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Posted by: Jaiden May 20 2005, 12:15 PM

I've been dreaming about getting a teener for months now and my fiance has asked me.... Why do you want a 30 year old car instead of some other sporty car like a MR2 or a miata. For a second I didn't know how to answer and was thinking that the later would be alot easier to get parts for and cheaper as well but would not have the same CG and polar moment as the teener.

hell I've never even been in a 914 so I can't say it's how it drives.

So why did you chose a teener over another car?

Posted by: Part Pricer May 20 2005, 12:17 PM

I drove one.

Posted by: bondo May 20 2005, 12:20 PM

Yup, drive it and there's no comparison. There's also so much you can do. Try putting a V8 in an MR2.

Posted by: Mueller May 20 2005, 12:21 PM

never drove one or had been in one before someone gave me my 1st one for free.....it seemed like an fun project so I took it on....10 years later and a few 914s later, I'm still hooked.....

i'm not sure I could recommend a 914 unless I knew the persons mechanical skill....you don't "have" to have money to own one of these cars, but it helps if you have a budget that you don't mind blowing thru once in a while

Posted by: type47 May 20 2005, 12:22 PM

poor self-esteem, self-inflicted knuckle busting and uncontrollable urge to give away money without hope of recouping investment.....

Posted by: Aaron Cox May 20 2005, 12:25 PM

cuz they are the best handling VW out there....

got a ride in one. had to have one.
got to drive mike z's sixers..... need a six....

got a ride in a 3.6 914- dont need one of dem....id kill mahself

Posted by: tat2dphreak May 20 2005, 12:27 PM

I don't like rice, but I like saurkraut...


to be serious: I looked at miatas, and mr2s(kinda scarce), ghias, 944s, Zs, etc... but I found a 914 that I thought was a good buy, and I could afford it... so I thought, what the hell... I'd never driven one either, but one drive and I was HOOKED...

miatas, mr2s, Zs etc are all good cars... but something with the 914 just clicked in me and I am addicted to it like crack... part of it is the 914 community too... I would have long since given up if not for the helpful people on this site and others... and I'd probably have some numb-feeling car that I really don't like as much... but it would probably be on the road already but that's not the important thing to me... I like something to wrench on...

honestly, if you want a good sports car, there ARE more reliable and cheaper "projects" that can be a TON of fun... BUT, for me, there's just something about the 914... something about the bastard son of VW and Porsche... something that's you can't explain, but it's a great feeling when you pull up next to someone who actually recognizes it... or even if they just come up and say "what is that?" it's great!

Posted by: Jaiden May 20 2005, 12:27 PM

To me it's not about the money, but about the enjoyment. If something was free but not fun I wouldn't do it.

I have been feeling that with a teener it might be the car, but it sure seams that it is the community as well.

I think that working on any car has it's fun/Pain/cash flow problems. I guess I'm going to have to find a ride in a teener to really tell if it's the car that draws you in or the people.

Be honest with me are they REALLY as fun to drive as I hope they are??

Posted by: anthony May 20 2005, 12:36 PM

I got hooked on 914s because my uncle had two when I was a kid - one in 72 and another in '74. I always lusted after 911s too but they always seemed more exotic and unattainable (at least when I was 10 or 12 years old :-)). I finally bought a 914 when I had a real garage to store it in. I went with a 914 first because of budget. Now, I have both a 911SC and two 914s and love them all in different ways.

One thing that keeps me wanting to own a 914 is the local SF Bay Area community. The support, commaraderie, and synergy for these cars is incredible. It makes me want to always keep a 914 just so I can take it to events, fun runs, WCCs, and monthly breakfasts.

And there are still a ton of other cool vintage cars I wouldn't mind owning. My second love is probably BMWs. I'd love to get a fully tricked out 2002 tii. Another uncle had an '87 325is when it was new. I got to drive it a couple of times and was incredibly impressed. When my daily driver croaks, I could definitely see myself going for a newer 3 series.

I've also always liked VWs too. An '83/84 GTI was my dream car when I was in college. If I stumbled on to a minty original GTI, it would be hard to pass up fulfilling that cheap car fantasy.

