Thinking about switch to 914

[Argeo]

Well where do I start. Ok, I went to an autocross about a month ago and just thought the 914's were the coolest thing. Being a non car guy but a 911 lover, I know all the 911 motors but not a clue on 914's. Anyways, I am thinking about trading/selling my 911 and getting a 914.

Since my daily car is not getting any younger, I am thinking about getting a 914 that I can use to go to and from work (approx 50/day) and maybe do 3 or 4 autocrosses a year. The 911 is Mexico blue with Carrera scripts so a bit lod to leave in a parking garage in my opinion. It just says kick me. I also want the car to be basically done as far as being turnkey that I can modify as time and money permits. Probably just suspension and braking when the time comes. Maybe an 8 out of 10 for looks. I guess I mean a rust free body that can have some stratches and paint fade.

Any suggestions or thoughts for something like this would run me. Any years/models to avoid? Again, being a non car guy, I haven't a clue on 914's.

Thanks,

David

[Joe Bob]

They are so old that none ARE BAD cars unless they have rust. The high end concours cars are not good racer/AX cars.....find one that has TLC and mods.

Don't discount the early ones as they can be upgraded....all it takes is money....remember....RUST=BAD......

There are quite a few resources on HOW TO BUY a 914....check the site here and the www.914club.com

They are cheap as they were but still a bargain compared to some 911s and 356s....

[Argeo]

Thanks Mike.

Yeah, I don't want a concours car but just a solid one that is dependable.

I wonder how they drive in the snow?

Are you saying that since they are old, chance are that most of the known problems have been addressed?

David

[Joe Bob]

Snow? Not if you want it to last...they will handle ok but rot after awhile.

Known problems....do a search on this site and the club.....all the answers and question have been asked before.

[econopa]

David,
This is a switch, a 911 guy looking to go to a 914. Doesn't happen all that often, but I share your appreciation of a long ago auto that has a place in the scheme of things.
My 914 is away in the garage for the winter about now.I'll get it out in Nov. on nice dry days, but If you want a winter car, this isn't it, in my opinion.
Maybe others reading this may suggest a fun, safe auto, but a 914 , in my opinion, isn't it.

[BARRY MISHLER]

Mine is a great winter car but then I live in florida.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Run! Run, while you still have a chance. Whatever you do, don't drive one of these cars!!! Because then you'll be hooked--there is no going back.

Seriously, they're not the greatest daily drivers in the world but the driving experience is simply out of this world! You'll usually find most of them to be underpowered, under-braked, very rust-prone, not too reliable, often fairly uncomfortable, loud and obnoxious... But when the roads get twisty, or you're dodging cones, there is nothing better IMHO. Very nearly telepathic response in one that's even half-decently set up, tons of road feel, excellent balance, and a very pure driving experience.

It's tough to go back. I know that I miss my 914 every time I drive my GF's 911SC.

--DD

[Argeo]

Thanks everyone for your responses. I have a lot of thinking to do before I do anything but this all certainly helps.

David

[M. Hendrix]

I have owned a few of each... come dancing!

911s are fluffy, and have that nasty throttle-off oversteer.. 914s allow you to press harder, until all the wheels let go... and then it's too late!




M

[vesnyder]

I went through a similar thought process about a year ago and decided to buy a 914 (and keep my 911) for the very same reasons! I have a triple black 911 Cab with polished Fuchs that I cannot leave unattended in a parking lot and wanted something I could drive more often. So far, so good! I am in the process of restoring cosmetically - just enough to be drivable - then I want to dig into it mechanically. It is almost there. I just need someone to help me weld the floorborad and I can get it back together.

What I started with ...


And what I have now ...

[iamchappy]

You may consider purchasing a six conversion 914, you will be familiar with the mechanics of the engine and have the same feel of the 911s power.

[Argeo]

What is more dependable. A 911 3.0 or a 914 4 cyclinder. Sorry I don't know all the engine types yet.

