914 Commuter?, Who commutes every day in their 914 Options

[xsJerry]

I have been wanting a 914 for exactly 21 years. Now that I am in midlife crisis mode, I am seriously in the market for one (downright obsessed really). My question is: Will it be a viable daily commuter (20 mi. each way)? If I wanted something economical and trouble free, I'd by a Toyota or something. But as it is, I am already getting board with my E46 BMW 325i. I am an Auto shop teacher, so I have resources, but the teacher's salary is limiting.
It would be great to park my Porsche next to all those Saturns and Priuses in the faculty parking lot.
Any input would be helpful. Thanks.

[JawjaPorsche]

I drove my teener to work for 15 years but it is 38 now. Showing age like me! Like everything, parts do wear out. In the latter years, I drove it to work on beautiful sunny days but not everyday. I am retired now and I only drive it to town for groceries or coffee, only 3 miles each way. Never in the rain!

Since you are an auto shop teacher, you probably can spot and fix problems before you break down on the road! Not to mention your labor is free and you have a lift at work! I was a teacher and I made good friends with the shop teacher so I could use the lift after school and weekends!

They are great cars and you will be junkie like us!

Terry

I have been wanting a 914 for exactly 21 years. Now that I am in midlife crisis mode, I am seriously in the market for one (downright obsessed really). My question is: Will it be a viable daily commuter (20 mi. each way)? If I wanted something economical and trouble free, I'd by a Toyota or something. But as it is, I am already getting board with my E46 BMW 325i. I am an Auto shop teacher, so I have resources, but the teacher's salary is limiting.
It would be great to park my Porsche next to all those Saturns and Priuses in the faculty parking lot.
Any input would be helpful. Thanks.

[billh1963]

I know Philip W. drives his every day!

[stewteral]

I have been wanting a 914 for exactly 21 years. Now that I am in midlife crisis mode, I am seriously in the market for one (downright obsessed really). My question is: Will it be a viable daily commuter (20 mi. each way)? If I wanted something economical and trouble free, I'd by a Toyota or something. But as it is, I am already getting board with my E46 BMW 325i. I am an Auto shop teacher, so I have resources, but the teacher's salary is limiting.
It would be great to park my Porsche next to all those Saturns and Priuses in the faculty parking lot.
Any input would be helpful. Thanks.

Hey xsJerry,

Try to keep in mind: it's just a VW and pretty darn reliable.

My only caveat is the amount of rain you get in Arcata. Water and rust are the
biggest concern for 914s. When it rains, I'd recommend the BMW and when it's drive enjoy the 914.

All in IMHO,
Terry

[Als914]

xsJerry,

914's in a relatively stock condition can be very reliable and some what trouble free. There are the normal maintenance issues such as valve adjustments, oil changes and minor FI issues ( head temperature sensors) to deal with. At least, this has been my experience driving my '74, L-jet, 2056 for over thirty years as a daily commuter into down town L.A, a 76mi round trip commute. Granted, this might be an exception rather than the rule.

When you narrow your search for that 914 consider how you will be using it. I would have a local, knowledgable mechanic of these cars do a thorough inspection of the body, mechanics and electical conditions. If you find a good one you will enjoy it.

Good luck and let us know what you find.

[wingnut86]

Good luck. My daily mileage is great for now, probably suffer once the motor and tranny are installed and she's lowered off the jackstands. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

My wife (teacher) asked if I could take all the good stuff off her Prius and put it in one of my spare teener bodies. She wanted something "cuter" to park in the faculty lot.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/barf.gif)

I remember when she asked why I would want to keep my black Datsun 280Z, as it had no room for grocery bags or parcels...

If she'd said that in front of my classic Pontiac friends, they would have drawn lots to see who would get to hang the rope over the tree limb.

Bill - did Phil fix the issue we read about here, maybe FI related?

[matthepcat]

Kg6dxn used to commute in his v8 conversion almost daily.

[jsayre914]

It is my daily drive from York PA to Baltimore MD.

(currently down for the 2056 winter project)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

I could write a book about all the problems and adventures from fuel pumps to axles to brakes. And I still have my job (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[billh1963]

Bill - did Phil fix the issue we read about here, maybe FI related?

