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  #1  
Old 07-28-2005, 06:46 PM
Bipa
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HELP! Need reasons to fix and keep SVX

Hey there! I need help convincing my husband to keep and fix our SVX. I've been driving it practically daily for the last 5 years and can't imagine trading it in for something else.

It's a 1993 burgundy with black top, with around 203,000 km last time I looked. (a little over 126,000 miles) One previous owner, well maintained. We bought it 5 years ago while living in Switzerland, and brought it with us to Germany when we moved.

A few weeks back, I was cruising up the German autobahn at a sedate 160km/hr or about 100mph (taking it easy 'cause my niece was with me) when I noticed that the temp gauge was just getting into the red. Have never had any problems with overheating before. I decided to try and make it to the next proper rest stop (4km away), and the rad exploded just as I pulled in. Lots of steam, typical show. My response: take niece for an ice cream while waiting <grin>

Called hubby on cell, he came and we decided to leave SVX in the parking lot overnight. Checked online and found an official Subaru dealer about 10km away (a little over 6 miles). Next day we tried to baby it to dealer, but after a few klicks it started to overheat again. Left it in a Park&Drive, had dealer pick it up.

Ended up replacing radiator, along with thermostat etc etc... all the usual hoses and stuff that goes along with it. Cost us 700 euro (ouch!) After so many years, I still can't get used to how much more expensive everything is over here. Makes me wish I were back in Toronto.

Mechanic says that the system is holding pressure well, all his checks came back within norms, so car should be fine. It's not.

For short shopping trips the car is ok. Our first longer highway trip ended up at another rest stop about 100km away (~62 miles) with the temp gauge up around 3/4 mark. We sat around for 1.5 hrs for it to cool down, and drove straight back to dealer. As long as we were at higher speeds the car temp was normal, but as soon as we pulled off the highway and stopped for a light, the temp started climbing again. Was just in lower red zone as we parked it at the dealer.

Dealer kept car for a week, drove it around, did some more checks, but didn't find anything wrong. My personal diagnosis is bad head gaskets which I want fixed. Mechanic says it isn't worth it, and my husband seems to agree. Dealer wanted to sell us an Outback and give us 2,500 euro trade in. Thankfully, husband said no but is looking around for another car.

In 3 weeks I'm going back to our original and very knowledgeable Subaru dealer in Switzerland. I'm hoping I'll be able to make the 250 km trip (155 miles) in a day, knowing that I'll have to stop a few times to cool the engine and maybe top up with distilled water. I've already spoken with him, and he seems to agree that the head gaskets are the most probable culprits. He's got an SVX of his own, so does his brother, and he services a bunch of others so I'm confident that he knows what he's doing and I trust him. I believe his SVX topped over 300,000km recently.

My Husband has agreed to let the Swiss mechanic take a look and give an estimate, but hasn't agreed yet to have the work actually done. I need to get a bunch of good reasons prepared for the inevitable discussion that will follow the mechanic's report. We're talking a bill anywhere from 1,000 to 2,000 euros depending on how much other work is needed in addition to replacing the head gaskets.

I know this is a pricey car to maintain. Even more so when you factor in the outrageous taxes and insurance costs here in Germany, let alone the cost of gas which is roughly twice the price in North America. But I love my SVX.

Help, please
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  #2  
Old 07-28-2005, 10:29 PM
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dannmarr dannmarr is offline
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All I've been doing since I bought my SVX is fixing it (over 4,000 dollars) It's expensive, but no other car I've driven feels like it. I understand your situation, and you need to balance your options. For some of us it's worth keeping it, but for some it's better to get a more practical auto, especially if you have a fixed income and a family to feed. If you had the car for 5 years, you know what you put in it. If you buy another used car, you will also have to invest money to fix it. Ask yourself; is it cheaper to fix this car or buy and fix another car? Wish you all the best in your decision. By the way, I was born in Switzerland.
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  #3  
Old 07-28-2005, 11:50 PM
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SilverSpear SilverSpear is offline
Still 1.7K to go...
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It is simply a beautiful car, still turning heads till now even though it appeared for the first time 15 yrs ago, it has funky windows only found and imitated by Supercars like McLaren F1 and you cannot stop having fun with it through mechanical and outside mods... simply there is no limits to our beloved SVX.

