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#1
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Restoration Opinions Needed
Hey all. I've finally got my project car running and I couldn't be more proud of it. Problem is, she's not much of a looker right now; some would use the word "rough". I've taken it to a couple body shops to see about having the body straightened out and re-colored and have been floored with the prices they've given me (highest was as much as $10k, depending on what broke during prep).
So my question is this: is it worth spending almost twice what the car is worth to have the work done right (will the car eventually be worth enough to merit the work)?
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1996 SVX LSi : Work in progress, future garage queen 2013 Acura TSX: Mistake |
#2
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Re: Restoration Opinions Needed
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Never thought I would say this, but NO to both questions. Photos of interior and exterior would help. .
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. Subaru Ambassador 1996 Polo Green LSi #216..138,100 miles...SOLD JFICX8659TH100216.....Date of Manufacture: November 16, 1995..... Fuji Heavy Industries..Ōta North Plant....Ōta City,. Gunma Prefecture, Japan In-Service Date: January 2, 1997 "The Pristine Green Polo Machine” First Polo Green on the Network First Clear front turn signals, JDM Alcyone hood emblem, rear panel, and BOXER engine cover on the Network (US) (2000) First 5000K HID factory fog lights (2007) First SVX JDM BBS wheels on a USDM SVX (2013) HID lighting (5000K) for headlight and H3 fog lights, PIAA SuperExtreme 120W high beams, rebuilt EG33 longblock, Cometic head gaskets, Phase II flexplate, AMR aluminum radiator with custom silicone hoses, 160A high-output alternator in aluminum-ceramic coated case, new design alternator wiring upgrade v.4, rare factory headlight protectors, refinished JDM BBS mesh aluminum wheels and custom, polished billet aluminum new hex center caps, LED grille mod, R1 Concepts high-carbon cryo slotted rotors, Akebono ceramic pads, Goodridge S/S braided brake lines, Smallcar Stage 1 shift kit, ThermalTech aluminum/ceramic-coated valve covers, Energy Suspension urethane front & rear swaybar bushings, Bontrager22 rear swaybar with QS Components Chromoly Teflon/Kevlar endlinks, "$15.00/5 minute" suspension mod. Hella Supertone horns, Custom stainless steel exhaust system with 2" headpipes, Magnaflow cats, AeroTurbine AR25 resonator /AWD "Bullet" muffler. R.I.P. 2010 Subaru Outback Limited 2.5 CVT...338,000 miles. Totaled by a 1,300 lb. COW March 4, 2016 2014 Hyundai Avante Limited ...178,000 miles. Actually quieter and smoother than the Outback 2007 Mazda Miata MX-5 PRHT...102,000 miles. Plenty of parts, service and windshields. 4th Registered Network member —2/21/2001 My NEW locker..I...My Email..I..Wikipedia/SVX . . Last edited by svxcess; 07-12-2013 at 03:03 PM. |
#3
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Re: Restoration Opinions Needed
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You restore an SVX because you like, no, Love the car because of what it is and you want to enjoy it. You don't do it because you think it might appreciate in value. For a car to increase in value, there has to be a market of buyers. The SVX in fact, has many, many more sellers than buyers and 75% of the buyers today stumble across them and notice the cheap sticker price not fully realizing what they are getting themselves into... |
#4
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Re: Restoration Opinions Needed
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I've suspected that it will never have much of a monetary value but it means a lot to me. More than anything, I wanted to hear what other drivers have to say about the matter.
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1996 SVX LSi : Work in progress, future garage queen 2013 Acura TSX: Mistake |
#5
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Re: Restoration Opinions Needed
I was 1 of these "75%" but fell in love with the car after driving it for about a week, I now hope to slowly restore her and even have bought a 2nd one as a parts car. Don't expect to get "Big bucks" for one but we can always hope that with the partouts and engine rip-outs that someday there will be more buyers than sellers.
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current stable, subject to change without notice: 1995 Red SVX, 4.44 & Quick Change 2014 Nissan Titan S 4X4 1992 Teal SVX parts car |
#6
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Re: Restoration Opinions Needed
I've noticed that good condition SVX are going up in price, In the 5-8000 range. Having said that it would be very hard to sell one at that kind of price unless you have just the right buyer.
I've put many 1000s into exterior upkeep and maintenance just because I like a car to be as close to new as it can be. I would ask yourself another question which I pose to people when they look at me as if I had two heads when I tell them what I've spent on a 21 year old car. How much would you have to spend on a new car of equivalent stature and build as the SVX? I'm sure it would be well in excess of $40,000... so 5000 car + 10,000 restoration looks like a pretty good deal.
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Peter ART Cryogenic/Slotted Rotors, Stainless Steel Brake Lines, PWR Radiator, Tranny cooler, Stebro, Earthworm's Poly Differential/front & rear swaybar bushings, Koni Inserts and Mychailo SVX Sport Springs all 4 corners, Indigo Blue paint. Liquid Silver Wheels. |
#7
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Re: Restoration Opinions Needed
My philosophy, oft' stated here: When I spend three hundred bucks on a car I tell myself, well, now I have to drive it for at least another month to get my money's worth out of it. When I spend six hundred bucks I figure another couple of months. Nine hundred bucks, three months.
Don't spend many thousands on an SVX unless you can see yourself driving it for a good long while, because you'll not make the money back when you sell. dcb |
#8
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Re: Restoration Opinions Needed
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Father of 5 sons and 1 daughter Subaru SVX for fun Hyundai Veracruz for the wife. Susuki SX4 for my older son Ford Ranger for work Mercedes Benz Sprinter for vacation trips, EZ GO Golf cart for driving kids around gated community. |
#9
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Re: Restoration Opinions Needed
In all honesty, they've been at that price ever since I've been around(or more), which has been nearly 5 years now. I think there have just been more "nice" ones available popping up in the last 1-2 years compared to previously.
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#10
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Re: Restoration Opinions Needed
SCOOBYDRVR!
The only question you need to concern yourself with is, "Will it make YOU happy?"! I've owned my black '92 for 16 years. It took me 14 years to get to the point that I could restore my SVX to the condition that I wanted. Was it expensive? Definitely. Was it worth it? Hell yes! If you love your SVX, do what's going to make you happy and enjoy it! If you can't afford to do it now, then, make a plan, and save for the day when you can make that dream become a reality!
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ARMANDO 1992 SVX LS-L "Black Beauty" 292,500K (purchased April, 1997 w/65K) http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/...psz1xmhtdo.jpg 1992 SVX LS-L "Blanca" 214,000K http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/...pskv0odesa.jpg 2004 Mazda RX-8 http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7vggfwfu.jpg 1974 Mazda RX-4 http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/...psentjrygb.jpg |
#11
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Re: Restoration Opinions Needed
I also love my SVX and had plans to restore my older 92, that was until I found my relatively low mileage '97. After purchasing that for about $9000 I was very glad I had the option for an newer lower mileage car rather than restoring my older one. It would have cost me twice the money to get my older car anywhere near what my '97 is and it still wouldn't be as good. I ended up selling my '92 for $4000 so my upgrade only cost $5000 for a practically brand new SVX. Just to re-do the transmission on the 92 would have cost that alone.
If possible I would look for a good low mileage option, they do come around now and then, rather than taking the time and money to restore an older specimen.
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Dave 1997 Laguna Pearl LSi 39 000 mi 62 000 km 1992 Claret LS-L Sold 105 000 mi 169 000 km 1988 XT6 Written Off 111 000 mi 180 000 km |
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