How many own a 914 as well?
 

With several hitting the market now, I have been pondering the idea of adding a mid engine porsche in the garage. I have never driven one, but was curious who had both and what the benefits were.

Thanks
Phillip

What I like about 914s: Wonderful, neutral, communicative steering feel that makes my 911 feel like a bus. Quite simple, mechanically.
What I don't like: Slow as fuch. Worrying about rust. Fuel injection system is incomprehensible. Did I mention how slow they are?
My father and I are slowly restoring a '70 1.7. I'd love to have one with a 3.2 someday.

This may not answer your questions but here is my story. I have owned in order a 1974 911S Targa, a 1987 944S and currently my 1983 911SC. While I have enjoyed all of the cars the SC I really love. With the suspension,intake and exhaust mods she's a sweet car to drive on the street,autocross and DE's. She's solid,raw everything I like in a sports car. But about 2-3 years ago I got the itch for something else, not to replace my beloved SC but an addition to. As a whim without EVER having driven one I decided a 914 I must have. But not a normal 914 I wanted to build a Porsche hot rod. So I eventually ended up with the 1975 roller and I have slowly added GT metal flares,completely redone every bit of the suspension and am now getting ready within the next month or so installing a 911SC 3.0 motor with Weber 40's and headers:D While the motor is stock internally I'm thinking a 200-210 h.p. motor in this light and nicely balanced chassis will be a rocket to drive;) As I have been working on the 914 I have made a few observations. She's not built as well as the 911 but for the price point when new I wouldn't expect it to be. For instance when you close the door of the 911 it's like you're closing a bank vault:) a nice solid thud. The 914 isn't tinny but it's not as solid as the 911. So in summary the 911 is a great raw sports car. The 914 when setup like I am doing I expect it to be a slot car,light,nimble and fast. The two can easily coexist in the garage:D

At one time I owned a 73 T with a CIS 2.7L and a 74 914 with a 2.4L T six in it.

I found that one old guy with 2 old cars spent all his free time "fixing" (not to be confused with repairing) them. One had to go so I put both up for sale....the 911 went. Before this I had an 82 SC and it was the best road car of the bunch. As a long distance tourer it was top notch, but for back road bustin', the 914 (moderately breathed on suspension wise) was king.

I don't think much of the T-4 motor for either power or longevity. All too many
914s got the same maintenance as the 924. Good stock ones are creeping up in price to 5 figure levels. 6 conversion prices are all over the map as is the workmanship. A good RS type 2.7L conversion will get your attention.:eek:
Do your homework.

I still own the 914. It's now a dedicated autocrosser.

I had a 1973 2.0L for about 8yrs. I had the itch for a project car and bought my 911. I eventually decided to sell the 914 for 3 reasons. 1) no back seats, with a small child I figured I wouldn't be driving it much anymore. 2) It felt slow after driving the 911 3) felt very unsafe in traffic, people just don't see you in those things.
Those things being said, man I miss that car. It may have not been the fastest car around, but try to wipe the smile off your face after taking a corner as fast as you can and then accelerating even further at the apex. What a blast, the only car that I've driven that equalled it in balance was an Acura NSX.
I now wish I had held onto it for a six cylinder conversion down the road.

I've had lots of 914s, from a stock 1.7 liter, to a 300+ hp, GT flared monster, and ownership spreading out over around 20 years.

I've liked them a lot, but am kinda over them at this time. I may get back into them at some point, though. Wouldn't surprise me to do that.

They are great DIY cars, there aren't many cars more simple to work on, from mechanicals, paint and body (very little trim on them, you can have it stripped down to nothing in a few hours), things are actually very easy to access, you can drop the engine and trans out in an hour or less.

Yep, need to update my sig...just added a 75 2.0.......

Here, here...

Beg to differ with the slow as fuch part. All depends on your engine configuration. Yes most are rusted POSs but they can be found solid. A 3.2L will just make you want more.

I have a shed full of parts from 1.5 914's, including engines, a mostly solid body, a set of Fuchs and a set of Mahles, and everything else. They were both 2.0's. You can buy from me on the cheap, too!

I am tempted to buy a 914 cause they seem to just be a neat little car. I just can't see having three cars and two of them being projects and not having a garage... maybe when I get a place with a garage I'll get one..

You guys need to stop buying junk. Yes it is worth more at the metal yard these days but no need to have 3 rusted hulls to have one runner. You speak as though it is a rusted 356.

Drive a decent one and you will probably buy it. Not a lot of power, but enough to enjoy cruising around. Good downtown, in the twisties, and everywhere in-between.

I have 914, SC and 3.2 Carrera
 

an have a soft spot in my heart for each one of them. I have to let one go to get down to a total of 3 cars (including my Sebring - standby car).

I will keep the 914.

If you go carbureted - they are very easy to understand and work on.

(did I mention that the parts are very cheap too).

Umm, I don't know where you got that from in my post. I have two cars and they both run well and that I enjoy driving hard. The 911 is my current project car as in I modify it / work on it for fun... will the 911 ever not be what I consider a "project car"? Probably not, but that is fine by me.

And being tempted to buy one isn't the same as buying some random 914 on whim because I see it for sale and then taking it home and trying to bring it back to life without doing any research on the car.

I just sold my 74 2.0:( It was fairly slow but so much fun to toss into a corner. Also, that car got more looks than any other I've owned so far. Mainly because most people don't know what the hell they're looking at:D

I may regret it now but hopefully once my 911 is on the road it'll ease the pain;)

I beg to disagree. The injection system on both the 1.7l and 2.0l engines is actually quite simple, especially when compared to some of the current cars. The injector rails are probably undersized, but the rest of the system is easy to connect and test. The cars are really fun, especially because they have more handling than horsepower. So, it's not easy to get into trouble with them and it's not difficult to learn how to get the max out of them. However, compared to a modern car, they leave you feeling somewhat vulnerable. Park one next to a Yukon Denali sometime, compare and contrast.
Chris

LOL... I got my first 914 in 1980. This is exactly the time I started wearing a seat belt every single time I got in a car. The "epiphany" hit as I was looking "up" at the door handle on a Beetle. :D

I bought a 914 and eventually got so fed up with it breaking down, I bought a 911. The car is fun to drive but it is a money pit. If you buy one, buy one that has everything rebuilt and updated. It is kind of like the 911 3.2 is a $20,000 car, the 914 is a $12-15,000 car when you get the damn thing to finally run properly. so I would just buy one for $15,000 and just drive the piss out of it.

Good luck...If you go down the 914 road, you will need it.

Two ... well a few more.

I have the original six I bought in 1971, now 2.8 MFI and more.
The other is also an original six racer with SCCA log books back to 1971.

Best,
Grady