Most writers are intellectually lazy and usually without real depth in the subject some editor gave 'em a deadline for, which is how misinformation/cliche history is prepetuated. Remember too, Porsche replaced the 914 with the excreable 924 which ultimately sold about as many units... but is there a large and dedicated bunch celebrating them? Modifying them to fit their desires? Using them as God hisownself intended? Uhhh, no.
There's no rabid following for the greatly improved 944 in all it's guises, either.
The comments regarding poor build quality always amuse me. Compared to the 914's price point competition, they were in most cases superior in fit and finish... as a Porsche, that was expected. X19 anyone? Fiat 124? Neither had as nice an interior, were equally underpowered, and rusted even worse.