914 Porsche weekend driver... realistic?

Very easy car to maintain.

The engine is very common, used in VW van from 1972 - 1983. Also common for dune buggies.

You can get a total rebuilt one for less then $2000.

Very rugged engine.

After 1977 then switched to hydraulic lifters, so no need for valve adjustments anymore.

Can be retrofitted.

Easy to put in larger bore pistons and cylinders.

Not really that weak because it is so light, and you don't have to slow down on corners because it handles so well.

Only real expense is if transaxle has problems.

They are much less common than the engine, and cost something like $2500 to rebuild because not many know how. Shift linkage can be somewhat problematic, but not that expensive to fix right. Rust is not that much of a problem because most surfaces are flat. What you can't braze, you can patch with fiberglass from the inside.

IMHO, the desirability of 914's is such: (forgetting the hideously high priced 914-6) seventy 3 & seventy 4 2.0, seventy 3 & seventy 4 a million.7, the seventy 5 & seventy six fashions and final 70 via seventy two fashions. seventy 3 observed a extra advantageous shifter, consequently those years. In seventy 5 Porsche went to the better rubber bumper which some desire yet I desire the chrome ones from earlier years. except you could weld, rust is a deal killer. look under the battery tray heavily with a amazing mild. it is the 1st place to rot. If this is no longer ruined you have have been given wish. Then look under the vehicle and interior the wheel wells. floor rust is fixable yet something previous that demands panel alternative. it extremely is troublesome to get the engine out as you may desire to deliver it out the backside with the transmission. you will prefer jack stands and a stable jack plus a large style of time to try this. Adjusting the valves is a soreness too. factors are attainable and can be shared with some VW's. There are books on fix and many help attainable on the internet. 914 international and the 914 club could be existence-savers. additionally, AutoAtlanta is a great resource of suggestion. I rebuilt a seventy 4 2.0 and it extremely turns heads. It corners like a curler skate and sounds beautiful with the inventory muffler. this is no longer nicely worth plenty on the industry in comparison to different Porsches yet then i'm no longer advertising the two.

sure you can use a 914 as a daily driver, providing it's not some neglected beater of a car. They are a PITA to work on, so you should line up a good mechanic who likes and understands them.

Aftermarket parts are pretty darn good.

If you can, get a 2.0 liter version, not a 1.7. While it's "only" a VW engine, these are not bug engines, and they cost a boatload to rebuild, so don't presume that a 914 with a blown engine is EVER a good deal---it's usually not.

The 914 is reliable and handles very well, but it uses a VW van engine and it is very slow. You will have fun making sharp turns, but not accelerating.

It is extremely hard to find one without rust. Ones under $10,000 usually have lots of rust.