Karmann Ghia vs. Porsche 914

[rfuerst911sc]

I have been fortunate and have owned several Porsche's in my life including a 914 GT clone . I have enjoyed each one but at the same time I have always been intrigued by the VW Karmann Ghia . For those of you that have owned both how does the VW compare to the 914 ? No I'm not thinking of buying just wanted to have a discussion .

[BK911]

I traded a Ghia for my 914.
No regrets!!
IMO both are pretty cool looking, so that's a tie.
But 914s are quicker and handle much better than a Ghia.
And if you consider possible upgrades?
914 by far.

[URY914]

Not even close. Apples and oranges. One is a sports car and one is a re-bodied VW.

[beatnavy]

I agree with both, totally different. I have a '64 Ghia vert and a '72 914. The Ghia is primitive in stock form: vague steering, poor braking, etc. The 914 has a racing pedigree. Also, when I drive the Ghia I may get one or two blank looks. With the 914, I get smiles and thumbs up.

Needless to say, the Ghia is getting a little neglected right now...

[GH85Carrera]

Sit in one or drive a Giha. The driving position sucks, as is performance and handling. It is no doubt the slowest “sports” car on the planet.

A 914 is slow, but a total blast to drive.

[porsche tech]

I have owned a Ghia and have driven 9000 914s during my career. '73 or '74 914 2 liter is the ticket (IMHO)!

[T77911S]

totally different. I have had both. 74 ghia and a 73 914 that I converted to a 6 with a 2.2e in it.
loved the 914. awesome to drive.

my ghia got a lot attention, (back in the late 80's).
I had it lowered and de-chromed and I had these fuchs hi caps on it.

performance wise you will never match the 914. the ghia also limited the rear wheel size a lot.

I still loved my ghia too, the 914 was more fun

[rfuerst911sc]

You guys have reinforced what I had thought , I did enjoy my 914 GT clone .

[Baz]

Originally Posted by porsche tech

I have owned a Ghia and have driven 9000 914s during my career. '73 or '74 914 2 liter is the ticket (IMHO)!

And keep the factory fuel injection!

[Mark Henry]

Originally Posted by Baz

And keep the factory fuel injection!

Fark that poop!
If I had to live with stock HP I'd be driving something else.

[Tobra]

Yeah, a 914 with a big flat six out back is a HOOT.

K ghia is like a heavy Beetle with a small trunk.

This beauty was at a little house party around the corner from Hagen's in Carmichael




Oh yeah, a 3.6

[GH85Carrera]

I drove my 1974 2.0 914 as my daily driver and only car for over 24 years. It was like a part of me when driving. I drove a Ghia and I felt like I was sitting in a deep barrel. The driving position is just awkward for me. I will admit, a great prejudice, as the 95 HP 5 speed and 4 wheel disc brakes and precise steering of the 914 was just head and shoulders better than the Ghia. And I think the 914 is a good looking car. I thought that is 1974 when I bought mine new, and I still think so. If I had the garage space, I would have one now. I just can't see renting a storage space to own a car, so no 914 for me.

The drum brake, and 4 speed transmission, and vague steering of the Ghia was just a big NO for me. But your opinion may be different.

[widebody911]

A 914 vs a T14 Karmann Ghia isn't a very good comparison - they're completely different vehicles.

A 914 vs a T3r Karmann Ghia would be slightly better - the T34 is much more comfortable and handles much better (stock) than the T13

I sold my T14 and bought a '57 356A. I still think the T34 is a better driver than the 356A

[widebody911]

Just showing off

[Mark Henry]

Originally Posted by Tobra

Yeah, a 914 with a big flat six out back is a HOOT.

Not out back...In the middle. Where the engine is suppose to be in a sports car.

[T77911S]

Originally Posted by Tobra

Yeah, a 914 with a big flat six out back is a HOOT.

K ghia is like a heavy Beetle with a small trunk.

This beauty was at a little house party around the corner from Hagen's in Carmichael




Oh yeah, a 3.6

I would give up the 930 for that.
mine had a 911 style dash in it. all gauges

[Geronimo '74]

Originally Posted by URY914

Not even close. Apples and oranges. One is a sports car and one is a re-bodied VW.

This (good looking rebody though )

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by Mark Henry

Fark that poop!
If I had to live with stock HP I'd be driving something else.

IMO 914s should be kept entirely stock, no modifications whatsoever allowed.

[sammyg2]

And I'm pretty sure you can turbocharge a Ghia.

[widebody911]

Go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Karmann_Ghia and look up "successor"