Posted by: tat2dphreak May 20 2005, 12:40 PM

QUOTE (Jaiden @ May 20 2005, 01:27 PM)

Be honest with me are they REALLY as fun to drive as I hope they are??

all that and more!! first time I took my first one around the block... I was grinning from ear to ear, spinning the tires like a kid at every stop... when I took my (now)wife for her first ride... she couldn't stop giggling... and that was only a tired carbed 1.7 with weak tires, and KYBs on all 4 corners...


go to one of the events, midwest, MUSR, WCC, fall foliage, any of them... see for yourself... it may not be the same experience for you...

some things:
if you want all the comforts of a newer car?.... don't bother...
bad back... think about it, but probably not...
want a lot of power? (unless you go Raby big 4, big 6, or wasserpumper)
100% reliable? don't bother

ah, forget it...
really, you just have to drive/ ride in one!

Posted by: Mueller May 20 2005, 12:41 PM

QUOTE

Be honest with me are they REALLY as fun to drive as I hope they are??

they "can" be...it really depends on the condition of the car and the person driving it....also the roads have a huge impact on how fun or enjoyable it is.....

I think a new Miata or MR2 would be blast to have..more modern with creature comforts and a warrenty....bad part is the car payments....I'm sure there are some crazy people like us out there that own them, but act more like a mental support group

Posted by: lapuwali May 20 2005, 12:44 PM

I've owned or driven three Miatas (old and new), three MR2s (1st and 2nd gen), and scads of other sports cars (German, Italian, and British). Nothing on that list of cars comes even close in the handling dept. Perhaps there's some exotica out there that will. A Europa or early Elan might be in the ballpark, but I've never driven either (and they're very fragile). I doubt there's anything even remotely close for the money, though.

Out of 23 cars, the 914 is the only car I've ever had more than one of. I'd happily buy a third.

The 914 also appeals on the hot-rod scale. I don't know of any other car that's has more drivetrains applied to it. There's a site that sells conversion kits to make a car all-electric. They sell a generic fwd setup, a specific kit for a Geo Metro, and a specific kit for the 914. That's it. And this place is NOT associated with Otmar and his "Zilla" line of electric car controllers (Otmar has a 914 electric drag racer). Kennedy sells more adapters for more engine types to the 914 gearbox than any other kind of gearbox by a large margin. The car simply doesn't have the snooty "keep it original" crowd attached to it that so many other European sports cars do.

Posted by: Ferg May 20 2005, 12:47 PM

Bought my first one 4 years ago from a picture, had never even sat in one, and had only seen a few in my lifetime...
Flew to CA and drove it home 1100 miles, that day, what a blast! I didn't even know where to put the gas at my first gas stop, Doh!

At first I wanted a sub 5k summer toy, that I could auto-x, work on myself, join some sort of club with, and wanted something not on every street corner.

Now, completly addicted and alot of $ later I have zero regrets.

Anyone can go out a "modern sportscar" but it takes a Enthusiast to own a 30 year old one...

Ferg.

Posted by: Jaiden May 20 2005, 12:50 PM

See this is why I think the community has Soooooo much to do with the whole experience.

You've given me lot's of ammo for the talk with the Fiance. I know that I'll love it the moment I drive one.

Now if only I could scrape up a couple of thousand more to get a Teener in great shape.

Oh and I'm ready for the life with a teener cause i already have Jack stands!! Ha!

Posted by: tat2dphreak May 20 2005, 12:55 PM

QUOTE (Jaiden @ May 20 2005, 01:50 PM)

Now if only I could scrape up a couple of thousand more to get a Teener in great shape.

if you want to drive it any time soon, don't SKIMP... get a good, fairly rust-free car... the body is the hard part to find...

get the best you can afford, you won't regret it...

Posted by: newto914s May 20 2005, 12:55 PM

QUOTE (tat2dphreak @ May 20 2005, 10:27 AM)

... I like something to wrench on...

I bought one without every driving too. But after everything I read I knew it was the car for me.
The car drives like no other. Aircooled is the shizit. With a 10mm and 13mm wrench and Gandi like patience you can fix almost anything on the car. Oh, and with the two trunks I can fit all my band instrument(I teach music) baritone, trombone, trumpet, Sax, Calinet, flute, and a music stand. Try to cram that into a Miata.

Posted by: messix May 20 2005, 12:58 PM

just got one.

miata's are girls cars. and nothing else seemed to have the top off , and basic easy to work on with parts relatively cheap [try to get muscle cars parts like body and trim]. besides i remember when i was a kid i thought they looked cool [adriatic blue is fixed in my memory].

and this year it was going to be a cuiser bike or a sports car. i dont think the value of what i bought is going to go down.


