New to the boards, deciding between 912 and 914... Options

[Turbo74]

Hey everyone!! I am in the market for either a 912 or a 914 and would like some input.. The only experience i've ever had with a 914 was a '73 ITB race car that i only owned about 6 months but i loved the car.. As for the 912's, they seem like alot of fun too but from what i'm gathering the maintenance on them are nightmares. How are the 914's maintenance wise?? Do they make decent runabout daily drivers? I already have an early 1974 911 Carrera with a turbo stuffed in it so i'm not looking to go fast.. Just want a fun little porsche that gets good mileage. Any help would be appreciated, I just dont know which way to go! Thanks! (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/aktion035.gif)

[lapuwali]

I own both. Maintenance on the 912 is, if anything, easier than on the 914. Certainly, valve adjustments are 100x easier on the 912, as you're not trying to get your fingers into a small space between the heat exchangers and the rear suspension. It's also much easier to set the ignition timing on a 912.

912s have carbs with no chokes on them, so they're more cantankerous, esp. when starting. Getting at the spark plugs is more difficult than on the 914.

A 912E ('76 only, Type 4, fuel injected) is probably the best of both in terms of maintenance, since the EFI doesn't require regular fettling, starts easier, and you still have good access to the valve covers and the timing. However, the E is also a LOT heavier than the earlier 912.

As for the 914 v 912 argument, well, I'm selling the 912 and keeping the 914, so that's my vote. The 912 makes a better everyday car. It's quieter and more comfortable. If you can only have one car, the 912 is the better choice. But the 914 is a vastly better "sports car". It handles far better, and there are easier paths to a great deal more power than in the 912. You can stuff a Six into either, but the early SWB 912s suffer from bad weight distribution with a Six back there, making the handling worse.

912s generally cost more to buy than a 914. A nice driver 912 is $8K, where equally nice driver 914 is about $5K. Project class 912s are $2-3K, where 914s can be had for $1500 or less. Top of the market show examples are $20K and over for the 912, and $10-12K for the 914. 912Es seem to be more expensive, with asking prices around $10K.

The 912 community is mostly full of old coots only interested in showing them. The 914 community is generally younger, and more interested in going fast.

A stock 914 will generally get better mileage than a stock early 912, at least around town. A 914 with carbs replacing the stock EFI will be no better than a stock 912 in terms of mileage. The 912E is probably about the same as the 914.