.... go ahead & sign up as a member - we'll let ya even before you get the 914 & it's free!!
Cruise the Classifieds here under "Cars & Rollers" and "Craig's List/eBay Referrals", as there are some on here right now. Up in the SF Bay Area (Oakland Hills) there is a white (L80E "Light Ivory") with Brown interior 73 2.0 might be a real steal at $3500, but as you read my & other posts, it needs a closer check-out PPI by someone near the car - as in all cases, & esp. with a Newbie even locally.
Also get a recco for a reliable 914 mechanic to check out all of the running gear on any candidates for you, with a punch-list & est. of what needs done & cost for same, so you know what is beyond your skill set & tool bin limitations. Same person may be able to check the body issues as well for you. Even the best 914 will have stuff go bad, so plan to be putting money into it beyond basic maintenance, which is the same for any car - let alone a 36-40 year old sports car!
There may be other decent 914s closer to you, but IMHO - usually a nice one even as a driver are going north of your range ($7-12k +/- with no issues, looking good & reliable).
FYI - most desirable & valuable to least for "stock" 914's falls out to the following (except specialty 914's like GT's, 916's, conversions, racers, etc.):
914-6 70-72
914-2.0 73-74
914-2.0 75
914-2.0 76 (75 & 76 more or less the same outside of CA where 75 is still smog exempt)
914-1.7 70-73
914-1.8 74 (about equal to above)
914-1.8 75-76
Note that the 75 & 76 914's have the most reduced HP & Torque due to increased smog controls & resulting added emissions eqpt. & complexity in the engine Bay. the 914-6's & lasy year 76 914-2.0's have the smallest production numbers, so have that cachet, but the later 2.0's still lag the 73-74 2.0's with better performance.
Also, the 73 MY 2.0's
only came pretty much loaded as "included options" (in base price) with both the Appearance Group Options (incl: chrome bumpers with fog/driving lights at front [also black rubber bumper gaurds ["tits", bumperettes, etc. at front only if correct OE], black vinyl & chrome trim at rollbar/sails [some with a-pillar on some early 72 production 73 MY's], pile carpet, leather wrapped steering wheel & shifter boot, hinged center cushion & stowage box, & center console with clock, oil temp gauge & voltmeter); and Performance Group Options (incl: F & R [anti-]sway bars, & the then "new" Fuchs forged alloy 4-Lug 4-spoke wheels [windmill pattern, 2 Liter wheels, etc.] - BTW they all had a full set of 5 from factory but many dealers "stole" the spare to resell at 100% profit & put in steel spare).
From 74 MY on (perhaps some late 73 MY's), these all became extra cost options for everything, so the 74-76 2.0's can be a grab bag on what's on the car, as well as what's been added.
Also - do NOT believe the urban myth that CA & other "dry" states have rust free 914s (or any older classic cars), because they can all rust ANYWHERE in the world, & need to be thoroughly checked out regardless! People forget that the early 70's were what we now call El Nino years with huge rainstorms in CA, so many low riding 914's could've been stranded in flooded streets in water over their door thresholds either parked or driven - plus we liked to go skiing in them, be near the beach with salt air & sea breezes, etc., etc. (same for any classic of the day)! ... need I say more!!??
I speak with personal experience having owed mine since 75 & putting it in my SoCal garage essentially rust free in 85 & finding some serious rust rot when I got it out to restore 24 years later last year!!
That said - Good Luck & with a well researched/checked & solid 914 under you - you'll LOVE it!!
.. & so will she!!
Cheers!
Tom
///////
QFT
