Hi all,

New to the board and not yet an owner. Looking to get a "toy" and have always loved the 914. Was hoping there would be some advice as to what to look out for when inspecting a candidate.

Do you have any particulars you would recommend get close attention or types of questions one should ask?

Thanks in advance and I hope I can post one day with a new ride.


Cheers,
Tumalo
00 AS/MB/MB Boxster

http://www.pelicanparts.com/914/How_to_buy_a_914.htm

That's a link to a basic article.

Definitely find someone that knows 914s to go with you and assist you.

Take your time. Look at as many cars as you can.

Search the AutoTrader.

Post your questions here. Many of us are geniuses (not me) and many of us talk enough BS to get by (me).

Good luck and check for rust. And then check again!

There are a few guys here on the board here in your area that I'm sure can help you out.

Keep us posted on your search progress.

Where in Seattle are you?

See! What did I tell you. Only 2 minutes since I posted and someone from your area is already offering to help you.

Is this a great group of 914 owners or what!

Yeah, where in Seattle? There are a few Seattlites on the BBS who can help you out.
To meet a whole bunch of 914 guys come on out to the Bremerton AX on June 21st. I think Dave Ellison might have a good car for sale too. Have to call and see.
Rust is the biggest issue with these cars. Due to a poor design the battery gets wet and drips acid all over one of the main suspension supports. You must look out for this problem as it is exspensive to fix. (Check out Jeroen's site, ouch!)
Take your time looking for a excellent example and pay the money upfront. These cars can cost alot to fix depending on what is wrong with them.
Handling is awesome, straight ahead speed in a 2.0L 4 is ok. With a 911 six they come alive scaring people with there quickness.

Geoff
Check out the members pics thread for lots of pics of cars on the board.

YA! What he said
No there as a bunch of die hard 914 addicts up here but Geoff is right the RED PLAUGE IS EVERYWARE ...
BE AFFRAID BE VERY AFFRAID

Kidding aside You in the right place welcome.

Im just bitter because I started tearing into my own rustoration this weekend.

The earlier posts are all on the money. Here's my two bits. Buy the best one you can afford. Yeh, I know it's not "original" advice. But this is a sport where, if you buy a fix-er-upper, you may get to discover that the investment is large.... well bigger than the potential selling price anyway. If you already are way-knowledgable (or really really willing-to-learn!) in these cars, you can scarf up a fixer and convert it to cash. But from my watching, only the Real Dudes™ pull this one off -- the rest of us spend money.

So the real hunt is for the one that someone else has maintained/restored.

Just my opinion of course.

hth.

kim.

Buy a yellow one.
That's the fastest color.

Welcome to the BBS and good luck with your search.

welcome, there are a couple of 73' 2.0's in the local auto trader. the way to go in my opinion. they've been in a while, or the owners have'nt notified a.t. of the sale. what's your budget? DO NOT be swayed by a pretty paint job. do a search with the word "rust". the seattle guys can tell you in 5 minutes if you want to deal or walk with regards to the prepurchase inspection. bring your ice pick and a flash light.

kevin

Wow..... I wish I could tell you all the mistakes that I made when i bought my first one. Whew..... pay attention:

Rust...especially battery tray. Have a fat guy sit in the passenger side with the door open. close the door, roll up the window..... does it look lined up? If not, may have frame damage from battery rust.

Rust....ion the floorboards

Rust, around the littlre crevices near the headlights.

ELECTRICAL... check EVERYTHING. even the dome light, the signals, fogs, etc. Lots of chaffing in this little car, could be pricey to fix.

Starter / charging system. 914s are notoriously bad for slow starting.

Tranny...... check for bad bushings. Does it slide into each of the gears well? Can you downshift into first while still rolling? (synchros)

Weatherstripping...... many 914s I've found out there are just old beaters that someone slapped a coat of paint on, and tried to sell it for triple whats it's worth because it says "Porsche" on it. The weatherstripping is rotted, so it leaks...rust.

