How did you first meet a 914 in person - any tips for someone who never has Options

[914lover17]

Hey Ya'll. Recently fell in love with this car, total obsession. I've never been a car guy, and have only learned manual for a summer job over 7 years ago. I'm very serious about getting one myself. I'm lucky because my dad has "enough knowledge to be dangerous" and is more than willing to help me on my journey. The "problem" I'm having is that I've never actually seen one in person, let alone ridden or driven one. I was prepared to re-learn manual after purchase, relying on a test ride along, or letting my dad test drive it. However, there's so little available (I think 3-4 in canada) and most of them are on the coasts. I've reached out to a few ads nearby and they prefer not to indulge much in terms of driving/seeing the car in action unless a deal is in place (Which is totally reasonable)...

As much as I can youtube and research this car online all day long, I guess I was just wondering how all of you fell for the 914, maybe the first time you met one in person, how you got to drive one, and if you had any tips for someone like me to experience one in a low commitment way that's fair for all parties? (I wouldn't even be looking to drive it myself) I would really like to experience the old school feeling of real driving car though!

I personally found the 914 when I was autotrader'ing for fun, searched porsches and thought it was a nicer 911 LOL!

[AZBanks]

I don't remember when I first laid eyes on a 914 but I do remember the first time I really "saw" a 914, the first time one really caught my attention.

It was in September of 1986.
If someone in the neighborhood had a car they wanted to sell, they would park it out at the far end of the parking lot at the high school I attended. That area was right out by the road so the cars got plenty of exposure to potential buyers.

One day a little red 914 was parked there with a "For Sale" sign on the dash. The seller tried to talk me out of it due to the amount of work it is to keep a 914 running but I didn't listen. I gave him my money and he gave me the car.

It was slightly lowered with 916 bumpers, American Racing Lemans wheels with 205/50 Fulda tires. I loved that car.

It was a great car to drive around during my senior year in high school. Sadly, I wasn't very mechanical at the time and I sold it as a disassembled project a few years later.

I had one picture of it which I can no longer find.