close to buying a 96 SVX Lsi...
 

I found a 1996 SVX Lsi at a small local dealership with 108000 miles on it. Their asking price is 6995 which is flexible as the guy said they would knock it down some from there. The engine seemed to be strong and I couldnt hear any unusual noises and the tranny seemed to be good, I saw no leaks, interior was fairly nice, not much wear on it. Im just wondering if this sounds like a deal any of you all would take and if i can get your opinions (just joined the forum and this is my first post...sorry for the length...). Im a poor poor college student...:) but think i can scrounge up the cash if its worth buying...thanks guys

There is a guide to used SVXs in the How-To Docs Here Read it, it will help you find if there might be problems with it. I would need to know some more about the car before I could say if it was a good deal. It sounds a little high, but if they came down some, it could be a good price. Good luck. :)

Sounds pretty nice to me, But I'd try to get him to drop the price a grand. Welcome to the family and I hope all goes well and you become an owner. Where are you in W.Va.? I have lots of family around there and my shop is about 20 minutes into Ohio form the panhandle.

Welcome to the forum. Good Luck with your prospective purchase.

There are many college students (such as myself) on this forum with these cars :) . If you love the car, all the trouble in the world is worth it. I used to daily drive my first SVX, but found that for running around town, filling for premium fuel wasnt worth it, and the wear and tear would be too much for me to cope with if I had to parallel park it on the street.

I should ask, did the car have cloth or leather interior (This usually denotes the difference in the L and LSi models), also what color was the car? This helps determine the value and rarity of the vehicle in particular that you are looking at. I would suggest as with any car to research on kbb.com and NADA Black Book Value too see the suggested selling price. I have seen 96's go for anywhere between $1400 for an LSi mechanic's special requiring trans replacement with a salvage history, to $11000 for a 27000 mile cherry Bordeaux LSI that was nearly perfect.

The SVX can be a quirky car to own, especially for those with a fear of the mechanic or lacking the ability to turn a wrench, but, depending on your area, there may be a fellow member who is mechanically inclined that may be able to help you should you run into trouble/ require assistance.


Again, search around on the threads using our search option, and ask questions, we will help in any way we can :) .

Welcome, and again, good luck :).


PS:

I would ask to see a maintenence history if available, and do a CarFax Report :)

Im going to WVU at the moment so my days are spent in Morgantown mostly. I checked the VIN and it also has the leather interior so i was fairly sure it was an Lsi...i took a couple pictures but it was raining so ive attached the best one...im going to carfax it tomorrow probably and see if i can dig anything up about its history...or hopefully lack thereof. ive always been a big fan of subarus, i can remember riding in the jump seats of the family BRAT when i was quite a bit younger...and always liked the styling of the SVX's so hopefully itll work out...:)

That asking price is definitely too high. You should be able to negotiate a much better deal.

I bought a flawless 1996 Polo Green LSi over 3 1/2 years ago that had only 42,000 miles on it for $9300. The dealer (Flemington Subaru in New Jersey) had it advertised for $11,995.
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Is that the car at the lot by the Morgantown Mall? If so, you need to have it checked independetly. I had my SVX at "The Sube Shop" in Morgantown a couple of weeks ago. When I was picking it up, Ernie the owner of The Sube Shop told me that there was an SVX on a lot by the mall that had serious engine trouble. I don't want to be a downer, I just would hate to see you buy a car with problems. The price is way too high also. I bought a 92 LS-L with 130,000 mi on it in Morgantown back in September for $2500. It needed front axles but that only cost me an additional $300. I know mine is older with a bit higher mileage, but the asking price is almost three times what I paid. I am living in Morgantown right now and would love to have a fellow SVXer to talk with and compare notes with locally, so I hope that the car is a good buy and you end up getting it. I saw it parked at a house in Westover last week and the wife and I were shocked to see a red one. Morgantown has a Pearlie, a Silver and Dante my beloved dark teal so we look forward to seeing a red one too. If you want to call Ernie to see if this is the car he was talking about his shop number is 225-SUBE.

Cash
 

If you are able to walk in with cash money, I bet he would take $5000 without much haggling. If you feel lucky you might even offer less. Nearly 3 years ago I paid $2995 for a very good condition 96 LSi with 145K miles in PA.

I think I would walk in and offer him $4500 or $5000 and tell him the offer is good for a specified period of time. That would cover you from someone walking in and stealing the car for a lesser price and still leave room for future dealing.

Lee

I think even that is too high... I was thinking 3500-4k would be a good area.

yeah, im definately not paying above 4500 after driving it if i buy it at all. the AWD was binding in the parking lot while turning it around to test drive it. and to answer budbaer's question its in fairmont. other than the AWD binding theres really nothing wrong with it so im going to call a subaru mechanic and try to figure out what all could cause it and take it from there maybe get the place its at to investigate it and if you guys know what could cause it id appreciate your input. im going to try find anything thats already been posted about it also. thanks all :)

Don't pay a dealer above book value and make sure a Subaru mechanic checks it out.

If it were me, I'd want to get something with less mileage.

You should call Ernie at the Sube Shop. He was really modest about what he could do, but he got my car on the road and saved me a many $$$$ on parts. He doesn't have a lot of connections on SVX parts, but he is willing to work with you while you seach for what you need. Plus and a big plus if you ask me, he only charges $45 hr. for labor. He replaced the crank sensor, a knock sensor and a serp. belt for $180 parts and labor.

If you get the car, let us know. We are planning to go to Lafayette In. for the 15th anniv. in Sept. We could head up together. It would freak people out, not just one car that they have no idea what it is, but two.:D

You think that would be wild - you should have seen 80+ on the freeway between Lafayette and Indy and back again when we had the 10th anniversary! :D :D

That's why I am so excited about going this Sept. My ex-wifes parents live there too and I'm sure if I let them know I'm in town I'll get that Chicken Fettucinni I've been craving for the past 7 years.:D

yeah, man that would be sweet...hopfully the problem isnt too bad and it will work out, i just dont want to pour money i dont have into trying to get it fixed up only to find that its a terminal case...as for the sube shop thats exactly where my grandfather said to try first. weve done good business there before. another thing is my dads a rural route mail carrier and subarus are the only thing that will withstand the abuse and get him around in the winter...id like to have his 07 forrester...its niiiice :cool: