Republished with permission from the April 2015 issue of Fourteener Motoring Magazine

When buying a 914, many people gloss over signs of future problems, attributing them just to age. But, with the iconic mid-engine Porsche, the devil is in the details. I have yet to see many cars with problems that the buyer couldn’t have found with a little more inspection. Often that little rust bubble is an indication that larger problems lurk within. Things to watch out for when buying your next 914:

Rule number 1 when buying is to remove the rocker covers. Three cheese-head screws on the bottom and a half dozen pop rivets on the top, hold each rocker cover on. Dirt builds up behind these covers over time, and rust ensues. If there is any rust on the rocker, you can likely count on more elsewhere. While it isn’t too difficult to fix minor rust in this area, make sure you have it done properly.

Beyond the rocker covers, watch for rust under the battery tray in the right side of the engine, rear of the back trunk, and front trunk area. It is also important to inspect the floor pans. Also pay close attention to the door gaps. A good rule of thumb is that these gaps should be larger than 2 dimes held flat together, but, thinner than 3 dimes. And be certain the gaps are even all the way up.

Check the gaps around the hood and headlight covers. Uneven gaps here can indicate that the car was in an accident. Finally check how the doors close and how the rubber seals around the windows fit. Although issues here may just be a matter of them being out of adjustment, it can also be a red flag for other issues.