914 Commuter...Good Idea / Bad Idea?

joemun · 01-13-2002, 03:14 PM

I was thinking of getting a 914 as a commuter car for work and school, but I don't know which year to get. I would like to have a 2.0 litre engine but I'm not sure if this is the way to go. I currently have an '83 944 that I do all the maintenance on, so working on it shouldn't be a problem. I'm looking for something that is economical as well as fun to drive. If it breaks down, I still have my 944 untill I get it back up.

Things I would like to know are...

1) How are they on mileage?
2) How difficult are they to work on?
3) How reliable are they?
4) What are the best / worst years?
5) What is a fair price range?

Feel free to add any other suggestions or comments.

Thanks,
Joe

Jim Smolka · 01-13-2002, 04:44 PM

A1. Mileage, not too bad, depending on driving 20-30 MPG
A2. Somewhat challeging at first, but then it gets easier
A3. After you get all the bugs out, very nice car to drive, but it needs constant attention to make sure things stay in great shape.
A4. The later cars 75 to 76 had heavier bumpers.
A5. 2k to 10k depending on condition.

I don't recommend driving a nice 914 in bad weather. The bodies are not galvanized and rust is a constant enemy. Therefore great for commuting on nice days IMHO

joemun · 01-13-2002, 04:59 PM

I live in southern California so I really don't get bad weather (the temp today was 82 degrees

) I've never driven a 914, how quick are they? On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the highest), what's the fun factor?

Joe

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Chris Campbell is selling one that would be an excellent commuter car. He asking 8500, but worth every penny....he's up the road from you in Brentwood/Santa Monica area.

BTW, they are reasonably quick, but no drag racer. They excell in the twisties. You will eat a Corvette for lunch.

rice_killer · 01-13-2002, 06:14 PM

my 914 is a daily driver too. i use it for work and pleasure so much that i canceld my insurance on my other car and drive the 914 exclusivly.

i think if your gonna drive it every day, that you should keep a complete set of metric sockets in the trunk, as well as a few screwdrivers and other mics tools. because mine has a habit of breaking down alot. weither it be door handle falling off or the rear trunk breaking or engine not starting.

i named my 914 "erika' after my first love. becuase erika was god when she was good, but hell when she was bad. my 914 is the same say. its a love-hate relationship i have with her. she can be such a ***** somtimes, but other times shes right there for me when i need her.
my latest problem is i get a strong gasoline smell when i turn sharply to the left. i think the remains of the gutted emission controls are leaking vapor or gas. time to silocone those lines up shut.

btw, i bought my car for $150 from a stolen recovery auction. had it running that same night too.

SteveStromberg · 06:25 PM

I drive my 72 from Newport Beach to Chatsworth everyday, The total round trip is 150 miles. E-mail me I have a car you might be interested in buying. Steve

joemun · 01-13-2002, 06:58 PM

hey Steve,

check your mail.

campbellcj · 01-13-2002, 07:21 PM

I drove my teener about 5-6 days a week for over two years. Low miles though.

Honestly, I would be hesitant to suggest a 914 to anybody as their only car, at least if you drive a fair amount. They are quite reliable and economical, but of course they are all 25-32 years old now. When things get old, "stuff" happens once in a while.

They are not the greatest in the rain either (crappy heat and defrost, targa top and trunk seals often leak)...but not a major issue unless you live in the Northwest or the South where it rains constantly.

Given a choice between a $4-8K used Honda or water-pumper VW kind of thing, and a 914...well, you know what I picked

unclerichy · 01-13-2002, 07:23 PM

Since you're here in California, the car you want is a '73 2.0 liter. Anything after that needs to be smogged. Check past postings and you'll see what a b@%&* it can be. BTW, I drive mine every day to work - about 9 miles each way - and love every minute of it.

Rich
'73 1.7
'74 2.0

joemun · 01-14-2002, 07:50 AM

Steve,

I can't seem to reach you by email but I'm very interested in your car you have for sale. I'm interested in picking one up soon. Can you please give me more information and any photos you may have regarding the car.

Thanks,

SteveStromberg · 01-14-2002, 09:10 AM

You can call me at 818 709 8029 days. Steve

rfoulds · rfoulds's Garage

My 914 is a commuter, but my commute is 3 miles. It sepends on how far your drive will be each day.

