Relative cost of ownership?

[nostatic]

With in impending house purchase my p-car budget has been curtailed a bit. I was wondering about the relative cost of ownership of a 914 v. 911. I know most of the issues and costs with an 80's 911...is a 914 cheaper? I know that there are a lot of variable, but this is assuming I get a 914 that is well sorted, has a fair amount of "restoration" done (always buy someone else's project, right?), and has a good PPI.

[Germain]

I guess it depends on a few major things. Are you ONLY going to use Porsche parts? If so I cannot comment too much on price comparasion. I would say the 914 is still cheeper, but I don't know for sure.

The great part about my 914, built for fun, is that most of the parts on it are no longer even Porsche. For example, a 2.2L Turbo Chrysler engine, BMW brakes. CV Joints from an escort (Don't ask...).

So when I need to make a repair, I usally find the best upgrade for that item (normaly not a 914 product) and install that. I get lots of discounts using off the wall items. I'm looking at putting springs from a Ford Ranger in the rear.

Anyway, my thoughts are 914s are one of the cheepest cars to own. But not the cheepest to build a concourse car.

[nostatic]

Originally posted by Germain


Anyway, my thoughts are 914s are one of the cheepest cars to own. But not the cheepest to build a concourse car.

Well, I'm actually looking for a fun daily driver in LA. I don't much care what it looks like, jut that it starts when I turn the key, and that the top doesn't leak since it will have to live outside. No concourse for me...

If it's orange, that a bonus

[rfoulds]

For a daily driver, the 914 is a LOT cheaper, but also somewhat less dependable, in my opinion.

My 914 was $3500, plus another $1,000 to sort out miscellaneous problems. Another $2,000 to add stuff I wanted like, chrome bumpers, new rubber, SS exchangers, Bursch exhaust, etc..

So total cost is $6,500, but I could have kept it under $5k if I hadn't gone nuts.

I have been looking at 911's the last few months. There are a lot for sale out there, (Ebay usually has over 100 listed) but, I doubt you could have decent driver for less than $15k.

Assuming you then keep it stock and don't start adding race gear, you could keep a decent 911 on the road fairly cheap, but you are still $8-9k deeper in the hole than the 914.

Bottom line, the 914 is GREAT fun per dollar. The 911 is a different category.

FYI, I gave up the 911 search for now. My 914 will no longer be a daily driver, since my commute changed. Instead, I will be looking at doing a six-conversion on my 914 and keeping it for fun stuff.

[prattrc]

Hey, nostatic, take a look at the Pelican catalog, compare one part for a 914 with the same part for a 911. If you are interested in one "as opposed to" the other, then that should give you your answer.

As far as reliablility goes, in general, 914's are at least as reliable as the same vintage 911. Even the youngest 914 is 25 years old, so expect some sort of repair issues, regardless.

Let us know how the decision turns out.

[JRust]

I have'nt checked into 911 parts. In rebuilding my engine recently I think it's pretty safe to assume VW / Porshe? I think VW parts in the long run are going to run you alot less. Of course that mainly applies to the engine. I would stick with the 914 personally. I think us tweeners are a little biast though. As far as top leaks go. You might be in some trouble there. I replaced all my seals recently & was not pleased with how they came out. I still will have some leaks there. I probably did'nt research those well enough though. Either way 914 is it

[BKOMAR]

I currently have a 914 (actually 4) but am considering the purchase of an 80 911SC. I was shocked to find out how much my insurance rates would go up. That is something to consider. My 914 is by far MUCH slower than the 911 but the gas mileage is much better. I think if you are going to do drivers ed events the 914 would be a great first car...it is very forgiving but fast enough to have fun but not too fast that you can get yourself in too much trouble. I am debating dropping 12 grand on the 911 or doing the stuff I wanted to do to my main 914... doing the interior and getting a set of slicks and wheels. I think the 911 cannot be beat when it comes to "class" and distinction... but if you pull up the thread on what the 914 pelicanheads do for a living....you will see a very diverse group of professionals that realize a great car when they see it. Brian

[nostatic]

Yeah, a 911 is much more money upfront, and a fair amount for upkeep. I know upfront on a 914 is much less, and it seems that keeping it running well is cheaper as well. I have run accross a few restored 914's that looked pretty robust...of course they are up in the $6K-$8K range. But for an equivalent condition 911, I'm looking at nearly twice that (except for middle year '74-'77 2.7L cars which have their own "issues"...but then again every year has some interesting "features".)

