Where will the 914 Market go?

[CLynn85]

So a few years ago I had a 914 project. It was a roller, some rust in the hell hole as usual, no engine/trans, but had Carrera suspension/brakes/Fuchs on the front. I picked it up for next to nothing and due to a move let it go for not much more. Now, however, it seems the 914 market has picked up. I'm actually kind of amazed. Even the Fuchs that were on the front are worth as much as I sold it for.

Is the 914 market actually going to go up much more, or is this pretty much where they're going to stay. Obviously the /6 cars are going to climb and be more collectible with time, but will the plain-jane VAG 4cyl cars ever really appreciate much?

[manbridge 74]

Hopefully not here.....

Junkyard Find: 1974 Porsche 914 | The Truth About Cars

[Bristol]

I look at a lot of 914's on-line. I don't know that the market has changed that significantly in the last couple of years. I see pretty complete, rust-free cars with list prices of $6K to $7K, driver quality. The pristine cars seem to be in the $12K asking range and I see a TON of projects for $1.5K to $2.5K. Are you seeing different than this (in general)? Looks about the same to me as when I was seriously shopping and picked up a '72 in 2009.

In this market I believe that value is mostly dependent on supply and demand. Early 911's are taking off because of high international and domestic demand with a limited domestic supply and extremely limited international supply. This is driving prices up, and quickly. Meanwhile the lowly, unappreciated 914 suffers from low demand and more than ample supply. Looking through my local Criagslist sights I see ZERO early 911's for sale, but a couple dozen 914's from projects to pristine. The driver quality cars seem pretty reasonably priced, but still languish for months without a buyer.

I don't know that the 914 market will ever really take off... It's a shame. I've got several Porsches and I really enjoy my 914, always puts a smile on my face. They are great cars. I guess that time will tell, but while I rushed to recently buy some older 912's before their prices got jacked up, I do not feel the same immediacy to snap up any 914's.

Kirk

[Jeff Burger]

+ 1 with what kirk says

I grabbed a solid 1973 1.7 recently. I owned one 914 for a brief period 35 years ago and ever since it has been all 911 (coupes). I am not sure where the impetus really came from but I justified the purchase despite the Maaco repaint for many reasons-

Its rare to see one on the road today, its quirky and different , unpretentious (to most), next best thing to a convertible for those summer drives, it should get at least 10 more MPG on regular than my C2 daily driver, the need for speed (or brakes?)is not as important now, I got a solid, running register-able car at 1/2 the price of a rusty non running early 911 project, and finally I suspect it will appreciate as well or better then my bank account. Even if it doesn't, I will have a lot more fun with it then my bank account. Did I mention affordable? Insurance was cheap, and I immediately bought a rusty second parts car for spares including engine and transmission for very little money. I haven't registered it yet but unbelievably my 25 year old daughter suggested I should let her have it to use this summer.

My guess is since 914's have always had a limited following they will never be a stellar investment. I believe they lack broad enough appeal to get the speculators actively involved fueling the market. In addition they are averaging about 40 years old now so you better be prepared to work on them or suffer $100 an hour labor rates.

[Bristol]

Originally Posted by Jeff Burger

unbelievably my 25 year old daughter suggested I should let her have it to use this summer.

Kids don't know these cars, but they love them. All of my 17 year old daughter's friends really love my 914 and it is my daughter's favorite Porsche. Now I also have a 2000 Gemballa Boxster and a 2003 TechArt Carrera 4S which are both absolutely gorgeous cars, but still my daughter prefers the cute, little 914 over them! I think it's a girl thing...

Kirk

[Matt Monson]

If that's the case, I love my chick cars. I don't think the 914 is ever going to sky rocket. And it seems that even the spike in LE and 73-74 2.0 values have cooled off a little bit. There's a primo LE in the classifieds at $18k 90% finished being restored that doesn't seem to be getting much interest. I think it's going to be a while yet until all but time capsule 2.0l or 1969-1970 1.7l will break $20k. It will happen, but not any time soon.

And rough cars will always be disposable. I've given away, literally, two 914s in the last 5 years. These are cars I paid for, that I gave to someone to avoid the slew of tire kickers and whingers that would come look at a $1500 914 and beat me up. Not worth the hassle or my time.

[Niche]

Not going up. Too many made, vw parts, not a great looking car. Used boxters are starting to eat up 914 buyers too.

[BK911]

May or may not go up, but probably cant go down much more.
So worst case is you buy one, drive the heck out of it, and its worth about the same.
Not too bad!

I drive mine probably more than all my others combined.
Cheap enough so I dont worry about the mileage.
Lots of fun topless driving an antique Porsche through the TN valleys.
Pretty good gas mileage too.

[SilberUrS6]

Originally Posted by Niche

Used boxters are starting to eat up 914 buyers too.

I agree. If I were going to buy a two-seater Porsche right now, no way in hell I'd buy a 914.

Boxster would be it, probably 986 "S" model. And pray for the IMS gods to smile with favor on me.