Fuel injection-- the car is worth more if it still has it, but it's a bitch to work on. Many may disagree, but I recommend finding a carbed car. Easier to work on.

Window cranks....they break a lot

Rear trunk hinges...they break a lot, check the lines on the rear trunk, one side (or both sides) of the trunk will stick up a little.

Can't think of anything else right now..... but I wish you the best of luck

Heres one.

http://adcache.collectorcartraderonline.co.../6/48599636.htm

heres one from the PCA club:
914, 1975:
2.0 liter, orange/blk, 91K miles, runs great, looks great, 24 mm torsion bar, A-arms and rotors from a 911S with 5 lug wheels, handles as good as it looks. $6,900. Contact Jim Cutts: day 425-670-6656, evening 425-672-3124. twocutts@cmc.net.

Here's another

http://adcache.collectorcartraderonline.co.../2/47662052.htm

And another..
http://adcache.collectorcartraderonline.co.../8/48599638.htm

And some others..
http://adcache.collectorcartraderonline.co.../6/48140366.htm

1974 PORSCHE 914 2.0, rebuilt engine, new tires, battery, rare classic, $2000, or best offer, 253-536-9477, Spanaway(253) 536-9477

http://adcache.collectorcartraderonline.co.../6/48135716.htm

http://adcache.collectorcartraderonline.co.../6/48135716.htm

You get the idea...figure out your budget and then set aside a weekend!

Set aside a weekend?
I set aside 6 months.

I've prolly looked at 40-50 914s in the NW. 90% of them had the long rusted thru down in the hell hole.

Be prepared to look at lots of them.

or

A couple guys on this list semi-deal in the things. They're down here in the Portland area. They manage to come up with some non-rusto jobbies and are trustworthy.

JP yer gunna scare the guy!

prime example, the 73 "project" needs a motor. so add 3 grand minimum, for incedentals. so the more exspensive running cars are par, and you get to drive instead of wearing a wannabe tee shirt, i'm still trying to get mine off my back. i'm going to call on the spanaway car it's just a few miles from my house.

kevin

Tumalo, I have a lead on a 74 Creamsicle that is for sale. I will give details as soon as I have them.
Check out Jeff Bowlsbys site on the LE's.
Geoff

Cheers for all the helpful info

I've been watching the ones in AT and will likely call on a few this weekend. Should have been more specific in my price range for advice. I'd make the stretch to 4k for a good car. I agree that buying a "fixer" can often end up a nightmare and leave you sitting in the garage more than running down the road!

That said, my sweet spot for a 14 would be 2000 - 3500 (with a stretch to 4 for the right car).

Thanks again for all your help!

Tumalo

My advice to you as a buyer is to go look at the cars that are in the 3500 to 4500 hundred dollar range, if one checks out carry cash (yes cash) and offer it then and there. People that wanted 4500 hundred for there car suddenly change there tune a lot when 3500 is right there in front of them. It is a buyers market right now shop smart and you'll find a good one.
Ferg.

I have to agree with Ferg as its a buyers market now and the 914's for sale are coming out of storage or given up projects.
Carry cash! Cash talks Bullshit walks!

Geoff

that seems to be a "american thing".
can someone please explain to me why $3500 in cash today is any better than $4500 in my bank account on tuesday ???

confused
Andy

Andy, I think it comes down to two things.
1. Most people list their cars for more thank what they are willing to "take".
2. A sure thing (35 100 dollar bills in front of you) makes more sense than holding out on the "other guy" who seems interested on the phone, and is "talking to his bank" ect.

Ferg.

It's a take off from the olde German expression:

"a bird in the hand is worth 2 in the
sauer-braten"....or sumthin like that

haha, i actually kind of remember that one ...

still, if i want to sell my car for $4500 then you can wave 35 $100 bills in front of me all day (without much luck),
but i'd take that $4500 check of yours right away.

