Educate me!, Trying to find out more about the 914 Options

[Zaphod]

I've recently become curious about the Porsche 914. I had always thought they were cool cars, and it sounds like it'd be neat to own one, so I've been lurking around the boards here for the last week or so, and have run into a lot of technical talk about carbs vs fuel injection, rust repair, and any number of other topics, most of which only managed to go slightly to the side of my head, rather than right over it.

I'm wondering if it's possible to buy a 914 (it seems the '73 2.0 is the one that's most highly recommended?) at a reasonable price and *not* have it be a complete rustbucket. Presuming one can find such a car, what kind of ongoing expenses does owning a 914 guarantee you'll incur, and could one be reliable enough to drive daily as my primary transportation (presumably storing for the winter, as I live in Minnesota, and wouldn't want to cause it to rust) ?

Finally, while I've been very curious about them for quite a while, I've never actually gotten to drive one. Everybody here seems to rave about them non-stop (obviously). I wonder if there's any way to test drive one in the Minneapolis area so that I'll have a way to form an opinion of my own rather than simply relying on what others have said it's like to drive the car.

At first glance, 95 HP sounds a little underpowered, even for a car that only weighs in at a little over 2000 pounds - does it feel underpowered with the stock engine, or is it just that the sports cars that I've driven in the past have been closer to 3000-ish pounds/227 horsepower (Nissan 300ZX) that's throwing me off?

[plas76targa]

Zaphod,

Welcome to the board! As others told me when I posted a note similar to yours after I "joined" - you've already done one good thing by researching the web board and especially joining this one!

I recommend some reading - check the books section on the bird board or other mail order parts suppliers. You can find some excellent resources on the 914 there. I found an How to Upgrade and Restore your 914 book that did a great job of providing information about the 914. .. and I've learned a great deal by just watching this board and using the search function.

I also agree - buy the best you can find for the money, try your best to be patient and look at several cars before you settle on "the one". When you find that special car then most importantly get a qualified shop to do a pre purchase inspection before you agree to buy! Never know what lurking problems are in a 30 year old car.

One thing really great about this board is the willingness to help - if you find a car that is not close by - you might just find a member close enough to go take a look for you.

Good luck on your search, and we're all looking forward to seeing pictures when you're successful.