One problem with buying an older used car
You don't know what "normal" is!!! I don't know what the car is supposed to sound like. I don't know what the acceleration is supposed to feel like. I am going from a 97 Outback to a 96 SVX and that is a pretty big shift.
The SVX has more road noise but less wind noise. Some of that could be a bearing but I can really hear changes in road surfaces which was much less pronounced in the Outback. I sort of assumed that is partially due to the stiffer suspension maybe transmitting the vibrations more. The SVX also has what appears to be a louder exhaust. It has a distinct resonant growl at around 2500-3000 RPMs and it seems to be RPM related and not speed related. I also hear quite a bit of "clunking", for lack of a better word, over uneven surfaces. I suppose that could be sway bar bushings but maybe it is normal and I am just being over sensitive to ever little noise I hear. Every car makes SOME noise when plodding over rough roads. And it feels like the acceleration should be a little stronger. However, I admit that I have not pushed down the accelerator much yet because of my little temperature gauge issue. Even though that seems to be behind me, I am still a little spooked by it and have not pushed the car even a little. I would like to get the codes cleared and then re-checked later to see if any of the sensors are going. Any suggestions on how to do that easily? |
Re: One problem with buying an older used car
Road noise is almost always directly related to the tire on the vehicle, and changes depending on the type of tire you get.
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Re: One problem with buying an older used car
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I'd suggest jacking the 4 corners of the car individually, and checking for play. Check your tie rods/ends, ball joints, and check for hydraulic fluid on the strut body. From what it sounds like, you at the very least could probably use a set of sway bar bushings, but I'd keep an eye out for other worn suspension components. Check now for bearing issues to avoid fiery incidents! (Waiting for Freeman or SVXfiles to comment on that) |
Re: One problem with buying an older used car
My cars are very quiet but do have something of a snarl when provoked. You may have a modded or leaky exhaust.
Do check those bearings and suspension components as suggested above. Road noise shouldn't be an issue, and certainly not clunking. As to acceleration, I went from a 5-speed manual Legacy with half the horsepower to an SVX, so flooring the accelerator at 40 MPH in the latter was like engaging warp drive. I've never felt that the car has gobs of power from a standing start, but don't recall a situation where I really wished for more. I'd think your SVX should have more spring in its step than a '97 Outback. dcb |
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The acceleration is definitely way better than my 97 Outback. I'm just not sure if it is normal or if it should be even better. I have still never come close to flooring it. |
Re: One problem with buying an older used car
Stop up my way, and I'll check your power, suspension, brakes and exhaust top to bottom. You're going to have to wait until October 3, though.
That's our next local autocross. |
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wheel bearing is another weak point in SVX, i had to replaced it twice on my 1st SVX. and axles will go bad too. |
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I envy your low-mileage sunbelt car. You should be in good shape, provided it hasn't been abused. dcb |
Re: One problem with buying an older used car
Subliminal messages are exciting. :lol:
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Re: One problem with buying an older used car
I can say that when the exhaust "donuts" (aka gaskets) wear down, the noise is rather noticeable. When new donuts are installed, the exhaust is very, very quiet and velvet smooth. As the donuts wear down, the noise gets louder and louder over time. So far, I've replaced them once and I'm at 135k miles approx.
Hope this helps. |
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As for the other issues definitely suspension for the noises and possibly even struts and strut mounts. For my exhaust the donut gasket was dead back where the center pipe connects to the muffler even the clamp for it was broken, it wasn't loud or horrible sounding like when my legacy had a leak, but it wasn't quiet and smooth either. |
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