1971 Porsche 914 review from North America
"A fun, unreliable toy"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
What things haven't is a better question.
The transmission had to be rebuilt (broke while shifting while driving), and it is still leaking from time to time.
The Odometer intermittently works.
The parking break was fixed, but recently has started to go weak again (something with rear break calipers?).
The horn has stopped working, twice.
The starter had to be replaced because it refused to work when the car was hot.
And ALL of this went wrong w/in 4,000 miles!
General comments?
The car handles like a dream. It's a gas to drive fast on mountain roads, but highway driving is another story. The small engine makes passing a huge pain on uphills, and to go anything over 50 requires you to be in 4th to maintain power on hills.
The targa top is awesome. You can drive with it off in winter here (San Fran bay area) with the heater going, and the heater keeps it warm.
I recommend this as a toy, nothing more. As a daily driver, you will be horribly disapointed with the reliability, and if you want to work on it yourself, remember, the engine is a HUGE pain to get at.
Recommended Reviews:
  | 914-2.0 is an Excellent and Affordable Sportscar, and will be as widely recognized a classic as the |
  | Great fun, comfortable and reliable |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Don't Know |
| First year of ownership | 2003 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2004 |
| Engine and transmission | 1.7 Manual |
| Performance marks | 7/10 |
| Reliability marks | 2/10 |
| Comfort marks | 9/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 4/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 24000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 28000 miles |
| Date of Entry | 25th July, 2004 |