David

[jamcleod]

Originally posted by Argeo
What is more dependable. A 911 3.0 or a 914 4 cyclinder.

both unmolested engines? i'm going for the 3.0L because i read in some articles that the 3.0 can go 250K+ (based upon bruce andersons statements and others) but i read in upfixin' that roger chaney stated that the type IV's easily go 100k. both are basically quotes from porsche club magazines.

[Argeo]

What car is easier to work on? How hard is to drop a 914 motor in comparison to a 911?

Are part cheaper for 914's?

David

[jamcleod]

in my opinion, unless you have some reason for getting into typeIV or 914's, you'd be happier with the 911 (or 944) with more creature comforts; ie, a/c, electric windows and sunroof. my estimate with 914's is that the "first" question asked by 85% of new 914 owners is "can i get more power". this is a 30 yr old car that, 30 yrs ago, was "average" on power. in 2005, every ricer has bolt on turbos and 3x the hp of our 914s. the cost for a -6 conversion is ~$10k (after you buy the car) which may not be recovered upon resale.

don't get me wrong. i love mine (2).

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Originally posted by Argeo
What car is easier to work on? How hard is to drop a 914 motor in comparison to a 911?

Are part cheaper for 914's?

The 914 is much easier to work on. First, there is quite simply less car to work on! The 914 motor doesn't have anywhere near as many parts as the 911 one, and much of the 914 is simpler than even an early 911. There are very few "convenience" and "comfort" features that we take for granted in newer cars, which means you don't have to work on those systems or work around them to get to other things.

Engine drops, for example, are approximately 30-minute exercises for someone with a good amount of experience. Even for me--who works very slowly--it's still just a couple of hours from the time I drive into the garage to the time I put the drivetrain up on blocks.

Parts are cheaper for 914s than 911s. But not that much in most cases, sadly. We always b*tch and moan about paying Porsche prices for parts with the VW logo, which is almost but not usually quite true. You'll find most 914 parts are somewhat cheaper than the equivalent 911
parts (except for systems the 914 doesn't have), but that the prices are much closer to 911 prices than Bug ones, for instance.

Some of my engineer friends (including some 914 folks) feel that the 914 is less well-engineered than the 911 overall. However, it still rewards with a much "purer" driving experience. And the handling and responsiveness is usually downright astonishing.

There are 914 people and 911 people. Most of the 914 people I know that have bought 911s are still 914 people at heart. Most of them (but not all!) regret selling their 914s, or if they own both the 914 is the "fun" car while the 911 is the "daily driver".

They're both awesome cars. Drive a 914, and you may get hooked. You'll wind up with rust in your bloodstream... You have been warned!!

--DD

[David McLaughlin]

Argeo, Come on up to Burlington and take my car out for a drive for awhile. A friend in Wakefield has a 1.7L so you can compair these two.

[degreeoff1]

I second Dave on the "simple statment" and Econopa on the winter AKA snow car bit It SUCKS big time...trust me I love snow but not in my car.

Get one you'll love it I have had mine for almost 10 years and will keep till I am DEAD.........AND I REPEAT NEVER LET IT GO!

my 2 cents

[econopa]

I read the original question about using a 914 for a daily driver in the winter in the NorthEast.
I mean no disrespect to " Dave at Pelican Parts", but , really, it isn't anyones first choice in a slushy,snowy, icy environment.
If you want a fun, really fun car to take out on a dry, warm evening, the 914 can't be beat. But why succomb this old auto to the environs which tests the latest rust preventative measures. Keep what you have. The 914 may be acquired at a price you can afford for the "good" days & beat the other. My ..02.

[oneblueyedog]

I've had two 914s. One was a 2.0 and the other-1.7 that had a tweaked tricked engine. I have ridden in a 6 conversion and a 350 v8 conversion.

I wouldn't be snooping around this BB if I didn't like them greatly. It was very cool to have 2 silver Porsches in the garage. My 914 1.7 and 78 911sc.

Get one without rust and wreck free. The hunt will be fun.

I dream about that car and an old Triumph Spitfire that I have tucked away in a U-store-It and I go out and drive them. Oh it's great. Then I wake up.