Which Year 914 To Buy

fstar · 05-09-2002, 10:09 AM

Hi guys....need your help. My son has finally decided to give up the "rice" and wants a 914! This of course makes my heart sing but I am afraid I do not know much about 914's. My question is, are there any paticular years to seek/avoid? Thanks in advance for your input!

anthony · 05-09-2002, 10:19 AM

Have you read the 914 faq?

http://www.pelicanparts.com/MotorCity/siverson/914/914faq.html

It's a good starting place. I don't think there are any bad years. Aesthetically, some people prefer the earlier cars because of the bumpers. The later cars have a little less power because of smog equipment. Your decision should take in to account local smog requirements.

More importantly, you don't want a car with expensive to fix rust in hidden areas (under rocker panels, under battery tray (including rear suspension), behind engine firewall sound proofing, etc).

I'd recommend that you buy the cleanest car that you can afford. If you buy a $3000 car today with the intention of fixing it up, you will certainly spend more than $3000 to make it look like a car you could buy for $6000 today.

SummerSledSix · 11:39 AM

73 and 74 are the most preferrable primarily because they had the most powerful engines and were the most mature before smog requirements and cost reduction initiatives started draining horsepower and "plasticizing" parts. Ditto what Anthony said, spend the money and have the patience to find a rust free specimen. Your son will learn much more useable skills with a socket set than with a sander.

Scott S · Scott S's Garage

Thats easy. You have two choices as far as street cars go, a 1970-71 914-6 with the M-471 "street GT" package or a 1972 916. Either one should work just fine for you.......

Scott S

piperpilotduane · 05-09-2002, 12:50 PM

73 or 74 914-4

Not many young men can afford a 914-6 and due to the short supply of 916 cars the 914-4 will have to do.

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

I don't know if Steve Iverson's copy of the FAQ is the latest one or not. The latest version can be found at:
http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/914_Darling_FAQ/914_Darling_FAQ.htm

And another take of what to look for and what to avoid in a 914 can be found at:
http://www.pelicanparts.com/914/How_to_buy_a_914.htm

--DD

Bleyseng · Bleyseng's Garage

A rust free car of any year! and that has not had lots of DPO mods that are expensive to fix!
The early 70-72 cars with the 1.7l are fun and lightweight.
The 73-76 2.0l cars have more power and can have more options.
Geoff

fstar · 05-10-2002, 12:02 PM

Thanks to everyone...got alot of good info!!! Since the weather i gonna be good this weekend the boy and I will be putting the top down on the Cab and go shopping!! Again my thanks and hopefully you all will be seeing me or my boy posting on this board in the future!!

TimW · 05-10-2002, 12:36 PM

For what it’s worth no year is more prone to problems than any other. Okay, maybe ‘70’s because they had 6 more years to rust than the ‘76’s.

My preference would be a ’73 or ‘74 2.0L Why? More stock power (95hp), no smog equipment (cough-cough), side shift tranny (for better shifting), early style bumpers (cuz I like em).

One final thought, unless you like doing rust repair and welding, put getting a rust free 914 at the top of your priority list.

Good Luck

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

You might want to check out the event in Monmouth OR (about a half-hour west of Salem) that's going on the 25th. There's a note about the event buried somewhere down below here...

--DDD