Which 914 to buy?, Looking for a 914, which yr is best? Options

[Doug73/2.0]

Need advice. I learned to drive on my uncles 914...(I was 12 back then) and have wanted one ever since but the 914's i've seen here in the north east are all basket cases. I've seen so many discusions on rusted out hulks, poor shifting, underpowered, engines not running well and lousy brakes that I wounder if it is insane to buy a 30 year old 914. I remember doing a lot of repairs with my uncle when his was only a few years old. Sounds like these have been troublesome direct from the factory.

There are several on ebay each week. I hear "side shifter" worked better than the cable. What year and engine combination did that appear on? I've been told that 73 side shifter with 2.0 engine was probably the best of the 4 cycliners. The sixes are out of my price range. I'd like to spend around 3k.

Any thoughts...Thanks Doug

[Part Pricer]

Can someone explain the different shift linkages or transmittions. I've seen the word side shifter? were different transmissions available between the 1.7, 1.8 or 2.0?

Basically, the 914 had only one transmission. (I sure one of the anal assholes around here will be along shortly to correct me and fill you in on the minutia.) The earlier cars had what is referred to as a tail-shift transmission. The later cars had a side-shift. The difference is the length of the shift rod and where it attaches to the tranny. The side-shifter is the one to go for. It is considered to be less-vague.

How is parts availablity for the common stuff likely to go wrong... Brakes, fuel pumps wires etc...?

Most of the stuff is readily available. Although there are exceptions.