Porsche 914 - opinion?

[Sleepingkitty]

My dad, and I were helping some friends of ours fix a fence, at their house, and we found out that they have four Porsche 914s [Idk the years] (three of them, are in their yard, under tarps, and one is in their garage). None of them look like they would run, in their current state (the one in the garage looked good, but the engine was slightly taken apart), and it didn't look like the family was working on fixing them (their dad was probably working on it, several years ago, but he died recently). I'm 16, and getting ready to look for a car, and my dad loves old cars, and is really good at fixing them, and whatnot. We are thinking about asking them how much they would sell any/all of them for, because they'd probably sell them for cheap, to us, but my dad doesn't want to, if I don't want the car (which I kind of do). So, if we bought say, two of them, and used parts from one to fix the other, would it be worth it? Are they good cars? My dad loves Porsches (he had a porsche 912, years ago and got really mad at me, because I almost threw a rock at it, when I was like 3, lol), and said that the 914s were really nice cars, but he wants me to do some research on them, before I make a decision.

Opinions, please! Thanks!

 

[Shane]

Well that particular Porsche model was made from 1970 to 1975-76. They are relatively slower cars by today's standards, but that don't dispute the fact that they were good running and good looking little cars. The value for those cars could range in between $1,500-5,000 depending on the condition. Since you are not sure that it runs then a good price for a non running one would be about $700 dollars, in my opinion. Another little fun fact about them is the engine sizes. 1679 cc 76 hp 1970-1974 and 1795 cc 72 hp 1974-1976. You really should talk to the owners about the condition of the cars and have your dad go with you of course. Also realize that parts for these cars will be tough to come by so keep that in mind. What I recommend is to get a 80's or 90's model car for your first car. I'm not saying pass up those cars either though, I'm just saying that if you broke down somewhere then that car may need to brought to a specialty shop, or in your case to your dad. LOL

 

[TerrenceB]

Hahahahaha!! My bestfriend drove a 1972 914 back when we were in highschool (we graduated in 1990). That car always needed work. They are pretty expensive to repair- which is why he got rid of his when we started college (mom and dad weren't going to pay for the repairs anymore). this is definitely NOT a 912 and it's not as reliable as one either. However, they have become collectible cars in recent years. The most sought after is the 914-6.... Which, like the name suggests, has a 6 cylinder engine. Those are extremely rare and command a pretty high price. If your dad bought them for cheap, he could restore them but it won't be cheap. Just remember that the last year they made them was 35 years ago so good parts won't be easy to find and they won't be cheap. Here's a Wikipedia link about the 914:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche_914

 

[C7S]

The 914 is known to be one of the weakest cars Porsche has ever made in terms of power. They share the same engines with the VW Minivans the hippies loved to drive.

But the 914 is a monster on the track. Its extremely light weight makes it handle like a race car. It is lots of fun to drive once you can get it running. Even better if you can afford an engine swap for a more powerful engine. They are reliable too.

Problems: Rust. Many of them are rusted beyond repair. Your friends might have 4 Porsche's so that they can cut pieces off from other bodies to make one good body with minimal rust.

Fixing rust is a very expensive job.

It would be easier and cheaper to get a Porsche 924 or 944 to fix up. They also handle very well and have more power than the 914.

A 914 is rough shape still costs almost $10,000. You can get the much faster, more powerful, better handling, newer Porsche Boxster for the same price. So it is not cheap. But a 924 or 944 in good shape cost around $6000. Some in need of work cost $3500-5000.

 

[popeye]

Are they all 914s or is at least one of them a 914-6?
The 914 had a volkswagen engine,a cheap substitute to lower the price. the 914-6 had a real porsche engine.
If you got a 914-6 then you have something worth saving. Its light weight and mid engine weight distribution make it one of the most fun cars to drive ever.
I doubt that any other car feels as much like an extension of its owner as a 914-6.
If so, Buy them all. use the others as parts cars for the 914-6.

 

[AleisterCrowley]

Wow... so much misinformation here. Kids, if you've never actually owned and worked on these cars, just stay quiet. The 914 is a fine car, provided it has been well maintained. The 4 cylinder models aren't particularly fast, and the engine in them is actually a slightly modified type 4 motor, not the type 2 that the vans used, and provides more than adequate power for a lightweight, aerodynamic car...c7s, i don't know where you got it in your head that a 914 in rough shape goes for 10K, as the median price for a "rolling restore" candidate is 2-3 grand. They are great fun to drive, as they're quite nimble. The 6 cylinder models command a considerable premium over their lesser siblings, but if one has the time and money, it isn't hard to swap out the engine a 914/4 for something with a bit more oomph. I know of a car that had a 3.2 carrera/g50 motor/transaxle swapped into it; it frequently
embarrasses 996's. Buying two with the intention to make one really nice one isn't a bad idea, just understand that to restore a Porsche and do it right, you're going to need proper knowledge, lots of time, and a decent chunk of change. Be on the lookout for "turkey tracks" by which i mean evidence of improper maintenence, poorly repaired body damage (bondo IS NOT your friend), and idiotic modifications.

"It would be easier and cheaper to get a Porsche 924 or 944 to fix up. They also handle very well and have more power than the 914" Ignore this advice, as the 924's were such awful cars that most Porsche fans have disowned them. They were rotten little cars that had the engine out of a vw van (The lt series), and they did not handle as well as the 914, and honestly seemed to be even pokier...I know this because again, I've actually driven these cars. The 914 has the advantage of not possessing the numerous "gremlins" that the '24 does. The 944 is a great car to drive, but the problem is that by now most of them are so old (and more than a few have lived very hard lives) that you will spend more time wrenching on them than actually driving them, and they will pillage your bank account. Again, if you don't know what you're talking about, remain silent please.