My new 97 SVX
 

Hello Everyone. I’m new here having just purchased a 97 with 106k miles. I have always admired the SVXs but never thought I’d own one. I have owned perhaps a dozen sports cars in my life, 4 Alfas, A TR7, Lancia Zagato, 73 Corvette, Jaguar XJS, Fiat X19, MG Midget, and some I have probably forgotten. I never really liked Japanese cars with the exception of the SVX and NSX. Well I have a teenager who loves Japanese cars and it was time for me to get a car to work on with him. It will be my car but someday perhaps I will let him drive it. He has raced Karts since he was 7 so he is a good driver and he understands the difference between a track and the road. I can’t tell you the number of times I have asked him when we are driving to point out the number of things on the road that can kill him, curbs, trees, fire hydrants, pot holes etc.. none of which exist on a race track.

I am very happy with the new car. Car shopping isn’t as easy as it once was as I am 6’4” and 280lbs. I fit in the SVX just fine. The SVX hasn’t been used much in the last couple of years, was adult woman owned and has good records. The things it needs fixed and done are, AC (hopefully just a recharge) – rear windshield wiper motor – one switch and a tune up. Body wise it is in good shape but the paint on the plastic parts has faded badly, the mirrors, around the grill and under the rear windows. The wheels are in poor shape but usable. They looked really bad to me and it took me a day to figure out the rear wheels were on put on backwards. I will replace the rims in the spring, maybe sooner. I will also look into a brake upgrade as that is important to me.

The car actually reminds me in some ways of my old 89 Jag XJS. It is not that different in size and the interiors of both are great and they are both touring coupes. The Jag was like being in a tank while the visibility of the SVX is great. I felt safer in the Jag but it was a beast if there was a dusting of snow on the road. Not great for New England. I do worry about safety and its now hard to believe that I once drove cars like an X1/9 and a Midget.
Today we changed the oil, the coolant, the transmission and power steering fluid. It seems much happier after this. Still on tap are the gear oil for the front and back. I have a new set of plugs coming and it seems doable. For those who complain just try working on a Lancia. Has anyone ever used a motive power brake bleeder on an SVX? What size is the brake reservoir cap? If you haven’t seen on you can see it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0h5bMoW-aw

I have already gotten a great deal out of this forum. Thank you so much.

Re: My new 97 SVX
 

Welcome to the Network, and enjoy your 1997. Post photos! :D

Re: My new 97 SVX
 

Welcome to the site. I know what color you have by the description of the paint. Brilliant Red Red is the color that is affected the most by the sun.

You have come to the right place to find out about your SVX as well as some very good maintenance description in the How-To Documents. Good luck with the project and ask if we can help you. :)

Re: My new 97 SVX
 

You are in for a treat in the snow with your SVX!
Also... I consider my SVX the safest car I have ever driven. Nothing compares with them!

Welcome aboard!!

Keith:cool:

Re: My new 97 SVX
 

Hello and welcome. :)
And hope to see some photos of it ;)

Re: My new 97 SVX
 

Hello everyone,

I am his son and i just wanted to drop in and post some photos of the car.

We found a better set of smoked chrome rims for $160 so we had those put on. I also painted the center caps black because they did not match the new rims.

Here are the pictures.

Re: My new 97 SVX
 

so, I get to be the first to say the rims are on backwards? :rolleyes::D
-Bill
p.s. nice '97!

Re: My new 97 SVX
 

Yes, i know. I kind of like it better that way :o

Re: My new 97 SVX
 

welcome:) you have a beauty of a car

again, you will find this site the best in q&a in almost anything to deal with the SVX!

Enjoy your prize!:cool:

Re: My new 97 SVX
 

The rims help cool the brakes, these cars have issues with warped rotors so keep them cool as possible! congrats on the purchase!

Re: My new 97 SVX
 

Its look grate. :)
Also like the moon roof.

Re: My new 97 SVX
 

Thanks everyone. We plan on getting some bigger brakes and ceramic pads for the car.