How much for a 914 driver.

[jdwin]

Hello,

I have been wanting to get into air-cooled Porsches for a while now, but as a college student I can't afford a 911 (or even a 912) so I've been looking at the 914's and researching them online and I gotta admit they've been growing on me. But I'm a bit in the dark on how much they actually cost. Websites like hagerty say about 15k should get me a decent "daily driver" condition car. ( In 1.7 or 1.8 liter varieties). But I look on eBay and I'd be lucky to find a pile of rust for 15.

I'm just curious, what should I be looking to pay?

Thanks.

[andk5591]

Really stupid question. Do you have tools and have experince working on older cars? Unless you find a solid well maintained car within your budget, you will be very likely spending quite a bit of time under it fixing what needs fixed.

Would suggest holding off until you are out of school or looking at something more like a newer Miata (a 2012 should be around $15K).
_________________
D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them...

[jdwin]

Yes I do have the tools, yes I do have time to fix the vehicle. And yes I do have experience working on air-cooled cars. I currently own a 74 super beetle.

If your not gonna be helpful why even post?
Mechanical issues can be worked out all.day it's the body work that I'm mainly concerned about.

[[email protected]]

I would have been in hog heaven if I could have afforded a 914 in college, had an MGB GT that was rusty and on its last legs that I had to nurse all the way through until I met a guy working on 914s just after in 1974. When I saw them from the inside out, I never looked back and that is why I am here today. However that was then and this is now. The 914s are just too old to be dependable, and as well, are not a modern car any more.
I know that as a college student that you would want a fun car, so I would suggest a boxster. They are modern, dependable, have all of the creature comforts we expect, handle and drive great with great gas mileage, and are MUCH MUCH cheaper to buy than a 914. If I was in college, that is what I would buy (if I could even afford one of those going to college!! LOL) Figure on spending 8500 on a dependable boxster. 8500 will buy a running rusty 914 these days just to give you an idea. George Hussey DR914 autoatlanta

[Mikedrevguy]

I paid 2g three years ago for what had sat for 7 years.

With a bit more investment, revwife had a reliable daily driver.
With some plotting, planning, and investment

She now has a much nicer daily driver

_________________
74 1303 (RevBug): plan for German Look
76 914 with 2260
79 VW Iltis
69 Bwajaja
"The wise speak because they have something to say; while the foolish speak because they have to say something." Plato

Illigitimi non-Carborundum!!

[Starbucket]

If you find a 914 that you can afford, the main thing that will ruin your Porsche 914 love will be the RUST. Look and tap the body carefully lower half and underneath. If you find any rust through, beware it goes many layers deep and will require a lot of repair. These cars were not protected against rust so search Ca, Az, etc. for cars for your best shot at a good one. As with any collectable car, what it is worth to you and what you can afford is what it is worth. Maybe a kit car would be a good option as a 914 is just VW running gear (except the 914-6) so performance wise there won't be much difference.

[Wolfgangdieter]

"Maybe a kit car would be a good option as a 914 is just VW running gear "

The 914 is one of the best handling cars on the road - 4 wheel disc brakes easily upgraded to 911 brakes and wheels. Add good shocks and anti-sway. Already has low center of gravity with mid-engine. Much more than a VW. Just needs more power. That said - wait til you finish college and buy a solid one. Working on a car is not distraction needed while working on a degree. Been there. I have a Speedster 356 replica kit car - it is no where near handling of a 914. Being a VW bug it is tail heavy and light in front.
_________________
CMC '57 Porsche Speedster Replica and Dolphin boat tailed full pan VW MOD-T Street Buggy

[914werke]

1st I cant believe George would dissuade someone from getting into a 914!
I disagree George. The cars CAN be made or bought reliable.
The more concerning aspect about ownership & daily driving a 914 is they are SMALL, and in today's ever more congested traffic with drivers in 3 ton SUV's more & more distracted by electronics and less & less skilled at driving due to all the drivers aids ...
You have to be a VERY defensive driver.

Wolfie quoted a common misrepresentation but then ...slipped into dad mode~?

Stardude's post was the most helpful but didn't answer you directly

Miker I guess just wanted to show off...

Youll find almost any 914 for less than 8K is going to need a fair amount of attention. Even those at that price point often will have some level of structural rust that may need to be addressed.
At the high teens & above you should find a pretty sorted car.
But as George pointed out you CAN get newer cars for cheaper, it just depends are you ready to be a devoted classic car guy...

[Mikedrevguy]

914w, yep, you’re right. Did (do)just want to show it off, but noting that
1) they are available for not that much in not terrible condition
2) they can be brought back for not an ugodly amount of money (if you’re not focused on weekend show car). Know your strengths and limitations. Ask for help.
which brings me to
3) they can be a daily driver. Do it.
_________________
74 1303 (RevBug): plan for German Look
76 914 with 2260
79 VW Iltis
69 Bwajaja
"The wise speak because they have something to say; while the foolish speak because they have to say something." Plato

Illigitimi non-Carborundum!!

[SamboSamba22]

The problem I have came across in searching for a nice 914 is that, as all Porsches, they have skyrocketed in cost over the last five years.
Folks want 2K plus for a stripped down, bare bone, rusty roller. 8K can get you a project with all the stuff. I'm thinking I missed the ball on these babies.
_________________
The Bus Barn Ltd. Co.

Oct. ’67 Double Cab (’68 Crew Cab)
[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-44412.png]Click to view image[/URL]
March '69 Delivery (Panel Bus)
[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-44414.png]Click to view image[/URL]

[Mikedrevguy]

If I had 3g. I’d jump in this one
https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/1975-porsche/6454996989.html

Or for 6 even?
https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/1973-porsche/6462246809.html

But then there transporting, so??
_________________
74 1303 (RevBug): plan for German Look
76 914 with 2260
79 VW Iltis
69 Bwajaja
"The wise speak because they have something to say; while the foolish speak because they have to say something." Plato

Illigitimi non-Carborundum!!

[914werke]

Ive got $100 in my pocket against either of those cars being found w/o requiring rust repair in: Jack points, Hellhole, Firewall, Rear trunk and or past collision damage.

Just sayin.. you get what you pay for & it WILL cost more to repair or correct past botch repairs than finding one that has already had the problems addressed.

Trust me. Im the one you pay to fix them.

[914werke]

BTW Mike nice work,
The stripes arent my thing & the spoiler looks outta place on a BUB car to me but to each his own.

[Mikedrevguy]

[ryans65]

[raygreenwood]

[andk5591]

[raygreenwood]

[[email protected]]

I continue to have the 914 fix up sickness but much has changed since I first started to do in in 1974. The cars are now much older and much worse!!!! I wind up investing so much time and labor in the cars, that I could have purchased two Boxsters for the price, and then, even though the 914s are worth more than ever, I end up with much more in the cars that I could ever sell them for. CRAZY. The point is though, is that the 914 is such a fabulous car that I cannot get them out of my blood, and will continue to save them.
However, again, a far as driving the car every day, it is just not practical, hate to say.

[jdwin]

Sorry guys swchool got a bit crazy. Thank you for all the replies. I never considered that i could buy the car....and keep my beetle whilst working on it.

However. I believe that i will take the advice of my grandfather here. "You have a working car, you dont need anymore projects, finish school first moron." (yes he did call me a moron, thats his version of "i love you kid"

I believe someone else said something alone those lines.


Thanks again.