 about to buy my first 914 |
|
|
|
Porsche, and the Porsche crest are registered trademarks of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG.
This site is not affiliated with Porsche in any way. Its only purpose is to provide an online forum for car enthusiasts. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. |
|
|
  |
| iankarr |
 May 22 2015, 10:28 AM
Post
#1
|
|
The wrencher formerly known as Cuddy_K  Group: Members Posts: 2,471 Joined: 22-May 15 From: Heber City, UT Member No.: 18,749 Region Association: Intermountain Region 
 |
Hi Guys,
I'm looking to buy my first 914 and thought I'd say hi and see if the group has any pointers. I've been doing lots of homework and am pretty familiar with the big things to look out for. I'm wondering if you guys could tell me the top 3 or 5 things you've learned about these cars that you didn't know when you bought your first one. Do you guys have any thoughts about 1.8 vs. 2.0, specific model years being better than others from a reliability standpoint? I have a 65 mustang which I've taken apart and reassembled twice. Pretty comfortable doing my own work, but I've never wrenched a german car. Any thoughts on how hard/easy it is compared to american cars from the same era? Thanks! Looking forward to contributing to the group! |
   |
 
|
| Steve |
May 22 2015, 10:56 AM
Post
#2
|
|
914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 5,565 Joined: 14-June 03 From: Orange County, CA Member No.: 822 Region Association: Southern California
|
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif) Beware... Rust, Rust, Rust -Under Battery, known as hell hole. Battery Acid over the years destroys everything below the battery, all the way down to the suspension. -Remove rocker panels and look for rust. -Around front window -Floor boards -etc. 73-74 are the best years -Better transmission -window mechanisms 75-76 Have heavy big rubber bumpers and most people don't like the look 2.0 motor preferred, but the smaller motors are fine. Biggest issue is rust, you can always upgrade the motor later I have a 75 and backdated the bumpers to chrome. Some colors look fine with the big bumpers.. Pro's and cons. |
 |
|
| brant |
May 22 2015, 10:56 AM
Post
#3
|
|
914 Wizard Group: Members Posts: 11,603 Joined: 30-December 02 From: Colorado Member No.: 47 Region Association: Rocky Mountains 
|
QUOTE(cuddyk @ May 22 2015, 10:28 AM)  Hi Guys, I'm looking to buy my first 914 and thought I'd say hi and see if the group has any pointers. I've been doing lots of homework and am pretty familiar with the big things to look out for. I'm wondering if you guys could tell me the top 3 or 5 things you've learned about these cars that you didn't know when you bought your first one. Do you guys have any thoughts about 1.8 vs. 2.0, specific model years being better than others from a reliability standpoint? I have a 65 mustang which I've taken apart and reassembled twice. Pretty comfortable doing my own work, but I've never wrenched a german car. Any thoughts on how hard/easy it is compared to american cars from the same era? Thanks! Looking forward to contributing to the group! top 5: rust rust rust rust and more rust it might be worth taking a guy from the world with you to PPI a car before you trade money. They always are more rusty than you think. Don't buy a car without pulling the rocker covers first and examining with your own eye's how the longitudinals are. |
|
|
|
| SirAndy |
May 22 2015, 11:08 AM
Post
#4
|
|
Resident German Group: Admin Posts: 41,602 Joined: 21-January 03 From: Oakland, Kalifornia Member No.: 179 Region Association: Northern California |
QUOTE(brant @ May 22 2015, 09:56 AM) top 5: rust rust rust rust and more rust I would add one more to that list: RUST Rule of thumb, multiply the rust you can see by 10x and you're in the ballpark of what to expect. Everything else is secondary, buy the most rust free car you can afford! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif) PS: (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png) |
|
|
|
| Mike Bellis |
May 22 2015, 11:24 AM
Post
#5
|
|
Resident Electrician Group: Members Posts: 8,345 Joined: 22-June 09 From: Midlothian TX Member No.: 10,496 Region Association: None
|
|
|
|
|
| 7TPorsh |
May 22 2015, 11:32 AM
Post
#6
|
|
7T Porsh Group: Members Posts: 2,691 Joined: 27-March 06 From: Glendale Ca Member No.: 5,782 Region Association: Southern California
|
If I had known i probably would have bought an injected car over dual carbs but arguments go both ways depending on what you want.
|
|
|
|
| matthepcat |
May 22 2015, 11:40 AM
Post
#7
|
|
Meat Popsicle Group: Members Posts: 1,462 Joined: 13-December 09 From: Saratoga CA Member No.: 11,125 Region Association: Northern California |
Other than rust.
