Too High Expectations of price vs rust Options

[nditiz1]

Since I have been ramping up my search and now have wads of cash to throw at a seller I find myself not being satisfied with the cost of the car vs the rust eating away with it. I have gotten great words of advice from the people on this forum.

"Buy the best you can afford"

"Don't buy something that has rust issues unless you plan to do a full restoration"

The first 914 I looked at was one well out my price range. It was a orange 71, ChritopherB's in the classified section. His car is well sorted and while some of the modifications it has is taking away from its purist roots it was still a blast to ride in and see up close. 15k is outside of my budget, but I wanted to see what it could get for informational purposes.

Next, I was sure i was going to buy the 73 2.0 that I saw in the classifieds. Owned by a previous PCA member and recently in their best bargains flyer. I drove down with a trailer 3 hrs to pick it up only to be dissatisfied with the rust in the seams and the floor rusted through in a few parts. Yes the Hell holes were nice, but I don't know whats lurking behind the rockers. Also, she felt loose in the test drive. Brakes were definitely shot as slamming on them did nothing to slow the car even though the brake pedal was stiff. 2 new webers (1k) made the engine appear nice and the car idled fine, but seemed to rev up and linger a little during the run. So I passed on that one, 7k (in budget)

Then came a local 75 1.8 with no options, but Fuchs. Rusted pretty bad in the door jambs and paint bubbling in places, rust through in the rear trunk. Interior shot to hell and smelled like cigarettes. This car had dual dellortos. This car felt as loose as the 73 and was jetted too high. You needed to pump the gas in first in second. Shifter was a little less sloppy than the 73, easier to find the gears. At 5500 it seemed, from pictures, to be a sweet deal, but up close I had to pass.

Today I saw an original owner 76 2.0. A/C, not working, Fuchs and nothing else. The car went to Germany and back and has been owned by the same lady since new. This one had several spots on the floor pan that needed to be addressed. There was significant rust in the right headlight chamber, below the light itself. It had been repainted at one time and was involved in a rear collision in it's first 5,000 miles, but the seams and body were in good order. It rode nice and the FI was still on the 2.0. Brakes felt a little better than the 73. She has it listed for 10,100, off Hagerty, but seemed willing to negotiate down to under 8k.

So if you are still reading this journey, thanks. I am just curious as to what other enthusiasts thoughts are. I mean while I can't afford the 15k rust free 71 2.0, I feel like for 7 - 9k I should be able to find a solid car. What I mean by solid is, needs some paint, minor body work, minor rust repair, full brake rebuild and possible engine work, interior that needs to be redone, driver. Maybe I'm wrong.

Also, I get caught up in the hype sometimes about the 73 and 74 2.0's. More so the 73 because they are the best years. Looking at the 76 today had the price been 5k I probably would have pulled the trigger even with its rust issues. How much are two new floor pans, installed?

So go ahead and reset my thinking. I could use a reality check. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/chair.gif)