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#106
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Re: The SVX and you
Been a while since some one has posted to this post. This car is a toy car for me. It does need maintenance that is quite expensive that is why I say toy. I am a big car enthusiast and of rare types indeed regardless of cost. So as some one who just loves this car, expense becomes something that I've put aside. I have a wine taste on a beer budget as well. I do agree that for a daily driver something you buy new and take care of ends up being a wiser choice for many different reasons. I also own a 1989 Trans am GTA 5.7L with t-tops (Another some what rare model of those cars) and wouldn't use it as a daily driver. Although much much cheaper to work on and has been very reliable other than that stupid 700t4 transmission, which are a dime a dozen, its a very old car and needs a lot of maintenance due to this. Another toy. If you love your car you love your car, it just depends on how much you want to spend on your toys. I will be using mine as a daily driver with a fresh 5 speed transplant in a couple of weeks as it has been used for that very thing dependably for years. I as well would like a newer but low millage Toyota truck for a daily driver and start restoring my 96 SVX, 67 GMC truck, 89 T.A. GTA, and 84 RX7 to a 383 stroker drag car lol AKA my toys. When it comes to cars and cost efficiency, history of, age of car, and parts availability as well as cost all play a big roll in deciding what car is best for your needs. Research is defiantly key in making this decision. Take car of your car and it will take care of you. If you like to drive older cars just keep in mind money does play are part in dependability of your car as some cost more to maintain and repair than others which is a big reason research is definitely a smart thing to do before buying a car.
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#107
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Re: The SVX and you
Interesting observation in the Porsche v. SVX conversation:
I bought my 92' SVX from original owner, retired gentleman. He had just sold house and was retiring to a condo in the city with limited parking. His wife had a BMW 7 series wagon; he had the SVX w/89,000 miles and a brand new Porsche Boxster. As we were signing over the paperwork he says to me" If I had to choose between a brand new SVX and the Boxster, I'd take the SVX." |
#108
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Re: The SVX and you
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Out of everything I have though, the SVX has needed the most love. Mine was horribly neglected and kind of thrashed when I got it though - the big issues have all been solved, although I'm still working out minor bugs. I'm planning on some bodywork to get rid of a bit of rust, then a fresh coat of paint this summer, if all goes as planned...
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Ebony/Gray '92 LS-L, @123k - bought 01/17/2010, parked for 10 years. Getting back on the road. |
#109
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Re: The SVX and you
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Interesting choice for a Porsche. I would actually think the 968 is far closer to the SVX for comparison, with the 3.0 litre engine. Most people compare the 911 because of the flat six engine similarity, but the rear engine configuration makes the geography and cabin capability totally different. Joe
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Black Betty [Bam a Lam!] '93 UK spec, still languishing Betty Jersey Girl Silver '92 UK [Channel Isles] 40K Jersey Girl @ Mersea Candy Purple Honda Blackbird Plum Dangerous White X2 RVR Mitsubishi 1800GDI. Vantastic 40,000 miles Jersey Girl |
#110
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Re: The SVX and you
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Sounds like you are one of us all right. Joe
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Black Betty [Bam a Lam!] '93 UK spec, still languishing Betty Jersey Girl Silver '92 UK [Channel Isles] 40K Jersey Girl @ Mersea Candy Purple Honda Blackbird Plum Dangerous White X2 RVR Mitsubishi 1800GDI. Vantastic 40,000 miles Jersey Girl |
#111
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Re: The SVX and you
Yes, this post puts everything into perspective in the greater scheme of the "SVX Universe" (which we are). Owning an SVX is truly a labor of love. No aftermarket parts, expensive replacement parts, and hard as hell to work on!
You can't go into an SVX expecting it to be an alternative for Honda Civic, ricer's car. Its tempermental and fussy and if you're not willing to give plenty of patience and money up, this is water you don't want to dive into. I, myself, am a sucker for hard luck cases and unique cars. That is what brought me to my baby which had been sitting on the dealer lot for almost two years untitled and unloved. I went to the Subie dealer looking for a car for the wife in a Impreza wagon and the sales guy was complaining to me that he couldn't unload the SVX. Three months later of strong arm negotiations with him, I drove out of the dealer with my baby in October of 1996!
