1974 Porsche 914 1.8 L Bosch L-Jet FI from North America
Summary:
A very fun, if not a little demanding, bargain of a sports car
Faults:
Needed some cleaning up and a little tuning when bought - not expensive, just a little time investment.
Broken alternator belt ~$100 in labor + $10 part.
Brake master cylinder failure. The replacement part ran about $180 and the labor was between $100 and $150.
Needed full tune-up. Approximately $300 in parts/labor for a complete, thorough job.
Oil cooler failure causing hot running (although not bad) and oil leaking. The new cooler ran $165 (a very good price when compared to other air-cooled Porsches). The labor was rather expensive, bringing the total repair bill to between $500 and $600.
General Comments:
The Porsche 914 is a very good entry level sports car. While it is somewhat underpowered, it's mid-engined layout allows for incredible road-handling. It can be a somewhat expensive car to repair when not properly maintained, and I would not recommend it to anyone who wants an economy ride that won't need any real maintenence or repair. If you are willing to spend a little money, I've found that the cost is worth the reward if you are a true sports car lover.
Personally, I have loved the car. There's nothing better than driving down a windy country road with the wind in your face (yes, all 914's have removable targa tops). While the cost of repairs has been a little steep, the car is now in far superior shape to when I bought it, and for the first time since I have owned it, it is trip-worthy and has no necessary repairs on the horizon.
Once the car is in generally good condition, it doesn't have to be an expensive car. If they are well cared for, 914's will run for a long time without major cost -- the key is to make the smaller investments necessary to avoid the great expenses that can arise. Additionally, the car's fuel efficiency is very good (~20mpg/town ~30mpg/highway), and insurance isn't bad either.
One very strong recommendation is to find the best Porsche shop that you can -- this is very important. Ask shops if they are experienced with 914's -- just because they service 911's doesn't mean that they see a lot of 914's. The 914 is a very difficult car to service, and in the hands of someone who doesn't have a VERY good idea what they are doing, problems can arise.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 29th June, 2001
12th Jul 2004, 23:19
The Sports Car Club of America sure seemed to think the 914 was a sports car. So did the Automobile Club de L'Ouest (A.C.O), the sanctioning body of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where a 914 placed 1st in it's class and 6th overall. By then, even Porsche thought it was a sports car. :)
Wrenching a 914 is much easier that many of the British cars I've worked on, including MG's, Triumphs, and Jensen-Healeys. Reaching things through the diminutive engine lid can be uncomfortable, yes, but gets easier once you know your way around. Also, much access can be had from the bottom as well. Engine removal and rebuilding is a relatively easy affair compared to most sports cars.
8th Jul 2005, 23:19
I have a 1974 2.0/4 and I love it. For me, I use mine like a GT car (for weekend, curvy road fun), although I've raced it in autocross a few times. For sports use, I use my 1980 VW Scirocco (for autocross). I like the idea of the "grand tourer" though--that's a point to ponder.
6th Dec 2007, 01:00
Not all Porkers are sports cars. The 914 certainly is (one of the best handling Porsches ever), as are most 911s, 912s, 944s, 968s, Boxsters and even the 924. The Cayenne certainly isn't (what is the point of a high power VW Tuareg?) and neither is the 928, which is almost the pure definition of a GT (Gran Turismo, Grand Touring) and is still a great car. All (apart from the Cayenne) are fantstic in their own way. I have owned a 944, 911 and driven many others and it has been a priviledge.
17th Jun 2004, 15:12
The 914 is not a sports car, It is a grand touring car. the difference is in the engine placement and emissions. GT cars are all about driving simply and enjoying it.