Date: Mon, 8 Jan 2001 17:41:54 -0800
Reply-To: Daniel Schmitz <djs@GENE.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Daniel Schmitz <djs@GENE.COM>
Organization: Genentech, Inc.
Subject: Re: Wasserboxer and Porsche 914?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
John,
As an owner of approximately this combination of vehicles ('87
Westfalia, '75 914), I offer the following advice:
I have to echo what a previous poster said in response to your post.
Unless the '71 is pristine, $3K is a lot to spend. There are better
years to consider for this car. The '71 had a lousy shifting mechanism
(fixed in '73) and a passenger seat that is not adjustable for travel,
among other design defects.
The Porsche 914, while arguably more fun to drive, is no replacement for
the utility and practicality of a Bus or Vanagon. If you can only have
one car, I would have to side with practicality on this one. It's simply
not the same experience to camp out in a 914 as in a bus or Vanagon :)
Nor can you haul copious amounts of stuff around in one.
If you are buying a 4-cylinder (I assume it's not a six for that price),
most likely it's still a 1.7L if it hasn't been modified. But many
people installed "big-bore" kits on these, and they can make the engine
short-lived.
You should avoid cars that have carbs installed to replace the original
D-Jetronic fuel injection. D-Jetronic FI is excellent for these cars,
both in it's simplicity and driveability. Unfortunately, many owners
replaced it with dual carbs, which is never a good idea for a stock
engine.
Things to inspect closely: Rust occurs like cancer on poorly maintained
cars. Most notably, underneath the battery tray and, if long neglected,
the rear suspension console. If you find significant rust or cancer in
these areas, you should probably walk away!
Like Kyle, I would look for a good to excellent example of a '73 or '74
2.0. With these cars, you should do your research and pay as much as you
can afford for a good example. It's not worth spending less for a
"project" car. The cost to resurrect the 914 is not inexpensive.
Dan
John Schaper wrote:
>
> Can the erudite members of the list help me with a dilemma. Been a member
> of the list and a '85 GL owner for 3 years and love both. Now I have an
> opportunity to buy a "good condition" '71 Porsche 914 for around $3,000. Do
> I follow my emotions and go for it, or look at something more practical.
> After all, the '71 is 30 years old!
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