I will have to get the funds ready today. If I do make the purchase, I do not have any way to transport it that day. Since the car needs tires and fuel lines, it will need to be trailered. I could maybe try to arrange something and pay the person whether or not I buy the car, just seems like a potential waste of money.

Would it make sense to pay for the car in full and then arrange transport. Or pay half and then the remaining when the car is picked up?

Also, if I do buy it I'll be looking for some local help on sorting it out to get it road ready

How far would a tow be?

I showed up with cash in my pocket and then went and got a Uhaul trailer. Be ready but be thorough and skeptical. The old adage is true: buy as much as you can afford.

I will have to get the funds ready today. If I do make the purchase, I do not have any way to transport it that day. Since the car needs tires and fuel lines, it will need to be trailered. I could maybe try to arrange something and pay the person whether or not I buy the car, just seems like a potential waste of money.

Would it make sense to pay for the car in full and then arrange transport. Or pay half and then the remaining when the car is picked up?

Also, if I do buy it I'll be looking for some local help on sorting it out to get it road ready

Is the car stored at her home or some other storage spot. If it's at some other place, are you looking at it there or is she getting it moved to her home? Since it's been in storage for 3 years and the tires are flat, you'd probably be OK to pay in full, get title and make arrangements for later pickup. That said, you're better off being ready to transport right away.

If the tires are flat, it's going to be hard to inspect under the car. Do you have a portable air tank you could bring with you to inflate the tires? When was the last time the car was started? You'll probably need to bring a fresh battery, although if it hasn't been started for 3 years you probably don't want to do that right now.

Running condition can be a two edged sword. On the one hand there's bigger risk on your part; on the other hand it can be a good negotiating lever, especially if you're able to get a thorough look at the condition of the body. Mechanical work is way less expensive than body repair.

Why is she selling? The fact that she's owned it for 30+ years is a plus IMO. Be sure she understands how hard you've been looking for a 914 and how much you want one. She's probably got an emotional attachment and will want it to go to a good home. I wouldn't bring up the possibility of an LE unless she volunteers something. A '74 2.0 is desirable enough without the additional rarity. Good luck.

The car is stored at her home. She's selling it because of her health, and she most definitely wants it to go to a good home. I don't have a portable air compressor, but I might see if I can find an inexpensive one.

She mentioned that it needs a new fuel pump bracket and new fuel lines, so I will not be trying to start it. I don't like the idea of buying a car without starting it, but it's probably because of this that it falls in my range of what I can afford to spend.

For me it's all going to depend on rust. If the hell hole is shot, I'll have to walk away, I just don't have the time and money for that kind of work. As long as it is structurally sound, I think it will be the one.

Make the buy decision based on quality and condition and other factors, regardless of whether or not it is an LE. Condition is everything with these old cars.

The number of PORSCHE stickers may be a hint of what the seller is like.

So I was searching craigslist and ran across a nice looking '76 2.0L with 911 5 lug conversion for $5K. Listing was up for about 45 minutes so I emailed the seller. I instantly get a response from craigslist that the listing was deleted. Either it sold that quickly or the seller pulled it because of all the responses and will raise the price. This would have been almost ideal even thought it was in Cali.

Oh well, I'll keep searching everywhere, lol.

At least you are having fun looking!

Make sure any 5 lug converted car was not done with bolt on spacers

Just read your thread. Makes me feel guilty. My '73 came from a guy that motioned me over on his MC. I was in my 76 and he asked if I wanted to buy his stored 914. I offered $800 and he accepted. Here's wishing you some of that same "good luck"'

I'll take the 73 off your hands for $1000

Is that a respray over ravenna green?

Those photos say to me, "Pull my fenders and my sail panels and, and, and..."
Just sayin', that's a LOT of rust repair you're looking at.
Not that we don't love rust repair but go into a car like this with your eyes (and possibly/probably wallet) wide open.

I would broaden your search. If you find one anywhere, you can almost be assured we have people on the ground there who would be willing to go see it in person and take photos, poke it with a sharp object and learn what we can. Then you can arrange shipping if you put a deal together. I think you could way ahead doing that rather than looking in a part of the country known for rust/snow, etc.

Another opportunity thanks to my CL WTB ad.

It's local, a 75 1.8L w/FI in ancona blue.

Owner was just thinking of selling it when he saw my ad. I spoke with him for about a half hour on the phone. It was rusty when he bought it and had the rust repaired and repainted it. He's been semi daily driving it when the weather allows for the last 20 years. Back in the early 2000s he had the motor and transmission rebuilt. It's still in winter storage and he will send me pics next week when he gets it out and then I'll probably go look at it.

He's unsure of the value but he wants it to go to a good home and I think we might be able to work something out.

Fingers crossed...

You should call Brad Mayeur at 914 LTD to see what he might have or know of. Garold Schaffer also finds a good one around here every once in a while.

How much is 'just a bit'? If not to the 'my wife will kill me' level, check out the car and it's a keeper see what you can make happen. The MWWKM stuff starts much further down the timeline.

I did send an email to the Fargo seller. I want to keep my options open, that's for sure. Never got a response though...

What was the problem with the black one in Cottage Grove? I wrote he through her craigslist ad. I'm thinking of looking at it this weekend.

There are several types of 914 buyers:
1. Tire kickers - fantasize about a car but never take action. They spend a lot of time and emotional energy (and use up other peoples time) but never buy. No car is ever right. A lot of them place WTB ads on the forums then basically disappear

2. Timid buyers (chicken shits) - These are the guys who over analyze everything, worry about the price, and waffle over the decision. Once someone else buys the car they realize it was a good deal and then whine on the forums about how they could have had that car but someone else bought it out from under them

3. Flippers/Dealers - No explanation needed. They are quick to move on properly priced cars and snatch them up...usually pissing off the chicken shits. The dealers don't post...just lurk while others find and post cars the dealer winds up buying

4. More money than sense - That's me far too often. Buying a car on emotion rather than fact

5. Informed and Decisive buyers - Buyers who have been looking for a while, have done their research and realize that no 40+ year old car is perfect. When a decent car comes along they jump in and buy it.

They may be other types but this sums up what I see on a regular basis.

What does this have to do with this thread? It's a warning to prospective buyers. If you are serious, put a deposit on the car and get off your ass. I wouldn't be surprised if a dealer has already moved on this car. Waiting on a PPI on a $6000 car without a deposit guarantees someone like me or a dealer will get there first. Good luck to everyone involved

Worth repeating