your situation I went from 74 2002 tii to a 73 914 1.7 and my thought of fun driving experiences all go to the 914 even though my BMW was in high quality condition and the 1.7 a cheap paint job on a daily driver that rarely heds the top on because no one was going to want or take anything,.., \

Go for it! I recomend basic tools , AAA for the first year and the ph# of a 914 specific knowledge and experienced mechanic.

Can't stress specific 914 knowledge enough.. I was younger and dumber when I had the 1.7 and took the thing to 3 different shps all 3 said they knew and could repair and none could and each time I paid for repairs and 10 miles down fwy it would die in white smoke could..

Oh if you feel extreme sleepines after pulling the red lever that is carbon monoxide. Rool down the window and close the red lever.. The heat exchanger are rutsed out internally, This also happend to me in Los Angeles though tit was thew smog.