Is this a good trade for a 914?

[craigster59]

I was going to post on the 914 forum, but not much traffic and I know we have some 914 gurus over here.

A friend has a bike he is selling on CL, ad here: http://farmington.craigslist.org/mcy/4101653898.html

He was contacted by a guy who wants to trade a '73 914 straight across. The car runs but needs work, brakes are good, interior needs a lot of work, a 10-20 footer as she sits.

I'm not that hip on 914 issues and was wondering your guys thoughts on whether this would be a good trade. My friend is in the Air Force, so access to tools and shop on base. Whadda ya think?

1973 Porsche 914-16 - a set on Flickr

1973 Porsche 914 For Sale - a set on Flickr

[Baz]

The CL link isn't working for me Craig.

Rust is the biggest issue on 914's but YMMV.....

[craigster59]

Fixed the CL link. There is some rust, just don't know whether it's in crucial areas.

[tadink]

It is all about the rust, everything else is secondary.

the flares and 916 nose are nice, easy to drop a -6 of your choice and have a blast. Mid-engine is very seductive.....

where is it located? There are other good forums with very helpful members, 914world is one.

good luck -

td

[tadink]

Originally Posted by craigster59

Fixed the CL link. There is some rust, just don't know whether it's in crucial areas.

critical areas are battery box in the engine bay, aka 'Hell Hole'. Cancer there can be terminal. The front 'firewall' area is another, and the longitudinals. There are many people who have brought very rusty cars back to life, and there a lots of donor's around for parts, panels, etc.

what engine is in the thing?

td

[craigster59]

It's in Farmington N.M. The engine is a 1.7 although no pics, but he will check it out before pulling the trigger.

[tadink]

I just swapped a 2.0L into my 1.7L while I search for the right -6cyl. Amazing difference, super cheap (I'm into it about $2k all in). Runs like a champ....

the 1.7L is fine, as long as the FI is intact. If that has been hacked, it will run like crap, but is probably still fixable. Its D-jet.

bonus point for a side shift trans vs. the tail shifter.

A car with flares and such that is a runner is between $3-6k depending on rust. Not running, take $2k off. Rusty, take $3k off! Unless it is really cherry, I would not think it was more than $7k tops....but drop a -6cyl into the thing and sky's the limit, for the right buyer.

He should certainly sit in the thing to be sure he fits....I'm 6'3" and fit fine, but I've got a buddy who is a bit shorter but longer in the torso and has trouble with headroom.

really fun cars, corners like mad, super fun AX platform.

good luck....have him ping me if he wants....

td

[Nostril Cheese]

It's worth it just for the flares and the five lug wheel conversion.

[gtc]

Lots of rust + atrocious, glassed in bumpers = run and hide.

[Scooter]

I like the bike much better!

[Baz]

FYI: My 2.0 with FI really scoots.....you guys can have your 6 banger.

[cornernfool]

I wouldn't take the bike for all the Tea in China. I'd take the 914!

[trekkor]

Looks pretty good.

The crucial rust areas are under the battery tray and around the rear suspension consoles and rocker panel jack points.


I'm not a fan of the molded front and rear bumpers, myself.
I like the chrome bumpers.

The four cylinder cars are horribly under powered.
I did a budget SIX conversion for $4k several years ago.

Figure $6-8 for the conversion today using a good running 2.4-2.7 motor.

The car is likely worth $5k if it runs perfect and the serious rust I mentioned is non-existent.


KT

[Baz]

Hey Craig.....I would tell your friend to hold off. Unless he wants a project car or is in love with this car and it's mods.....914's are one of those cars that you want to be real picky about, IMHO. Unless like I said you want a "project" car.

Just my 2 cents.

[Jeff Jagusch]

One look at the rear trunk is an indication of the rust
The transmission mounts to the section where there are rust holes
There is no way that the car has no other rust

Just my $0.02

Jeff

[GWN7]

What Jeff said. If there is that much rust in the trunk then the areas that really rust need to be looked at closely.

It looks like there is mud in the front trunk. Is this car a flood victim? Same as the pictures of the underside. Heavy rust scale.

It needs someone who knows 914's to do a PPI on it.

When your selling a car you take pictures of what looks good. With 914's people want to see the "hell hole" and the longs. There are no pictures of those areas. What is shown would make me not want it.

FYI: My 5.0 with a 750 Holley really scoots.....you guys can have your 6 banger

[trekkor]

Originally Posted by GWN7

FYI: My 5.0 with a 750 Holley really scoots.....you guys can have your 6 banger

V8 914's are fast in a straight line, but get destroyed at the a/x.
I've never seen one that handles well.

They can be fast on the road course, but it costs big money.


I'd be concerned that the car in question has more rust, but we really don't know for sure.
Will someone get more pictures?


KT

[trekkor]

As a side:

Nothing beats the sound of a SIX.



KT

[KaptKaos]

Assuming the 914 has fiberglass flares, I'd put it at $3500 assuming it runs, and doesn't have major rust issues. This assumes interior and exterior cosmetic issues.

I am betting that those are BMW wheels on 4-to-5 lug adapters which I wouldn't run.

That's not a 914 side mirror. Makes me thing the rest is cobbled together.

Be afraid.....

[Baz]