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.

[Blackfoot]

How do the 914 and the 944 compare?

the 914 is much lighter, corners better, is less reliable, less costly to own, isn't nearly as good of a daily driver. rust problems are common, shifting is not a breeze. not much storage space.

What are the price ranges for a 914s
commonly from $500-$5000

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

2 extra cylinders, more hp & tq, but mainly price

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

i think so, as they aren't the most reliable cars porsche made. parts should be cheaper than 944.

Any model quirks that should be mentioned?

'70-'73 cars are more desirable, the best non-914/6 is the '73 2.0. i think extra emissions '74+ 914's are not as desirable.

How much HP do the various models put out?

dunno, but the engines i know of were 1.7, 1.8, 2.0, and 2.0 (or 2.2) six.

i think 914's are really fun second & third cars, but as a daily driver i wouldn't recommend.



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

[Z-man]

A few things to look out for in a 914:
1. The older ones have a trail shifter which is best described as 'vague'. Many of the older ones were retrofitted with the newer (73+ I think) side shifter (which has the normal H pattern shifter). Note: the 914/6's all had trail shifters.
< Pop quiz: the trail shifter had first gear as a dog-leg back and towards the driver, outside of the H pattern. Why? For racing, first gear is rarely used, so they thought to put 2-3-4 (and 5) in the H-patter for ease of shifting. >
2. Originally, the fuel pump was located too close to the engine block, often resulting in 'vapor lock' (Car drove fine, but once you stopped, you had to wait a long time for everything to cool down). I think the 75 (maybe 74) and up moved the fuel pump to the front of the car. They have kits that you can use on the older cars.
3. Rust: major problem. If you find a decent body with a bad engine, you're better off than a car with a good engine and bad body.
4. The battery would leak onto the suspension points (rear pass. side) and greatly weaken the suspension, sometimes causing the car to literally snap in half. (The battery acid would also leak on the fuel lines located directly below the battery tray). If you see signs of this, it is not good.
5. The 1.8 engine is a very weak powerplant. Stay away from these.
6. The FI systems were primitive, but a good mechanic can easily tune them. Some people would swap out the FI system for a pair of weber carbs. Ok, but not necessary.

I would agree with Blackfoot: the 73 (and 74) 2.0 are the best. I think the 75-76 2.0 models are ok too, since with those, you don't have to worry about upgrades (fuel pump, side shifter...etc).

As far as racing these cars: they are very nimble, though a bit underpowered.

Good luck! Keep us informed.
-Zoltan.

PS: Yeah, I was looking at these before I bought my 944S2. :smile:

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PCA NNJR
My Toy:


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

[Z-man]

jadams:
Oops: sorry about trail vs. tail...

I thought for sure the side-shifter was in the normal H pattern. At least that's what I've read... (Only test drove a couple of the earlier ones.)

Thanks for the clarification.
-Z.

[DennisR_944]

My old 73 wasn't the ideal daily driver. The heaters suck big time. They're heat exchangers that surround the exhaust system and use that heat to heat the cabin in the cold weather months. Unless you have the stainless steel (Optional) exhaust then rust ruins the exchangers.
But...in the summer time....Vrroommm!!!

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Dennis Russell
Indianapolis, IN USA
1987 944 n/a

[seb928s]

Where in Florida do you live in?

[lordgrommit]

Ditto to the above I owned Three 914's I love the 70 for just simplicity. I'd scrap the fuel injection get Webber carbs, move the fuel pump. They can be built into Monster cars the guy from GRP in San Luis Obispo has a 914 sporting I think a 3.6 6 with full carrera suspension It would Throttle even the monter 951's but it has the creature comforts of the Flinstone mobile.

Matt

[Rollins]

I live in Longwood, just outside Orlando. I think I will just resume the 944 hunt.

[seb928s]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Rollins:
I live in Longwood, just outside Orlando. I think I will just resume the 944 hunt. </font>

Not that far frome me. I live in Saint Petersburg.

[Rollins]

There a good p-car market there?

[seb928s]

You can find a good deal once in a while here.

[PorscheG96]

Matt, what's GRP and is it in San Luis Obispo, California? I'm going to school there right now, I'd kill to see that 914 if he's in town! Lemme know. -Trevor

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'92 968 Amazon Green/Tan 6spd coupe -- Borla Muffler, tint, Turbo S front splitter -- parked, pinion bearing.
'86 944 Black/Black 5spd, 114k and running strong!

[lordgrommit]

Dude-
Plane tickets are cheap come to the land of Plenty o Porsches ( southern Cal ) if you can't find it here for a deal you can't find it anywhere.. Try WWW.RECYCLER.COM and Auto Trader use Zip code 92714

Matt

[fty]

914 w/ arotary engiine..!!!!!!!!



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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
[img]http://www.members.aol.com:/fty9999/944land/944ftypelican.jpg[\img]

[1.2gees]

A couple of things I'd like to comment about:

The pre 73 cars being desirable&lt;-- only in cali, as pointed out earlier the 73 and later cars had many improvements (except for the ugly bumpers, which could be important I suppose) the biggest being the transaxle, more specifically shifter feel.

914-916 are VERY different cars, the complete drivetrain, suspension, brakes, and certain body panels, as well the chasis itself are different. Differance IMO is not worth the price differance however.

Parts are usually cheap, and easy to obtain, but this car's old enough to require some ridiculously priced specialty parts, such as outside door handles, or various other 914 specific parts (mostly trim pieces/cosmetics).
Ahmet

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It's all the driver...
My page over1g@hotmail.com
Porsche owners Gallery.../My 944

[FlyinAh944]

I'm in South Carolina, and have a fairly nice 944 that is for sale right now (trying to sort out a rattle though). If you want I can email you info and as many pictures as you would like. It is a NA 62k mile example that looks very good. If anyone is interested email me at kandkgallery@cs.com ....