Cheap 914?

[1.2gees]

I'm interested in a 914 for a couple of $100... (though not very seriously) this seems like a huge value, the car runs, but has been sitting for about 3 years, so totally shot rotors and so on. For $350 I can pick up two 914s, one that's complete, and the other with a couple of parts missing, but does have an engine, and tranny.

How expensive are parts for a 914, and once looked after, are they durable? Surprisingly the first car doens't have much rust on it, for example, the floor panels look near perfect, along with the battery tray, and the suspension. No rust in the front or rear trunk, but some rust on the front trunk lid. The car feels solid as well, but ofcourse I haven't driven it. What do you think? are they too hard to mess with, or should I go for it, I now have a 944 that I've owned for about 2 years, and know in % out, and I'm not afraid of work. Though I've been around air cooled vws for a while now, don't know much about them, and certainly not much about the 914.
Ahmet

[JP Noonan]

Are you serious???

Look at the buying guide on the home page, even if the car isn't as rust free as you think (under the battery is the big killer, the battery acid rots out a structural part of the frame. Also the frame rails or rockers rot out and the frame sags) the fact that it's running is a good indicator.

These are quirky little cars with one of the first electric fuel injection systems , fuel injection. You need three things. 1. tools 2. knowledge 3. and garage space with understanding family and neighbors.

Look at the catalog section of the site for prices, generally maintance stuff is a little more than a domestic car of the same era but less than the 911. Unfortunatly exterior and interior trim parts are rare and expensive.

To make it a nice driver you will have into it about what you could sell it for. To make it a restored car you will most likely lose money. It is not nearly as collectable as the 911, but it is a great handling, fuel efficient (read: only 100 h.p.) car that is fairly unique in this world of SUV's and "aero-egg" looking cars.

[1.2gees]

We have a good supply of (relatively) rust free 914-4s here in NC, though I've never seen a 914-6. I've driven many 4 cylinder models.

This specific car is rough looking, but then again I'm not really used to old cars, my first car was an 88 Honda Prelude, with less than 10k, and it used to be in my mom's car, so very clean, and so on, but anyway... Closer inspection reveals almost no rust on the chasis, and very solid suspension. Engine looks realtively healty too. I have tools, and an understanding of the car (pretty basicaly) but do not have more than the space that's now occupied with my 944. However my parents are quite understanding of me working on cars, just don't want it to get too messy, or last longer than a couple of days.

I just thought I could pick this (these) specific car, since it was so cheap, and possibly sell it, even if not do the latter, I can still have fun with it.

I do want something I can beat on without feeling guilty though, maybe I should look for a VW beetle, but those are expensive around here, a cult car basically. There are many who appericiate those too, maybe I should look for a barely running aircooled VW, but then again the 914 is too much fun, and cheap to pass... Parts aren't cheap though! As you can see I'm nowhere near decided yet. (if I do get a 914, I will drive it hard, as I do any and all cars I drive, but take care of it too, won't beat on a Porsche... that's a no no

[Pritchard]

1.2gees-

Where are you in NC. I am in Burlington, NC. The 914 has been a joy (mostly) for me to work on and play with. The price for parts is sometimes shocking but well worth it for the ride that you get.

If you don't mind telling us, where have you found such a deal on two 914's?

Pritchard

[Germain]

I have a 73 914 2.0l and live in MI. Its a 3rd, no 4th car now (Just got a Jeep 2000TJ) so its nowhere near a daily driver. I beat the *cough* hell *cough* outta this car. The tachs around 3.5-4 80% of the time, and Im taking 90 degree corners at 60. Heres what I've come to. If you maintain the car its gonna be a blast. They cost money, but don't all fun things? I've been very happy with handleing, would like to add some horses (it is stock). If you own a Porsche and your not driving it hard, then your not enjoying the German engineering! These cars are made to handle.

I would buy it just becuase its rust freeish. Then start yet another project... I think we all have a ton of them going on.

