Serious question - 914 or Boxster? Options

[96conv]

I've always wanted a 914. Looks cool, well-balanced, old school air-cooled Porsche. But I've been afraid to jump in because of all the horrific stories of rust damage. So I decided to save a little more $ and buy an already restored beauty. However, I've read somewhere on this board that there isn't a way to totally prevent rust on these babies as they were never galvanized by the factory. And, the car will be living outside 24X7 under an all-weather cover.

Is it true that rust cannot be prevented on a 914? If this isn't true, what will it take to make it rust proof? How much will it take? Am I better off buying a used Boxster ('97s - '99s are hecka cheap)? Ok, not old school cool, not air-cooled either but well-balanced vehicle with all the modern amenities plus supercharging potential.

What do you think would be more cost-effective to own? What do you think would be most satisfying to own?

[mikelsr]

This is really a bad question to ask only on this board. I have both and I have a passion for both of them. If you ask about the difference on a 914 board then you will get most people telling that the 914 is superior, if you ask on a Boxster board (www.ppbb.com) then you will get the opposite answer.

I love my '01 Boxster and 914. I AX'ed the Boxster for a year and then my wife told me that she would rather I didn't race it because it was our "fun" car. She then told me to buy another car to race so I bought my '72 914, carb'ed 2.0L (from a '74). If I were to do either again I would opt for the Boxster S and a 914/6.

The Boxster is a more refined car where the 914 is what I consider raw but both are a joy to drive. I wouldn't want to drive a long distance in my 914 but I would drive all day in the Boxster. Mainly because my wife doesn't like the 914 and my suspension is stiff. When I get in either I still get a thrill and my heart starts to beat faster.

QUOTE

Yet for me. Nothing feels better than to be than to have my ass 8 inches off the ground, setting the car in a slight drift with the sound of Dells scrreaming in my ear.

On the Boxster my ass sits a bit higher but I can still put the car in a slight drift and hear the cylinders yelling at me. Yes I can't hear the carbs sucking air because there aren't carbs on my Boxster but the same can be said for a lot of the 914s.

If you really like to work on your cars and have the time and $$ to do so, then by all means get a 914. If you don't want to have to worry about it then get the Boxster.

But before you make a decision based off what we say, go drive both. Find someone that will show you the in's and out's of both. If you can get a ride at an AX do it in both. If you can get on track do it. Take both for an hour or so trip.

The really great thing about the 914 is that you get to buy lots of NEW TOOLS (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/welder.gif) and jack stands! Both cars can bring out a passion in you that you never thought you would have.

Buy either, both or another car, but when you do - DRIVE it. I had a bad year in the Boxster and only put 10K miles on it this year. I put < 2K on the 914 but most of the time it was up on jacks or being worked on. I will expect to put 15-20k on the Boxster this year and 3-4K on the 914.

M