My other option is to buy the car of my youth that I loved...a '67 Bug. But always having lusted after 914's, if the maintenance costs for a well-sorted 914 are not much more than a Bug (and significantly less than a 911), it seems like it might be a good solution that will make all parties happy (ie the wife-unit).

[John Rogers]

My advice would be to not worry about the cost(s) if you are buying the car for fun and enjoyment. If you worry about how much you are spending on it then it will rapidly lose it's fun value. A member of our San Diego PCA has a beautiful 912 and a while ago he added up what he had spent on it so far and it shocked him and he even thought of selling it. Of course he would never be able to get his costs out of it so I helped talk him into keeping it and he loves it! If this will be an investment car, it is the wrong choice as you'll never get out of it what will go in. Good luck.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

914: 25-35 MPG
911: 15-25 MPG
Bug: ~20 MPG?? (dunno...)

914: Valve adjust every 6K miles, 30-90 minutes shop rate
911: Valve adjust every 12K miles, 60-120 minutes shop rate
Bug: Valve adjust every 6K miles, ~30 minutes shop rate

914: 4 quart oil change every 3K miles
911: 9-12 quart oil change every 3K-6K miles
Bug: 3 quart oil change every 3K miles

914 piston & cylinder set: $500-$600 German OEM
911 piston & cylinder set: $1500-$2500 Germaan OEM
Bug motor, complete: ~$1200 from some sources

914: 76-95 HP (stock), incredible handling
911: 110-190 HP (69 T - 73 S, all stock), very credible handling
Bug: 36-~60 HP (stock), lackluster handling

914: Funky 1970s looks--it is very unique!
911: Classic shape, instantly recognizeable, very flowing but muscular
Bug: Severely cute, instantly recognizeable

Figure dependability is pretty similar between the three; they're all old and don't react well to "deferred maintenance".

I know which one I would get--but that's what I already have!!

--DD

[AaronM]

In all honesty, my 914 is not any more expensive to keep running than my 1988 Accord. However, 2002 seems to be my transmission year as the autobox in the Accord died ($2,100 OUCH!) and the 914 is screaming for new synchros on first and second. I've had no unplesent surprises from the 914 that were not directly tracable to mistakes by me. (For example, my not checking to make sure that the P.O. had done more than hand-tighten the spark plugs.) Then again, my 914 is far from a daily driver, more of a "rolling restoration", so I can't say how one would fare if I put 10-15 thousand miles on it every year.

Aaron

[Pillow]

Nostatic! What the heck are you doing in the 914 area?!?!

My question would be how much wrenching would you do yourself?

The beauty of the T4 motor is that it is easy to work on. There are very few people I trust to touch my air-cooled motors, much less pay for it.

If you are not opposed to working on a motor the 914 is the best way to go. The 911 motor is for an experienced wrench who has cut thier teeth on a few VW air-coolers

The bug will be a disappointment. Do not even go there. I used to drive a '69 bug and it was fun, but in a completely different league as the P-cars... You cannot get good German parts for them anyway and the aftermarket chrome stuff is Taiwan crap!

The 911 is always a classic, but not something you get used and expect a DD w/o having a bank roll to support it. Great car though!

Get a car cover for the 914 and religiously cover it at night.

... If my wife liked the 914 shape I would probably have 4 by now Granted there is a project 914 that I saw that may need completing, Muuuuhahahah... Instead I stick with VW busses w/ T4 power... If anyone is interested I have a '70 Westi, '74 Westi, '74 Westi, and '77 Westi for sale. Shoot me an e-mail for more info, can paint and build motor to your specs.

[SteveStromberg]

I drive my 914 from Newport To Chatsworth everyday, 75 miles each way plus what ever running around during the day, She never lets me down. I just give it the once over every 3k. and she stays tight. ps I drive at 80 mph most mornings cause I'm on the road at 5 am. Steve
72 2.0, sideshift, 44 webers