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Yoshi [B]1995 SVX L AWD - Original Owner 65k - Brilliant Red Mods: K&N Drop In Filter, Sony aftermarket CD/MP3 Stereo and Speakers, Sumitomo HTR+ Tires 2004 Mazda 6S 5-door - Steel Grey - 5 speed manual transmission - Daily Driver 2011 Mazda CX-9 - Wife's ride |
#112
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Re: The SVX and you
Close to 2 years later, my perspective ...
I've owned a 92 Ebony LSi since 1997. I purchased it in early 97 with 50,000 kilometres on it for $15,000. Now it's 13.5 years later. I'm on my third transmission (this one's a good re-manned one and I have a capable transmission cooler installed. I've replaced many of the key parts when they've ceased functioning .. water pump. alternator, shocks, new valve cover gaskets, etc. With the recent maintenance after 3 yrs of storage, the installation of both an ECU and TCU from ECUTune and a new paint job, I've put about $11,000 into it over 13,5 years. I've also spent hours with seat leather restorer, toothbrush-detailing of the entire interior and cleaning and polishing (the original Ebony Mica paint wasn't too bad, but now with the new paint it's that lovely-black-but-deep-brown-maroon-with-sparkly-bits that looks so mysteriously-why-isn't-it-black when you look at it for a moment longer. The engine is almost pristine. No leaks. $11,000 plus the purchase price of $15,000 = $26,000. There is NO WAY - I feel - that I could match the build quality, luxury, performance, peppy driving, smooth cruising and seating comfort with any new or used German or Japanese sports sedan if I had to spend that $26,000 today. Bonus: I've gotten to know a quirky car really quite well. It's useful to have a vision and patience. Yesterday I said to my mechanic .. "It's running better and looking nicer than when I bought it". He had been there to check it over when I bought it, has done virtually all the work over the years, and yesterday he agreed. He's gotten really interested in it over the years, as a challenge (he's a really smart guy, having decided to become a (very successful) mechanic 1/2-way through his therefore-incomplete PhD in political science). Since it's been restored to the road in March, I have told him several times he should be proud of himself. I consider the money I have spent very fair value for the car I now drive daily, with a big smile.
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92 SVX, Ebony Mica 186,000 kms 92 Mercedes Benz 300CE, Arctic White 187,000 kms |
#113
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Re: The SVX and you
P.S.
.. with the ECU and TCU, it now operates on 87 octane gasoline. Woot !
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92 SVX, Ebony Mica 186,000 kms 92 Mercedes Benz 300CE, Arctic White 187,000 kms |
#114
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Just bought this SVX
Hey guys, I just bought my first SVX!
Its a red 94. It has some minor body damage from hitting a snow berm and needs a lot of interior work, the leather has been torn and is basically destroyed, also the E-brake was chewed on by a dog......but other then that the car has been well maintained and never run hard. The first owner was an old lady who used it as a commuter, the second was a early twenty to late twenties woman who also used it as commuter but now has a family so she got a wagon, but now the car is mine and i will be picking it up on Thursday. I will fill you guys in on it when i get it, i have a lot of work to do, but I am excited and ready! P.S. here it is, http://reno.craigslist.org/cto/2587144606.html Last edited by Mr. Nosidda; 10-15-2011 at 04:09 PM. |
#115
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Re: The SVX and you
Brake handle is removable with a set screw. I am sure there are a few on the board. I love the red ones . NEXT to my BLUE of course <LOL>
Looks like you got a good base for a nice SVX . There are covers available for the seats. As a matter of fact there is a set on E bay right now . Gray and white leather. Used seats are also common. |
#116
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Re: The SVX and you
This is a great thread -- especially for a newish owner like me.
