914 as a daily driver?

[jonnoshore]

Does anyone on here use their 914 as a daily driver?

Just wondering how reliable they are...

My Girlfriend used her 68 beetle everyday until it was crashed into...

And my other question how good are 914's in accidents? I assume better than a beetle due to headrests etc...

[Barry]

I briefly had a 914. There was nothing to suggest that it would be any problem as a daily driver. It had a surprising amount of luggage space, was high geared, so happy on motorways, and not too bad on fuel either. Mine had no reliability problems at all, even after standing for long periods.

Only downside is that I found maintenance a bit of a pain, as access to so many parts can be tricky: having said that it's probably just a case of getting used to it: like all of these things, once you have done most jobs for the first time, and know what to expect, it would probably be fine.

As to crash resistance, I don't know, but was amazed at how solid the car was when being jacked up: even when jacked on the factory (virtually central) jacking points, the door gaps barely moved at all. I would suspect they would actually be pretty strong in a crash.

[Gilbert '71 T]

Absolutely agree with Barry, I used mine daily on a 70 mile round trip for a few months last year, incredibly robust cars these 914's, after all they are VW

I'd have no reservations about taking it anywhere. Infact I drove it from London to York last year for a superb trackday organised by Hot66, bombed around the course all day, then drove it back to London in the evening, and the car loved it, and so did I . In terms of reliability they're great, can be a bit of work in traffic, but the smiles and comments you get from other drivers in they're euroboxes make it all worth while

I can leave it for a few weeks and it'll start right up, I really love my 914. I've been in 2 minds about selling it recently, but after a chat with Dynosoar I think it will probably stay in the household for a while yet unless of course something also interesting comes along.

[drummerboytom]

I have stopped now , but i used my first 914 and then my 914/6 as daily drivers for over three years . I had to with my first 914 as it was my only car .

[jonnoshore]

I have a Focus mk1 TDci Eurobox.... Which will be a lot faster than the 914 1.7...Maybe even round the bends?... but was thinking more along the lines of depreciation less motoring and freeing up the cash in the Focus for the house... Although I will miss 55 mpg!

I will always have the Lancia and the GF's Fiesta 1.25 to use in times of need.

What can I expect from a 1.7 on properly set up carbs? 25mpg?

[Ian Gunney]

John

you could always use the ££ from the Focus for the wedding

Ian

[jonnoshore]

"you could always use the ££ from the Focus for the wedding"

She aske me what the budget is...

I said there is no budget.

She said great...

I said, No there is NO budget