Buying 914 need advice

EDDY · 05-05-1999, 06:55 PM

buying a 74 914 2.0 it has a bit of rust on the right front fender, battery tray and under it.rust is also flaking on the underside of the rockers. The car is straight It has all the goodies including the original alloys the seller even has the original bill of sale and all service records since 1974! price $ 2300 also cames with a whole parts car
PS he put carbs on it but i have another FI 2.0 Help.

GeorgeRud · 05-05-1999, 08:41 PM

Pull off the rocker panels and check the inner rockers, as they are $$$ to fix if rusted. Unless you're in CA or another rust-free zone, be careful unless you want to have big bucks invested in the car. If you're comfortable welding, go for it.

rich · rich's Garage

Is that 2300.00 canadian? I've repaired so much rust it makes me ill to think about it. Add about 6500.00 american and you'll have a car. Take the 2300.00 and shop the internet for a rust free car (or near rust free car) There's airline deals allover. I hope I don't sound too bitter, but I just got back from the gold coast and i'm suffering from a case of reality. You can spend time to prolong the inevitable(the crusher) Orsave a little longer and plan a nice trip. Returning home with a nice car can't hurt.(maybe just your friends) Good luck

914fanatic · 05-06-1999, 06:37 AM

Rich is absolutely correct. Look for the best example you can find. I realize that it is hard to fend off the urge to buy that 914 that you've been wanting, but for 2,300 I've seen complete rust buckets. I've also seen really nice 914's with very minimal rust for 2,300! Its very easy to get burned by a PO. Know exactaly what you are getting into before you do it. If this one gets sold before you have a chance to inspect it thouroughly IN THE DAYLIGHT there will be another. Save yourself the pain that some of the rest of us have experienced due to being a little too impetuous.

Off my soapbox. The rust sounds like an awfully genorous amount for 2,300. Is the parts car more or less solid than the car you are getting? Is the PO in over his head and trying to get out by shoveling a horrible rust project on you? The rocker panel advice is very good. Pull the outside rocker panels off or out and check to see how much rust is there. Also pull up the seats and check to see if there is rusted through floors. Also check the suspension pickup points. If this area is rusted through you can repair it for a while but this is not necissarily a permanent fix. Other areas to look at would be the firewall behind the vinyl cushioning and also the front trunk rail where the weatherstriping sits. This sometimes rots due to the PO gluing in the weatherstriping and it is major to fix. Other places to check would be the rear trunk and the front bumber mounts these are places that are also susceptible to rust. I advise doing the most thourough check you possibly can. You can spend two hours or an hour now to avoid several hours of frustration and welding by checking now.
Don't get me wrong I love my 914 and I would not trade it or any of the time I have spent on it for anything but I dont want you to get in over your head. These are possibilities that are there. Sorry for the rant. Just my experiences~GOOD LUCK MARK

PS. By the way my two 914's looked straight on the outside too!!!!!!~MARK
[This message has been edited by 914fanatic (edited 05-06-99).]

[This message has been edited by 914fanatic (edited 05-06-99).]

EDDY · 05-06-1999, 08:59 AM

Thanks guys I am going to bring out the tool
box and give the car the once over. I'll let everyone know what I find.

P.S I am In Vancouver Canada not too much snow or salt up here

Cheers!
Ed