I suggest looking up under the dash to see how hacked up the wiring harness is. That can cause headaches. I suggest paying close attention to how well the car shifts through the gears ( especially if it will go into 1st at a complete stop) I came from American hot rods. It nothing difficult, just different with a great resource here for information. |
|
|
|
| montoya 73 2.0 |
May 22 2015, 11:45 AM
Post
#8
|
|
Lack of consideration to others, and Selfish! Group: Members Posts: 1,791 Joined: 27-October 04 From: Paso Robles, Ca. Member No.: 3,016 Region Association: Central California |
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)
so basically look for rust where ever water or any other media (moss, mud, leaves, sand, etc.) can gather and keep moisture pooled up! also check the door gaps (sagging could be a sign of rust/cancer under the rockers or previous frame damage) and any bubbles under the vinyl on the sails, if there is any vinyl. |
|
|
|
| Cuda911 |
May 22 2015, 07:50 PM
Post
#9
|
|
Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,489 Joined: 20-May 14 From: Oceanside (N. San Diego County), CA Member No.: 17,376 Region Association: Southern California |
Pretty much all you need to know is in this thread:
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=236672 It's from when I came here with the exact same question. Follow-up threads are here: http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...%27s+914+thread http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...a+temecula+blue |
|
|
|
| Jeffs9146 |
May 22 2015, 08:30 PM
Post
#10
|
|
Ski Bum Group: Members Posts: 4,062 Joined: 10-January 03 From: Discovery Bay, Ca Member No.: 128 |
Clutch tube will break at some point
Accelerator pedal pivot will break at some point Higher lb springs are shorter Bigger brakes are not mandatory without extra HP All 914 owners are CSOB's so don't gouge us Build it your way.......!!!!! Don't ask what size tire will fit a stock 914......learn to use the search function! Carbs are not better than FI unless you change the cams Beer and BBQ will get you more support than you will ever need!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) |
|
|
|
| Porschef |
May 22 2015, 08:46 PM
Post
#11
|
|
How you doin' Group: Members Posts: 2,165 Joined: 7-September 10 From: LawnGuyland Member No.: 12,152 Region Association: North East States
|
All great replies. I think rust got covered; no kidding there. The hell hole on the 914 is equivalent to the fresh air front cowl on your Mustang; a PITA to repair (I had a 65 GT fastback many years ago).
It's getting more difficult every year to find a solid car on the east coast. They're around, just harder to find. I'm on Long Island, there are a couple of guys in the area besides myself who, I'm sure, would be able to assist with a PPI. Welcome. Good luck with your search. These cars are a blast, they'll make the Mustang feel like a Burro... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif) |
|
|
|
| Hank914 |
May 22 2015, 10:28 PM
Post
#12
|
|
Member Group: Members Posts: 389 Joined: 7-April 14 From: CA and OR Member No.: 17,215 Region Association: None |
QUOTE(cuddyk @ May 22 2015, 09:28 AM) Hi Guys, Do you guys have any thoughts about 1.8 vs. 2.0, specific model years being better than others from a reliability standpoint? For reliability, you could go with the 2.0 liter that is in the Miata. Mazda makes them reliable. They also got the rust thing under control. Of course, it helps to be a chick, but the purists would deny that last point. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer3.gif) |
|
|
|
| iankarr |
May 22 2015, 11:59 PM
Post
#13
|
|
The wrencher formerly known as Cuddy_K Group: Members Posts: 2,471 Joined: 22-May 15 From: Heber City, UT Member No.: 18,749 Region Association: Intermountain Region
|
Thanks everyone. All good advice. Really helpful...and entertaining. Been very active on the mustang boards for a while and it always amazes me when people ask the same question that's been answered a hundred times. (yes, an 850 CFM carb is too big for an inline 6).
