Buying 914's, Which one to buy? Options

[Tom]

Just some observations and things I've read or seen.
Latest issue of Excellence Magazine has a great article where the guy goes to Calif. to buy an inexpensive 911 SC. Part one, The $8,865 911 SC, three times the price later. I think some or most of the questions he answers also apply to 914's.
If you want to buy a 914 to modify it to your likes and plan on doing a lot of the work yourself, then buy the best and cheapest you can find and do the work that will be needed yourself.
If you want a nice 914 to enjoy, buy the best one you can find and is in your budget, remembering that getting an inspection by someone who knows these cars is money well spent. Or buy from a reputable seller or friend who would stand by the deal if something turns up that wasn't right and you become dissatisfied. That may be hard to find tho'.
I got mine several years ago ( 2005 or 6) and spent about 4K for it. Since then, I've spent over 4K in parts and repairs all on the things I felt it needed to be reliable. The engine doesn't leak as much after new seals ( couple of drops), brakes are all new with rears rebuilt by Eric, trailing arms redone ( again by Eric) and all wheel bearings replaced.The car drives great. If only I had another 4K right now for cosmetics, all would be wonderful. So I understand how quickly you can put way more into the car than it is worth on the market. However, I think a lot of us do it not for money, but for the love of these cars. Part of the enjoyment is getting the car to the condition you envision. Pride in driving a nice 914 is there too.
I guess in the end, if you don't plan on doing a lot of work yourself, then make your budget as large as possible and buy the best car you can find. Someone has already spent alot of $ getting it to where it is. I see a lot of those here. Worth way more that the seller can expect to get.
Tom