Soon to be an SVX owner
 

I am soon to be a 1994 Subaru SVX LS owner. I honestly had never seen this car before I came upon it in a local car ad magazine. I instantly feel in love with it at first site. The style is unique and the performance, as I can tell, is great. This SVX is Red (I do not know if it called a unique name) and has some mileage to it, 170,000. I noticed nothing mechanically wrong with it when I test drove it, shifted fine(Automatic), nothing rough, excellent interior and exterior condition. Only thing I noticed and was told is the top of the radiator has a crack in it that has been sealed, but replacing a radiator is nothing to me :D. I have not yet purchased it, as I need to get money in order but Tuesday looks to be the day I can own this. Is there any advice I can receive from this community , that is anything to look for , before I purchase this car? I cannot wait to own this car.

wait for it....

Tom

:confused:

oh... not the car... the complimentary post from Budfreak wishing you good luck and that he is the only person you should buy parts from evAR!!!!

Seriously though, if it is a red one, that means its a 94 or newer... Make sure its AWD otherwise... don't waste your time and find a different one

Tom

I second the awd. Since this is the first time you have ever really had experience with an svx I say, take some time to check over the forums before you buy. Not trying to scare you away but there are quite a few things about the svx that need to be adressed in deciding if it is a good buy. You stated the tranny was fine, but 170,000 is quite a lot of miles to have on a stock one even if it is a 94, the stock svx tranny is geared very low and goes out on most of them, you will find that 4:44 geared subaru trannies from other models are what most replace them with. The svx only came in auto but some will also convert to a 5 speed or 6 speed out of a legacy or impreza. From what I know Tom is the top dog for the manual swaps and a member svxfiles is the master of the 4:44 swaps. really listen for the wheel bearings in the rear if you test it out again. At 170,000 they are most likely bad if they have not been replaced, or replaced properly. One thing I know I will look for in my next svx(yes I know its overkill) is the seem where the lower plastic cladding meets the metal, That is where rust will start up on these cars, under the cladding is a cheap metal strip which will rust out easily and will spread to the actual body metal. If there is any rust or bubbly paint comign up above the cladding then underneath is a whole lot of rust eating away. Again not trying to scare anyone, I just wish I had been much more picky when chosing my first svx. Oh and cool your in NC. Im in concord(charlotte) Im not sure how far I am from you btu if you are in need of any help with purchasing and or working on this svx if you get it just let me know.
edit just map quested it Im about 3 hours out of wher your located

So I take it FWD is not a good idea one bit? I like the look and style of the car. This one I am looking to buy is FWD. :( Is there a reason that FWD seems not to be wanted?

FWD was offered by Subaru to cut the cost down a little and make it an entry level car (more affordable) due to crap sales in 92. It is a strip down base model... you are better off finding a 92 LS-l or a 94-97 LSi AWD because its an SVX without it. it performs totally different.

Tom

Well, seems the dreams are crushed then

Yea I had my AWD fail on me, and it's not fun driving with it in the winter or the rain..... If you can wait a little longer and keep your eye out for the AWD model, it's well worth it.

no don't lose hope... invest in raffle tickets to win a 92 LS-L Claret with a 5 speed:D

Tom

Well, I might get it and trade someone I know it for a newer car. I was really hoping it would be a good idea. And to think I was happy I found it :(. I will have to decide what to do. Thanks for the advice, I hope I could find a AWD, I assumed something was too good to be true about this car, and now I know why. Not AWD :(

There is absolutley NOTHING wrong with a FWD SVX:mad: :rolleyes: :p , except the fact that they're a tad slower at accelerating from the start.:(;)

Some sunshine comes through the clouds :)

....Though I'm sure an AWD would be more fun offroad/auto x:cool:

for 170,000miles, how much are they asking from you?

Does the one you test-drive had things abs, leather seats and sunroof?
Just to make sure if it's an awd for you.

