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Posted by: Mueller Dec 1 2003, 02:19 PM

With the introduction of the Boxster, the Porsche Factory says the 550 Spyder was it's insperation (or something like that, LOL)

AFAIK, the factory never once mentioned the Boxster and the 914 in the same sentance, let alone in the same room

So, now that I've seen the Carrera GT, I say it is closer to the 914 styling wise than the Boxster (targa top with built in roll bar)

Posted by: Hi_Fi_Guy Dec 1 2003, 02:27 PM

Does that mean the Carrera GT is really a 2004 914-10?

Posted by: boxsterfan Dec 1 2003, 03:01 PM

How could the Boxster not be the "big brother" to the 914? They are the "b@st@rd stepchilds" you know...

Posted by: Hawktel Dec 1 2003, 03:08 PM

Humm....

The 914 has alot in common with the Carra GT. Almost at much as it has in common with the Fiero!

Posted by: boxstr Dec 1 2003, 03:41 PM

Porsche will introduce a commemerative Boxster S equipped with special trim and higher output.
Porsche says"it is to reflect the spirit of one of Porsches most famous models" the 914.
Just kidding, they said the 550 Spyder. The 550 introduced in 1953, the production run of this special Boxster will be 1953 cars.
I have always said and will continue to say that the Boxster is what the 914 would have evolved into had it stayed in production from 1970 until today.
The Carrera GT is a of a concept car gone into production that was in no way modeled after or in anyway resembles a 914, they were probably thinking more of the FIAT X19.
CCLINCAMP986

Posted by: sj914 Dec 1 2003, 05:45 PM

The 914 being partially a vw. I think the 914's are pretty much a bastard step child.

Posted by: redshift Dec 1 2003, 07:56 PM

Speak for yourself!

Sure, I have one of those VW 914s, but my 74 was made by Porsche money.




M

Posted by: URY914 Dec 1 2003, 08:00 PM

When the DMV and my insurance man tell me it a Porsche and not a VW, you gotta believe them.

I think it goes like this; 917, 914, Carrera GT

Posted by: Carrera916 Dec 1 2003, 09:49 PM

Oh hell!!

Porsche PR people are more or less pretty brainless when they say the Boxster looks like a 550....jeez, they ought to look up the history book...and look closer at the pictures....it looks more like the RS60 to me....damn, these babies, the RS60 are sooooo cool to drive and much much much better than 550.....ask me how I know!

as for 914, it's a total shame again toward the PR people who just look the other way when they think the 914 was a VW back then...look at how the 356 babes put the Porsche name on the map! Even worse, early 356 were made out of VW stuff! Damn, these PR folks need to get their heads in right place instead of down in between their legs......still burns me up when I hear them not utter a word, "....914 is the one to have, the one that started all cool mid-engine stuff from racing days onto the road....."....jeez!

j

Posted by: mikester Dec 1 2003, 10:30 PM

look at the cut away of a new Carrera GT, looks an awful lot like a 914 to me...but I'm biased.

Just like you.

Posted by: Andyrew Dec 1 2003, 10:58 PM

I think both.

But in style its the carrera gt, in economics and performance its boxster..

Andrew

Ps. Add Both as an option..

Posted by: thomasotten Dec 1 2003, 11:19 PM

The 914 is not a reincarnation of the 550 spyder, what it is is a mid engined version of the 911, pure and simple.

The 914s, when they first came out were seen mostly with those wimpy wheels and skinny tires. That made the car look downright goofy. I really think that is why the car got pegged "ugly" by some folks. The body design of the 914 is pretty nice actually, it has a lot of style and a profile to die for. It is just that Porsche, trying to be ultra cheap, didn't want to properly accent the 914. Rather than putting FUCHS wheels on all the models, they went the el-cheapo route and had VW mass produce crapy steel wheels for alot of the models (mine included).

Today, I think that Porsche has gone astray. The new 911 is hardly as attractive as the classic 911. The Cayenne is an abomination. And, by the way, Cayenne snobs out there, it's half VW, just like the 914 you dismiss!

I think Porsche regrets discontinuing the classic 911, as their sales have droped for their flagship model. Also, it has already had a facelift in the short time since it has been out (98, I think), which shows me that they know they screwed up. They should have had Butzi do the design. It is so big that it looks overweight - kinda like a Corvette. It is not a bad looking car, don't get me wrong, but I like my New Beetle better than the new 911.

Just my thoughts.

Posted by: Hawktel Dec 1 2003, 11:45 PM

The thing is, I have ran into just 1 guy that tried to snob the 914. Everyone else likes it, and admire it, even the old beater I have.

I don't understand why Porsche PR isn't jumping on it myself.

Posted by: marc_hines Dec 2 2003, 12:12 AM

OK - So I've been reading the "Porchse - excellence was expected". Now I've only read thru about 2/3's of the first of the three volumns - but early in the first volumn was the desing for the never built type 104. It was a mid-engine, water cooled 1.0 liter V-10 design that I quickly decided was the common ancestor to both the Boxster, and the 914 (particulatly the 914's that have been converted to a water cooled V-6 or V-8).

So, I see them as different branches of the same good mid-engine design.

Another branch was the mid-engine spyder (great looking car, too).

But for overall value, I think the 914 wins out. For creature comforts, the Boxster wins out. If you have a 'Significant Other' who wants an automatic transmission, then the boxster is again a good (but more expensive) choice.

I watched 914's, 911's and Boxsters take the chicane curve at the portland international raceway for over an hour - and I have to say I was very pleased with how the stock Boxster handled this most difficult part of the track. Without modification, it took the curve a little better than a 'suped up' 914's (much better the the stock 914-6) and better then the 'tricked out' 911's. Don't get me wrong, the 911's are works of art, but I would rather have a boxster than a 911.

Posted by: thesey914 Dec 2 2003, 01:57 AM

Side on I reckon there's some similarity with the GTs roll bar and the sail panel and the curve and length of the rear wing (fender)


Attached image(s)

Posted by: dbelleperc Dec 2 2003, 04:39 AM

Hell, even the Carrera GT's hand brake is on the left side like the 914.

Posted by: redshift Dec 2 2003, 06:56 AM

It's a whole new car, it's more McLaren than a 9xx car.

In my experience, 914s aren't less expensive than anything else, 914s just nickle ($5k) and dime ($10k) us to death.


M

Posted by: ArtechnikA Dec 2 2003, 07:48 AM

all "proper" Porsches have radiused wheel arches.

the 914 got stuck with those silly flat-topped wheel arches.

competition regulations "of the day" said you could widen fenders as long as the were "stock appearing" from the side - IOW - the flat-top wheel arch had to remain - and that's why the GT fender flare looks goofy.

i've drawn the sketches - lose the turn signal "tunnels" and radius the wheel arches (a la 'Chalon') and ta da - proper Porsche profile again. this is one reason why SC flares look so good on the back - radiused wheel arches...

Posted by: thomasotten Dec 2 2003, 08:25 AM

The turn signal tunnels are nice, you don't want to lose those. By the way, the 914/8 had radiased wheel arches in the front.

Posted by: ArtechnikA Dec 2 2003, 08:28 AM

i think they suck, and i -do- want to lose them!
(on your car, do what you want ...)

Posted by: thesey914 Dec 2 2003, 12:28 PM

The Chalon look makes me want to vomit...... I Agree with thomasotten about the front wings,
although i have seen a flatnose in the flesh and it looked ok.
I reckon the 914-8 front arches just look *wrong*

Posted by: Pnambic Dec 2 2003, 04:35 PM

Maybe the 914 is more like the Cayenne?

They're both half VW and the 911 crowd hate both.