914 books and advise on expectations please

[swrider77]

Hello everyone, I am new to the forums and considering getting my feet wet with the purchase of a nice porsche, preferably one with little or no rust problems.
I eventually would love to land a '78 911, but looking around at different adds I see that the 914 can be had for much less and from general reading they seem easier to work on.
Anywhos, I am trying to find books on this type of car, I know there is the 101 projects for your 911, but is there something similar for the 914?
And also on a separate note, what are your thoughts on the 914???

I love the look of the cars, and probably with the exception of anything over a '99, I love anything Porsche, so I am just wondering, what is it like to drive a 914?

Power wise, it doesn't seem like much, even on the 2.0L, but then again neither do the numbers for an earlier 911, but they are incredibly fun to drive.
So any thoughts and/or comments on the 914 and what to expect are greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

There is no "101 Projects" book for the 914. Probably not enough of a market for one, sad to say. Your best bets are the Haynes manual (85% of the content of the factory manual for less than $20, a very good deal), and the forums here and on 914world. We also have a "how to buy a 914" article, and more Tech Articles available in the Tech Articles section of this website.

AA has the "700 tech tips" book, but I remember that being more little individual bits of information than step-by-step instructions.

Our thoughts on the 914 might be just a little prejudiced toward the 914; you'd probably get the opposite on the 911 board.... But that said, I think the 914 offers a more pure and more connected driving experience than the 911 does. The light weight, long wheel base, and wide track, make for a very responsive and very grippy car. It is a hoot and a half, even without much power.

The 914 looks fairly unique, especially among Porsches. Some people really don't care for the looks.

They're very hard to get away from once you're bitten by the bug. Just a word of warning...

--DD

[luskesq]

I agree with what Dave says with perhaps one exception. I have a '70 1.7 914 and a '75 911s. Both are incredibly fun to drive. 911 is much quicker of course and I believe it has it's own "connected" feeling driving, more so than my previously owned 930 (although not quicker). However given a twisty road the 911 would be hard pressed to keep up with the 911. Truth be told, I prefer the 914 (I keep the 911 for the wife).

Can't go wrong with either. Good luck looking!

Keith