914 vs. 912, need input Options

[Z Driver]

I've been looking at 914's for a while as an auto-x car/fun driver. I receltly saw a 912 (pretty beat up) in my auto-x region and have fallen in love with that car. I like the idea of the early 911 styling with a four cylinder. I think the 911 shape up to the 993 generation are just so classy. There's a nice 912 I might take a look at but I need to know if I'll be walking into a car that will not compete well in auto-x. I know the 914 is a proven auto-x winner, but what about the 912 in HS or FSP? I just love the 912 and the extra power is nice but I don't want something I'd have to pour much money into and not have it at the level of a stock 914.

[ArtechnikA]

SWB cars are *extremely* nimble - wheelbase is what - 11" (!) less than a 914... they don't have as much weight in the back as a 911. it is getting *very* hard to find correct suspension for SWB cars. (go look for a pair of those SWB ball joints...)

that leaves the '69. had driveability issues as shipped - emissions rearing their ugly head on an engine designed for earlier, simpler times (a foreshadowing of the '76 914...).

i had a v-e-r-y early 912 and it was fun, but it was too rusty to do what i wanted and too expensive to restore. i bought a 914.6 instead.

IMO a LH 911 would be a better choice, at least from the value retention standpoint. for a car you're determined to keep forever, a 912 could be fun. watch out for rust, especially in the front pan and torsion tube.

i don't think there are any totally horrible Porsches (even the Cayenne makes a decent tow vehicle...) but some have more issues than others that require going in with your eyes open...