Should I buy this 914?, This is my first post on this forum. Looking to buy a 914. Options

[Just_a_guy]

I came across an add on Facebook marketplace for a 1971 Porsche 914 for $5000. I’ve never owned a Porsche but have owned 3 VW buses from the 70s in the past which have similar engines and have always wanted a 914. The owner claims the car runs and drives but “needs a tune up” because he hasn’t seriously ran it since it was put under a tarp outside years ago. It’s yellow and the paint is faded but doesn’t appear too bad. I haven’t seen pictures of the interior yet. It has a set of strange rims I can’t identify. I’m seriously considering buying it but I’m not sure if it’s a good deal. It would be a 6 hour drive to get the car so what questions should I ask the seller before I commit? I’ll attempt to attach a photo of the car in question. Let me know if you can’t see the photo.

Thank you all so much for help!

[dr914@autoatlanta.com]

pretty rough, you better have a lot of mechanical talent. Unfortunately, these days, the car is worth 5000 for parts

I came across an add on Facebook marketplace for a 1971 Porsche 914 for $5000. I’ve never owned a Porsche but have owned 3 VW buses from the 70s in the past which have similar engines and have always wanted a 914. The owner claims the car runs and drives but “needs a tune up” because he hasn’t seriously ran it since it was put under a tarp outside years ago. It’s yellow and the paint is faded but doesn’t appear too bad. I haven’t seen pictures of the interior yet. It has a set of strange rims I can’t identify. I’m seriously considering buying it but I’m not sure if it’s a good deal. It would be a 6 hour drive to get the car so what questions should I ask the seller before I commit? I’ll attempt to attach a photo of the car in question. Let me know if you can’t see the photo.

Thank you all so much for help!

[emerygt350]

I am familiar with SD so I understand distances can be daunting. Don't let all the scary talk stop you from going to look at it if it close (south dakota close). Watch Karr's video, go and take a look. Who knows, maybe it is just a little surface rust. If the hell hole is rust free and the longitudinals, floors, firewall all look good, it might be worth it if the engine is nice. Who knows, maybe it has a 6 in it !

[bbrock]

I am familiar with SD so I understand distances can be daunting. Don't let all the scary talk stop you from going to look at it if it close (south dakota close). Watch Karr's video, go and take a look. Who knows, maybe it is just a little surface rust. If the hell hole is rust free and the longitudinals, floors, firewall all look good, it might be worth it if the engine is nice. Who knows, maybe it has a 6 in it !

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) First, I think all the fine folks here telling you to be cautious and skeptical about this car are spot on. 914s fitting this car's profile tend to be in rough shape. That said, there is a lot of speculation going on here with very little hard data. Only way to know is to have somebody put eyes on it. My hunch is like others that this car is a project, but that is only a hunch. I also understand how rare it is to find 914s for sale even six hours from where people like you or I live so if you want a 914, make your decision on facts rather than speculation. This car might surprise you. Probably not, but it might. I'm not so sure about getting rid of that bus though. I had a 74 and really miss it.

[KELTY360]

I am familiar with SD so I understand distances can be daunting. Don't let all the scary talk stop you from going to look at it if it close (south dakota close). Watch Karr's video, go and take a look. Who knows, maybe it is just a little surface rust. If the hell hole is rust free and the longitudinals, floors, firewall all look good, it might be worth it if the engine is nice. Who knows, maybe it has a 6 in it !

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) First, I think all the fine folks here telling you to be cautious and skeptical about this car are spot on. 914s fitting this car's profile tend to be in rough shape. That said, there is a lot of speculation going on here with very little hard data. Only way to know is to have somebody put eyes on it. My hunch is like others that this car is a project, but that is only a hunch. I also understand how rare it is to find 914s for sale even six hours from where people like you or I live so if you want a 914, make your decision on facts rather than speculation. This car might surprise you. Probably not, but it might. I'm not so sure about getting rid of that bus though. I had a 74 and really miss it.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) You need to put eyes on it! Either yours or a member here who is close by. Start another thread asking if there is someone near Bismark who could take a look.

The advice you've seen here is largely spot on, but don't let the valid cautions scare you from checking further.....IF you're serious about getting a 914.

Just curious, where are you located in SD?