Sell me on the svx I want to buy!
 

I've been reading here for a year or so off and on to get a feel for what the svx is all about. I must say I've wanted one for a while but it is a bit step for me. I own a xt6 that has a dead engine that would cost me about $2500 to repair. I found this silver svx at a used car lot here in town that is cheap for up here in canada (using USD while I talk here btw). It is a little under $6500. It is a salvage title so to speak as it was in a wreck that seems only dmaged the front right fender (is now replaced) and there is a chip in the paint on the same side bumper. It is a 92' awd, engine seems it great condition, nothing looks wrong in the engine bay. The car has 172,000 km (about 106,000 miles), tranny never replaced as of yet. The car has like racing trim added around the wheel wells and stickers on it (one is a nascar, on a svx lol, sticker just behind the back seat windows on both sides), some jerk off even painted the side lights in the back to look ricy. Interior is ok, some cracking in the leather but not too bad. Front rottors seem to be a little warped or have a rib that needs to be sanded off. The previous owner put some sticker thing on the gas cover too. Here's the only pic of it I can show you.
http://www.mhautosales.com/3f190ac0.jpg

I talked to the guy and he said he hadn't had many people look at it, one he denide to sell it to him because he was a young kid that wouldn't take car of it. This guy at this dealership seems to be a moral guy, he collects rare cars (even said he'd buy the svx if he didn't just buy a porche). He told me after the test drive that the price was just on the window because he had to put something there, could drop a few grand canadian.

Because of the race stickers and what not, I amfriad the car must not have been treated the way I would treat the car by the previous owner, one thing I'm thinking about because of that is the tranny. Being a 92 and never had it replaced (not sure about repaired) and the possibility of it being beat on makes me worry. The price is half one at the subaru dealership in town is. That one has 97,000 km and it in perfect shape but they want $11,000. I can get this one for maybe $5000.

If this cars tranny died tomarrow it would have to sit for a while because I am young, and can hardly afford to buy it. It isn't going to be a daily driver anyway. A good thing is, this place gets all their vehicles inspected before they sell them (this car was bought from a mazda dealer here in town that couldn't sell it). I can tell this guy wants to get rid of it but not because there is something really wrong with it, but because they all want to have short turn around time with sales and a svx isn't going to sell fast to most people out there.

For me, all the 'extras' decals and what not on this car would have to come off, rotors may need replacing, exhaust is a little rattly but engine noise from the back of it is quite, chipped paint on the bumper, tires will need to be replaced soon. We'll see what the inpection finds else. I think it a great price if I can get it down to $5000. If the tranny died on me, I'd probably look into getting a 5-speed anyway instead of repairing the tranny. I will probably pay a $100 and get it inspected myself from somewhere and have a look under the engine.

Please let me know what you guys think!

OK

I love the colour.

That is a plus. As for the price, it is very high for a car that age but then again, you are in Canada and I was told that SVXes are worth much more up there.

But from the description, it looks like it need some patching up to do to make it a reliable SVX. If you have a chance, look for something else. If I have the money, I'd get it just for the colour. But thats me. I am the type of person that buy a SVX on a meet just because one of my SVXes was in the shop.

Let's wait and see what others have to say.

Lwin

I'd move on to one in better shape. unless you could buy it for no more than 1500-2000 dollar range. I'd seriously doubt that the dealer has more than a grand tied up in it. You would be looking at a substantail cost just to make it a reliable car. with all the stickers and riced out look it was most likely abused buy the last owner. It also has a salvage title. I like the color and the body in the picture looks good. way to pricey though.

I agree to not go with this car. If you can barely afford it right now, what happens when it comes time to fix it?

I wouldn't even offer $5000 CAD for it. Tell them no more than $4000. If they laugh at you tell them that you're just go to the US and get a much better one for that price.

I'm not sure if the silver one is still for sale here in Winnipeg (I'll drive by tomorrow). They are asking $14,000 but that one is VERY nice with no visible rust, no dings anywhere on the body that I could see.

Come to think of it...I think I want this one :)

yeah, the rice out thing is what threw me off this one, everyone wants so much for svx's in this area, I know of one that is 18,000 cnd and one that is 14,000 cnd and this one that is 9950 cnd. I guess I stay away, at least tell him I'd buy for $4000.

That price seems pretty high even though it is in Canada. They seem to go for a lot more up there. There are some things that you mention that make me hesitate saying that it is a good one for you. I do like the color though. Good luck and happy hunting. :)

You are all talking US/cAN $, oui? 4k Canadian is 2800us-pretty cheap even with the salvage.

Conversely, buy the most car you can afford-you'll soon double thatfigure with a clunker and still have an overpriced clunker. This from a guy whose had 35 cars...and 2 svxs.

Have you taken it for a test drive? Take it up to 60 mph and let go of the steering wheel. See if it pulls to one side or the other. If it does, the frame is probably bent since it has a salvage title. Do the same test again, only this time apply the brakes. If it stops straight, the alignment is okay. If not, walk away from this car.

ok, sounds good, I took it for a test drive but just a short one before closing time so I didn't get to test much besides the slight shutter from the front rotors. I am going to go on one again some time soon and will try that out.

It looks like it has altezza lights? Does it or am I just seeing things?

are you talking about the back side lights?

It has to be tape over the lights. There are no atezza lights that I am aware of made for the SVX and I have done major research in the lights departments.

L

A good car at double the money would be better value, although if you go to high dollars for a supposedly good car, make sure the price includes a bumper to bumper two year warranty.

We don't have them here, but I know you guys can get them, and unfortunately there is no way you can be certain the tranny will not cost you money at some stage. With an in-built warranty, at least you can afford the fix when/if it happens.

I would walk away from that car anyway, it has been badly sprayed. The hood and bumper has new paint, you must notice it is much more silvery than the colour of the door and rear wing, the original colour. Without a complete respray, it will always look "wrong". To check out the paint, look at it under yellow sodium street lamps if possible. Sodium light is monochromatic, single frequency, and you will easily see differences in tone.

Walk away. Get a better one. Get one off eBay from the US at more reasonable money.

Joe:)

either of these could be tire/alignment conditions also, but find another car anyway.

Is silver the rarest color?