Allen
Answer
Absolutely.
And for the record, sabotage, the 914/6 originally had 110hp from its flat 6 engine borrowed from the 911T of the day. The flat 4 started out as a 1.7 liter engine with 80hp, dropped to 72hp in 1973 due to smog regs. This same year the 2.0L with 95hp was introduced. This engine had Porsche designed heads for better performance. In '74, the 1.8L with 76hp replaced the 1.7 and the 2.0 lost 7 hp in '75-76.
These cars were never meant for straight line performance and were never a match for the V8 muscle cars of the day. However, they would eat up those Detroit behemoths once the roads turned twisty. As a momentum car, handling was, and is, the 914's strength.
Today, you can find the 914 with a variety of power plants to boost horse power including "Big 4s" (type IV bored and stroked), flat 6 conversions using the Porsche engine from 2.2 to 3.6, VW 1.8 turbo, Subaru WRX. various V6 engines, and, of course, V8s! There are even electric versions running the roads.
You can find the 914 at autocrosses where they often post Fastest Time of Day against even other Porsches both old and new.
So, if your definition of a sports car includes a great handling, 2-seat, open top vehicle that is guaranteed to put a grin on your face every time the road bends, then, yes, the Porsche 914/6 (and /4) is considered a sports car.
Absolutely.
And for the record, sabotage, the 914/6 originally had 110hp from its flat 6 engine borrowed from the 911T of the day. The flat 4 started out as a 1.7 liter engine with 80hp, dropped to 72hp in 1973 due to smog regs. This same year the 2.0L with 95hp was introduced. This engine had Porsche designed heads for better performance. In '74, the 1.8L with 76hp replaced the 1.7 and the 2.0 lost 7 hp in '75-76.
These cars were never meant for straight line performance and were never a match for the V8 muscle cars of the day. However, they would eat up those Detroit behemoths once the roads turned twisty. As a momentum car, handling was, and is, the 914's strength.
Today, you can find the 914 with a variety of power plants to boost horse power including "Big 4s" (type IV bored and stroked), flat 6 conversions using the Porsche engine from 2.2 to 3.6, VW 1.8 turbo, Subaru WRX. various V6 engines, and, of course, V8s! There are even electric versions running the roads.
You can find the 914 at autocrosses where they often post Fastest Time of Day against even other Porsches both old and new.
So, if your definition of a sports car includes a great handling, 2-seat, open top vehicle that is guaranteed to put a grin on your face every time the road bends, then, yes, the Porsche 914/6 (and /4) is considered a sports car.
Is Porsche Boxter an OK first car?
Kyle
How safe / Reliable would one of these be with around 30k miles and years varying around 06-08? Also, would they handle decently in lighter snow with some snow tires on it? Also, I've worked hard for my money and my parents are helping me out a bit as well, and I've already had the insurance quoted and found that it could work. But is this at least a decent first car or should i look otherwise? Thanks!
Answer
The Boxster is a great sports car. Here is what Car and Driver had to say about the 2006 Boxster, which they named Best Luxury Sports Car - http://www.caranddriver.com/features/2006-10best-cars-2006-porsche-boxster-page-11 . The cars can be expensive to maintain, although most Porsches aren't as expensive as some people would have you believe, and the Boxster is the entry level Porsche. If you have investigated insurance, you may have already checked on the most expensive part of owning one ... for you.
First big caution: This car was never intended for snow. It may have a "mid engine" layout, but it is still rear weight biased, and that does not make for a good snow car. Also, with anything over about six inches of snow on the road, your Porsche becomes a snow plow. Low clearance is not a good snow characteristic.
Many Porsches see no more than 6,000 to 8,000 miles per year. A 2008 Boxster with only 30,000 miles on it shouldn't be hard to find.
Porsches are dependable; however, any ride can be ruined by neglect. If you do consider purchasing one, do everything you would do with any used car: check the Car Fax, but don't rely on it entirely. Drive the car paying attention to engine, transmission, steering, etc. sounds and characteristics. Examine the paper trail of required oil changes, maintenance, and any repairs. If the paper is all there, great. If there are holes, you'll have to decide how important those holes are. I recommend you walk away from any used car that has no records. Get the car looked at by a competent mechanic (not where you intend to buy) before entering price negotiations. Know the condition of tires, brakes, hoses, belts, battery, etc.
Here is your second big caution: This car has only two seats! Even though it has two "trunks," those are small and you really can't haul much in it either. Generally, new drivers want to haul their friends and their gear around. Consider that something with at least four seats and a trunk for your soccer (or whatever) gear will serve you better as a first car.
The Boxster is a great sports car. Here is what Car and Driver had to say about the 2006 Boxster, which they named Best Luxury Sports Car - http://www.caranddriver.com/features/2006-10best-cars-2006-porsche-boxster-page-11 . The cars can be expensive to maintain, although most Porsches aren't as expensive as some people would have you believe, and the Boxster is the entry level Porsche. If you have investigated insurance, you may have already checked on the most expensive part of owning one ... for you.
First big caution: This car was never intended for snow. It may have a "mid engine" layout, but it is still rear weight biased, and that does not make for a good snow car. Also, with anything over about six inches of snow on the road, your Porsche becomes a snow plow. Low clearance is not a good snow characteristic.
Many Porsches see no more than 6,000 to 8,000 miles per year. A 2008 Boxster with only 30,000 miles on it shouldn't be hard to find.
Porsches are dependable; however, any ride can be ruined by neglect. If you do consider purchasing one, do everything you would do with any used car: check the Car Fax, but don't rely on it entirely. Drive the car paying attention to engine, transmission, steering, etc. sounds and characteristics. Examine the paper trail of required oil changes, maintenance, and any repairs. If the paper is all there, great. If there are holes, you'll have to decide how important those holes are. I recommend you walk away from any used car that has no records. Get the car looked at by a competent mechanic (not where you intend to buy) before entering price negotiations. Know the condition of tires, brakes, hoses, belts, battery, etc.
Here is your second big caution: This car has only two seats! Even though it has two "trunks," those are small and you really can't haul much in it either. Generally, new drivers want to haul their friends and their gear around. Consider that something with at least four seats and a trunk for your soccer (or whatever) gear will serve you better as a first car.
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