Find out if it still has the original Marelli distributor (a bad thing - tune up parts no longer available) - the correct Bosch replacement is a much better idea but not particularly cheap. Also see if it has a capacitive discharge system - mine didn't (well, it had a non-functioning, non-Bosch aftermarket one), and was running only points and a coil. As a result, it fouled the plugs pretty easily, especially with a worn out Marelli distributor. It ran much better when I installed an MSD (still with the Marelli).
It was hard to start hot until I learnt "the procedure". This involved holding the accelarator down until it caught, then releasing very quickly so it didn't rev the bollocks off it.
I think they rust in the same place as a 912
Most of the other mechanicals would be similar to the 912 as well - think of what went wrong in that...
Oh, and another thing - they were about the last of the solid rotor cars - an upgrade to vented (no chance of warping) rotors might be worthwhile. My rotors were warped when I got it (the car was a race car for a bit though, which probably explains it).
I also don't know how to put this politely
- it is pretty weak as far as 911s go - 110hp is hardly giant-killing performance (mine had a whole 120+hp as it had E cams and I have a dyno sheet to prove it
, but it was still pretty slow). Lotsa fun, makes GREAT noises, but not that fast.