He sure did. Problem was really fule tank/lines/etc. related. I found the source of the problem that took the car off the road initially was that the fuel hose from the going into the pump (from the tank) had broke. Replaced that and cleaned the tank and the engine fired right up and sounded sweet...especially with the trident exhaust. I think Phil liked the sound of the engine....it was purring nicely after sitting for 5 years! Phil's knowledge was invaluable!

[skota]

I drive mine daily except when it rains, and now that winter is here.

but I have considered buying one that is in cosmetic ruin to throw some snow tires on and drive in the winter/ ice race. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

[VRROOMM1]

i drive 60 miles a day round trip every day

[thelogo]

I personally do not think 914 and daily commute go in the same sentence but that's just me . (IMG:style_emoticons/default/chair.gif)

I have used my 1.7 car to commute , but not on a daily basis .

I'm sure the car would be up to it , weather permitting !

but traffic can be an issue . (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)

and parking can make me nervous too .


although designed and intended for commuting . I think of it as more a

luxury super-touring car .

However a good friend once told me [ who happens to own a 2011 911 turbo S CAB.]

These car are to be driven , not saved or socked away .


GREAT ADVICE > so you can't go wrong either way .


but my recommendation for solely commuter duties , IS :

the cheapest , stick shift mazda miata or protege you can find . with the lowest miles !!!!


shout out to cheap SOB"S everywhere
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/bootyshake.gif)

[mrbubblehead]

mine is my daily driver. i drive it from san bernardino to vegas and back one a week. i get a solid 40 m.p.g. and thats with dual weber ifd 40s.

[xsJerry]

Thanks for the incouraging words guys.
At leat I never have to wory about trafic or parking or hot weather here. It almost never gets over 75 deg f. It does rain a lot though. What's more I don't have a garage (hoping to build one). If I put a rolup door in my basement, I might be able to shoehorn it in there. Depends on how sweet a car I can nab.
I have a great German Auto mechanic I curently take my BMW to (German Auto of Arcata), but I'll never find a car locally. It's too rural and too poor here. So I am stuck waiting for a good car to come up for sale w/in driving distance (i'm kicking mysef for not jumping on Tom's gold one, but I didn't have the time to go down there to check it out). The other option is buying a car sight unseen, but the two Craigslist cars I looked at so far did not measure up to my expectations base on the add and the phone conversations. So this rules out having a trusted machanic inspect it.

[Als914]

mine is my daily driver. i drive it from san bernardino to vegas and back one a week. i get a solid 40 m.p.g. and thats with dual weber ifd 40s.

EXCELLENT!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[MartyYeoman]

I drive mine daily on non-rain days.
Approximately, 35 miles round trip mostly freeway driving.

[scott_in_nh]

I have been using mine everyday that doesn't rain in the morning since June (6000 miles).
I have an easy 12 mile commute (each way) and it makes me happy to get in the car in the morning for a pleasant drive and besides they run better when you use them everyday!

[bryanf]

Mine has been a daily driver first for me and then for my kids for high school (big mistake btw) for 18 yrs. I estimate it has about 300k miles on it (odometer stopped working a looooong time ago). I just started driving it on my commute again (70 miles round trip) and I think it is a great commuter car...My only complaint is the top squeaking over the crappy roads around here, but other than that I find it comfy, fun, reliable and cheap to run....(although mine sure could use a tranny rebuild)

stay on top of the maintenance...and when you are fixing something clean/lube/adjust everything around it. It is amazing how much of an improvement you can make with these cars by cleaning electrical contacts and wiping away the decades of grime on all the mechanisms...

[veltror]

I drove mine everyday fro 14 years in rain, snow,hail,rain,wind,rain,fog,sun,and rain.


Did I mention that I drovei tint he rain also?

Now you know why its is the way it is.

roman

[ripper911]

I use mine as a daily driver also, does fine.
When the roads ice over this winter, I'll still be driving it.
Occasional maintenance helps if your going to be driving it every day.

It's great fun to be able to zip through traffic on the interstate with the top down on the way to work, brightens up the rest of the day. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)