From a guy owning a fwd svx and an awd svx...the fwd just sucks. Looks like an svx, smells like an svx...drives like fat honda. Traction is nowhere to be found, even on dry pavment. The car tourque steers a bit too. the plus side though, is the car is lighter, and once it actually DOES gain traction, it's just a smidgen faster in a straight line.

Also for bragging rights sake...You lack all the things that make an svx an svx...Titanium tinted glass, speed sensing variable power steering, REAL leather all over the place, AWD, a sunroof, ect. ect. I think the WORST thing about my old L was answering the "Is this RWD or FWD" question at the gas station and not being able to say "Actually...its AWD" and for whatever reason, the diffrent power steering system makes a night and day diffrence between the L/ LS and LS-L/ LS-I models.

Trust me on this, you're already hooked by the svx's style and charm...if you want that car, go for it.If the price is right, and you want it...why not? There's nothing wrong with an LS model. It might be...lacking.. a few things, but you'll love it the same. Sure, it'll make you want a fully loaded one (Especially after you drive one and feel the diffrence) But who's to say you cant have two? Or thirteen? Why not buy the one thats convieniently located, and just enjoy it for what it is, while looking for that perfect svx?

I have a "94 LS FWD and I have a sunroof??

fwd ls w/ sunroof? Um...I guess i stand corrected. From what I understand, there are alot of odd variations in options and standard equipment in the lower trim levels for 94, changes to the lineup being made mid-year. there are AWD and FWD LS models, ..apparrently some witha sunroof, some without.

Oh...If the seats are the full perforated grey suede (there's also solid grey suede with vynal sides), then that car has the rarest svx interior. Ive only seen ONE with those seats...that says alot
I had the tan version of those seats, but they were deteriorated, and I kinda destroyed them with a series of accidental spills

Oh yeah, wlcome to the forums:D if you DO decide to get an svx, wether i be that one or a diffrent one later on, this is THE place to be

As part seven of my continuing series of dumb questions;

Has anyone driven a RWD SVX? I'd figure it would handle like a pig with no traction, maybe even worse than a FWD - thoughts, comments? :D

Probably pretty rare. To accomplish this, I would think lots of drivetrain modifications are in order. Not to mention lots of $.
And then you wouldn't have an SVX anyway? ;)

Thats a 6mt for the most part... Its kinda fun but retarded when the rear end comes around

Tom

http://www.cars101.com/subaru_svx.ht...4%20SVX%20Info

The LS was FWD in 1994... only the LSi was AWD. And the LS had half of the LSi goodies (like sunroof).

Views
 

What is good about this forum is everyone has there own views on the SVX, some like AWD some like FWD, it is call what he or she likes, All the bells and whistles don't make it good, just more to go wrong. AWD transmission problems,binding, shifting and that is why most went with the 5 speed. FWD nothing wrong with the Trans, 2 less axles to replace one less drive shaft to replace and one less Diff to replace. benefit is it cost less, So no one can say what the other might like until he or she drives it. Leather is hot in the summer cold in the winter, sunroof, some leaks, some don't work, that is why they give you a crank so you can close it and open it. To me all SVX are good has they are when you purchase it, Take care of it and it will take care of you, You make them into what you want them to be, drag car, auto cross, hotrod, or just a plain family car or one to get back and forth from school and let all say what the hell is that kind of car. Most youngster has never even seen one let alone own one..you just have to start what you can afford and what is a good choice to have at the present time.. There is no perfect car all can have problems new and old...Money is what it takes at present time to have what you can afford and still have a vehicle that is strange to one eyes to look at.

I know FWD isn't as desirable.... but if you can haggle a good deal, it's still worth it, as it'll be faster and more fun than a civic or something.

....and you still get to hear people ask you.........

