Considering migrating from a Miata... am I crazy? Options

[fuzzybeanbag]

Hi all,

First - sorry ahead of time if you've seen a million of these posts...

I currently own a rare-ish 95 M Edition Miata (the purple one); low mileage, exceptionally maintained, race suspension bla bla, etc. It is a fun car, a weekend tosser if you will, and the 2nd one I've owned so I know my way around Miatas.

Recently, I've been looking around 914s in the CA Bay Area, a car that I've always liked (and only because if the flip-up headlights)... and come across a couple that are priced fairly well and appear to be fairly restored, at least cosmetically.

But - I am a stranger to aircooled drivetrains, my familiarity with VAGs is limited to MK6 GTI, B7 Passats, C7 A6 TDI and B8.5 A4s... so fancy modern cars.

What am I potentially getting myself into? I am good with a screwdriver and a hammer; can even handle a wire stripper and a soldering iron... But in the years I've owned my Miata, aside from the occasional oil change, brake pad/rotor maintenance, and tightening of a slightly leaky oil pan drain plug, I had to do zero work on the car...

... it also has a working A/C.

Thanks in advance!


(IMG:style_emoticons/default/sheeplove.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sheeplove.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sheeplove.gif)

[BuddyV]

Hmm..... let me see if I can keep you from a big cry.....

the Porsche thing is a big step up from Miata. History, feel,yada yada.

But the 914 is not what I would call.... uh..... comfortable. The Miata I would definitely call comfortable. You can drive it every day if you wanted. THAT to me is the biggest drawback to the 914.

So.....

I also have a 924S with a 968 motor.

OMG.

Lately I am driving it almost every other day. i get AC, small scale, customizability (IMG:style_emoticons/default/w00t.gif) , Porsche charm, not-every-other-car-on-the-street, and with the upgraded motor.... power to spare.

.... and pop up headlights (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

Maybe my conversion is not ideal..... but if i were coming from the Miata world, I might turn my head toward the 944 Turbo platform. It makes more sense.

Ten years ago this would have been a different conversation..... prices for GOOD, reliable 6 cylinder conversions were reasonable. for a weekend car, that was the ticket.

i just don't think a 4 cylinder is going to do it for you.

Contact me if you want to drive the 924.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[Andyrew]

Hmm..... let me see if I can keep you from a big cry.....

the Porsche thing is a big step up from Miata. History, feel,yada yada.

But the 914 is not what I would call.... uh..... comfortable. The Miata I would definitely call comfortable. You can drive it every day if you wanted. THAT to me is the biggest drawback to the 914.

So.....

I also have a 924S with a 968 motor.

OMG.

Lately I am driving it almost every other day. i get AC, small scale, customizability (IMG:style_emoticons/default/w00t.gif) , Porsche charm, not-every-other-car-on-the-street, and with the upgraded motor.... power to spare.

.... and pop up headlights (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

Maybe my conversion is not ideal..... but if i were coming from the Miata world, I might turn my head toward the 944 Turbo platform. It makes more sense.

Ten years ago this would have been a different conversation..... prices for GOOD, reliable 6 cylinder conversions were reasonable. for a weekend car, that was the ticket.

i just don't think a 4 cylinder is going to do it for you.

Contact me if you want to drive the 924.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

Hell of a lot more car in a 944 turbo than the 914 as well for the money. They are now in the same price range again.

The 944 turbo is an incredible car.

Great daily
Great track car
Great nostalgia feel
Great AC and heat
Great power and some serious handling
And you want to talk about practicality? That trunk can fit a sheet of plywood... Or 2k lbs of bricks.... Ask me how I know ..