The 914-4 Market

[MrAlien]

I wanted to start a discussion on the 914-4 market. I know the 914-6 market has really taken off, but where are the 4 cylinder cars in the market? what prices are cars bringing in all all different types of conditions.

so far this year I have looked at a few 914-4s, all needing some sort of work and having some degree of rust, but most of the prices seemed to hover around the $10k mark. couple days I looked at one, owner was asking $9k, when I got out there to look at it the car did not even have an engine in it, it had been disassembled and the pieces were in a number of boxes (I had just assumed that for $9k the car would be running).

[A914Guy]

You would hope a $9K car was running and driving.

Market value for nice non-2.0L cars seems to be $8K and up. Finding unmolested 2.0Ls at the sub $10K buy point is becoming increasingly difficult and very nice cars can push $20K pretty easily.

I'm familiar with a couple very nice four cylinder TX cars that have sold for more thank $10K in the past year or so.

This is a '74, 2.0L injected car with mild updates. No rust, no body damage, 2 owner and 60K original miles. It sold for $12K and then had $7K invested in paint and trim to get it to near perfect.



The PO is a close friend and when he saw it "refreshed" he had a bit of sellers remorse. I think the car was priced pretty well in late 2013 and it went to a good home.

[TPorsche912]

You can probably further divide the 914 market into pre '73 and post '73. Later cars had lots of improvements. Relocated fuel pump, better shifter, improved interiors, etc Of course the earlier cars were lighter and better looking without the ugly rubber bumpers. Depends on which is more important, looks or driveability.

I have been watching that market here in Arizona where there are lots of rust free examples, probably not much different than Tx.

Good driver cars are selling here for right at $5k. Really special cars may jump up to $7k.

I had planned on going to see this car before they pulled the auction. I believe it had a day left and the bidding was around $4200.

1975 PORSCHE 914 2.0 38K MILES

[bleek]

Same around here. Anything with 4 wheels and a Porsche logo is $10k min. It's silly I tell ya.

I think when the market softens, any non 911 will suffer the most. The rare 911's always have buyers willing to pay the premiums for em. imho

[Matt Monson]

You can probably further divide the 914 market into pre '73 and post '73. Later cars had lots of improvements. Relocated fuel pump, better shifter, improved interiors, etc Of course the earlier cars were lighter and better looking without the ugly rubber bumpers. Depends on which is more important, looks or driveability.
I have been watching that market here in Arizona where there are lots of rust free examples, probably not much different than Tx.
Good driver cars are selling here for right at $5k. Really special cars may jump up to $7k.
I had planned on going to see this car before they pulled the auction. I believe it had a day left and the bidding was around $4200.
<img style="text-decoration:none; border: 0; padding: 0; margin: 0;" src="http://rover.ebay.com/ar/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?mpt=1426735895&amp;adtype=1&amp;size=1x1&amp;typ e=4&amp;campid=5336391335&amp;toolid=10001&amp;mpr e=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fitm%2F1975-PORSCHE-914-2-0-38K-MILES-ORIGINAL-COND-BARN-FIND-STORED-20-YEARS-40-PHOTOS-%2F291402215187%3FssPageName%3DSTRK%253AMEBIDX%253 AIT%26_trksid%3Dp2047675.l2557%26nma%3Dtrue%26si%3 DHbFON1NdWVzDk%25252F%25252Fck2yG%25252BaT6gy4%252 53D%26orig_cvip%3Dtrue%26rt%3Dnc"><a href="http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?campid=5336391335&amp;toolid=10001&amp;mpre=http %3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fitm%2F1975-PORSCHE-914-2-0-38K-MILES-ORIGINAL-COND-BARN-FIND-STORED-20-YEARS-40-PHOTOS-%2F291402215187%3FssPageName%3DSTRK%253AMEBIDX%253 AIT%26amp%3B_trksid%3Dp2047675.l2557%26amp%3Bnma%3 Dtrue%26amp%3Bsi%3DHbFON1NdWVzDk%25252F%25252Fck2y G%25252BaT6gy4%25253D%26amp%3Borig_cvip%3Dtrue%26a mp%3Brt%3Dnc" target="_blank">1975 PORSCHE 914 2.0 38K MILES</a>

There's actually 3 eras, pre-73, 73-74 and 75-76. I think your numbers are a bit low and nice early cars and 73-74 2.0s will be twice your numbers or more. And actual special car will be at or over $20k. Those cars would be pristine '73 2.0s and '74 LEs.

[techweenie]

A mechanic friend has a customer with what he thinks "the best 914-4 in the country" and he asked what he should tell her to sell it for. It's a 72 1.7 with super low miles and show quality - original everything. I said $24K.

[Patrick3000]

73-74 2.0's are the desirable cars and a decent one is 10-20k or more depending on condition. Rust is the biggest issue. Lots of 914-4's to choose from, about 110,000 cars produced during the six year run.

Spend a few more $$$ and get a six conversion, way more fun behind the wheel.

[A914Guy]

We all are seeing that the 914 model as a whole is appreciating right now along with all of the early air cooled Porsche models.

The interest from buyers paying premium money for 914-4s is still in the '73/74 2.0L cars, with the exception of something extremely rare. A car with extremely low miles (sub 10K), special history tied to Porsche or ownership with provenance, may be the exception.

The '70/'71 cars and '75/'76 cars will lag in value always and even super nice original cars from those groups will suffer in value as compared to the '73/'74 cars.

There were so many 914s built and sold here in the US I'm not sure they ever will be appreciated like the 356s or 911s from the same period area. From an investment/commodity POV today, I can't see spending more than $15 for any 914-4 outside the '73/'74 2.0L group.

I agree with Karl on the 914-6 and as a big advocate of 914-6 conversions, I personally think a well done conversion produces the best driving experience value for the dollars invested. They may never return their value in resale but they sure are exceptional performance experiences and wonderful cars to own and drive.

[techweenie]

I think one factor that's being ignored here is where the market went on 914s for 20 years - they traded for a few grand to people who -- in many cases -- lacked the money and/or knowledge to maintain them properly. So only a small percentage of 914s survived in good/original condition. Those that did are going to bring the big money.

[MrAlien]

I guess I just got used to the days of buying 914s for $3k and driving them home, now a days that just seems to get you a rusted out shell and good glass if you are lucky

[Racerbvd]

Well, a buddy owns a Cream Cycle, and a very nice one, he has been offered over $40K for it. Now, you must remember, that was a very low production edition of the 914 and there are some people looking for CC including some on this board and one just sold on eBay, a color change, that looks nothing like an OEM, for I think $14K+ .
There is a guy interested in the Six I have, it isn't finished yet, I gave him a number, and he wants to send someone to look at it next week, so he is sending his body guy from NY to FL to look at the car before it gets reassembled. But that is OK, I have a few more 914s that I can actually enjoy.

[Matt Monson]

Yeah, I've started getting unsolicited pms asking me if I would sell my bumble bee.

[A914Guy]

I think that's all the money for a Limited Edition.

There is/was a PCA Parade, concour winning white and orange LE in the DFW area that was available about a year ago. The buy point was in the mid-30s at that time. And it's possible that number has gotten stronger.

[vracer]

Originally Posted by TPorsche912

You can probably further divide the 914 market into pre '73 and post '73. Later cars had lots of improvements. Relocated fuel pump, better shifter, improved interiors, etc Of course the earlier cars were lighter and better looking without the ugly rubber bumpers. Depends on which is more important, looks or driveability.

The desirable 4s are '73 & '74. '75s took a step (or two) back for emission controls. My '73 is the single most fun car I've ever had, and I've had a bunch of much higher performing cars.