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Posted by: kwales May 20 2005, 12:58 PM

Because there is nothing out there like it.....

Roof comes off,
built in rollbar,
not one but two HUGE trunks,
lotsa interior room (try a Miata on for size),
Mid engine (best place),
great fuel economy,
great fun to drive,
great handling,
light weight,
balance,
low cost (except for parts),
it's the Mr. Potatohead of cars... add a 911 front end, a 911 engine, or almost any other engine of your choice,

And, oh yeah, show me another 30 year old car you can bring to the track and make other drivers nervous.....

Posted by: SLITS May 20 2005, 12:59 PM

I had Sprites, MGBs and Truimphs.....worked for a 914/6 race team....built streetcar for owner and had to drive it to his girlfriend (his wife drove a Caddy), have been hooked ever since(couldn't afford one)....My first teener was bought in '76....I have owned 6.....not another car like it, even though it is a Deutscher WindSucking POS

Yeh, there's better and newer, but they are all fakes!

Posted by: Jaiden May 20 2005, 01:02 PM

[QUOTE]And, oh yeah, show me another 30 year old car you can bring to the track and make other drivers nervous.....

Now this is what I'm talking about!!!

Posted by: ninefourteener May 20 2005, 01:03 PM

That is SUCH an easy question for me.......

When I was 20, I saw an ad in a newspaper for a "Porsche" for $800. Being the curious, yet un-educated car nut that I was, I HAD to go take a look.

So I find this rusty piece of shit laying out in someone's yard that hadn't been started in God knows how many years. In fact, the only thing that DID work on the car was the windshield wipers....... so I played with them scraping across the windshield (because the rubber had long since rotted off). Nevertheless, I sat and stared at the car for nearly 2 hours, fell in love with the lines, the way it looked, and it's rarity.

For 6 long years (and countless GM muscle cars), I BEGGED my wife to get a 914. She thought it was the ugliest car in the world and wouldn't let me buy one.

I left my wife in January of 2002, Sold my 34K original mile 1977 Trans Am, paid my lawyer, and bought a rust-free Tangerine 1972 914 two months later, SIGHT UNSEEN (except pictures) from an elderly man in Arizona.

The first time I ever drove a 914 was the day it was delivered to my house off the shipping truck.

Sold it 6 months later to cover some financial difficulties. For a year, I didn't have one. Then, the DAY AFTER MY DIVORCE WAS FINALIZED, I flew up to Chicago, bought my current 914 from a collector (that ironically was liquidating all his assets due to a divorce), and bought it as a "divorce/child custody victory" present to myself.

My license plates read "Dads 914"

The 914 is the Ultimate low-cost head turner. Maybe not so much in Cali, but where I've lived, they are virtually unheard of. I love the questions, the comments, the thumbs ups, and the attention it gets.

Oh yea...... and untill you've screamed around a long curve at full throttle without breaking traction in a 914.... you just haven't lived.

My advice? GET ONE!!!

Posted by: Rand May 20 2005, 01:06 PM

QUOTE

Try putting a V8 in an MR2

That's been done... http://www.v8mr2.com/

I'd rather have a 914 though. Just fell in love with the super low, light, great handling, targa-topped, and unique 914. The Miata isn't mid-engine. I wanted something less common than an MR2.

Posted by: ArtechnikA May 20 2005, 01:09 PM

i had a 912. Stoddard had a sale on Fuchs wheels. discovered the 912 had Terminal Rust and wouldn't support any of the activities i wanted to participate in. looked around for another car i could afford that i could mount the wheels on. 914.6's were cheaper than 911's.

but i have never looked back...

Posted by: ematulac May 20 2005, 01:11 PM

914's have a lot more character than the others. I've driven my brother's Miata, and it just doesn't compare. I'd take my 914 over the others any day.

Someone (DD?) called them "go-karts with bad brakes." That's really what it feels like to drive around in one. Try it and you'll be hooked.

Posted by: mikerose May 20 2005, 01:57 PM

QUOTE (Ferg @ May 20 2005, 10:47 AM)

Bought my first one 4 years ago from a picture, had never even sat in one, and had only seen a few in my lifetime...

me to and I am on my last one I hope . Green 76 then a black 75 now a Red 74.

Posted by: Root_Werks May 20 2005, 02:07 PM

I like rust.

