Looking for some help Options

[mr.midget]

Hey everybody, I'm new here and wanted to tap your expertise on everything 914. I've been looking to find a car I can maintain myself and have always wanted a Porsche. I should humbly mention I currently know nothing about fixing cars, but am really interested in learning, so I thought I'd ask some experts!

I recently stumbled upon a 1974 914 for sale across the street from my parents. the guy was asking $3500. He says it has a 1.7L fuel injected engine, 57k original miles. He and his brother work on cars, so he says it's about 90% restored and was probably garage kept the entire time (he's the 3rd owner) Says it needs a valve adjustment and might have a bad plug, but no significant engine trouble. No rust, but needs a new paint job.

I'd really appreciate anybody's input on what I need to look for when I go evaluate this car, especially anything specific to 914s I should know when I check it out.

Also, if you guys could fill me in on owning a 914. My brother-in-law has told me to be wary of the difficulty in working on the car, as well as the great expense and rarity of parts. I know nothing, but figure if I'm gonna learn how to work on a car, it might as well be on a sweet one. I'm not looking to completely restore it (yet), but I'd love to get it purring, paint it, and have a fun car to tool around on the weekends with. Am I getting in way over my head heere with a 914 as my first project car?

Thanks!