Donnie Barnes wrote:
On the fixer-upper/toy side...I know you said "no motor swaps" because you have one, but humor me...
At the $5k level you can still find a serviceable 914. Something that for not much money you can drive. The targa top sort of satisfies the convertible thing. RWD. Not much torque, but that's the thing you can easily fix with a motor swap later if you want.
And in my opinion, 6 cylinder swapped 914's *are* going to be something you can easily get your money back from later, if not make money on. These cars are going to appreciate.
The nice thing is you can just skip the little sixes and go straight to something like a 3.2 as the weight difference is minimal. You can start with the ghetto 5 lug conversion to get yourself into decent wheels, and later if you do the motor swap you can go a little more whole hog on the 5 lug conversion and not be out much. And they are *easy* cars to work on. And very fun to drive.
Doing that swap yourself and buying your motor "right" (which you know how to do) will keep costs very manageable. And like I said, I think create something you can at the very least get your money back *and* get paid reasonable money for your hours you put into it. Which doesn't happen often with automotive things.
--Donnie
I actually think it's likely hard to loose if you buy a 914 with a decent body at this point. Prices are going nowhere but up, so you are likely to make money if you hold on to it a bit. I clearly have to agree with Donnie as I am mostly doing exactly as he says (3.2 six swap, five lug conversion, etc.). I think everyone is crazy for not wanting one, but I also generally have stopped trying to proselytize unless someone else brings it up first.
Devil's advocate... Love or hate styling. Near 2K weight and small size comes with risk of being crushed by just about anything on the road. A/C can be added, but I think it ruins the car. So its not a good "every day" car. Porsche price tag on parts.
Richard
_________________
Richard Casto
1972 Porsche 914
2013 Honda Fit Sport
2015 Honda Fit EX
http://motorsport.zyyz.comMoney can't buy happiness, but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than a Kia.
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No angst though, except when people suggest stupid cars 
