How did you first meet a 914 in person - any tips for someone who never has Options

[914lover17]

Hey Ya'll. Recently fell in love with this car, total obsession. I've never been a car guy, and have only learned manual for a summer job over 7 years ago. I'm very serious about getting one myself. I'm lucky because my dad has "enough knowledge to be dangerous" and is more than willing to help me on my journey. The "problem" I'm having is that I've never actually seen one in person, let alone ridden or driven one. I was prepared to re-learn manual after purchase, relying on a test ride along, or letting my dad test drive it. However, there's so little available (I think 3-4 in canada) and most of them are on the coasts. I've reached out to a few ads nearby and they prefer not to indulge much in terms of driving/seeing the car in action unless a deal is in place (Which is totally reasonable)...

As much as I can youtube and research this car online all day long, I guess I was just wondering how all of you fell for the 914, maybe the first time you met one in person, how you got to drive one, and if you had any tips for someone like me to experience one in a low commitment way that's fair for all parties? (I wouldn't even be looking to drive it myself) I would really like to experience the old school feeling of real driving car though!

I personally found the 914 when I was autotrader'ing for fun, searched porsches and thought it was a nicer 911 LOL!

[ClayPerrine]

When I was in High School, one of my classmates had a 914. I didn't know the owner, and I didn't pay it any attention because it wasn't a Muscle Car with a big V-8. I forgot about it as I got older. The only reason I know about it is from a yearbook picture.

In 1985, I bought a 924 and decided to go Autocrossing with SCCA. My second autocross was at Fair Park in Dallas on November 17 1985. My two friends who were supposed to go with me were too hung over to go, so I went alone.

Parked near me was a little orange car that I didn't know a thing about. So I went over and started talking to the owner. She was also new to autocrossing. I spent a lot of time asking questions about her car. She ended up beating me in the AX. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/betty914.jpg)

At the end of the event, I asked her out. While we were dating, I got to drive her 914. I immediately wanted one. Three years and two days after I went to that autocross, I married the owner of that 914. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif)

36 years later, we are still married and we have 3 914s, including the one that she had that fateful day in November of 1985.

Oh... And I sold the 924 about a year after we got married.