914 vs 911 Thread...

[Zef]

Originally Posted by GWN7

My 911 gets a "Ohhhhhh, nice car" from people who don't know cars.

My 914 gets a "Wow!!" after a ride in it from people who know cars.

I just wish my 914 gave me chills like the MSDS 6 car does when you hear it run.

Got same comments for my last one....I miss her...I miss her....

[iamchappy]

With all things equal(Brakes, Suspension, Engine, Tires) i think the 914 has the upper hand. Porsche did the 914 a disservice when it didn't use the same parts that were on the 911 even though they were made to bolt right up to it.

Same thing today with the Cayman, the only Porsche that has been made to out shine the 911 has been the Carrera GT which to me looks like a cross between a Cayman and a 914.

I would love to see a Cayman produced with the same engine options as the 911 cars.

[Jay Laifman]

I just came across this thread. Someone said that the 914 is the earlier Boxster. I thought I'd point out that Porsche #1 was mid engine, with three gauges. So I'd argue that the 914 is the later Porsche #1. Which makes it that much more cool.

That said, I have a 1973 911 and a 2000 Boxster S. I think about a 914 from time to time, and do like them much more now than before. And that box now has subtle flows and lines I never noticed before. Yet, I've never been able to pull the trigger on one.

[RSBob]

Here is my 914-6 3.0 conversion fridge. Have had 3 911s: 72 911T, 73 911S, 82 SC hotrod and this is my heavily modified, yet stealth, 71:




The 911s are classic beauties that only a fool would deny. They are raw, drive beautifully and are pretty comfortable for a full day drive. The 914 is even more raw, corners like a 911 could only dream (must be experienced to appreciate) and is hellaciously uncomfortable on drives longer than 5 hours. But for short sprints the car can keep up with more modern cars. On a PCA spirited tour a few years back, during the lunch break, I got a number of surprised comments at how I could hang with the newer cars.

[winders]

Originally Posted by RSBob

The 914 is even more raw, corners like a 911 could only dream (must be experienced to appreciate)....

Not this crap again......

[al lkosmal]

Rick,
There is no denying that your 914-6 is one of the best i've seen.

regards,
al

[Cairo94507]

I have owned 4 914s, 3 of them original 914-6s. I have also owned 6 911's from early to my last, a 997.2 C4S 6 speed coupe. I will hands down take the 914-6 over the 911 every time. Once you drive a well sorted 914-6 with any 6 cylinder engine in it, you will be sold. It is really like driving an adult go kart. Yes, I still love 911's- buy my 1st choice is the 914-6.

My Six at Werks Reunion this year.

[RSBob]

Originally Posted by winders

Not this crap again......

Oh yes, again! And it will just keep happening - so you better get used to it.

[Nick Triesch]

The 914 is a weird looking rust bucket! But Porsche did it again years later with the 928! Looks like a squished AMC as Pacer!

[al lkosmal]

For your enjoyment....my former weird looking, rust-bucket.....

[winders]

Originally Posted by RSBob

Oh yes, again! And it will just keep happening - so you better get used to it.

The 914 does not handle better than the 911. Yes, the 914 is a mild-engine car....but that is not the advantage you 914 guys think it is. Also, the rear suspension of a 914 is not as good as a 911. That really compromises the 914 in high performance applications.

If I were building a race car, I would build it on a 911 any day over a 914. Why? Because a 911 is a better handling platform.....

Even in stock street car trim the 911 handles as well or better than the 914.

Yes, the 914 is a fun car to drive. But let's not over hype its abilities....

[Larry_Ratcliff]

Originally Posted by Cairo94507

I have owned 4 914s, 3 of them original 914-6s. I have also owned 6 911's from early to my last, a 997.2 C4S 6 speed coupe. I will hands down take the 914-6 over the 911 every time. Once you drive a well sorted 914-6 with any 6 cylinder engine in it, you will be sold. It is really like driving an adult go kart. Yes, I still love 911's- buy my 1st choice is the 914-6.

My Six at Werks Reunion this year.

thats a beauty! I had an Irish green 914 and wish I had never sold it. I need another to go with my Irish green 911

[GH85Carrera]

I bought a 1974 914 2.0 brand new. I ordered it to my specifications. I loved it and it was my only car for 25 years, so it was a daily driver. Back in 1976 I put some Michelin XWX tires on it and went to a big three day event in PCA. I ended up fastest time of day at the autocross. I beat all the 911s and 914s there.

When I got married my wife insisted I get a Porsche with air conditioning. So I bought my 85 911 and sold the beloved 914. My 911 is a lot more comfortable, I have driven it to 40 states and Canada and taken it it many race tracks from Laguna Secca to Roebling Road.

If I had the garage space I would love another 914. They are fun little go carts. The lack of horse power is the biggest fault for a 914.

[cabmandone]

I mean no disrespect to the 914... but not many grew up thinking "I want to own a 914". The 911 is an icon and recognizable across many generations. It always blows me away when a young kid walks by my car and says "wow that's a Porsche 911"

[dwelle]

i've had my green 911 and my 914-6 GT together at a few events. folks walk right past my 911 to trip out on the 914 all the time. if you put in some HP, they're a riot to drive. mine is downright scary.

just sayin'...

[fetus]

What year 911 are you comparing it to? 914 is only comparable technology wise to a 64-89 911. I owned an MO30 1996 993 and the 914 cornered just as well and with my Euro 3.2 motor in my 914 it was much faster. Also funny how the 914-6GT came in 6th overall at Lemans in 1970 and beat out the 911's with bigger motors. 914's also don't have the notorious lift throttle over-steer of the 911.
Comparing it to a more modern GT-3 or water cooled 911 isn't very fair.

[winders]

Endurance race results mean nothing. Look at the qualifying times. At Le Mans in 1970, the best GT2.0 class 911 (car #64) qualified with a 4:29.6 while the best GT2.0 914/6 (car #40) qualified one spot behind at 4:30.0.

Look, 914s are great cars. There is just nothing special about them that make them better than a an equally prepared 911.

[David 23]

I have a backdated '79 911 hot rod, full suspension upgrades and a very hot 3.2 SS engine, as well as a lightened, full cage, 914 with a modified 2.2-6 and Webbers, and full suspension upgrades. I have the same R888r tires on both cars. I drive the Angeles Crest regularly, and honestly it is always a coin toss which car to take up there. They are simply very different animals. Each one is incredibly fun, responsive, balanced and when pushed hard each is very capable. However they are driven differently due to the very nature of the way they are engineered, and the power plants in each car. It is hard to say which is "better", I don't think that word is entirely appropriate. I think it is just about embracing the differences, and individual preference on that particular day.

[911pcars]

With the exception of PAG's future plans, I don't think a mid-engine, internal combustion sports car for the "people" will be built again.

But I could be wrong.
Sherwood

[Larry_Ratcliff]

Originally Posted by 911pcars

With the exception of PAG's future plans, I don't think a mid-engine, internal combustion sports car for the "people" will be built again.

But I could be wrong.
Sherwood

Corvette starts out at just 55k... it is mid engine.