SVX - hard to do maintenance\repair?

[Totalpkg]

Just curious because I like to do my own repiars\etc. Please give your experiences and history. Thankx.

[Seraph]

It all depends... on prior experience and such. I think SVX is pretty easy to take care of. Parts are hard to find but dealers will supply parts till 2007 so we are good for the next couple of years.

L

[Mr. Pockets]

I agree with Lwin - it depends on the repair. If you're not familiar with Subarus, you're going to have to learn a whole new set of conventions for Subaru cars. Some things are easier to get to than on other brands, some things are harder.

I've done some pretty major work on my own SVX - from replacing the timing belt and front oil seal to replacing the entire transaxle. For the most part, I find it a joy to work on. Rarely is anything difficult to reach inside the engine compartment - an advantage of the flat engine. ;)

If you like to do work on your cars, and you do buy an SVX, I wholeheartedly recommend a factory service manual set. I stumbled by without them for a long time, but when I got them things became so much easier. :D

[svxsubaru1]

almost every thing is easier to get to on a flat engine, except for changing a head gasket. So far for what i have done, they seem to be pretty easy to work on like what other people say you can acully get to stuff.

[Sidewinder]

Why are the dealers going to stop the supply of parts?

[Gargoyle]

Car Dealer's must carry parts for cars 10 years past the last year Model made
IE: the SVX was last sold in 1997 so they must by law carry ( or supply) parts till 2007

[Sidewinder]

Hmm.. that sort of sucks post-07. But, I can see why the law exists. Hopefully, there are some good aftermarket parts available. Hopefully, we won't need them.

[Seraph]

Originally posted by sidewinder
Hmm.. that sort of sucks post-07. But, I can see why the law exists. Hopefully, there are some good aftermarket parts available. Hopefully, we won't need them.

Do you know how Delorean owners get their parts? They custom made them. :)

[Breck SVX]

Start stockpiling!

-Alex

[Totalpkg]

Oil changes difficult? Sparkplug replacement?

[Mr. Pockets]

Originally posted by Totalpkg
Oil changes difficult? Sparkplug replacement?

Oil changes are pretty easy. The filter is right in the front of the engine, on the bottom. I would certainly recommend taking off the stone shield first, though.

Replacing the park plugs on the SVX rates as one of the most annoying things I've ever done with a car. They're pretty deep within the head covers, in the center. So they can be a total pain in the ass to get to. Now, I say it's really annoying because half of the boots between the plugs and coils stuck on the plugs in my car. I had to go get an inspection mirror and picks to dig 'em out, and then half of them tore. So I got some Bosch plug wires for some other car. For $15 I had some boots which were pretty close to the original.

Luckily, though, you don't have to do it very often. The SVX came from the factory with NGK platinum plugs, which are good for 100k miles. Mine had been in the car for 133k, and they were all still gapped perfectly to spec. Replace 'em with more platinum plugs and you probably won't have to do it again...ever. :D

[thumper_svx]

I also do most of my auto maintenance, and generally I find that the SVX is pretty easy to work on.

First of all, the flat engine means that 95% of everything you'd ever need to get to is either right there on top or on the bottom. The stuff at the front of the engine isn't too hard, though to get more clearance you might have to remove the radiator. So long as you're comfortable doing a lot of stuff from underneath you'll be cool.

As far as basic maintenance; oil changes are a cinch (though the plastic shield is a PITA when replacing the oil filter), and brakes... well brake pad replacement is easier in the SVX than ANY OTHER CAR I'VE EVER OWNED.

The only problems are (a) parts availability and (b) some of the "quirks" of Subaru are definitely magnified in this car.

Hope this helps!

[alacrity024]

i agree with everything thumper said.. the car is a little quirky, but overall it's actually not so bad to fix anythign that isn't actually INSIDE the engine or transmission..

i've done:

*front axles
*brake rotors
*pads and lines
*PS and AC belts
*crankshaft pulley
*AC idler pulley
*rear wiper motor
*some exhaust gaskets
*replaced all the speakers

i've never taken any classes, just the advice of everyone here :D

-adam