Opinion on the 912E

[LTSmash]

My mother has spotted one for sale and wants to have a new toy she can cruise around in.

What are your thoughts? Should she get this for fun?

Note, this is the 912E (sold in US only) and not the 912.

[clutch-monkey]

hmm sold in the US only doesn't bode well
other than that, how much driving does she do?

[LTSmash]

how much driving does she do?

Not much, she has other cars to put miles on. I think she just wanted this as a weekend cruiser.

[clutch-monkey]

eh, i don't see any problem with this plan. it's light, simple, easy to drive and looks neat in a classic car way. go for it?

[pimento]

Note, this is the 912E (sold in US only) and not the 912.

What's the difference?

[LTSmash]

What's the difference?

Research shows a VW 2.0 B4 instead of a Porsche engine.

[Soloracer]

Its a garbage car, no power, over heats, not fun, doesn't even sound good.

[NicFromLA]

70s 912 I assume? I've heard good things as a cruiser.

[LTSmash]

70s 912 I assume?

I should have specified earlier. 1976.

[csl177]

LTSmash, go to the source for info on these, the 912 Registry. History of the Porsche (TM) 912 - The "356D"

While it's true the '76 912E (one year only) used the injected 2.0 from the 914, that doesn't make them a bad car. On the contrary, these models are a perfect choice for those interested in handling and not outright speed. They are nicely appointed and compared to early 912s reasonably priced. Only 2000 or so were produced so they're fairly rare.

It might be the perfect choice for your mom: a fun car with style, without the expense of a 911.
Just be sure to have a reputable Porsche shop do a PPI on it before writing any checks.

BTW, I just bought my 3rd 911 and 4th Porsche, a '68 (Europe only) 911S Targa Sportomatic, #253 of 442 built.

Good luck, hope she gets what she wants.

[clutch-monkey]

LTSmash, go to the source for info on these, the 912 Registry. History of the Porsche (TM) 912 - The "356D"

While it's true the '76 912E (one year only) used the injected 2.0 from the 914, that doesn't make them a bad car. On the contrary, these models are a perfect choice for those interested in handling and not outright speed. They are nicely appointed and compared to early 912s reasonably priced.

pretty much what i was thinking, surely she does not need some fire breathing twitchy hopped up 911 for a weekend cruiser.

[LTSmash]

csl177, thanks for the link and information.

And, congrats on the new Porsche.

EDIT:

pretty much what i was thinking, surely she does not need some fire breathing twitchy hopped up 911 for a weekend cruiser.

Yeah, she's not looking to impress anyone with her superb driving skills. She's always wanted a small classic car when she got older and I guess this can replace the boring Merc's for all those years.

[csl177]

Good for her... just have a shop do a pre-purchase inspection, if it's a good car she'll love it.

Old? How old is she? I'm feelin' positively geezeresque now.

[LTSmash]

Good for her... just have a shop do a pre-purchase inspection, if it's a good car she'll love it.

Old? How old is she? I'm feelin' positively geezeresque now.

*cough* 53 *cough*

But officially 35.

[csl177]

*cough* 53 *cough*

But officially 35.

Yow. I just turned 54 on the 11th. Geezerville.

The good part of getting older is knowing all that stuff that used to bother you is pointless.
The bad part is trying to convince younger types that's the truth.

I'm actually 27, but my joints lie to me all the time.