Which 914 to buy?, Looking for a 914, which yr is best? Options

[Doug73/2.0]

Need advice. I learned to drive on my uncles 914...(I was 12 back then) and have wanted one ever since but the 914's i've seen here in the north east are all basket cases. I've seen so many discusions on rusted out hulks, poor shifting, underpowered, engines not running well and lousy brakes that I wounder if it is insane to buy a 30 year old 914. I remember doing a lot of repairs with my uncle when his was only a few years old. Sounds like these have been troublesome direct from the factory.

There are several on ebay each week. I hear "side shifter" worked better than the cable. What year and engine combination did that appear on? I've been told that 73 side shifter with 2.0 engine was probably the best of the 4 cycliners. The sixes are out of my price range. I'd like to spend around 3k.

Any thoughts...Thanks Doug

[Doug73/2.0]

Thanks guys, great advice all around.

Rob your idea to buy Patrick Paternie's book "How to Restore Porsche 914" was a nice one. Enjoyed the book. It does make me question my sanity to buy one of these. I'm looking at a local 73 with the 1.7 engine. Owners says its been parked 20 yrs in his garage. This will be intresting but at lewast all your comments and the book have given me a starting point. I didn't think any of tthese survived up here in salt country.

Thanks
Doug :-)