engine life, are rebuilds inevitable? Options

[MiddleMan]

I'm in the market for a 914 and have a few under consideration. Something I'm wondering is, is there a rough estimate as to how many miles (or years) the engine will go before it's likely to need a major overhaul? I realize there will be lots of different experiences out there, but on average does it seem more reasonable to buy a car with a rebuilt engine (possibly w/ increased displacement) vs something that is relatively low miles but untouched?

I suppose the same question could be asked about the transmission...

So many things to consider in addition to rust! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[McMark]

The ideal buyers car would have a history file showing valve adjustment logs that you could peruse over time to see if they were holding their adjustments. It would also have a current compression test with the engine cold and hot. It would have leak-down numbers and have a record of regular oil changes.

But that kind of car is 1% of the market and you're going to be paying $$$ for that kind of car. It's totally worth the added cost, but most people aren't shopping with the kind of budget.

For most of us, you buy the car that offers the best compromise of a lot of factors and hope for the best. The truth is that any engine can potentially fail at any time, and good records and a known history only indicate a potential for long life. Nothing is ever guaranteed.

If you're not looking for a complete restoration candidate, the old adage "buy the best car you can afford" still holds true. The farther you car stretch your budget now, the more likely you are to avoid future maintenance costs.