And it doesn't resemble any other car in the world...
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  #4  
Old 07-29-2005, 12:00 AM
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ensteele ensteele is offline
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I am sure you know what I would say after looking at my signature. There is no car like a SVX. It is a safe and reliable car and is sometimes expensive to fix or repair, but not many around. You will never find many like it anywhere. Good luck and I hope you convince your husband to keep it.
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  #5  
Old 07-29-2005, 02:41 AM
94svxred 94svxred is offline
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My wife and her family keep telling me to get rid of It They say you don't even drive It ( thats true i do not drive it that much ,only for fun )and It just takes up space! What looks better in the garage ,A red SVX or a bunch of kids toys .My wife says it's my coffin and she's going to bury me in it . I told before you do that , Just make sure you get her DETAILED . My SVX WILL NEVER LEAVE Good Luck P.S. Don't let your car go yet ,It is just to unique!!
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  #6  
Old 07-29-2005, 05:20 AM
Radar Radar is offline
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I don't think you need to travel to Switzerland. You can contact the head of the German SVX-Club at schrammhn@aol.com, who lives close to you and who knows a few good Subaru garages around.

If you haven't done so far, it's maybe a good idea to become a member (not expensive).

From your description of the fault I would asssume it is either the head gaskets or a failing water pump. Both is not too difficult to diagnose - of course only, if the dealer doesn't smell the opportunity to selll a new car.

At 200,000 km you should do the big service anyhow (plugs, belts etc.) So if you combine it, the additional cost will not too bad.
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  #7  
Old 07-29-2005, 09:25 AM
Bipa
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Radar,

Thanks for the info. We were in touch a while back with the SVX Club Germany about the possibility of getting our SVX up to the D3 exhaust emmission standard and saving some tax money. I don't know if my husband actually became a member at that time, or just asked to be put on the list of interested owners. The payback period 'til actual savings would have been about 2-3 years, so obviously he had intended to keep the car for a while longer. I think he's starting to come around - at least he's starting to joke about helping the Swiss mechanic repave his lot again.

I've been lurking around several SVX and Subaru web sites these past weeks. When I noticed a few endorsements for our Swiss mechanic as one of the top guys in the German-speaking Switzerland/Austria/south Germany area, I decided to give him a call.

I always go down to Vaduz for the big August 15th fireworks celebration. That's not far from where we used to live and where the dealership is. I have a choice of going in our little Justy ECVT or the SVX. Hmmm... tough choice

If we end up fixing and keeping the SVX, then I will certainly get in touch with the SVX Club and hopefully find a *good* SVX garage a little closer to home. For now, I'm going to stick with someone I already know and trust.
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  #8  
Old 07-29-2005, 10:37 AM
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svx_commuter svx_commuter is offline
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Oh yeah that very sneaky head gasket leak.

I think you may want to get some of the Subaru coolant additive that seals head gasket leaks on the 2.5 engine and give it a shot. The stuff is cheap and you may want to put two bottles in since the SVX engine has more gasket surface.

After you put it in, Let it idle for 20 mins' to warm up. Then turn it off and cool down 3 hrs and then repeat the warm up and cool down for about 8 cycles total. I think you could even drive it as long as you stay off the highway.

It may buy you some time. You may want to consider a spare engine, used or rebuilt, could save you some time too.
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  #9  
Old 07-29-2005, 02:19 PM
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SSSVX SSSVX is offline
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Hello, Welcome and glad you found this board.

I think it's all depended on your personal evaluation. Maintaining an SVX can be pricey but it's hard to find a car like that.

If you really like your svx, why don't you fix it? If you have no problem with the money! There're some members here, their SVXi are over 200K miles or even 250K miles still running good and getting decent gas mileages. This is a maintainenance for its age but after you put some money, it'd be good for a long while....

