My issue with these air cooled porsches is for the same money a newer car will offer the same handling and some creature comforts like AC. Guess I am showing my age feeling the AC is important. Regarding "feel" maybe on the track but on the street who cares? Even playing on the back roads my 87 MR2 was just as much fun as the 914.
In reply to porschenut :
Air Cooled 911's are what they are. Raw low-tech cars that either work for you or they don't. They are not a drive an hour in the hot sun car. There is an intangible feeling an early 911 has. If you want comfortable, AC, sound deadening, a good radio, modern seats, and your Apple car play an early 911 is not for you. They are 2nd or 3rd cars for people at this point. They come out when the weather is right and you are in the mood for some 911 time. They are not fast and they don't handle like cars from even the 80's. Expecting the handle like a modern car is stupid. They are old cars. If you want all that don't get an early 911. Get a 996 or a 997 or later (they are affordable) the last of the air-cooled cars have got so expensive. I will someday own a late 80's wide body NA car but just when these get in striking distance of my bank account they jump up again.
An air-cooled 911 is not for everyone. They are fun cars. Same as driving a 60's Alpha or a MGA. Comparing them to an 80s car is just not a good comparison.
In reply to dean1484 :
Correct and I add one more item. They are race cars that can drive decently on the street too. To own one of these and not spend some time on the track, even driver ed, is a sin. You cannot appreciate the excellence in design until you push to and maybe a little beyond the limit. True for 914s also, maybe even more so but at a slower speed. Driving my 914 on the track gave me enormous respect for the engineers who designed these cars.
I have a Boxster now, but I keep thinking I might want a 914, a modified Beetle or a Corvair. I know they are all very different things, but I would enjoy maintaining a car that didn't have all the plastic clips and plugs and various electronics that don't really relate to the primary function of a car like the Boxster does.
In reply to Tk8398 :
Get one of each? 😁
So, is part of that air cooled allure the skinny Michelin XWX 185/70R15 tires that where so easy for the 120-175 or so HP engines to overpower? I had some on my Volvo 1800 and they lasted less than 10,000 miles.
My dad used to autocross his 914, and he would have the local tire shops save nearly bald but usable XWXs for him so he pretty much always had tires for free.
VolvoHeretic said:So, is part of that air cooled allure the skinny Michelin XWX 185/70R15 tires that where so easy for the 120-175 or so HP engines to overpower? I had some on my Volvo 1800 and they lasted less than 10,000 miles.
Yes, that is exactly the appeal.
Modern cars stick like mad; while they are fast they lack that hooligan fun about them.
Also an average drive can find the limit in an old car on skinny tires.
Looking for info for my previous post on page 1 about building my dream version of a modern 356 kit car, I came across this 1865 lb, carbon fiber and titanium, skinny tired, 11,000 rpm 911 that was pretty awesomer. I thought that I would share. 
It's the thrashy noise of an air cooled Porsche that gets me going. And the size. So much smaller than the water cooled stuff. I don't need creature comforts in those cars. A 912 would be the perfect fit. Until then I'll have to make do with this.
More inspirational enabling:
911 New VS Old side by side. Boy, that new one is sure a porker.
VolvoHeretic said:So, is part of that air cooled allure the skinny Michelin XWX 185/70R15 tires that where so easy for the 120-175 or so HP engines to overpower? I had some on my Volvo 1800 and they lasted less than 10,000 miles.
My Merc does this to any 200tw tire. :-).
Now we are off in a new interesting direction. What happens if you put 40 year old tire design on a newer car to see how it handles at the limit when the speed is lower? Once all the computer assist is off what does it do when the tail is hung out?
I've driven some modern stuff on crappy tires, which isn't the same as modern stuff on low-grip but good tires so there's the caveat. Those experiences felt odd because the suspension was stiff enough to make the car feel like it should be capable, but then it just gave up on gripping the road. Like the suspension capability (and maybe my expectation of modern performance cars) was so out of step with tire capability that it felt a little disjointed, though yes, you could definitely slide around a bit more.
lower grip + softer suspension is a lot of fun, but I think either a 914 or older air cooled 911 has that in spades so it doesn't really separate them.
Porsche 911 vs 914 vs 356
If you would like to make a trip to sunny Califronia. I found this on another GRM forum page
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/3370182076451039
Best of both worlds?
I think if I wanted a good 914 I would go looking for a 987. And if I wanted a 911 I would look for a 911.
This is also pretending I had the money.
In reply to pres589 (djronnebaum) :
914s are fun at the speed limit, 987s are fun well past it.
I have owned two unrusted 914s starting with my 1.8 in 87 and a 2.0 a few years later. Both were used on the track but not trailered to events. The 1.8 was stock the 2.0 slightly modded. I absolutely had a blast driving them on track. They were especially fun in the rain with decent rain tires. During this time, I also had a Cobra Mustang with the intention of using it exclusively on track. I ended up using the Mustang as a trip car instead and continued using the 914 as my track car because it was just so much more enjoyable. However, the first 15 minutes of driving the 914s on my route to the track were enjoyable but after that not so much.
It is a unique driving car and has its place in my garage but I can drive my Miata more comfortably to places I wouldn't consider taking the 914. I've gotten out of the track stuff for other reasons but the 914 forever has a home with me.
In reply to preach :
I could see that.
I kind of wanted to suggest an AW11 type MR-2 over the 914 if I'm honest but I felt like that wouldn't be considered as a good alternative.
In reply to pres589 (djronnebaum) :
Gen 1 MR2 has some great handling design. especially below 60 MPH. The 914 has a lower center of gravity and is a little longer in wheelbase. To me it felt more forgiving when you get it sideways and much more stable at higher speeds. For the street toyota wins though. The redline and AC make it much more fun. The second generation MR2 just sucked. Snap oversteer was just rude.
porschenut said:In reply to pres589 (djronnebaum) :
Snap oversteer was just rude.
Brake a Cayman mid turn at speed...Haha
Has anyone adapted another transaxle to a 914 to get away from the dogleg 1st ?
At one time there was a set-up to reverse a 915 box , but that company is out of business ,
Maybe a Boxster , FWD Audi or even a Subaru :)
In reply to californiamilleghia :
915s have been put in them for Porsche transmissions. So many engine/tranny swaps are possible though.
You'll need to log in to post.
