1974 Porsche 914 2.0 from North America

Summary:

Awesome handling, fair reliability, some practicality

Faults:

Lots of wear and tear.

Poorly-repaired previous accident damage.

Engine needed full overhaul at about 110,000 miles (on the odometer; more likely at least 200,000 miles more than that on the car from other evidence).

Transmission needed full overhaul at about 120,000 miles (indicated).

Fuel injection troubles have plagued the car since shortly after the engine rebuild.

General Comments:

Amazing cornering and handling with the stock suspension. Even better with the small modifications that I have made.

Simple enough to work on yourself, for the most part.

It feels underpowered, but it can still get out of its own way.

Not the most reliable car in the world, but endless fun when you get to some windy twisty roads!

It gets fair to good fuel mileage.

The removable roof panel lets you enjoy topless driving, but is more secure than a canvas roof.

Makes a great little race car with just a few modifications!

Carries a tremendous amount of stuff for how small it is--two trunks really are better than one!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th October, 2005

19th Jan 2006, 15:51

WOW I am glad that your mentioned the bike!! I have had 2 914's. The first one was yellow and matched my Schwinn Paramount. When the Paramount was stolen, I replaced it with a silver Paramount. Of course I sold the yellow 914 and purchased a silver 914. I still have both the 914 and the Paramount with great memories of packing the Schwinn into the trunk and heading out to meet the bike club, Sunday mornings, in Evanston, IL.

6th Dec 2009, 22:06

911 guy's apply gas in the corners not the brakes. The tail gets happy if you don't. That's the best way, my Porsche little brother. I have a 911 but do love these 914s. Aircooled is simply the way to go. Porsche is the only way to go. It's simple 911 turbo look 84-89, then a 914 in great condition.

My concern is the 914 body and frame is not galvanized and are prone to rust, as 911s are dipped and electro plated.

In reply to 6th Dec 2009, 22:06

12th Feb 2010, 10:35

Porsche started galvanizing 911s in around 1977, so all previous ones were just as prone to rust as the 914s.

1974 Porsche 914 2.0 from North America

Summary:

A jewel in the rough!

Faults:

The bearings on all four wheels needed replacing.

The passenger side back caliper leaks.

The Targa top and side seals need replacing.

The drip tray was missing, hence I needed to rebuild the distributor, because of corrosion.

Passenger seat and back pad need replacing.

General Comments:

I love my little car.

Exceptional handling. (this is from a former Mazda rx7 owner)

Much roomier than it looks.

The car still does around 135mph!!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th April, 2004

16th Jun 2004, 11:38

What have you done to the engine? Have you dyno'ed your car? I am impressed and curious regarding your "135." 95 bhp does not make it to 135.

I have one 914 (cancerous, unfortunately) and am looking for another. I have explored many options for making the little Audi truck engine (yep) equal the handling of the 914. The solution is simple - money. 160hp/2.3L Type 4 engine will cost about $6K and get you into the 135 neighborhood.

If you have done this more cheaply, please, let me know how.

In reply to 16th Jun 2004, 11:38

17th Nov 2012, 20:59

I recently found a low mileage 911 SC engine, which is going into the 914. It was 5k, then all the other stuff; motor mount, oil tank and system, starter for the 911 engine, CDI box, and headers put me out another 3 thousand. So for a few more thousand than the 6k used to build up the VW engine, it's possible but not easy to find a Porsche engine in good shape, and then with low mileage and also no labour costs, as it is my own project, if you shop around long enough, a cheap, enough good Porsche engine can be had.