[COLB]

my daughter prefers the cute, little 914 over them! I think it's a girl thing...

Girls have always been crazy about VW convertibles...bugs, rabbits, cabriolets.

914 isn't a VW, but close enough to activate the gene.

Boxster is a great car -- I loved my 2005 S. Can't help but think about getting one to beat around in when you can buy a pretty nice looking 01-02 base for under 10 grand.

It is a lot of sports car for not much money -- with great A/C, heated seats, power top.

[Matt Monson]

914 is totally a VW. Was even cobranded as one in Europe. About the only thing truly Porsche on the car is front suspension and gearbox. Made in VWs factory. Only had a Porsche logo or name 2 places on a US version with respect to branding the car, horn button and engine grill. I love mine but am clearly of the NARP perspective.

[vracer]

Who ever thought a Fiat Jolly would be a $40K car? Or a Mini Moke? And how about the micro cars? That said, and considering that my '73 2.0 was the most 'fun' car I ever owned. They don't belong in anyone's 401K; they won't ever be 'collectable'.

[Patrick3000]

Not too long ago you could buy a hot rod track/auto cross car for about 4 or 5 K. I know because I bought two and sold both for a modest profit. My 16 year old son would like a track car and I am having troubled finding something well set up for for track duty for a reasonable price. Lots of project cars available for cheap but a decent driver is getting to be $$$.

We currently have a 71 with a 2.4 four that is a sunny day driver



We also a 70 track car with a 3.2

[Rot 911]

I love the 914's! Cool car and great 70's colors. Like the others have posted, I don't see them sky rocketing in value and I think that is a good thing.

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by Rot 911

I love the 914's! Cool car and great 70's colors. Like the others have posted, I don't see them sky rocketing in value and I think that is a good thing.

There's value and then there is cost of ownership. Unfortunately, even with how many they made, a lot of the good used parts are drying up and getting expensive to acquire because many of the things that break break on every car.

Have you seen the NOS rubbers and chrome bumpers for sale in the 914 forum? $3000? That's more than I paid for my '73 2.0l

[COLB]

Originally Posted by dz-vintage

The 914 is certainly not a "chick" car. In my opinion the Boxter is truly the "chick" car along with the Miata.

Be more confident in your masculinity.

Having owned both a Miata and a Boxster, I guess I would naturally bristle at labeling either a "chick car".

No doubt they are chosen by a lot of women who like to drive sports cars, but don't like to wrench on them. But I don't think that justifies denigration. Both are majority male-owned, and are avidly raced.

If you must label a "chick" car, then look to something like a new Beetle, or old Nissan Pulsar or a old V6 Camaro that has a pretension of sportiness, but is all show and no go.

When I had little money, no garage, no tools, and little spare time, it was hard to beat a Miata for an incredibly fun daily driver that wasn't a hobby car. Back then, a 944 was double the price and didn't offer much better performance (in the NA version).

[CountD]

I once read an article I think was by Bruce Anderson (or was it Jim Shrager) both people whose writings I respect - on the 914 market and this was years ago. One of them said the 914 market was turning into the way the 356 market used to be, and that it was time to get in.

I never thought the 914 was a 356, nor a 356 a 914, but both cars I respect for what they are. The 914 market will always be kinda funky I think, high sometimes, lower others, and then as years go on, they will become desirable - desirable to the people that like them. To me my view of 914s sort of changed with 911 ownership, as I still hold the 911 up there as the ultimate Porsche (aircooled versions). A 914 will always be a sporting type car, and their handling is probably better than any 911 will ever hope to attain (with certain drivers), but if you like 914s you should get in if you want one. Don't be worried about them being an investment, or getting in the market because it's gonna skyrocket. A 914 will never be a longhood in terms of market value, but maybe that's a good thing.

[Unobtanium-inc]

Originally Posted by CountD

I once read an article I think was by Bruce Anderson (or was it Jim Shrager) both people whose writings I respect - on the 914 market and this was years ago. One of them said the 914 market was turning into the way the 356 market used to be, and that it was time to get in.

I never thought the 914 was a 356, nor a 356 a 914, but both cars I respect for what they are. The 914 market will always be kinda funky I think, high sometimes, lower others, and then as years go on, they will become desirable - desirable to the people that like them. To me my view of 914s sort of changed with 911 ownership, as I still hold the 911 up there as the ultimate Porsche (aircooled versions). A 914 will always be a sporting type car, and their handling is probably better than any 911 will ever hope to attain (with certain drivers), but if you like 914s you should get in if you want one. Don't be worried about them being an investment, or getting in the market because it's gonna skyrocket. A 914 will never be a longhood in terms of market value, but maybe that's a good thing.

I think the Count sums things up pretty well when he says that if you like 914s, you should get in. -- Matt

[manbridge 74]

I heard it's not a "chick car" unless it has been used as a toy car for the Barbie line of dolls.

[COLB]

Originally Posted by manbridge 74

I heard it's not a "chick car" unless it has been used as a toy car for the Barbie line of dolls.

Oops.