OriginalSterm

I've finally got my girl friend interested in Porsches, but she has no interest in my 944. She enjoys watching the DE events but she is itching to get on the track herself. Would a 914 (any engine) be a good car for her to learn track driving?

What, if any, are the ups and downs of learning to drive a 914 on the track?


TIA!

Chris Martin

My only fear with a 914 would be safety and reliablity. I am in no way saying they are unsafe or unreliable, but with some one new to the track, they should be the first priorities.

ltc

In Green group, I can't imagine any Porsche which meets DE Safety Tech Inspection requirement would be a bad choice.

I went out with an instructor last year in a stock 914-6 in Red and had an absolute blast.

DrJupeman

A 914 can be a little devil of a car to master. Like an earlier 911, if you can drive a 914 fast you can drive just about anything well. You will learn to drive a 914 "by the book", which generally is a good thing. I had a friend who started in a 951. He seemed to be doing well. His car broke mid-event once and he hopped into another friend's 914 (which happened to be my old car). I went with him to make sure he'd be ok and also to amuse myself at watching him struggle with the differences between the two cars. It didn't take more than one trip up the uphill at Lime Rock for him to realize that the 951 had been masking mistakes. Within a few months he was tracking his own 914 and today he is a far more capable driver as a result!

No '70s car in stock form will be as safe as a newer Porsche. 914s are no exception. That said, for beginners, I would not hesitate to recommend a 914. Stock or nearly stock they are not fast and that helps a bit with safety. The slower speeds also forces you to learn about driving with momentum...

People accuse my turbo of having too much power, but I just smile inside knowing that I just drive it with momentum - as I learned to do in my 914...

38D

As the good Dr said, I think a 914 is great learning car. Unlike modern cars with great suspensions and PSM, the 914 is a twitchy little bastard. If you can drive a 914 fast, every other car will seem easy (ok, maybe not a SWB 9111!)

DGaunt

The challenge would be to find a rust-free example in your area. rust took a terrible toll on them in the north. But they are fun to drive and teach as only a low HP car can, to manage momentum and work on faster entry speeds

OriginalSterm

we've found one that's been somewhat restored, meaning all rust has been "removed" and "repaired" as well as being repainted (raveena green!). we'll be checking it out in person this weekend i believe (taxachusettes).

Jason @ Paragon Products

Be a little careful with a "repaired" 914. Some folks opinion of a "repair" leaves a lot to be desired.

38D

Agreed. Make sure you have someone who knows 914s well look at the car.

OriginalSterm

will do, thanks!

Matt Romanowski

I would second evertyhing else that people have said so far. Also, I think the best thing ever done for my driving was starting in a stock 914 1.7 liter. That will really teach you to drive correctly.

Matt