Jay Gratton

Why would you rather have a 912 over a 911? Is it the higher price or is it something else that draws you into a 912? Also, do you consider the 912E a "real" 912 or does it have to be an earlier one to be a "real" 912? (For the record I think the E is a "real" 912). Just looking to get some acton going on this board.

911URGE

My parents have owned a 68 912 since 1972 and they would never give it up. Its an unusual model that bridged the low cost gap when Porsche retired the 356. Its fun to see the differences between 912's from the same model year. Here is my parents fully restored 912.

Jay Gratton

Great looking car! I love the 912's a great deal.

Jay Laifman

Well, I'll throw it the other way. I love 356s and 911s. I have nothing against the jewel of engine that the 356s and 912s have. I've had my 911 for 18 years now. I've owned a 356 for many years and loved every minute driving it. So, I've always harbored the thought of getting a 912 soft window. But, every time I get in and drive a 912 it falls short for me. It's not the power thing. Like I said I love 356s and owned one for many years. It's just that mentally when I see or am in a 911 bodied car, there is a disconnect when the sound and feel of the 912 engine comes through and it's not the whine of the 911. I've tried, I really have. But, the SWT 912 is basically off the list for me now. If I'm getting another car with a 356/912 engine, it will be a 356.

Jay Gratton

Thanks for sharing that point of view. If I couldn't have a 911 to go with my 912 I would probably feel the same way. I would much rather have a 356 then a 912. Good stuff guys keep it coming!

Greg D.

Personally, I liked 356s but found them too impractical to be driven too often, and a bit too unsafe as well in case of an accident. The early 912 scratched my itch in that it has a simple 356 motor that I know very well and is easy to maintain, the handling of a 911 - some might say better handling even, thanks to less weight in the rear - safer steering column and better brakes too.

Also, I used to own an early 911 (been there done that) and I also have an 83 911, so I was not begging for more power and the 912 was something different. The stratospheric price of early 911s also helped with that decision ! In my case, I sold a 356 A that I was rarely driving, and the proceeds bought me a perfect 69 912, a very nice 83 SC, and money in the bank. That's my rationale ! the 912 is fun, cheaper, and different !

Now if you asked me about a 912E I would not sing the same tune, when you can buy an SC for $10K or less, I don't see the point of a 912E. But you can get an early 912 for 1/2 or 1/3 of an early 911 and have just as much fun, IMHO...

butzip

Well alot of people think the desirable part of a 356 is the body and the desirable part of the 911 is the engine so for those people, the 912 is the worst of both worlds.

I, of course, do not agree with that.

The simplicity of the 356/912 engine and the performance/handling of the 911 make for one heck of a fun car. Not a brute but adaquate. Incredibly balanced and tossable but bordering on under powered.

Now, I too have always had my 912 (dad bought it new) and 944 turbo/911 on the side. Lately I'm considering scaling down to one car for ease of ownership/taxes/insurance/anxiety etc... That said, if I'm going to have only the 912, I going to put a 3.0 in it. See thread in 911 page '3.0 with PMOs on 901' or something to that effect. I'd really like 912 owners to weigh in on that one.

Brgds, Peter

Greg D.

On the 3.0 idea ? Well... it's been done but it is cost prohibitive. You need to weld new engine mounts, you need to add all the electronics to go with it unless you carburate it (like you said) but then mileage is awful... And you need a 915 box because sooner or later your 901 will grenade from the torque. Don;t forget the wxtra weight back there and beefier torsion bars you will need,a nd maybe bigger wheels and tires too. Mostly, it's too expensive considering you could sell your 912 as is and with less money, buy a 911.

Its going to be hard to find a NICE 3.0 + a nice 915 < $6500 total. Plus the $$$ on work and time, and in the end you have a car that lost value... Of course if you have a 3.0 handy and your time is free, well... you're still butchering a 912 but that is somewhat reversible. I'd keep the 912 - for what it is - and with the money you are about to blow, buy a beater as the other car. I have a $9000 83 911 SC as my beater ;-) Nice beater !

912bbs.org has stories on conversions...

VGM911

In my view, owning a 912 allows the owner to feel like he's driving a classic....and a special piece of history. This is much the same feeling as one gets from ownership of a 356 or an early 911 - they're automotive icons. For a person who wants handling, braking, and acceleration, the 911 is quite the better choice.

As a 912E owner, I use the car for weekend jaunts, Sunday drives, and occasional entries in PCA concours events (even though mine isn't restored). However, its stock 86hp is somewhat unsuitable for driving tours where the newer cars enjoy flexing their muscles.

So...I also have a 911 and (until three weeks ago), a 968. Both models give great pleasure to those who value performance over nostalgia/classic design. Even the sixties 911s, with their rear weight disadvantage, more easily bring smiles to their drivers because of the superior power output of their engines.

With mixed feelings, I'm selling the 912E to reduce the size of my "motor pool." It has been an inexpensive way to experience Porsche ownership and by preserving it rather than restoring it, the Porsche experience is much more affordable!

Like many questions in life, the 911 vs. 912 issue has no definitive answer other than to evaluate how it meets a particular driver's needs and expectations. Thankfully, they're both Porsches!

hoffman912

why a 912? cause its one better than 911

its lighter, more nimble, and very stable. it can out handle a 911 easily in the twisties.. i know that one 1st hand... i was with one of my 911 buddies in cali a few years ago, driving through some awesome backroads and twisties. he would easily pull away from me in the straights with his 80s 3.0 carrera, but he couldnt shake me in the twisties. i could have easily passed him and pulled away from him in those switchbacks but i didnt want to be an ***. that being said, you can push a 912 closer to its limits any day of the week and still have a very forgivable car that wont snap away from you as easily (although they can and will get away from you.. i have done it before and had 2 close calls). in a 911, you wont ever get close to really feeling its ultimate limits.

another huge factor is that you will never, ever win the HP race with ANY car. there will always be faster cars with much more hp. there are many faster cars than 911s and 912s. there is no sense in trying to win the HP battle cause you will always have someone else with more HP. but lighter, more nimble and handling.. thats hard to come by.

a 912 has the classic lines, timeless shape and it has all the charm and charisma anyone could ever ask for. they are gorgous, and yet, quite simple to work on which makes it a big plus.

hoffman912

I agree with Greg, putting a 3.0 in a 912 has been done buts its cost prohibitive. if you want that, buy a 911 that already has a 3.0 in it -it will be cheeper in the long run.

Jay Gratton

We have a guy in our PCA club who has a 912E and when he has it on the track no one can touch him in the corners. Even more impressive is that this thing is a concour car and it is BONE STOCK! This guy just drives the wheels off it and I can't believe with all of that body roll he hasn't flipped the car over yet. They are all neat cars. I would keep the 912 a 912 and get a 3 liter if you want one. - Jay

Pedro356C

It's probably the best value in the P-car world...

Jay Gratton

I have to disagree on that one Pedro. As much as I hate to say it, I think the 924S is the best value for the money right now. For $2K you get a bullet proof car that handles (more nimble then the 944) and brakes very well on the track. After the 924S I would say the 951 and then a early 986. In my opinion I don't know where the 912 would fall.

Steve Jensen

Jay - the 912 you can sell in 5 or so years and probably make a profit... of course, the 924 is headed that way too...