I've been wanting one for many years but the right car and circumstances only came together for me in June when I got my '97 which is fairly low mileage and in very nice shape. It's needed some significant work -- including an engine rebuild -- but is getting sorted out and will be a keeper. There are still a few issues like a sticking rear brake caliper and a rattle on acceleration (mechanic says its a loose heat shield but I'm not convinced). Winter is coming and I'll get snow tires mounted on the OEM wheels. And I've picked up the '92 as a parts donor. She's got a great body and glass.
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Rod. '97 Ebony LSi #426, CDM (1 of 51 in '97), 185k km, rebuilt engine & transfer case; 22mm Bontrager RSB; 4300k HID 9006 bulbs SOLD '92 Ebony LS-L #6851, USDM (sold) '08 Forester (wife's) '06 STi (traded for the Forester) '94 Legacy wagon (sold) |
#117
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Re: The SVX and you
This thread should be mandatory reading for potential SVX owners and for those who lose their perspective on our truly unique vehicles.
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"Aim to misbehave" 97 LSi Brilliant Red 94 LSi Pearl White Last edited by Fireflydad; 11-07-2011 at 10:16 AM. Reason: grammar correction |
#118
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Re: The SVX and you
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You mention at the beginning of your vent the old guys drift in & out, that would be me. I'm 71, my SVX is 20, not 16 as you mention at the top. Please give us old farts our due for holding on when most others bailed. Unlike you sir, I will not ever give up my 1992 SVX, ever, they will have to take it from my Charleton Heston cold fingers if they can pry them off the wheel!!! Elsewise, good vent. Oops!, sorry Tom just noticed the 2009 origination date. Kicked this thread back to life, eh?
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LS-L 92 black top silver bullet-Turned into a 2005 Jeep TJ Unlimited 2012 Outback 3.6R Limited! Last edited by dromano; 05-17-2012 at 04:58 AM. |
#119
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Re: The SVX and you
Well said Tom. This is a great read for anyone considering buying a SVX (and maybe for some owners as well). A lot of good points are brought up.
I, like dromano, don't plan on letting my SVX go, ever! She's a '92, twenty years young and going strong. 65,000 miles on her when I bought her fifteen years ago, she's now a few miles away from 230,000. I have to admit, when I first got her, I (like Tom mentioned about younger buyers with limited budgets), didn't know what I was getting into. My first few years were hard. I had bearing failures like crazy, so many that I lost count. Also, I had to have the third transmission put in the car. At the car's ten year mark, she needed so much engine work, I had a major decision to make. Get rid of her or bite the bullet and fix her. Needless to say, I decided to fix her. I think that was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Little by little I got everything taken care of. She became a reliable daily driver. I became much more aware of the importance of maintenance (I think age and maturity had a bit to do with that) and my love for the car continued to grow. In 2006 I took a job in New York. The SVX was put into storage. Five years later, another change in jobs brought me back to California. Now, with a new look, my SVX is once again my daily driver. I can't imagine not having her in my life. For anyone considering buying one, I would say this: Buy one because you love it. Know what you're getting into, and be willing to do what it needs to keep it on the road.
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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 Last edited by AlcyoneSVX; 05-17-2012 at 02:08 PM. Reason: Add Photo. |
#120
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Re: The SVX and you
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Great minds think on the same parallel It's been my intention since about 2 years into the SVX experience that this SVX would be my daily driver till I fall apart. I'll do an engine rebuild in a heart beat. The only stuff I don't understand about the SVX falls into the electronic bucket, all else I do myself except change tires, that tool is way expensive. If you come out Palm Desert way let me know, we'll have an old Subaru mini meet. I lived in Orange County for 9 years before moving to Oregon for 24 years, finally reached my rain limit, ended up here in the low desert. PM me, Ive give you my phone & email. My wife went to Fullerton College in the early 60's. Keep your SVX mobile.
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LS-L 92 black top silver bullet-Turned into a 2005 Jeep TJ Unlimited 2012 Outback 3.6R Limited! |
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