Cuda / Mike - Really enjoyed reading about your journey. Kinda felt like a time machine looking into my future! I also have a cayman and you seem to be about as hands-on as I am, too. Cool! LOL about the Miata. I like you guys already. Let's hope I'm as lucky as Mike was and that my car finds me soon. Ian |
|
|
|
| Spoke |
May 23 2015, 04:45 AM
Post
#14
|
|
Jerry Group: Members Posts: 6,972 Joined: 29-October 04 From: Allentown, PA Member No.: 3,031 Region Association: None
|
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)
Always have someone who knows 914's take a look at the car. We can tell you what to look for but a trained eye will know what they are looking at. |
|
|
|
| orthobiz |
May 23 2015, 05:06 AM
Post
#15
|
|
Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,754 Joined: 8-January 07 From: Cadillac, Michigan Member No.: 7,438 Region Association: Upper MidWest
|
I bought a 1.8 from California a year and a half ago. I love the car now but had to put in about as much as I paid for it to have it "sorted out." Little things will add up fast, I had Brad Mayeur do all of my work (he's fantastic 914ltd) so I paid "retail" when it came to the work. So some quick things that my car had/needed that got fixed:
Turn signal did not click off on return Accelerator pedal stuck like crazy Roof seal (the big one) was missing (take off the roof!) Other missing seals Front hood seal in pieces (pick it up and look for rust in the track) Front hood gap with bumper not perfect (bumper bent) Jack up each side and look around (prior rust repair on chassis, done well) New windshield (will make you feel like a million bucks driving!) Heat supply (passenger side out) Windshield washer didn't work (it does now!) And so on... Also, I learned a lot when I drove it back to Michigan, so it's "not enough" to just drive around the block, but you won't typically have the luxury to take it for an entire weekend. But then you'll find out if the ventilation fan works and which bulbs need replacing and all the little stuff. It all adds up! Gary BSchairman introduced me to this concept and boy did I have a list of nitpicking things to fix when I drove it into Brad's 914 compound on the way home. So right now it's my daily (sunshine) driver and I am absolutely loving it! Also, you can't have too many pics and you need to post them here. People on the board will tell you all kinds of little things that you might not notice. Important things! My hell hole had a ton of surface rust, none of it perforated through where water could get into the longitudinals, but the original pics didn't show it well. Overall, the car had very very little rust, but I did have the engine dropped and the compartment resprayed. Like everyone here, I hate rust!! Paul |
|
|
|
| Java2570 |
May 23 2015, 07:16 AM
Post
#16
|
|
Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 649 Joined: 7-May 11 From: Fishers, IN Member No.: 13,035 Region Association: Upper MidWest |
Wanted to also mention that the 2.0 has D Jet and the 1.8 is L Jet fuel injection. Both good EFI but have there own specific kinks. 914's are fairly easy to wrench on for someone who knows their way around a set of tools. Lots of online resources and great folks to help out here! Good luck!
|
|
|
|
| EdwardBlume |
May 23 2015, 07:24 AM
Post
#17
|
|
914 Wizard Group: Members Posts: 12,338 Joined: 2-January 03 From: SLO Member No.: 81 Region Association: Central California
|
|
|
|
|
| Chris Pincetich |
May 23 2015, 10:22 AM
Post
#18
|
|
B-) Group: Members Posts: 2,082 Joined: 3-October 05 From: Point Reyes Station, CA Member No.: 4,907 Region Association: Northern California |
Get one that is drivable. They are fun to drive! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif) For more specific advice, let us know your goals with the car. Restoration? Custom cruiser? Racin? Then, have fun fixing it! Time to invest in some metric tools. You can never have too many 13mm sockets, in case you can't find one (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) A socket extension, even better the "wobble" extension, helps reach those tight spots. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png) |
|
|
|
| TheCabinetmaker |
May 23 2015, 02:55 PM
Post
#19
|
|
I drive my car everyday Group: Members Posts: 8,300 Joined: 8-May 03 From: Tulsa, Ok. Member No.: 666 |
My advice is simple. Besides the rust, buy as nice and well kept and cleanest car as you can afford.
|
|
|
|
| steuspeed |
May 23 2015, 06:49 PM
Post
#20
|
|
Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,005 Joined: 12-July 11 From: Portland, Oregon Member No.: 13,308 Region Association: Pacific Northwest |
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)
Buy the nicest and most complete car you can find. Car prices have just shot up the last couple years. Check Hagerty value estimates. Parts prices are doing the same thing. Look around 914rubber.com so you have an idea of what some things will cost to fix up a potential car. Lots of helpful gear heads on this site. |
|
|
|
|
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:
|
Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 19th April 2024 - 09:09 AM |
Invision Power Board
v9.1.4 © 2024 IPS, Inc.