1st post - help?! Options

[desmo900rider]

Hi all, I've been lurking for a bit and finally joined! Hoping some of you can help me out with a question. I've been looking at 70's 911s for a year or 2 now, and have decided that what I want will cost me more than I can spend right now, so I started to look at 914s. From everything I've read, they sound like great cars, so I think it may be a good "transition" Porsche for me until I can someday buy one of the old Targas that I love. I'm looking for a car that will be a Sunday/nice weather driver, and maybe allow me to do an occasional track day or 2. My main concern is the car holding it's value though, I don't need to make money, I just need to not lose much, if any. I found locally what I think is a pretty good deal, and I'm going to look at and drive the car this weekend. Of course if I make an offer, I'll be getting a PPI first. I would love to hear everyone's opinion on the value, because I can't for the life of me figure out how 914 values work. 911 values make sense to me, but I'm still trying to figure out ow they work on 914s.

I'm looking at a 74 914 1.8L, with 48K org miles. Car is stock, and the current owner says no accidents, original miles, etc. Still has original L-jet, and he says it runs well, and he has replaced some small things, brake lines, push rod seals, some wiring, etc. No structural rust, some very minor bubbling in 2 spots on one door and the trunk lid. He is asking $4k. Assuming I don't have to put much into the car, does that sound like a good price?

Thanks in advance for the advice,


Mike

[desmo900rider]

WOW. What a fun little car. I like it!

I went and looked at the car this AM and it seems to me to be as described. From what I was able to see, no structural rust in any of the areas mentioned. I did see an invoice form 99 on the car which read it had 39K on it at the time, and judging from the look of the car, I have no reason to think he is hiding anything, it seems to make sense. I have a local Porsche guru shop (Automotive Techniques - Jeff Jones) lined up to to do a PPI on it this week. If that checks out, I think I may make an offer.

I would like to keep looking for a 2.0, but simply stated, I just don't have the time or money to look at cars out of state. Even with a PPI, I most likely wouldn't buy a car that I hadn't seen and driven, and locally there just aren't that many. I have to figure in my time to the equation, I have a 15 month old that I affectionately refer to as "the time sponge".

Thanks for the advise and I'll keep the board posted! It looks like from the comments above, $4K is a good price if this car is what it appears to be, which I should know after the PPI.

Thanks again for all the responses!

[TJB/914]

WOW. What a fun little car. I like it!

I went and looked at the car this AM and it seems to me to be as described. From what I was able to see, no structural rust in any of the areas mentioned. I did see an invoice form 99 on the car which read it had 39K on it at the time, and judging from the look of the car, I have no reason to think he is hiding anything, it seems to make sense. I have a local Porsche guru shop (Automotive Techniques - Jeff Jones) lined up to to do a PPI on it this week. If that checks out, I think I may make an offer.

I would like to keep looking for a 2.0, but simply stated, I just don't have the time or money to look at cars out of state. Even with a PPI, I most likely wouldn't buy a car that I hadn't seen and driven, and locally there just aren't that many. I have to figure in my time to the equation, I have a 15 month old that I affectionately refer to as "the time sponge".

Thanks for the advise and I'll keep the board posted! It looks like from the comments above, $4K is a good price if this car is what it appears to be, which I should know after the PPI.

Thanks again for all the responses!

Hello Michigan neighbor from across town. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

Rick 918-S gave excellent advise & don't pull the trigger on the first 914 you look at. Take your time and find the best example that fits your wallet.

I don't like to get involved, because I don't have time to help you.
LEAD: 1975, 914 1.8 F.I lead on a local one I've seen it sitting for sale outside a body shop. The last time I saw it was about one week ago. Here is what I know.
The body shop started the restoration on a 1975, 914 with a lot of completed body work. The car is stripped of many parts and parts appear to be with the car. I like looking at a car in this condition because you can see things that are not covered up. The original owner died and the 914 was sitting in the body shop gathering lots of dust & dirt a number of years. It's in primer with some orig. paint showing (Sunflower Yellow). It needs the final sanding and paint. Body looked real solid with minor rust and the 1.8 engine with F.I. was in the car. The body shop said he could not get it running. I asked him what his asking price was, he said he would like $3,500 or ?? I told him it's a $1,500 car because it's not running and needs completion. I believe if someone offered a much lower price they would own it. They want to get it out of the shop. BTW: All 914's have some or lots of rust (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)
Caution, be sure to ask if it has a clear title, I didn't ask.
Location:
South River Collision Shop,
517 Southfield Rd.
Lincoln Park, MI.
phone # (313) 383-1120

Good luck & forgot to say "Welcome" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

Tom