Posted by: merrill May 20 2005, 02:13 PM

When I was 16 my brother in-law had a Ravenna green 73'. He let me drive it around the block, go fast turn left, do not touch brakes. I bought my first 73' 2.0 when I was 18, way too much fun living on mt roads. I am now just as giddy with my 4th 73' These cars just make me smile when I see them
How many other cars can you look out of and see what kind of brakes and rotors the car next to you is running

Posted by: BMartin914 May 20 2005, 02:13 PM

It takes a special kind of person to own a 914. Don't like to get your hands dirty - don't buy one. Can't handle being stranded once in a while (or stopped on the side of the road) - don't buy one. Need A/C, P/S, a nice cushy ride for you and the Mrs. - don't buy one.

If you want a unique, classic German sportscar that handles as good (or probably better) than most new(er) cars out there and has an almost unlimited ability to be modified to fit YOU - buy a 914.

I love my car and don't regret buying it for 1 second. So it left me stranded last weekend - with friends like you have here, it really doesn't matter. A few days later I'm running around in the sun with the top off and having a blast. I couldn't ever imagine NOT owning this car.

Posted by: mharrison May 20 2005, 02:17 PM

anyone who asks that "apparently doesn't understand the intricacies of Porsche's German engineering."

Just had to borrow that line from the comedian Ron White

Because every grown man is still a little boy and this is one hell of a go-Kart!!!

and it is a PORSCHE........you know, there is no substitute..................

Posted by: AlexO May 20 2005, 02:24 PM

I own a Miata, and it's not the same. The feeling isn't teh same as the teeners. I've stripped all the power stuff from mine, still doesnt have the level of feeling. Nothing else I've driven comunicates with the driver as well.

That's what it is for me. The 914 talks to me, tells me whats going on. Nothing Like it.

The community is great too. I check the Miata board, but I *read* this one.

--Alex

Posted by: SirAndy May 20 2005, 02:26 PM

QUOTE (Jaiden @ May 20 2005, 11:15 AM)

So why did you chose a teener over another car?

i wasn't even looking for one. or a car in general for that matter ...

on the drive up to my storage unit, i always passed by this porsche garage in san rafael.
then one day, they had this red 914 sitting outside that didn't look like any 914 i had ever seen before.
had a for sale sign on it too. so on the way back from the SU, i stopped by and talked to the guy.
turned out a guy had traded it in to buy a new (1 year old) 911 from them.

so i test drove it, ran like crap, shifter was more than sloppy, pass. window didn't roll up anymore, floor had water standing on it ...

i get back from the test drive and get out of the car with a BIG grin and bought it right then and there. $3500.
didn't even haggle for the price.

5 years, tons of hours and even more $$$ later, i still get out of the car with that same grin on my face ...

best car purchase i ever made!
Andy

Posted by: MarkG May 20 2005, 02:33 PM

For me it was a normal transition/evoloution; started out with a '72 240Z, upgraded to a 911E, 'upgraded' to a Ferrari 308 GTSi and finally upgraded to my '76 914.

Posted by: Rand May 20 2005, 03:05 PM

Sometimes there's just no explaining it. You need to get a car that you've fallen in love with and just gotta have. If you have to logic it out, you're not infatuated. I had to have a 914. And I love the never-ending project.

Posted by: airsix May 20 2005, 03:12 PM

Why a 914? Because I need a car that meets these criteria (to be what I consider truely fun), and there are very few that do:

• Must weigh less than 2,000 pounds
  
• Must have very low polar moment of inertia (mid-engine preferred)
  
• Must have very low center of gravity
  
• Must have adjustable camber, caster, toe
  
• Must have 4-wheel independent suspension
  
• Must have big brakes or be easily upgraded to such
  
• Must have good power to weight ratio or be easily upgraded to such
  
• Must have quick steering ratio
  
• Must have manual transmission
  
• Removable top a plus
  
• Must be well built (but light)
  
• MUST NOT COME EQUIPED WITH A BUNCH OF DEAD WEIGHT JUNK (a/c, carpet, cupholders, ionic breese air filters, boot dryers, rice cookers, seat heaters, vanity mirrors, refridgerators, entertainment systems, pet beds, coffee makers, 35mph bumpers, forty-eleven airbags, etc. etc.)
  
• Must be affordable
  

The 914 is about the only car that meets ALL of these criteria.
-Ben M.