Any pics of your SVX? I love you guys' glass headlights.
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  #10  
Old 07-29-2005, 06:01 PM
Bipa
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I took a look through my PC archives, and found two pictures taken just before we left Switzerland. Sorry about the quality, but I'll maybe take a few more soon. Only the license plate has changed since then... well, and a new rad and a few other small things

If I've goofed up when adding the pictures here, you can also see them in my locker. I figured out that one easily (patting herself on back)
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  #11  
Old 07-29-2005, 09:25 PM
RojoRocket RojoRocket is offline
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Red (ok claret! looks red in the pics!) with Black !! What more reason could you need to keep that beauty? These cars are a rare commodity, and as a daily driver I know I'd have to spend major $$$ to replace her with something that moves so effortlessly, quietly and smoothly through traffic. Only wish I could experience the car in the Autobahn environment! Brought her up the Sacramento River delta last week, and after passing a couple of cars and singing along at 85mph for maybe 5-6 miles realized she was in 3rd gear.
I had a first experience last night of a young (14?) boy asking me as I returned to the car if "that's a NEW Subaru"?? Should have seen his face, and that of his older sibling, when I replied "It's a 93, and they're kinda rare". Simply a beautiful car that has attracted a devoted following, for more reasons than it's unusual windows. Ask Earl! Keep that baby!!

Glenn
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  #12  
Old 07-29-2005, 09:28 PM
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ensteele ensteele is offline
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That looks like Barcelona Red with the black top and trunk. Bipa mentioned that it is a 93. That is a beautiful car.
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[COLOR=”silver”]1992 Tri Color L[/COLOR] ~45K (06/91) #2430
1992 Dark Teal LS-L ~184K (05/91) #0739
1992 Claret LS-L ~196K (05/91) #0831
1992 Pearl LS-L ~103K (06/91) #1680
1992 Pearl LS-L ~151K (06/91) #2229
1992 Dark Teal LS ~150K (07/91) #3098 (parts car)
1992 White LS-L ~139K (08/92) #6913
1993 25th AE ~98K (02/93) #164
1993 25th AE ~58K (02/93) #176
1993 25th AE ~107K (02/93) #215
1993 25th AE ~162K (02/93) #223
1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~124K (1/94) #2408
1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~144K (10/93) #1484
1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~68K (10/93) #1525
1994 Barcelona Red LSi ~46K (02/94) #2624
1994 Pearl LSi ~41K (12/93) #1961
1995 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~70K (02/95) #855
1996 Polo Green LSi ~95K (03/96) #872
1997 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~55K (08/96) #097
2003 Brilliant Red LS1 Convertible ~29K (04/03) #8951
1999 Magnetic Red LS1 Coupe ~33K (04/99) #6420

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  #13  
Old 07-30-2005, 06:52 AM
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immortal_suby immortal_suby is offline
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Very nice looking svx. I love the color.
A used low mileage engine would be a great way to get back on the road and freshen up the car.
The head gaskets got me too at 215k miles. I got an engine from a member here and installed it myself in a weekend.
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  #14  
Old 07-30-2005, 07:34 AM
calmone
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could be the fan clutch.
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  #15  
Old 07-30-2005, 07:04 PM
Bipa
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Glenn/RojoRocket

When I first moved to Europe, I swore I'd never driver faster than around 120-130km/hr (about 75-80 mph.) Now I swear when there's someone ahead who is ONLY going at 140km/hr (about 87 mph)

Guess my driving habits have changed a bit over the last 5 years. I’ve actually driven at 205 km/hr (127mph) and felt quite comfortably in control of the SVX, although traffic around me got me a little nervous. Mostly I cruise at between 160-180 km/hr (99-112 mph) without any "thrill" or nerves at all.

Lately, I mostly swear when I see the "end of speed limit zone" sign as I'm crawling at 5 km/hr in one of Germany's famous summer traffic jams.

Hmm... guess I should stop swearing so much
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