New member thinking of buying first SVX...

svx2008 · #1 08-04-2008, 10:23 PM

Hello everyone! Glad to be here. It appears you are all just as enthusiastic as I am with my 308 [currently being sold]. I work on most of my cars. To date I have owned a Triumph GT6, a 914 2.0, 2- 944's and a 951 [944 turbo]. This will be my first Japanese car since owning a Honda back in the eighties and a 06 Civic last year.

In any event I am looking at an SVX as a daily driver. A guy in my neighborhood has a "pearly" [as you all refer to it]. It's a 92 loaded w/touring package. 94K on the clock and pretty nice condition. Original paint is 9 out of 10, it has aftermarket aluminum wheels,has had some recent mechanical work i.e. rebuilt abs, rebuilt tranny, front cv joints, rear brakes and the interior is all original and most everything works [except the cruise].

I love the car after spending 120 miles driving it in most conditions like highway and local traffic...even a rain storm. It's a great cruiser. The only thing I have noticed is a very slight thump when it engages second and third at normal throttle. When I stomp on it it goes thru the gears just fine. I did a search in the mechanical forum and it could be either a bad mount or

the left rear cv...I'm not certain. It has no rotational sound at all.

BTW...this forum has the same format as Ferrarichat.com.

So...I have him at 4K even...any input will be great!

Oh..here's a pic of the 308...just have to show off you know

SilverSpear · #2 08-05-2008, 12:30 AM

We are all honored that you will be replacing the 308 with the SVX. That truely shows how valuable and appreciated our cars are.

I would recommend check that "thump" out BEFORE purchasing the car...

Good Luck and Welcome to the SVX World Network!!

togan07 · #3 08-05-2008, 01:06 AM

That thump seems more like tranny failure. Reminds me of my Jeep Grand Cherokee.. when you went slow through the gears it would thump and rumble but if you gave it gas it would just cruise through it.

Originally I actually replaced the throttle controller unit and it helped but then it came back and the tranny just went so I junked it. So I'd definitely bring her into a tranny shop first. My shops around here offer free inspections and estimates, so not sure about your area but I'm assuming it shouldn't cost much.

ANYWAYS.
Have tons and tons of fun

and barring the thump problem 4k seems to be very reasonable for an above good condition SVX with only 92k miles.

togan07 · #4 08-05-2008, 01:08 AM

Oh, and you should see if that rebuilt tranny had its housing replaced. My 94 SVX had a rebuilt tranny.. 2 weeks later it crapped out and it turned out the housing and to be entirely replaced... they fixed it all for free and has worked fine since. =) Just things to bring up if you do bring it to a tranny shop.

Wikedjuggalo · #5 08-05-2008, 06:16 AM

You cant go wrong with an SVX

They are great Daliy drivers (as long as they are not beaten into the ground). You probably know its not as fast as your other cars

but nothing can beat its touring ability's. Would be a great and unique car to add to your collection. I think 4k for a 94 with 94k on the clock seems live a very good deal. FYI there were not many 94 pearlys so its makes it even more of a sweeter deal.

greggbzz · #6 08-05-2008, 08:40 AM

There are those much more knowledgeable then I, but I would not guess your "thump" means tranny failure.

I've been lurking a long time and have never read anything like that.
More likely it's a tranny mount. That seems logical.

Does it do it also when you downshift? How many miles on the rebuilt? How is the fluid? If they made any screw ups it probabbly would have manifested itself catastrophically by now. That seems to be the way it goes with rebuilds.

4K for a southern 92 in very good shape is a fair to good deal. You seem to be one that would take care of it also. The SVX is unique in many ways. I say buy it, I know you'll enjoy it.

greggbzz · #7 08-05-2008, 08:42 AM

200 posts w000T!!,
I'm catching up with my slashdot account

Stilor · #8 08-05-2008, 10:39 AM

I have something similar on my car. It happens only when upshifting from 1st to 2nd, and it's not a "thump", it is more like a car slightly pulls forward when it's engaging the 2nd. It also happens when accelerating slowly.

No clue to what it is, a dealership mechanic looked at it but did not suggest any repairs/replacements. So I think I'll keep using it "as it is" and if/when the tranny dies, I'll go for 4.44 or MT swap...

Earthworm · #9 08-05-2008, 12:42 PM

Nice 308.

The harsh shifting could be just the mount (a common issue). Normally the clunk is more obvious when shifting into reverse.

There may also be a shift kit installed or the dropping resistor has been unplugged.

Does the power light come on (good) or flash (bad) when you start the car?

You also have the option of converting to a 5/6 speed manual which, in my biased opinion, completely transforms the car.