Posted by: Mueller May 20 2005, 03:13 PM

now that I think of it, there "has" to be something appealing about a 914...we have plenty of owners here that also own regular 911s (myself), twin-turbo 911s and at least one 914 owner that has a brand new GT2, yet with all that power, they still own and occasionally drive a 914

Posted by: lapuwali May 20 2005, 03:51 PM

QUOTE (Mueller @ May 20 2005, 01:13 PM)

now that I think of it, there "has" to be something appealing about a 914...we have plenty of owners here that also own regular 911s (myself), twin-turbo 911s and at least one 914 owner that has a brand new GT2, yet with all that power, they still own and occasionally drive a 914

The 914s are the sports cars. The tail-draggers are just grocery getters and commuters...

Don't have a 911, and I've never driven one. I do have a 912, which is rather like a low-powered very early 911. Totally different animal from the 914, despite about the same power and the same weight. They share front suspension (mostly). Yet the 911/912 still feels completely different from the 914. I have yet to have the confidence to slide the 912 at all, yet I'll gleefully slide both ends of the 914 on any on-ramp.

Posted by: JOHNMAN May 20 2005, 04:01 PM

It's a good, valid question. If you have never owned, driven, or ridden in a 914, this is a very good question. The cars (as you have stated) are old. They are not inexpensive to properly maintain, and they can be more expensive to restore as parts become more and more rare. (look at a rubber seal kit for example)

For me, a 914 is an ultimate fun/track car. I have one for fun (sunday drives) and I have one for track (Friday-Saturday-Sunday drives).

I used to drive my 914 daily to and from work, but as I got older and married, I had to succumb and I obtained more reliable transportation and have grown to like things like air conditioning, power windows, automatic transmission......(for commuting in traffic to and from work).

I have another Porsche (a 930) and I will probably keep my 914 longer than I keep the newer, faster, more comfortable tail dragger. The reason being that I like the 914 that much.

I have been around 914's since my dad bought his new in 1974. I have been working on them since the early 1980's. I have grown to know intimately each and every part on those cars.

For me, owning a 914 is a passion. (some may call it a sickness).

I am a PCA driving instructor and have been driving a 914 (slightly modified) on racetracks for the past 18 years and I can honestly say that I know of no cars that I would trade for (unless I were to sell it and build another 914 and have a nice big bank account to boot). If driven properly, 914's are very tough competition even for cars 30 years newer. The biggest downside to 914 performance (even modified) is lack of horsepower, but this can be overcome with a large enough wallet.

Be advised though, there will ALWAYS be someone with a larger wallet than your own.

I guess I'll go back and read what others have written...

Posted by: jhadler May 20 2005, 04:15 PM

QUOTE (Jaiden @ May 20 2005, 11:02 AM)

[QUOTE]And, oh yeah, show me another 30 year old car you can bring to the track and make other drivers nervous..... Now this is what I'm talking about!!!

Being a complete 914 fanatic myself, I do have to asnwer the question...

A Shelby Cobra...

But a 914 costs around 1% of the cost of a real Shelby...

...and handles about 5 times better to boot!!

914's are a love-hate kind of car. If you don't love 'em, chances are you've never driven one. If you hate 'em, chances are you've never even been in one...

Just don't expect it to be an appliance like a Miata. It's going to need attention. And fellow 914 owners are the best support out there...

-Josh2

Posted by: messix May 20 2005, 04:27 PM

oh, one more reason.... dont tell your girl this though.

these things corner harder and more controlably than anything as far as street cars that i have driven. i must qualify this with excluding any of the so called super cars; vettes, vipers , that sort of thing. and street/ part time race cars.

and this is only based on the car that i just bought with little 195/50 15, no sway bars and shocks that are whooped, it is lowered though.

Posted by: rjkavanagh May 20 2005, 04:28 PM

For me, it was simple. I've wanted one ever since I took my first ride in one when I was 16. Finally last year (29 years later) I bought my first one, wish I'd done it long before. I'm sure I paid too much (like many of us do) but don't care, this car has saved my sanity in a very stressful year. You just can't have a bad day driving one of these cars. Dead stock or modified to the max, they're just a fun car to drive.

By the way, the people on this site are great. Anything you need to know about the car is right here.

Posted by: J P Stein May 20 2005, 04:47 PM

I dunno....shit happens?

