[retro74]

I got my 74' 2.0L D-Jet in May from SanDiego area. Prior owner put 250,000 miles on it.

I can't believe it even started. Every vacuum hose was leaking, distributor was shot, Manifold Pressure Sensor was of unknown origin and tweaked. Tons and tons of small repairs just to pass Maryland inspection.

IMHO you need to be mechanically inclined. The 914's are a cross between a motorcycle and a go-kart for mechanics. They are easy to work on and easy to dismantle. With a 10mm and 13mm wrench and a few hex heads and screwdrivers you can do quite a bit.

The oil leaks covered the engine tin in mine and two trips to the coin-op with solvents of every kind cleaned it up. Since I'm under the hood tweaking all the time, it's nice to be cleaner when I emerge from under there.

Besides regular oil changes and maintenance on the valves, these are reliable VW powered machines. I have replaced all of the ignition components (coil, distributor, wires, plugs) and cleaned up all of the electrical contacts, including tightening the connections. So far, except for my stupidity in frying some points and running out of gas (broken low duel sending wire), I have had fun.

I also have a 1975 1/2 Prelude Si and it is far smoother, quieter, refined and reliable than the 914. It is too refined and will easily out drag race the 914. But with a front sway bar and some sticky 195 tires... the Prelude is not even close in the turns. I like the lack of junk under the hood, the lack of mechanical nonsense and the plain-jane dash layout.

The fact that the Prior owner got 250,000 miles on this is amazing to me! I have got it running way better than when I got it and I have more to do. This is a tweak-it relationship to keep it right.

Good Luck

Joe