Would a 911E dissappoint me?

[christiandk]

Hi all,

Looking at a 912E. I have had 87 and 964 911s before. I am looking for a dunday driver and one to take me to work occasionally.

I have searched on the 912E and it seems like a nice car even though it has a VW engine.

Is parts difficult to get?

I am not looking for a performance car....but would it disappoint me anyway?

Thanks

Christian.

[JT912]

I've never driven a 912E before, but another site that may offer you good advise is 912 Board. There is a section dedicated to the 912E.

[Jaems]

About 99% of all those that own the 912E really love them. The parts for the engine are available and because of this several of the 912 owners have gone to this engine for a replacement. A stock 912E is a little bigger and heavier than a 912 and not as quick. It will also be a lot slower than the 911s you have owned. There is a company that will rebuild the type 4 engine and give it almost 911 speeds of the same year. However, the stock 912E will give you better mileage and can be driven at freeway speeds all day with out any problems.

[cali4sun]

It is a very well balanced car, great gas mileage, fun to drive. I drive mine on occasion 90 miles round trip to/from work it's very reliable! However being that you have had 911's I suggest you might want to drive one first before owning.....Also, make sure that original fuel injection/smog equipment is in vehicle if you have to have a smog check/inspection, otherwise difficult to find stock equipment.......

912 Registry :: Welcome!

is a good site for feedback, however it really depends who you ask 911 guys tend to not be favorable responding to 912's......

Also, someone on the Rennlist forum posted regarding my 912e last year he at the time owned a 993 Cabrio and Boxster, however missed his 912e that he sold, so if that gives you any perspective?

[robfike]

I use mine for a daily driver, instructing with our local region on track, and tow behind the motor home to Florida. Truly a "multi-use" vehicle.
I road race a 911 in GT-3 class. The 912E is no 911 in acceleration, but is a fine car none the less. "It's a 912E on the straits, but a 911 in the corners!"
Parts are no problem with the exception of fuel injection/computer items as they were model specific. My car had been converted to carbs way before I got it.
Hope this helps,Rob

[hcariss]

Good advice from the above posters. I just sold probably one of the best 912E's out there and I miss it very much, it was a really fun car, its basically exacltly like the characteristics of a mid engined coupe, so its amazing through corners ... but that said the thing that always bothered me and was always in the back of my mind was the lack of availability of certain crucial parts for the FI, cables and engine tin, and also the limited choices for things like mufflers.
I really loved the look of my car but in the end it always sounded like what it was a 901 body with a VW engine, once I put the Stebro system on it increased the HP a little but it made it sound like a tractor.
I think its a fun first Porsche or can be amazing if its a car you want to work on (perhaps add Raby kit), or just love the curiosity factor, but at the same time with good examples of the 912E going for the same money as an SC or even a pre G50 Carrera it really doesn't make a lot of sense. I would read as much as you can here on Pelican and on 912bbs before making a choice.
I'm not into Porsche's to make or invest money and when I sold a low mile example of a very well cared for car with all the best upgrades through a long selling process I did get my initial cost back ,but looking back the $$$ I spent on improving the car overall it just didn't add up.

[deathpunk dan]

I know a guy with one of the nicest 912Es in existence. It has a rebuilt stock engine with 96mm pistons and it drives very nicely. Very smooth, very user friendly. Just an absolute pleasure to drive. Very solid car.

It really is not that much slower than my 911T 2.2.

Re: acceleration...it feels about as fast as the base model manual trans mini cooper clubman I test drove.

If you are looking to do HPDEs or something, consider a 911SC. Or a 968 if not wedded to the aircooled cars.

But if you want to go for a drive, commute with it, throw a bike rack on it etc...the 912E is a great classic car and way cool.

[Dave L.]

Recently I received a lot of traffic from a guy looking to buy either a 911SC or a 912E, and he was (in the end) convinced he wanted a fine example of the E for various reasons. He spent months going back-n-forth on various prospects, posting numerous Q's and receiving some conflicting (free!) advice, but eventually purchased a rare blue car outta TX that was a very nice example indeed. He had a good story, actually knew plenty about cars and wasn't asking the Q's necessarily because he didn't have a good idea of the correct answer- just doing a lot of due diligence I suppose. This is the proper route to older/classic car ownership, because these 35 year old Porsches (like many vintage cars) must be appreciated for the period they were built in- they are not modern, and they may have been quick back in the day, but cannot compete in straight-line today with even some of the most modest econoboxes. You have to know what you're getting! That said, I have three of these cars, as well as some more powerful machines that I like to use as comparo-fodder for my E's. I am (honestly) never disappointed with the E-Type 912. It is an excellent compromise between the earlier models and the contemporary 1976 911S! Just not as much grunt in that modest VW-derived Type-IV motor. That's not to say it can't be built-up. My silver E sports a 2270cc Raby Aircooled technology engine that spits out easy early 911 power, and my braun E features a Raby 2056cc warm-up that has provided uprated, reliable X-Country power for the last 7-years. Even our bog-stock bronze car is a fun driver with its 88HP motor clattering away behind! These are somewhat sheep in wolfs clothing, but still proper GT coupes. OK, I'm a fan- I could have (and do have!) other sports cars, but these reliable and worthy little underdogs have given me many years of pleasure. You choose! R/Dave L.

[dferlauto]

I have a high mileage 912E... In the seven years I have owned it the car has never required any repairs.... just normal maintenance. I would not hesitate to drive cross country in this car tomorrow. Its only hassle for California residents is the SMOG requirements