Posted by: ! May 20 2005, 04:47 PM

Let's see....914s according to "Z"

It pisses off the 911 weenies....the 356 weenies, the wasser pumper weenies etc etc.....


They are fun.....

You don't see another one like yours and worry about putting the key in someone else's when drunk.....

Ya piss of the 911 weenies on the track when ya crowd them in the turns and they barely pull ya in the straights.....

The 356 weenies will nod at ya.....

The wasser pumpers will ask if you have any parts.....

You can be obnoxious online and go to a meet and be friends.....

ya go home and some ricer throws you a rev.....

You are just cruising and you run up the ass of a Ferrari where some dickhead is trying to get laid and he can't lose you in the twisties....

The F-car throws you the bird when HE turns off....

You hang here and we like YOU for whatever warts the car has....but we still get to screw with ya.....and you don't mind.....

Posted by: MarkV May 20 2005, 05:04 PM

Two words: Chick Magnet

Posted by: redshift May 20 2005, 05:06 PM

Yeah, I'm with Mark..


M

Posted by: MW 914 May 20 2005, 05:11 PM

You gotta drive one. When I was 18(I'm 34 now) I went with some buddies to California. I rode with a guy that had a 71 1.7 liter. He let me drive it for about an hour. I came home and bought one two days later. It's tough to explain.

Posted by: SirAndy May 20 2005, 05:31 PM

QUOTE (MarkV @ May 20 2005, 04:04 PM)

Two words: Chick Magnet

you mean, like this?






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Posted by: /L. May 20 2005, 05:51 PM

I love my little 914 It was what I could afford as far as Posche goes. I wanted something that was different, unique. There aren't that many around anymore. It'll last me another 30 yrs. It's also a great car to drive. With top on or off The biggest plus is the other folks that drive them! Mental, crazy, sick, f'd up, geeky, freaky, funny and smart ass but all OK people.

Posted by: redshift May 20 2005, 06:15 PM

See? Linda like 'em..


M

Posted by: Aaron Cox May 20 2005, 06:17 PM

QUOTE (/L. @ May 20 2005, 04:51 PM)

Mental, crazy, sick, f'd up, geeky, freaky, funny and smart ass but all OK people.

linda-

you just described me

Posted by: SLITS May 20 2005, 06:27 PM

QUOTE (/L. @ May 20 2005, 04:51 PM)

I love my little 914 It was what I could afford as far as Posche goes. I wanted something that was different, unique. There aren't that many around anymore. It'll last me another 30 yrs. It's also a great car to drive. With top on or off The biggest plus is the other folks that drive them! Mental, crazy, sick, f'd up, geeky, freaky, funny and smart ass but all OK people.

You're Nobody till Somebody loves you baa daa dee ooooo

And Tokillya helps

Wanna lick some salt

Posted by: Howard May 20 2005, 06:31 PM

QUOTE (kwales @ May 20 2005, 11:58 AM)

Because there is nothing out there like it..... Roof comes off, built in rollbar, not one but two HUGE trunks, lotsa interior room (try a Miata on for size), Mid engine (best place), great fuel economy, great fun to drive, great handling, light weight, balance, low cost (except for parts), it's the Mr. Potatohead of cars... add a 911 front end, a 911 engine, or almost any other engine of your choice, And, oh yeah, show me another 30 year old car you can bring to the track and make other drivers nervous.....

That pretty well says it all. Except the number 1 reason:
Z and Slits have them, so no matter how weird you get...

Posted by: smooth_eddy May 20 2005, 07:07 PM

My first experience in a 914 was in high school. I got to drive a friends 914 back in 1978 on Lopez Island. Very twisty and turny, without cops. I got to see what they really do. 26 years later I finally bought one. Not sure why it took me so long as I have owned other sports cars over the years. One of the things I remember is how bad the tail shifter worked. The shifting improved a lot in the later years. Eddy

Posted by: iamchappy May 20 2005, 07:20 PM

Why? Because there cool, and they keep getting cooler and cooler as time goes on.
There is nothing like them and there never will be.

Posted by: iamchappy May 20 2005, 07:23 PM

Why?
There the kind.
Way cool.
Fun to modify.
Excuse to party.

