Building it up only to let it go - those who've jumped ship. *LONG*

[Huskymaniac]

Originally Posted by rvnmaniac

In 2005 paid $3500 for my 92 with less than 56K miles on it.

Were you pointing a gun at the seller at the time? I thought I got a good deal at $5K for my 96' with 74K miles on it.......

[benebob]

Originally Posted by sicksubie

Speaking of driving, for everyone who dislikes the SVX from a competitve standpoint... How many GOOD drivers have ever raced an SVX? I have seen less than 5 good/serious drivers on this forum for the entire time I have been on here. Chike, Ben/Dave, and a couple others that are slipping my mind here. I have only auto-x'd my various SVX'i a total of maybe 8-10 times and I dont think YT auto-x'd or tracked his silver very much either. So there are two of the most built up SVX's ever and neither have ever been in the hands of a very talented driver. Example: I was auto-xing my silver car (same setup as the pearl black one in my signature) with a Miata club here in MA. The fastest times of the day (on R compounds) were 47.xxx seconds. My times started at 66 seconds (I was on street tires) and by the end of the day I had a best time of 58 seconds (clean). I then let someone else take my car out and their first run they did a 56 and second run they did a 54. After pulling the car in they commented that if they had more time that they thought they could have broken into the 52 second range. Up to that point I had chalked my times up to the fact that I had a heavy car at an auto-x run by a Miata club (course layout was like a go cart track). Then after seeing the other person drive my car, I realized I just have a lot of seat time to go before I can even begin to get my car to where it is physically capable of being.

I hate to be the person that says it, but the SVX comunity is plagued by a lack of $$ and a lack of driving ability.

I wouldn't consider myself a good autox driver but rather an above average drive by feel autoxer rather than a technical driver, the SVX is definately not the platform to go after if you want to autox it. Weak brakes, understeering issues, lack of aftermarket support, lack of technical racing information, etc. but I strongly believe in drive what you own and like. