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

[Tom_T]

Go for it Jerry, & as others have said - maybe use the BMW when it rains!

Nothing like a sunny top off cruz in a 914, & you can take the targa top off too when she takes hers off! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)



... park that next to your colleagues! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

[Joe Owensby]

I drive mine every day. I pretty much replaced everything that could wear out when I rebuilt it about 3 years ago. Now have about 25,000 miles on it since rebuild. Only minor issue was with the fuse block losing an internal connection- I later soldered it so it can not happen again. Good luck, JoeO

[DRPHIL914]

I know Philip W. drives his every day!

Yep, I drove every day this past week, even with the threat of rain, I have all new seals! Of course here in the south its a little hot in july, august(100+ this year) sp for a few weeks I drove the jag. Tonight got cold, @ 40, but my daughter was complaining it was hot- s.s.h.e's are doing great!
Get one that is already in good shape and rust free, you can do other stuff here and there, but keep driving, other wise you may find it up on jackstands more than on the road.

Phil

[dlkawashima]

Can't say I commute every day in the 914, but I do drive it to work about 2 to 3 times a week. 'Course I don't have much of a commute, 3.5 miles one way, and I do have the luxury of parking it in an underground garage.




Like you, the 914 is my mid-life crisis car. I bought it last January. It's also my first true sports car. And I can say without hesitation that it is the most fun vehicle I've ever owned.

But fun doesn't necessarily translate into a fun daily commuter. There are things that a 914 does poorly compared to a modern car.

When I first bought the car, I found myself sweating nervously because of the recalcitrant (<- cool word) shifter. But after a tranny rebuild (Doc Evil Disco Bay clinic) and almost a year now behind the wheel, I can honestly say the shifting is quite good. But compared to a modern car, there's no comparison. My son bought a 2012 Gof TDI, and I kid you not, that car can be shifted with your elbow.

The second thing to consider is noise. I never put the top on my car and after a 30 mile run on the freeway, my ears are ringing. That doesn't bother me much for just a weekend run, but I'm not sure I'd like to do that every day.

And the last thing to consider is HVAC. You're lucky not to have hot summer days where you live, but any car will get hot even on a 75 degree day if the car has to sit outside all day with the windows rolled up. Taking the top off helps a lot, but the standard vinyl seats just don't breathe at all and act more like big heat sinks. I use one of those old school seat cushions that keeps your butt and back off the vinyl, like this one:

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/D...3&ppt=C0350

Hope that doesn't discourage you cuz the 914 really is a great car, but I'm not sure it's a great commuter car.

[Andyrew]

I drove mine to work an back (8 mins away) daily for about 3 months. But this is a v8 conversion.

Pretty sure I averaged ~ 12mpg.

[JmuRiz]

norustscott used to daily drive his 914 before he sold it...and that was in MD...not as nice as CA for weather. Sure stuff wore out and you have to keep an eye on the rust, but the same goes for any pre-galvanized car.

[mepstein]

I don't commute but plan to use my car as a fair weather driver, not just a Sunday car. Might have to find another one with a/c to extend the driving season. I'm just not a 90+ degree, black vinyl seat kind of driver.

[mepstein]

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.

Buy one, try it out for a while, sell it if it doesn't work out.

[chandler1969]

Brisk 27 degrees out this morning but the sun was out thus a good day to drive the 914 to work. Plus my heat works :-) Never when it rains or threatening to rain.

[chandler1969]

Can't say I commute every day in the 914, but I do drive it to work about 2 to 3 times a week. 'Course I don't have much of a commute, 3.5 miles one way, and I do have the luxury of parking it in an underground garage.




Like you, the 914 is my mid-life crisis car. I bought it last January. It's also my first true sports car. And I can say without hesitation that it is the most fun vehicle I've ever owned.

But fun doesn't necessarily translate into a fun daily commuter. There are things that a 914 does poorly compared to a modern car.

When I first bought the car, I found myself sweating nervously because of the recalcitrant (<- cool word) shifter. But after a tranny rebuild (Doc Evil Disco Bay clinic) and almost a year now behind the wheel, I can honestly say the shifting is quite good. But compared to a modern car, there's no comparison. My son bought a 2012 Gof TDI, and I kid you not, that car can be shifted with your elbow.

The second thing to consider is noise. I never put the top on my car and after a 30 mile run on the freeway, my ears are ringing. That doesn't bother me much for just a weekend run, but I'm not sure I'd like to do that every day.

And the last thing to consider is HVAC. You're lucky not to have hot summer days where you live, but any car will get hot even on a 75 degree day if the car has to sit outside all day with the windows rolled up. Taking the top off helps a lot, but the standard vinyl seats just don't breathe at all and act more like big heat sinks. I use one of those old school seat cushions that keeps your butt and back off the vinyl, like this one:

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/D...3&ppt=C0350

Hope that doesn't discourage you cuz the 914 really is a great car, but I'm not sure it's a great commuter car.

Thats a gorgeous looking car you have. Love the color.

[dion9146]

Mine's more of a once-per week commuting car, but since I work out of my home sometimes it doesn't leave the garage for a couple of weeks.

Took her out today to a lunch meeting in 41 degree temps on a bright sunny day, and it was actually comfortable to drive with no heat!

[xsJerry]

Can't say I commute every day in the 914, but I do drive it to work about 2 to 3 times a week. 'Course I don't have much of a commute, 3.5 miles one way, and I do have the luxury of parking it in an underground garage.




Like you, the 914 is my mid-life crisis car. I bought it last January. It's also my first true sports car. And I can say without hesitation that it is the most fun vehicle I've ever owned.

But fun doesn't necessarily translate into a fun daily commuter. There are things that a 914 does poorly compared to a modern car.

When I first bought the car, I found myself sweating nervously because of the recalcitrant (<- cool word) shifter. But after a tranny rebuild (Doc Evil Disco Bay clinic) and almost a year now behind the wheel, I can honestly say the shifting is quite good. But compared to a modern car, there's no comparison. My son bought a 2012 Gof TDI, and I kid you not, that car can be shifted with your elbow.

The second thing to consider is noise. I never put the top on my car and after a 30 mile run on the freeway, my ears are ringing. That doesn't bother me much for just a weekend run, but I'm not sure I'd like to do that every day.

And the last thing to consider is HVAC. You're lucky not to have hot summer days where you live, but any car will get hot even on a 75 degree day if the car has to sit outside all day with the windows rolled up. Taking the top off helps a lot, but the standard vinyl seats just don't breathe at all and act more like big heat sinks. I use one of those old school seat cushions that keeps your butt and back off the vinyl, like this one:

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/D...3&ppt=C0350

Hope that doesn't discourage you cuz the 914 really is a great car, but I'm not sure it's a great commuter car.

Thats a gorgeous looking car you have. Love the color.

Yes, I was going to coment on how much I like that car. Very Nice color.
My curiosity is why most of you don't drive in the rain? What percipitated my quest for a teener (my third quest in 21 years) is my wifes hatred of my motorcycle (the 914 will be replacing it). One of the alurring factors was the ability to take it out in the rain (I don't do that on the bike).
Is it because thay leak water? or a rust issue? Safety?

[mrbubblehead]

rain = rust.....i got caught out in the rain in my car. i could almost feel it rusting...LOL.

luckily i had my rain hats on my carbs.

[chandler1969]

Rust prevention :-) I currently dont have major rust issues but I do have rust. Until I can tackle the current rust, I want to prevent it from becoming major rust.

Now back in the 90s. I had a 75 1.8 that was my everyday driver. Some rust but also leaked around windows and targa.

[SirAndy]

My question is: Will it be a viable daily commuter (20 mi. each way)?

Yes, it can be. I used to drive mine daily as a commuter for several years.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

I don't do that anymore, but not for technical reasons.
The lack of creature comfort combined with the fact that my 914 has turned into a semi-track car makes commuting a chore.
I routinely encounter stop-n-go traffic and the heavy racing clutch is no fun at all when you are not moving. My heater boxes are long gone and the car turns into a aquarium when it rains.

So now i drive the Jetta to work every day and the 914 gets a good workout on the weekends and the occasional drive to work on a nice sunny day.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/chowtime.gif)

[pcar916]

I've used mine as a daily driver since 1994. That's through a 2.7 and now a 3.6 since 1999. Wouldn't do it any other way. It's not a typical commute machine but I don't care. I used to leave a few hours early and cruise through the Arkansas twisty countryside for an hour before work every day... kept me focused. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[broomhandle]

I commute in mine every day. 1970, all original. kinda beater all original...

40 miles a day 20/20...

it has its toll, each day i notice more and more things on the car that need attention, and shifiting it in traffic is horrible. Its a sports car, not a comutter. And does not compare to a modern car, heat/shifting. And im getting like 22mpg.... pretty bad.

but other than that... 40 miles a day. And a lot of days, it is so fun to drive it will all the average cars on the road.

The 914 is still one of the best cars i have owned. with a modern engine/trans... it would almost perfect.

anybody else? how many miles?

[Silver Surfer]

Sunny days only and only if my job isn't completely stressing me out to the point of distraction (I need a new job). I was a daily driver until my wife started taking the bus to work and I made the mistake of taking her Mercedes to work for kicks. Cup holders and real heat/air and more than two twangy speakers spoiled me immidiately.

[ruby914]

I have driven one of my two 914s daily for the past 2 years. One stock the other has a WRX.
I broke the clutch cable on the stock one today. It gets about 30 mpg.
I think the WRX is now more reliable and less of a "chore to drive". It gets about 22 mpg.
Rain has been the hardest part to deal with.
Make sure your rear tail lights are sealed as well as all other rubber is doing its job.
I saw someone selling an umbrella or Sunbrella car cover. It's water proof and covers only the targa top and engine grill.
I thought it was a great idea but I was worried about how it attached to the fenders. I made myself the same but it attaches to the mirrors and anchors under the rear tires.
Can't drive with it but I sleep better with it out in the rain.

[PancakePorsche]

I daily commute 90 miles a day in my 76. I really enjoy the ride through the canyons to and from work. I do however give it the day off when it is raining mostly because I do not trust other drivers. Consistently gets 30 MPG. It does require some tinkering to keep a 914 on the road however but worth it, for me anyway.