914 Commuter?, Who commutes every day in their 914 Options

[xsJerry]

I have been wanting a 914 for exactly 21 years. Now that I am in midlife crisis mode, I am seriously in the market for one (downright obsessed really). My question is: Will it be a viable daily commuter (20 mi. each way)? If I wanted something economical and trouble free, I'd by a Toyota or something. But as it is, I am already getting board with my E46 BMW 325i. I am an Auto shop teacher, so I have resources, but the teacher's salary is limiting.
It would be great to park my Porsche next to all those Saturns and Priuses in the faculty parking lot.
Any input would be helpful. Thanks.

[billh1963]

I know Philip W. drives his every day!

[DRPHIL914]

I know Philip W. drives his every day!

Yep, I drove every day this past week, even with the threat of rain, I have all new seals! Of course here in the south its a little hot in july, august(100+ this year) sp for a few weeks I drove the jag. Tonight got cold, @ 40, but my daughter was complaining it was hot- s.s.h.e's are doing great!
Get one that is already in good shape and rust free, you can do other stuff here and there, but keep driving, other wise you may find it up on jackstands more than on the road.

Phil

[dlkawashima]

Can't say I commute every day in the 914, but I do drive it to work about 2 to 3 times a week. 'Course I don't have much of a commute, 3.5 miles one way, and I do have the luxury of parking it in an underground garage.




Like you, the 914 is my mid-life crisis car. I bought it last January. It's also my first true sports car. And I can say without hesitation that it is the most fun vehicle I've ever owned.

But fun doesn't necessarily translate into a fun daily commuter. There are things that a 914 does poorly compared to a modern car.

When I first bought the car, I found myself sweating nervously because of the recalcitrant (<- cool word) shifter. But after a tranny rebuild (Doc Evil Disco Bay clinic) and almost a year now behind the wheel, I can honestly say the shifting is quite good. But compared to a modern car, there's no comparison. My son bought a 2012 Gof TDI, and I kid you not, that car can be shifted with your elbow.

The second thing to consider is noise. I never put the top on my car and after a 30 mile run on the freeway, my ears are ringing. That doesn't bother me much for just a weekend run, but I'm not sure I'd like to do that every day.

And the last thing to consider is HVAC. You're lucky not to have hot summer days where you live, but any car will get hot even on a 75 degree day if the car has to sit outside all day with the windows rolled up. Taking the top off helps a lot, but the standard vinyl seats just don't breathe at all and act more like big heat sinks. I use one of those old school seat cushions that keeps your butt and back off the vinyl, like this one:

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/D...3&ppt=C0350

Hope that doesn't discourage you cuz the 914 really is a great car, but I'm not sure it's a great commuter car.