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.

[Jeroen]

I have a '87 Carrera 3.2 myself and I still really like it.

If you can drive fast in a 911, you can drive fast in anything.
Knowing you can keep control of (I've only spun it once in the 6+ years I own it, and that was on a track, rain, shot tires, and mainly because I underestimated the corner) is a real kick.

The rear end will step out more easily, but if you know the car, it has a very big margin by which you can still get it back in line...
In a 911 you won't get away by driving crappy lines. It will punish you mercilessly.
It just won't allow you to drive like an ass (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I have a lot of friends with (fast) 944s and if you see what those cars allow them to get away with... If I only think of lines like that, the 911 will spin (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Still, the 914 is a much better handling car. It's margins go much further than the 911's, but I think that once you get there, the margin to correct the car is also a lot smaller in the 914 than in the 911

All in all, they're hard to compare. 2 completely different cars. I'd have a hard time choosing one over the other, so... get both (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

cheers,

Jeroen