I knew my 914 would be my daily driver, so I bought one specifically for that purpose and made modificatinos to help in the reliability. My last 914 was a carbed 2.0 built for racing and would have made a crappy commuter, so I have learned some things that made a difference.

The following is JUST MY OPINION!!! These are things I did to make my 914 a nice daily driver. others may disagree, but...
Some things you might want to consider:

start with a 914 as stock as possible.
master cylinder upgrade to 19mm, and brakes upgrade to BMW calipers. Or at least good, sticky pads.
I kept the stock FI, no carbs, and stock ignition.
Optima battery.
Headlight upgrade to H4.
Make sure the stock Boge struts, shocks and the stock springs are good, and don't put in the stiffer springs. Stay with the 100# springs for daily driver.
Michelin or Pirellis or other good mileage tire.
If it doesn't have it, add the sound proof pad in the engine bay.
relocate fuel pump and filter to 75-76 location.
put in good stereo, but please don't cut the door panels! Put the speakers in the stock boxes, and leave it at that.

and here is the one every one disagrees on: I have hydraulic lifters so I don't have to adjust the valves. I don't care about high revs, and huge performance, so the hydro lifters work great for me, since I don't have to adjust them and once I found and sealed all the oil leaks, it stayed that way!
You can read past posts about the lifters, much disagreement on these. A very reputable engine builder ( you know who) swears solid lifters are the way to go, but, my hydro lifter engine is VERY smooth, reliabe and quiet, which is the way I like it. If it blows up, as many say it will, then I will put in a six.

SO that's MY version of a daily driver. It won't win races, but it is fun to drive, and it starts every morning. And it cost me $3500. A lot less than a comparable rice car.

norustscott · norustscott's Garage

Two Words...Valve Adjustment...you have to do it. every 3-4k. 5 times a year on average. Run it hard @ the AutoX and figure checking it prior to every event. You will get to know the car. Or pay for it.

Good luck.

Paint Legend · 01-15-2002, 07:41 AM

Randy-

Sounds like we are on the same page for the proper set up for daily driving, my car is the same except I have let the lifters alone.

Also, you guys out in Cali got it made, my car's in the garage chilling at 15 degrees here in Mpls. We are having a warm weird winter and I parked it on 12/8 so I shouldn't *****. It is real hard hopping in the Suburban after driving the 914 all spring, summer and fall!

Regards,
Tom

rfoulds · rfoulds's Garage

Cold here today. Had to actually put the roof on for moring commute.

But its already off again for lunch time!!! I love CA!!

retro74 · 01-15-2002, 01:37 PM

I got my 74' 2.0L D-Jet in May from SanDiego area. Prior owner put 250,000 miles on it.

I can't believe it even started. Every vacuum hose was leaking, distributor was shot, Manifold Pressure Sensor was of unknown origin and tweaked. Tons and tons of small repairs just to pass Maryland inspection.

IMHO you need to be mechanically inclined. The 914's are a cross between a motorcycle and a go-kart for mechanics. They are easy to work on and easy to dismantle. With a 10mm and 13mm wrench and a few hex heads and screwdrivers you can do quite a bit.

The oil leaks covered the engine tin in mine and two trips to the coin-op with solvents of every kind cleaned it up. Since I'm under the hood tweaking all the time, it's nice to be cleaner when I emerge from under there.

Besides regular oil changes and maintenance on the valves, these are reliable VW powered machines. I have replaced all of the ignition components (coil, distributor, wires, plugs) and cleaned up all of the electrical contacts, including tightening the connections. So far, except for my stupidity in frying some points and running out of gas (broken low duel sending wire), I have had fun.

I also have a 1975 1/2 Prelude Si and it is far smoother, quieter, refined and reliable than the 914. It is too refined and will easily out drag race the 914. But with a front sway bar and some sticky 195 tires... the Prelude is not even close in the turns. I like the lack of junk under the hood, the lack of mechanical nonsense and the plain-jane dash layout.

The fact that the Prior owner got 250,000 miles on this is amazing to me! I have got it running way better than when I got it and I have more to do. This is a tweak-it relationship to keep it right.

Good Luck

Joe