Newbie who loves SVX's

#1 08-20-2003, 09:13 PM

Hi I am new here I am looking to get my first SVX. I wanted one since I was 16 and got my first car, but insurance and price would not allow it. But now I'm 26 and looking for a nice winter car and just remembered one of my dream cars has AWD. I finally talked my wife into it but she has limited how much I can spend on one since I just recently purchased a 87 Merkur XR4TI in May and got a 2003 Dodge Neon back in in March. The XR4TI was my other dream car. I am really looking forward to owning one. I would like to make it my daily driver because I want to keep the miles down on my new car. Plus I hear they are pretty reliable. I am only looking to spend about $3000 give or take(mostly take). I am currently watching ebay and I hope to join all you SVX owners shortly

#2 08-20-2003, 09:29 PM

Hope you can join us as well! Best advice I can give you is take your time in locating the right car whether it be on Ebay or on the "For Sale" thread in this forum. Most cars that are 4 sale in here are from members who are currently or past involved who have seemed to take good care of their cars. Keep an open eye in the ‘Wanted to buy or For Sale’ thread. You are in the right place if you’re looking for SVX advice!

I would suggest you use carfax to make sure everything's sound before you purchase your SVX. Things to keep in mind: Tranny slippage/ condition (if any), miles, and of course car history. We hope to see you in here soon! When and if you buy you can start by registering at: www.subarusvx.org.

Good luck with you hunt!

Bwana · #3 08-20-2003, 10:40 PM

You'll have to meet Rob (Chicane). He likes neons!

Those Merkur's are pretty cool, have any pics?

#4 08-20-2003, 11:19 PM

here are some pics

LarryIII · #5 08-21-2003, 04:50 AM

Neon 03,

Welcome to our SVX family. That's a very nice Merkur.
I see that you're from Baltimore. There are many SVXers in your area. Good Luck in the search for your "dream car."

NikFu S. · #6 08-21-2003, 01:16 PM

whoa that thing is weeeeeiiiiird. what does it do?

Subafreak · #7 08-21-2003, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by NikFu S.
whoa that thing is weeeeeiiiiird. what does it do?

You say that like youve never seen a Merkur before.

Nice car, and becouse your new here we won't bust on you to bad for the Neon.

#8 08-21-2003, 09:01 PM

Thanks I love my cars. The Merkur is rare and most people have never seen one. A total of 42,000 was made between 1985-89 quite a bit more than SVX's but you almost never see one on the streets today. The Turbo pushed a maximum boost of 16psi 175hp and 195lb-ft torque. How would you like to work on this motor?

#9 09-01-2003, 10:34 PM

Hi guys,

I've seen countless Merkurs in Europe and they are called Ford Sierra. I remember dreaming of owning one when I was a kid

This is what I got when typing "Ford Sierra" into Google:

http://images.google.com/images?svnu...sierra&spell=1

See for yourself...

-Nick

#10 09-01-2003, 10:37 PM

Oh... I also forgot to tell you that in the Ford Escort is considered a pretty good car there too

)) They make those rally edition Ford Escort Coswroth that are bad-ass! The European version is also slightly larger and comes with a 1.3 or a 1.6l engine. There is also bigger motors and a diesel. the Cosworth's got some super turbos and what not...

-Nick

Phil Hill · #11 09-02-2003, 02:05 AM

The body-shell is the same as the European Ford Sierra XR4i. Over here the engine fitted was a 2.8 Cologne V6.

http://members.lycos.co.uk/FilBaker/carsrme/xr4i.html

What you have looks like a turbo-charged OHC, what we know here as a "Pinto" (we like to name our Ford engines over here). This was a special for the Merkur, in Europe the turbo-charged engine of choice in the "hot " sierra was the twin overhead cam Cosworth YB. This was effectively a very slightly modified Pinto block with a Cosworth designed twin-overhead cam 16 valve alloy head, which was then turbo-charged.

http://www.turbocharger.co.uk/rs-cosworth-sierra.html

Phil.

#12 09-02-2003, 03:02 AM

Hey Phil!

I grew up in Eastern Europe I've seen a bunch of those Fords too

Even the cops in Bulgaria used to drive the Escorts ( but not the hot ones...). I visited a friend in London one time and our Taxi was a Sierra

You've got some very cool SVX photos in your locker

How many SVXs in the UK?

-Nick

Phil Hill · #13 09-02-2003, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tuzem
(snip)You've got some very cool SVX photos in your locker (/snip)

Thanks !!

Quote:

(snip) How many SVXs in the UK? (/snip)

The figures seem to keep changing. I thought 296 but recently heard more like 263, so not sure. There are a number of "grey import" cars in the UK. These are usually ex-Japanese vehicles which have been imported privately to the UK.

We've got about 15 UK and Irish members and a handfull mainland European owners in the European forum. Drop in and say Hi !!