Looking at buying a 914-6 - Opinions needed ASAP! Options

[billh1963]

As for the market, as the old saying goes, never buy a car for an investment... There's a lot of money flowing into the classic Euro car market these days. I have to wonder if the bubble will burst soon like the muscle car market did several years back.

However, if you desire to have a 6 and desire a major project, then go for it.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

If this car "checks all the right boxes" for you then what are you waiting for?

I fully agree about a bubble...it's coming (they always do). The question is, how high does it get before it pops and where does it land?

There aren't that many 6's out there. This one is running and driving. You can spend a few dollars getting the transmission and other small issues fixed while you decide your long term strategy.

[Kaeferfreund]

Yes, seems like a pretty decent car. It looks somewhat similar in condition to my green car when I got it. And I think the investment required is similar.

I think the math is something like:

$30k - buy the car
$10k - metal/rust/body work
$10k - paint
$5k - interior
$20k - rebuild engine and transmission
$10k - lots of small parts, bolts, rubber, plating, etc

= $85k total + a bazillion hours of work and you have a REALLY nice 914 that you could probably sell for $80k-$85k. But that's at least a year from now, so prices will either be way up, or you'll have $85k into a $40k 914!

But if you're going to do the project to keep it for a long time and have fun, this seems like a really great start.

-Steve

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)
As in every restoration it is more likely that you will find some more things to do and this sum, Steve has mentioned, may rise.

[sb914]

If you have the funds go for it.

[carr914]

Yes, seems like a pretty decent car. It looks somewhat similar in condition to my green car when I got it. And I think the investment required is similar.

I think the math is something like:

$30k - buy the car
$10k - metal/rust/body work
$10k - paint
$5k - interior
$20k - rebuild engine and transmission
$10k - lots of small parts, bolts, rubber, plating, etc

= $85k total + a bazillion hours of work and you have a REALLY nice 914 that you could probably sell for $80k-$85k. But that's at least a year from now, so prices will either be way up, or you'll have $85k into a $40k 914!

But if you're going to do the project to keep it for a long time and have fun, this seems like a really great start.

-Steve

This^

If you want a Real Six to Enjoy, buy one already done at a higher price. It doesn't have to be $100k.

[Cairo94507]

Mike - This appears to be a solid car if the numbers come back matching. If that were the case and you are looking for a project, I see no reason to pass on this one. How often do you find one you can actually drive before buying? I also agree this is in the $80K-ish range, possibly more, to make it right. If those are fiberglass flares, I too would get rid of them and go back to stock-bodied. Mine had the exact same front valance when I bought it and was black too (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif). Good luck on your decision.

[gereed75]

Obviously you have the hots for a real six..... so the question is do you want a project, or a ratty driver, or a nice car??

If you want a project - this fits the bill at a fairly reasonable price - go for it.

If you want a ratty driver - this fits the bill at a fairly reasonable price - go for it.

If you want a nice car, spend the money and get one because the spend will be the same but you will be a 1 - 2 years away from having it done.

This assumes that you have the financial where with all to go any of these ways.

If you want a nice driver and do not have the finances, buy a nice conversion and don't look back.

I am in the middle of a six restoration right now, doing the mechanical myself. It takes longer, consumes more personal time and more money than you imagine. I have not started the body work and that will be a whole nother phase of the project (think more time). I am enjoying it but I AM NOT DRIVING. Look at the dates of posts in these build threads - years are invested. Siverson's numbers are close enough, including the adjective to describe the time invested - "a bazillion" hours.

If you want it, get it. This is not a time that you can be choosy about the purchase price.

[Dave_Darling]

If you want a nice car, spend the money and get one because the spend will be the same ...

Not usually! Most of the time, you pay pennies on the dollar for what a race car build costs. The real expense comes when you have to tear out someone else's mods to make the car "right" for your use. (E.g., the cage isn't safe enough, your vintage racing outfit won't let you use the bigger motor, you are building for a specific class and need to pull 300 lbs out of the car, etc.)

But buying a working race car usually costs about 10%-50% of what it would cost to buy a street car and turn it into a racer.

--DD

[RFoulds]

I would pass on it. And I did pass on it. There isnt one thing on the car that doesn't need to be redone.

I can buy a real 6 thats a lot closer to done for $55k.

[larryM]

you can buy mine with a truckload of Spare parts for for 60K (or trade for a nice BMW)

that will save you $25K, and 15 yrs of dribbling money into the project

see it june 28 at SVR Concours SVR Concours

[stugray]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)
If your looking for power, a stock 6 is not the answer - increased displacement 4 has an upper hand there in many ways.

As for the market, as the old saying goes, never buy a car for an investment... There's a lot of money flowing into the classic Euro car market these days. I have to wonder if the bubble will burst soon like the muscle car market did several years back.

However, if you desire to have a 6 and desire a major project, then go for it.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

If you want bigger HP, then it is cheaper to make power with a 4-cyl than it is with a 6.
The hp/$$ figure is larger for a 4. (just ask Brant).

If you have always wanted a true 6, go for it.

If it WASNT a 6-cyl, I would run away fast.
( My evil twin thinks that would be a perfect candidate for a VIN swap with a good roller....but that would be "immoral" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif) )

[Cuda911]

Thanks for all the comments, guys! Yeah, I was disappointed with the level of rust, especially along the front cowl and passenger door.

Apparently when the car was parked 2-3 years ago it was in much better shape, but has been sitting near the ocean.

As stugray says, I would not consider this car at all if it weren't a real six.

I really like the idea of a "real" six rather than a conversion, since I love the originality.

But, after riding in Andy's six conversion, you sure can't argue with the fun factor of that performance!

Well, I'll wait and see what the seller says about my offer on the car. It's a car that I could drive while fixing up.

[Jonathan Livesay]

On ebay now...

Originally Black or Ivory or Silver or Ivory (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Cairo94507]

I will just add when I bought mine, it was a running driving Six - kind of. I too thought I would just make it a safe driver and enjoy it for a couple years before diving into a full restoration/rebuild. Well, once I started adding up all of the parts it would take to make it safe as an around town driver, I quickly realized that was just not a smart move for me. So I parked it and then shipped it to Scotty where it has been for over three years now ( (IMG:style_emoticons/default/hissyfit.gif) ) being correctly restored and rebuilt. I am hoping it will be back to me by the end of this year...... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

[colingreene]

Mike, Andys car is a real six just a hot rod.

[Cairo94507]

I did not know that- I thought that car (red with flares) was a conversion. Not that there is anything wrong with that....... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif)

[Mugs914]

It will be here on Wednesday to get the trunk open and a couple of other things. He mentioned something about a PPI as well.

Come on by and have another look and we can talk about what we see...

Mugs

[Cuda911]

Ah, yeah, I forgot that Andy started with a six before he turned it into the beast that it is.

Mugs, I gave him your card while I was there... glad to see that he followed up with you! Will look forward to your opinion on the car.

Yeah, I'd like to stop by while the car's in your shop.

[SKL1]

Boy Cuda, you do have the disease don't you????

[mepstein]

I did not know that- I thought that car (red with flares) was a conversion. Not that there is anything wrong with that....... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif)

Sir Andy? His car was originally a 1.7 - 4. He has a real 6 shell.

[Cuda911]

^^^ Nah, SoCalAndy.