Too much for too cheap?, Driving a rust bucket Options

[nditiz1]

If I bought a 914 just to drive around and knew about the rust issues it had, but was more into it for the fun of driving it and owning one is $3k too much to spend? An earlier one I looked at, 75', had some major rust - in the door jambs on both sides to be exact, which you all have taught me means the longs are toast. There was also rust in the front and rear trunk that looked to be surface but that is usually on 10% another thing you all have taught me. The hell holes were solid. It was however a running, driving, stopping, cool looking - at least from 10 feet (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) 914. It has 2.0 fuchs (only4) dellorto carbs, over jetted, 1.8. The interior is original and would definitely need to be redone, which I can do (kits $500??). My thinking is this, even if I don't fix the body and eventually want to transfer the parts to a better one, I have what $800 rims, $1k motor, $500 dellorto carbs. Those 3 items almost pay for the car. I would also try to get the genuine service manuals thrown in (~$600 -800). Oh and the stock steelies that came with the car. Would that be justified?

[arne]

Well, bear in mind that you are back east where rust really rules, and I'm not. So my value thinking is colored by that.

IMO, that is too much if there is any chance that you will end up trying to restore that shell. It is borderline if it would only be a temporary driver and future parts donor. In that case, you have to consider how much you will have to pay for more restorable car, and how much part duplication you would end up with. For example, if the restorable car also had Fuchs or a good interior, you've doubled that up. In my experience, buying parts cars first, before you know what you need generally is a big waste of money. In variably you end up with duplicate good parts, and the parts car may still not have something that you need.