How'd you do that to them "winders"? (local word for "windows" ;) )

:D :D :D

Them there winders look strange. how did you get them made? Where did you find them winders,:D

He is sticking with 2000 and firm. He will not "Haggle", although after looking this car over feel it is a decent price. Is this a fair price for a 94 SVX LS?

body condition means a lot if the car rides and drives well. If the body is in decent shape and its mechanically sound I would say its a steal, even for a FWD

Tom

The Body, is in excellent condition. All I noticed was one scratch on the driver side panel but nothing big. I have decided to purchase this car(Even though its FWD).

good choice. My first was a FWD and I did love that car. Once I found that I really liked it I decided to buy an AWD too... I hope you have some fun and good luck!

Tom

Good luck. In good shape for 2 grand is a STEAL! It's way better than any honda or toyota you could get for 2 grand. Enjoy roasting lame ass ricers! :D

AWSOME!!! A new used SVX owner here.:)

Be warned, this is one of the side effects of SVX ownership. As Earl says,
"Betcha can't buy just one!":D :D :D

We'll be waiting to hear when you buy your second....:p

Might be awhile, I have another project car sitting in my backyard, a 1968 Mustang, which needs a transmission. But after that car I will defiantly look for a AWD SVX :)

That sounds familiar. :rolleyes: I have a 68 Cadillac that I am working on restoring and I still bought another SVX.;)

Welcome to the Forum!

My dad had a white '71 Mach 1 that was totally BA, with an emphasis on BA :D

My SVX arrives on Monday
 

Actually, I will have to take the train 150 miles south to get it. I've been following the posts on the site since I decided to bite the bullet and actually get the car I have lusted after since I first drove a new one in '92. What I am getting is a pearl '92 LSL that has lived in Southern California all its life, ergo, NO RUST. It has 151K miles on it, tranny has just been replaced, as has the radiator. It was sold out of Lancaster, in the high desert, and actually sat on the dealer's lot for almost a year before it was sold. Then it racked up a lot of miles pretty fast, because up there the distances are long and the traffic (relatively) light. By the time it was smog inspected in 1998, it had turned 90K miles, and by 2000 it was up to 126K. So in the last six or so years, it has only been driven 24K miles. The person I'm buying it from had it since Jan. 2005 and drove it only 9,000 miles. There are a couple of little issues with the front seats that an upholstery shop can fix easily. The A/C has lost its Freon from disuse. The remote control lock device is mashed, and the original keys are broken off. The sunvisors are shot. The leather across the top of the rear seat is cracked and tearing, due to being sun baked. The heat shields rattle. And there is a little dent/scratch on the left rear fender that needs to be touched up. I have driven it, and it pulls strongly. I am looking forward to adding it to the rest of my white fleet, my '91 Alfa Romeo 164 and my '93 Mercury Capri convertible. Now I need to find a mechanic I can trust, and then get down to correcting the cosmetic problems and enjoying the car. Being as I am in the Los Angeles area, and it is hot here this summer, I will probably work on the A/C first, then tackle the other problems as they bug me. Any help, assistance, information, etc. etc. will be much appreciated.
Thanks.

NICE dude! I almost bought a 164 once, I actually won it on ebay, went to pick it up, and the thing was trashed. The seller lied about the description. What a great sounding car though. I think they'd look pretty neat parked next to each other, since they have VERY VERY similar taillight treatments, and both have italian design. :)

Money Cleared
 

Well, Money has been transfer to my account >.> now I can go purchase the car. The guy offered to drive it into town and meet me at a Notary, he is also throwing in some I believe the Rear Rotor(New) and spare parts he bought, He has service records I believe and I will be posting pic's soon as I get the car and figure out how to use this new toy I got, a Variable speed Car Polisher :rolleyes:

Careful with that. I've seen a lot of destroyed paintjobs because people were getting crazy with polishers. Use the mildest compound you can, and DO NOT PUSH. Let it barely touch the surface. Personally I only dig using a polisher on a really simply design without many angles or concave surfaces. The SVX would be difficult to polish.