Question about FWD SVX Tranny

[Sfven]

Once apon a time I used to own a 93 AWD SVX. I traded it in after the second tranny, numerous wheel bearings and 4 front rotor changes ( I love warranties ). Now that I am more informed and better prepared I'm in the mood for an SVX again.
The question that I have is do the plain old FWD SVX'x have the same tranny problems? My understanding is that the clutch packs in the AWD tranny along with the slipage from front to rear drive power caused the heat build up in the trannies, without the AWD do the FWD trannies have the same problems?
On my SVX only the rear wheel bearing kept going out, is it only the rears that are prone to failure? Also, only my front rotors were warping ( I now know the cause of this ) but after 4 pairs I would have thought that the rears would have at least a slight shudder.
I'm looking at a 92 FWD SVX and a 96 AWD SVX, just wondering which to get.

[vkykam]

I was under the impression that all 92's were AWD. FWD was a 94 and later model when Subaru in its infinite wisdom decided try to sell them with a lower sticker price, which didn't work either.

There's a general consensus that 94 and later had upgraded trannies and upgraded radiators which should help in the longevity of the tranny.

But most importantly is how the car was driven and serviced. So if you have service records on either of the two cars, it's a big plus.

Or buy the 96 and get an extended warranty along with it.

VK
92 Pearl LSL, 163k

[1994SubaruSVX]

i have a 94 fwd and i had to replace the tranny about 4-6 months ago, planetary gear failure. the car only had about 70,000 miles. but i had no service records on the car so god knows why it happened. i have also had to replace the alternator 3 times, the water pump, the rear wheels bearings, and the cv axles. i have had no problem with rotors warping. besides the tranny the car has not been too bad. i will tell you this though, my car only weights 3485 compared to the heavier awd. all in all i like the fwd. but if i am not mistaken 94 was the first year the offered the fwd option. anyway if the 96 is in good condition i would by that one.

[KEVINL]

the RWD trannies seem to be reliable :D

[1994SubaruSVX]

hey kevin i bet the svx is really fun to drive rwd isnt it. i am thinking it would eliminate understeer completely at the track. with the lsd maybe oversteer would not be that bad. too bad i am fwd only:(

[svxxx26]

I'd steer away from the '92 "FWD" SVX - since there is no such puppy!:rolleyes:

[Aredubjay]

Originally posted by svxxx26
I'd steer away from the '92 "FWD" SVX - since there is no such puppy!:rolleyes:


I beg your pardon. There was, at least ONE, between the months of Sept. 2000 and March 2001. :D

[svxxx26]

<<There was, at least ONE, between the months of Sept. 2000 and March 2001.>>

Which should serve to reinforce my recommendation . . . ;)

[Aredubjay]

Originally posted by svxxx26
<<There was, at least ONE, between the months of Sept. 2000 and March 2001.>>

Which should serve to reinforce my recommendation . . . ;)


Not necessarily. It was still running super as an FWD car -- I just couldn't stand the thought of having a foriegn object attached to my car. The Legacy Tranny (with approximately 5K miles, and no wear on the transfer clutches) is still available if anyone's interested. I paid 2,300.00 for the rebuild. Make me an offer. :D

[KEVINL]

A heavy right foot at the wrong time will send you in a circle. It's like learning to drive a completly different car