Posted on 07/23/2019 8:29:34 AM PDT by Red Badger
I have a ‘76 914 2.0 I am restoring now, a so. Cal car, almost no rust, in great shape, was running perfectly when driven in a friend’s new barn 13 years ago where it was abandoned. I didn’t want it, certainly was not looking for a 914 - especially a 4 - but it is in such good shape and so cheap, I took it. Just got the engine running, mechanically it seems fine. Was converted to Weber’s by Porsche dealer & I’m still working on getting those right - I have a full shop.
I hear they are incredible to drive, only drove it up my 1/2 mile drive - cannot wait.
Yeah, that 914-6 with the blue-printed engine was a big miss. But you know - never look back. the past is the past, cannot be changed....move on.....regrets only are negative on us - even if over major sins - and we all have some.....I too would have loved to drive one of those.
Best regards friend.........
PS: What’s wrong with loving both Vette’s and Porsche’s? Seems to me the only choice for an unbiased intelligent mind.......I appreciate ALL fine engineering & machinery, regardless of brand........
So what is your current mid-engined car? I’ve got 2 - my Cayman S and a ‘76 914 2.0......... :-)
Have you driven a Cayman or Boxster? If not, you must.......
The only Corvette I would like to have is the one my best friend’s older brother had when we were juniors in high school. It was a 1961 with a hardtop but no ragtop. The previous owner had put a dual quad 425 HP 409 in it. With a close ratio 4 speed and 4:88 rear, it would pull to 7,000 in top gear real quick and top out around 110. My friend and I used to cruise the drive-in joints in the summer of 1964 looking for races. The tight gears and rear enabled him to start in second gear from a red light and quick shift it into fourth so it sounded like a Powerglide automatic. It had big mufflers so it was real quiet too. And extra wide steel wheels on a lowered suspension with heavy duty shocks and springs like a road race setup. It was turquoise with black interior and bad to the bone. His brother sold it in late summer of 1965 for $1,800.
Current car is a Alfa 4C Spider, ever driven one of these, you should. Yes, I’ve driven both, thinking about a 2020 718 Spyder.
Have you ever driven a Toyota MR2 Spyder?
Or a Toyota MR2 turbo?
These cars are around for 8-$14K now. Some with very few miles. I know the engines are quite a bit smaller. However, they are considerably cheaper than a Acura NSX, even an early 1990’s model.
No, I haven’t, but my girlfriend owned a white MR2 Spyder for seven years, and I never so much even sat in it.im sure it would be a fun car to drive though.
Boy does she handle, and with manual steering, no assist, you can feel everything on the road, hell, run over road kill and you can tell what sex it was;-)
Toying with the idea of a Eurocompulsion remap& cold air intake, up to an additional 100hp
It’s definitely a toy car though, not a daily driver, but I love it.
I already asked crosdaddy.
Do you have any experience with the Toyota MR2?
Either the turbo edition form the early 1990’s or the later Spyder edition?
These can be now purchased for relatively small money with low miles.
The new vette is very well engineered and the bodywork is as much a product of wind tunnel and track testing as it is designer styling
Chevy got this one right and the amount of sophisticated engineering and development that went into the C8 is something that a company like Lamborghini can only dream of. The new vette is a milestone car that is going to reinvigorate the Corvette and sell like hotcakes. Hard to justify spending money on a Cayman when the vette is an alternative. Heck, it’s even hard to justify buying a Mazda Miata with the way the new vette is positioned in the market. Amazingly, with current market placement , the real choice is between a Porsche Cayman or a new C8 vette AND a Mazda Miata. That is amazing
Now that is funny. My Cayman was the last with conventional steering that gives road feedback - ‘12 went to digital.
I’m retired, but sometimes drive my Cayman every day - has 80k mis. on it now. She doesn’t sit.
Go tor the remap - I did and am so glad I did, tho mine didn’t get but maybe half that HP. It will be an all new car......
Friend of my son had one- great car for sure.
Really hard to find nice ones these days though......
Porsche owner here (air-cooled 911 track car and a 4 pot Cayman GTS in the garage).
The C8 seems like it will be a formidable beast. As someone upthread suggested, this car is stolen goods though until the bond holders are paid.
I have about 5 years warranty left on my CPO GTS. I want be making a move out of it any time soon.
You can buy the Miata and have money left over for a good motorcycle or two, which are as much or more fun than a sports car.
Yes, everything GM is stolen goods until bond holders are paid - which will be never. After 50 years of GM vehicles, that ended when GM became Government Motors - no more.
So your GTS is the new one? Not sure what 4 pot means - unless its a caliper.....
A 2015 GTS is the only one I’d trade mine for, but their high costs make it an unreasonable expense. But they are a good investment, vehicle-wise, as they hold their values so well.
I’m sure you enjoy your air-cooled 911 on the track......
There are several of the MR2 1991-1996 turbo versions around where people have replaced the engines.
There are also quite a few around with over 200K miles that show their longevity.
Occasionally, there is one with less than 50K miles, as most of these were only driven in northern climates on the weekend in the summer. Also, many of these 2 seat type cars were driven in Florida in the winter only for 3 months a year. When the gentleman owner passes away. Their widow sells their sports car.
I owned a 1999 Lexus SC400 for a couple years. It was the only vehicle I have ever owned that I sold for more than I bought it for. There are still a few of those around with less than 50K miles. The 1998-2000 models of the SC400 were the last ones with the V8 engine and 4 valves/ cylinder. They changed the design in 2001.
The Acura NSX’s have really gone up in value in the last two years. Even the early 1990’s models are $35-65K now. Especially the Targo top versions. These cars were $25-$45K ten years ago.
Agree with you 100%.
Actually made that judgement call on Miata vs C7 and price differential was not the deciding issue. The C7 is a better car, but the Miata is a more fun drive. Of course my ideal car is the Lotus Elan or Elise/Exige
Not sure I’d repeat that decision with the C8 - I’d probably spring for the the C8 if faced with an either or decision
For fun, I priced out a Cayman S that is pretty much the equivalent of the base, stripped version of the C8 and the most similar Cayman cost just under $94K.
The Cayman is really the closest competition to the C8 and at that price, the choice truly is between the Cayman S or a C8 AND a Miata
It’s actually very common to find people who own a performance oriented C7 and a Miata and the Miata is driven 10 times as much as the vette- or more.
Yes, the GTS is the 4 cylinder 3.5 liter 718. It is a blast on the street and fun on the track too - I’ve done one DE in it since buying it on Black Friday 2018.
I cut my DE teeth in the 911. Shifting a 915 transmission effectively around a road course is such a raw and sublime experience.
Meanwhile GM is dead to me (I switched from GM trucks to Ford). Otherwise I *may* have held out for the C8 before buying a new (to me) car. Now worries though. I am very happy with the 718.
I have to agree with you in return. I’ve a 9 year old Miata that’s still more fun to drive than anything else I have tried. That it’s had zero problems or issues thus far is icing on this very tasty piece of driving cake. That said, I am starting to like the 2019’s specs and may have to give it a test drive. May we all enjoy what we drive and drive what we enjoy.
Bluetick - I believe you meant to type 2.5 liter...... ;-)
Unbelievable how fast it is for a 4-banger........
Gotta say I’m happy with my almost track-tuned 3.4 six at 355+......all I’ll ever need, and more......I refuse to drag race with all the Mustang GT’s, GTR’s, etc. who want to - must make them mad......
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