Well, whatever you decide, good luck.

[oredith]

you're sure you're not getting the car from the infamous "IAN" right?.. i think he's in the NC territory..

[1.2gees]

I was being a bit conservative, I drive any and all car's that I can get my hands to, hard... very hard! (specially after a bit of negativism from the traditionalist 911 crowd) Just take care of them too, for example, wheel bearings, shocks, struut mounts, polyurethane suspension bushings, tires, and pads do not last more than 10-15k on my 944, here are a couple of pics of my 944, doing what I enjoy doing with it, for a better description of the car, you can go to:
http://members.aol.com/tazdevil82

the site is still under development, so bear with me.

How about being driven! The following pic was taken at the end of a beautiful four wheel drift, (turning into throttle induced snap oversteer)



By the way, I'm in Raleigh NC, and just joined PCA from the Carolinas region, I will start auto-xing this car in the near future, than driver's ed, and possibly club racing, also considering joining tarheel sports car club for more auto-xes. If any of you live close to me, let me know, I can also let you see the car in person...

Ok, anyway, I first saw this car when I dropped a friend home after school, it is currently (and has been) sitting in one of my neighbor's drive way. It's not adverstised, but I asked about it anyway, and he said he'd sell it for $350, sounds good, but I really really want a beater, if I do get this car, I know I'll go overboard, and try to restore it, loosing huge amounts of $. (I'm still in school...)

So anyway, if any of you are around NC, interested in this car, let me know, same applies if you're a member of PCA, and attend/know about auto-xes, cause I'm very interested, and about to start, so can use any and all advice.
Ahmet


[This message has been edited by 1.2gees (edited 06-05-2000).]

[JP Noonan]

What octane do you use?

93 Testostorone

914's are great fun, if in good shape they handle like no other car (except maybe other mid-engine cars), BWM brakes or 911 Porsche brake upgrades make the 2000 lbs car stop on a dime, and up to a Chevy 350 can be put in them.


However the typical 914 needs $1000-$2000 for Bilsteins, new springs, Turbo tie rods, sticky tires, bushings and 320i brakes. Another $1000-$2000 you get Koni's, 911 SC suspension, and 911 wheels. $3000-$4000 a six cylinder motor.

I stopped at option one. I love the car but... it will only win a stoplight grand prix with a mini-van. "Dough-nuts" only at the coffee shop. 70 mph sweeping carousels only on a couple of on-ramps where I can see WAY ahead of my brakes. It is either confused with a FIAT or deemed "Not A Real Porsche".

And I love every minute of it!!! (well, except the time the center fuel lines ruptured spewing gas all over the floorpan, but that wasn't really the cars fault).

I honestly think you will either learn to love the 914 experience in a few short drives. The very basic, spartan, "one with the road" feel and box-o-rocks construction. Or you will get very bored with 70-100 hp very quickly. It's not the car it's the driver.

Kinda the "DEVO" of cars.


My two and a half cents.

[1.2gees]

Very good points... I enjoy sports cars that are pure, rather than loaded with luxuries that are best at distracting, and weight adding...

I also favor brakes and handling over hp, by a great margin, that's why I was happy with my hp challanged 944 (much like the 914s, just not as bad After modifying it a bit, I found happiness once again, but this time, my sweet dreams destroyed after drving a 350+hp at the wheels 951S, with a generous owner who let me drive his car for a while...

So anyway, I'm having tranny problems with my car, one more time... Looks like all the money I saved up might be going into this car... I hate Porsches everytime they need something, love em, as soon as I drive it once again...
Ahmet

[Jim T]

Based on your pics, I'd say that "generous" is not the right adjective to describe the owner that let you drive his 944 Turbo!
(Just kiddin'!)

[1.2gees]

Hey man, I can drive! He actually asked me to drive his car, after he rode in mine...

He was smiling through every tail out corner I took too