What about a 914?

[Rollins]

Ok guys, as some of you may or may not know, I have been Porsche-less for a while now (8 or 9 months I think). I have been searching for a NICE 944 (be it a na, S, S2, or 951) for too long and have found too little. The market here in FL is not at all like it was when I bought my first 944 in 1999. There were a lot of 944's around then. I've never been a huge fan of the 914, I always thought it was ugly. Therefore I never really looked too much into them. But, like many other things, I have aquired the taste for a 914. There is a very nice looking one for sale near me. I have not yet stopped to check it out, but I soon will. So here are my questions....

How do the 914 and the 944 compare?

What are the price ranges for a 914s

What is the difference between a 914 and a 914/6?

Does the 914 reqiure more maintenence and how do the parts compare price wise.

Any model quirks that should be mentioned?

How much HP do the various models put out?

Thanks for any help guys. I will also post this at the 914 board.

[MAS]

I'm no 914 expert, but the main thing you have to worry about with any 914 is rust. I think the engines and many related components are sourced from VW, so (if you know where to look), are not super expensive.

I think most 914's were 1.7 liter air-cooled flat fours. In stock form they certainly are not fast by today's standards. But being VW based, there are lots of effective aftermarket mods that can make these cars into decent performers.

Being true mid-engined cars, they are well balanced and handle well too.

The 914-6's are rare (they were 2.0 liter air-cooled flat 6's) and consequently go for premium prices. I doubt if you'd call any 914-6's a cheap Porsche anymore... since they are highly collectable.

-MAS

[ribs]

Here is a run down of various model years and their paltry power output:

70 - 71 1.7L 80HP D-Jet Spartan interior, non-adjustable passenger seat, non-retracting seat-belts, sloppy shift linkage, cranky window winders . . .

72 1.7L 80HP D-Jet Some interior improvements. Adjustable seat. Late 72 first gets retractable seat belts. Fuel pump moved lower in engine compartment for less chance of vapor lock.

73 1.7L 80HP D-Jet "Late 914" introduced. Side-shift transmissionm shortens linkage, less sloppy. Improved window winders, better interior.

73 1.7L 72HP D-Jet Ditto, but California emissions model. Lower HP from lower compression--to deal with lower-octane gas.

73 2.0L 95HP D-Jet "914S" in some early ads. Improved performance from 2.0L engine. All the optional goodies were standard. This is the one everyone wants.


74 1.8L 76HP L-Jet 1.8 engine replaces 1.7. Lower HP from lower compression. L-jetronic FI, viewed by many as less reliable than 1.7 or 2.0 D-jet FI.

74 2.0L 95HP D-Jet Same as 73 except standard equipment know optional.

75 1.8L 76HP L-Jet Catalytic converter added for California. 5MPH bumpers add weight, distributed toward ends. EGR on some cars. Fuel pump relocated to front of car to reduce chance of vapor lock.

75 - 76 2.0L 88HP D-Jet Re-worked exhaust and heat exchangers lose power and possibly engine longevity. California models get catalytic converter, 49-state get an air pump. EGR may be on some cars. Adds 5MPH bumpers as in 75 1.8L. Fuel pump in front as in

Here is a link to a 914 FAQ: 914 faq

I saw a 914 with a highly tuned 3.8L 911 RSR motor pushing 380 HP. It was a guy in my local PCA that had it as a track car. It was completely fiber-glass shelled, no interior, no windshield (!) and some other cool stuff. It was a full out racecar...probably weighed all of 1500 pounds or so. There are several motor swaps that are doable on these cars, from 911 engines all the way up to small block chevys. IMHO, they are seriously lacking go, but that can be addressed. Good luck.

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ribs, 86' 951
My gallery

If you are still looking for a nice 944, I am selling my 87 944S. It is Burgundy with Burgundy interior. It has a mere 56K miles on the clock, I put 8K on in the last 7 months so dont worry about any seals or anything like that. It has a ton of the preventative maintenance done. It has limited slip differential, power sports seats, the wider 928 style wheels (Im almost certain there 8s and 9s). The interior is almost perfect except for three cracks in the dash, all of which are shorter than 3mm and are right in the area where the window defroster vents are and are very difficult to see, like all sport seats, the drivers side bolster shows very little wear. Other than that it is damn near perfect, it needs a paint job (which I can either have done, or sell it cheaper and let you do). Also Im in Virginia Beach, so not too far from Florida. If youre interested, email me at KepkaMJ@mail.vmi.edu

[Sportsman]

put it this way; what early to mid 1970's car are you going to be able to find that is reliable transportation?

[javier]

gona be hard to deliver pizza in a 914.

honda civic's, now that's a pizza guy's car.

[fty]

buy a 914 with a wankel in it.....weeeeeeeeeee..you could play with 951's. My uncle had one...he sold it and bought a C4...unfortuanately automobile atlanta is where you ussually have to go...it cost him 7000....-chris

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"Faster,Than,You"
"Wish I had a 951....."
"Ive tried so hard and got so far but in the end it doesnt even matter"
http://www.members.aol.com:/fty9999/944land/944land.htm

[javier]

Originally posted by Sportsman:
put it this way; what early to mid 1970's car are you going to be able to find that is reliable transportation?

that would be a dodge dart or duster. Get one with a Slant-6. features simle mechanicals and easy to work on, and room for lots of people or pizza. Good on gas too.



[This message has been edited by javier (edited 10-16-2001).]

[Sportsman]

Originally posted by javier:
that would be a dodge dart or duster. Get one with a Slant-6. features simle mechanicals and easy to work on, and room for lots of people or pizza. Good on gas too.

[This message has been edited by javier (edited 10-16-2001).]

i always pictured you driving a dodge dart

[javier]

Sportsman

funny you should say that, I always pictured you driving a miata.

[EugeneYu]

Rollins, I'm with you as a Porscheless guy. But if you can not find a nice 944 in FL, I feel hopeless since I live in Iowa full of corn field and pork chops.
If you don't care 70s car, why don't you get a old 911. Looks better than 914 at least.

Maciek, could you please email me with how much you want for your 87 944S.

[Ven]

If you are looking for a 914 QUIT! I was on a daily driver kick for a while sonce neither the S4 or 944auto get anything near good gas milage.

As other have said rust is far to common rember you live in Fla.

I looked at several 912's but sae problem rust mixed with bondo.

Find yourself a late 70's model 928. It will run forever and never rust, well not in your lifetime.

[Rollins]

Thanks for the info guys, I guess I will wait for another 944 to pop up.

[Britwrench]

If there is one thing old 928s won't do..and that is run forever. If you want a driver buy a 924, if you want a driver that is comfortable and things actually work on, buy a Honda..For real cheap Chevrolet Cavalier.

The beater Porsche idea is fine in theory but unless you have the time and tools to maintain it the cost is way too much. Don't forget, the moment a shop has to look at it you are paying $XX per hour.

[Rollins]

I know how that goes. Put a lot of money into a shop for my first 944. The next one will be different. My mechanical knowledge is still not huge, but it's a lot better than it was the first time around.