Andy

No Andy, you take a cashiers check. Be careful with personal checks. don't ask how I know.

Dave

Andy YOUR check might be good but there is soo many flakes out there who bounce checks. If they have already driven away in the car YOU have to chase them down for the money, ie: small claims court which is a joke plus you have signed the title away already!

Geoff

Actually, Andy, I agree with you.

I have held out for my price (or close...real close) to it on a number of occasions. I'm presently doing so on a piece of river front property I'm selling.

From the buyers side I don't lowball folks. If the item is
what I have been looking for...for 6 months , I give an offer that can be accepted with no ill will from the seller.

A "rust free" (an oxymoron if there ever was one)914 in the NW IS a rarity. Anyone that has one knows what it is worth....no sense pissing him (or her) off. To my way of thinking, when you find one, you leave with it. A fist fulla money is a gud thing to have.

thats why i said "tuesday" in my post
of couse i wouldn't hand you over the keys until your check has cleared ...

Andy

Well, I do agree with you JP about lowballing. Its fine to make an offer less than the asking price and dicker alittle if the item's value is in question. Don't insult me or I won't insult someone else with joke offers.
When I buy something I do carry cash cuz I missed out on a few deals coming back later as "A guy with cash showed up right after you left and I didn't think you were coming back."
A good clean rust free 914 is rare in the NW, I have seen them but most are 1.8L cars for some reason. I have seen tons of rusted out junk cars that people want "Top dollar" for cuz it sez "Porsche" on the engine grill.
Geoff

Offering the most you can pay on an item, even if it's much lower than asking price, isn't lowballing in my opinion. If that's really the limit of my budget, I don't see harm in asking politely. No hard feelings if my offer is rejected.

But lowballing just to see if you can take advantage of someone in a jam... that's not cool.

-Rusty

Yeah, well at swap meets there are always guys who will offer $1 for a eurolens or a nice steering wheel. Thats horse shit to even offer it. IMHO
Cars are different, so offer away and we'll see if we are close at all.
Geoff

Ya gotta know how to read people, when it comes to offers. I have brokered deals for vehicles 30k under value, and when the person your buying or selling with has more money than god, I have no guilt. But i'm sure not going to go up to someone who knows what they have and lowball.
Ferg.

I'd buy euro lenses for two dollars.

I keep looking for that "lost classic" in the barn evertime I'm in Kansas or Nebraska pheasant hunting.

Sometimes when I'm driving though Missouri or Arkansas, I see these old cars in fields, covered in rust. These things were made of THICK sheet metal...

I wonder what it would be like to turn one of those hulks into a street rod.

-Rusty

I have stopped a few times when I see a 914 parked in the NW. ALL of them are rusted out pos, like the 70 I got for free. If I talk to the owner, its been yeah, its a Porsche and I'll sell it to you cheap for $3k. Just needs a little welding and paint.

There are 3 sitting in the front yard of a house on the way out to Alki beach. All 75's that are rusted to hell. The rain kills 914's big time in the NW.

Geoff

914 for sale by owner. Cheap. Needs work.

i spoke with the guy re the car in spanaway. a 75. asked the guy to tell me about the car. been in storage for 10 yrs when he bought it. appearently when you start it smoke comes up through the interior vents. the guy thinks a squirrel ( a rat) built a nest in the fan or heat exch. a couple of 914 guys have stopped by to check it out for use as a parts car. "one guy said not much there to use". he has been told it's easy to remove engine tin and heat exch to clean. current owner told me, drum roll please,"i'm just trying to get out what i have into it" :gilloutine:

kevin

Damn Kevin, your car should be done by now if you are working on it at 3:42AM on a Saturday!

the clock was never reset when we went to standard time. there is a murder of crows ( hundreds of them)that set up shop in a tree in my neighbors yard and they make quite the racket when the sky starts to lighten up and at dusk.

kevin