Buyer guide thread Options

[eman 928]

Hi, I am going to look at a 914 to purchase this weekend and this will be my first 914. I'm more familiar with 928's and I am wondering if there is a thread somewhere on 914 world that has information on what to look for when buying a 914. Thanks in advance for your help.

[Dave_Darling]

There is a 914 FAQ on Pelican Parts (see the link in my sig below) that talks about many of the common trouble spots.

I don't know offhand of a thread that has all of the information gathered in one spot, though.

The three main things to check for on a 914:
- Rust
- Rust
- Rust

These cars love to rust almost as much as 1960s Fiats. Common spots include in front of/under the battery (the "hell hole"), around the jack points, and the right-rear suspension mounting points. Also common but less worrisome are the floor pans, especially the floor under the rear window, and the driver's footwell. Plus bubbles around the sail panel and on the cowl.

Fixing rust is time-consuming and if you're paying someone to do the work, quite expensive.

Clutches are frequently out of adjustment, leading to worn synchros and grinds when you shift. Brakes are frequently a bit mushy because some bits of the system can be tough to thoroughly bleed. The fuel injection systems are 40+ years old and cranky, like me. The shift linkage is long and has several connections/joints in it that can each add slop to the shifting action.

Most of the tops leak, at least a little. Most of the dashboard caps have cracked at some point, but replacements are available.

The owners often need tetanus shots due to the RUST, and surgery can be required to remove the immense grin from one's face after driving a nicely-sorted 914 on a twisty road.

They're an addiction. Many of us wind up with multiple examples, and even those who escape 914 ownership seem to get dragged back in at some point.

After your 928, the 914 will feel like it has absolutely zero power, and zero weight. It will change directions at the drop of a hat, and hang onto the road like it was glued on. It will feel almost infinitely less solid. (The 928s I have driven felt like they were build like bank vaults!)

--DD