Posted by: joeav8tor May 20 2005, 07:35 PM

I bought my 73 2.0 without ever have driven one...I also bought it sight unseen with a a PPI from a member, and some photos. I have always loved the 914 when I was a kid, and I still love the car today. I drove the car 40 miles then ripped the motor out to tune it up and clean up, por 15 and paint the battery tray...this site is great for technical articles, and the people are great...very helpful when some information is needed...I have found the 914 to be relatively easy to work on...and no auto parts are inexpensive...if you want a car that is great looking, great handling...and just cool, get a 914...which will only increase in value....the other rice burners that you mentioned will only depreciate from the minute you take posession of the them...
Joe

Posted by: LukeD May 20 2005, 08:12 PM

My fever for a sports car came at a young age. My dad had an MG convert when I was about 7-8 and I remeber riding in it. One day I remeber comming home from school and I walked around the corner by my house and there was the orange MG recked inthe driveway. A few years later he bought what I know now was a 912. It was red and had factory bug eyes on the hood in line with the headlights(eurpean?). I was about 10 at the time. He didn't have the car very long but one day I come home from school and there is a 1958 356 convertable. Tan top and interior, the car was the coolest in my eyes at now 13-14. My dad took me everywhere in that car, I remeber him driving that car more than anything he had prevously. I look back now and know that the car wasn't perfect and things I didn't think i noticed I do now even though he sold it. I used to take the car out when my mom and him would go out of town. I learned to drive stick in that car!! Fortunately it came natural and the car didn't blow up but one day I came home and the car was gone. My dad got an offer he couldn't refuse from some guy he knew or something. Skip 6 months down the road, I am 15 1/2 have my permit, still steaming about not being able to legitimatly take the 356 out and we go for a ride in his Camry to some city outside of Fresno, seemed like about an hour drive at the time. Pull up to a house and there in the drive way is a type of car I had never seen before but instantly I thought it was bad a$$ looking. I remeber getting in the passenger seat and my dad starting the car. It didn't sound like the 356 did this thing had a 2 liter WOW! We pull out of the drive way and get on the freeway on ramp. It's about 9 at night and my dad opens it up and swings onto the freeway. I remeber the smell and the sound of teh car and I couldn't stop smiling and telling my dad to slow down. About a week later I come home from school and there in the drivway is the same 75 white 2.0 clean as hell, just looks awsome now that it's sunny out. It had painted wheels like the LE cars but white, perfect interior, Bursch exhaust, sway bars, lowered. I didn't kniow any of this at the time but I do now! I run in side and my dad is home and he hands me the keys. Tells me I bought it for $3500 and it's mine if I pass by Highschool profiecency test. 6 months later I am a high school graduate and off to college (in town) in my bad A 914. First thing I do is ditch class and head for Bass Lake, driving up the hills was at the time , the most awsome experience of my life, that is until I made my way back down the hill at 90 MPH. That was the moment that it was injected into my veins. I drove my car for about 4 years and I got married. I was of course still in college but now I was marries, had a 6 daya week job, school 5 nights a week, broke as hell so I did what was best for me and my pregannat wife(no shotgun People LOL). I have done some really stupid shite in my life but the only sigle decision I ever made that I regreted was selling my 914. After I graduated and was divorced, my sone(who I have custody over) move in with my parents. I buy a pair of 914 up above sacramento on runner one roller. I paint the runner Ford Chrome Yellow, since I have also been into mustanges for a while (another long, fun story), but it just wasn't the same. Had I lost the one and only car that could bring that rush back? Keep in mind I have had 6 cars inbetween the first and the one I have now.

About 2-3 months ago I see an ad in the local paper for (2) 914's. I call the guy and he explains cars that sound very similar to my 2 liter and a 1.7 parts car I sold 7-8 years ago to some guys in Valencia. I drive over and what do I see.....my 75 2 liter looking at me!! As I get closer I realize that there is something seriously wrong with her. I park and walk up and the engine is out, the car is trashed, dented sratched broken glass, ripped seats, open the front hood and there is the 2 liter block with no heads laying in there. Boxes of parts everywhere and the damn 1.7 is running and driving. I walked around the car for what apeared to be an hour sort of talking with the guy but not much. I see all the little things I did to the car, like a cig burn in the carpet, wires for the stereo that are gone, Ernie Ball sticker in the back window. I almost bought the car onthe spot. It took every last bit of will power I had to not buy the car. I am married again and almost at the 2 year mark. My wife is not as receptive as I had hoped but there is no way in hell she is going to let me rebuild this car. $500 plus about $15k to make it right again is not in her budget LOL. Needless to say I walked away and was depressed for about 2 days. I finally got another 1.7 liter ( always get those), pull the enngine, clean, scrap, replace, lines, etc, car runs great. Then a guy named Bob has his beautiful 71 for sale on the Club about a month ago. I drive up and buy it. On the way home from San Jose every single feeling I had with my first car comes back like a tital wave. It had Corbeau seats that I didn't fit into, had to fold a blanket up and my head was sticking about 2 inches above the windshield. It didn't matter, I didn't notice. It had the smell that all 914 have, and the sound only a 2 liter can make. I have owned and driven some very fast and expensive cars, for me it's like an indian spirit calling to me, I have never had any emmotional experince when driving a car like a 914. I might have to rebuild this engine in the car I have now but I don't care, it sucks but I will do everything in my power to keep and drive a 914 even if it ends up killing me LOL.

Should you buy one? Yes, it's only money that can be replaced. You'll know farely quickly if it's for you or not.

Don't like it sell it and get a miata or what ever those other craps are.

Thanks for listening. My wife just walked in to me typing and I've been alittle emmotional about talking about my first car. Gota go get a grip on my self LOL


Luke D

Posted by: Gradskater May 20 2005, 11:02 PM

I just got my first 914 a couple weeks ago. I had never driven one, much less sat in one before I got it, but I knew about the cars and wanted one for years. I think I just liked the way they looked, there is nothing else like it on the road. It really is a handsome car. I knew about their handling ability, but you never know until you get a chance to let the car stretch its legs on some twisty roads. I am more than happy with my purchase, I dont ever want to sell the car, and I am looking forward to upgrading the suspension and engine.

I think the bottom line is that if you get a good one, there is no way you will regret it.

Oh, I drove my girlfriends camry today after not driving anything but the teener for the last two weeks. The camry was so quiet!! I couldnt believe how high I sat, how light the steering and pedals were, and how quiet the car was! It was weird, its like I wasnt even driving the car. I could have fallen asleep. I much prefer my topless, loud engined, rough riding 914!

Posted by: ! May 20 2005, 11:06 PM

The smell of hot oil.....mmmmmmm

Posted by: Mrs. K May 21 2005, 12:17 AM

Even though I don't own a 914 now, my first experience with one was......30 years ago! Yes I was barely legal to drive (hehehe) but my older sister had a new '74-'75 914 and she and her hubby used to let me drive it all the time! What a blast...handled so well, and it was just so much fun!
Too bad I was so young and poor that I didn't buy it from them when they sold it to buy a 924!

Lisa

Posted by: redshift May 21 2005, 01:58 AM

My school mate's dad owned the Porsche dealership, and we used to sit in the cars on the lot, and pretend we were racing.

At the time, my favorite Hot Wheels car was the Jack Rabbit Special... and I hated the view from a 911 seat.. as a munchkin.


M

Posted by: Bleyseng May 21 2005, 07:38 AM

QUOTE (jhadler @ May 20 2005, 02:15 PM)

[QUOTE=Jaiden,May 20 2005, 11:02 AM] [QUOTE]And, oh yeah, show me another 30 year old car you can bring to the track and make other drivers nervous..... Now this is what I'm talking about!!! [/QUOTE] Being a complete 914 fanatic myself, I do have to asnwer the question... A Shelby Cobra... But a 914 costs around 1% of the cost of a real Shelby... ...and handles about 5 times better to boot!!

hehe, a Shelby Cobra did come out to the AX last year and raced with us. My times were better.....he had too much power, lots of wheel spin and 360's.

Posted by: GWN7 May 21 2005, 08:01 AM

First saw one when I was in highschool. Worked at a gas station pumping gas and a guy came in with a blue one. Thought, cool looking car. Fast forward a bunch of years and I was looking for a Moke for a summer car. Rented one in Barbados for two weeks. Asked a buddy who buys and sells cars if he runs across a Moke to let me know. He tells me that he just bought a 914. I told him when he gets tired of it to let me know and we will talk price (he looses interest in a few months with cars) Three or four months go by and I see the buddy again and ask how my Porsche is....he says he sold it to someone in Calgary and I give him shit for not letting me know first. He says he knows where two more are and gives me the details. It was a buy two make one deal. While waiting for the title for the one with the good body. I see one on Ebay and bid. A week later I'm flying to the West coast and driving home thru the mountains with the top off. With a big grin on my face.