911 vs. 914, have you had the same experience? Options

[nebreitling]

Just got back from a couple fun runs through the hills with a friend. real nice guy. we took turns driving each other's cars -- he has a '82 911 SC and i've got my '75 2.0.

okay, granted: the 911 has some twice or more the raw power, a higher red line with a relatively wide power band, a more confident shifter with quicker throws, some seriously more macho brakes, and -- in his case -- A/C.

however, i found myself getting loose at lower speeds on turns that i normally fly through! and the 911 seems to break traction without much warning at all (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) !! yes, the acceleration grins were a blast -- but modulating thottle, brake and clutch through the twisties was a scary, concentrated lesson in giving the car super-subtle input to avoid winding up in the ditch.

then he drove mine. he never got used to the shifter (and mine is one of the better-shifting 914s i've driven), but he seemed to have a great time lightly flicking it around corners with ease.

i never appreciated what an agile porsche the 914 is until driving his 911. conclusion? i need a 3.0 in my teener.

better start saving.

[campbellcj]

I had an early (70) 911 for over a decade including a crossover period of 2 yrs where I also had a 914. So I was switching between them all the time, which was pretty interesting.

I think the 69-73 911's are more "balanced" overall than the mid and later flavors (74-89) and probably also the very early (65-68) ones. Actually in about 12 years I only recall spinning the car twice, maybe three times. Both times I recall were in the rain and were classic dumbass-throttle-lift-while-turning scenarios. In normal very spirited driving, I didn't have the "holy shit" experiences I know many 911 drivers report...maybe the mild suspension upgrades, high-end setup/corner balance, and DOT-R tires helped in this regard.

BUT...clearly I could (and did) do "things" in the 914 that I would not dream of in the 911. You know, pitching it abruptly into 90° corners at 50mph, passing other cars on high-speed banked fwy ramps, that kind of thing. The "pucker factor" was substantially lower in transitional situations, with the 914.

Although the 911's brakes, power and overall "quality" were significantly better...I very quickly became a 914 convert and found myself having more fun in that car. After I sold that 914 I bought another one within 3 months, if that tells ya anything...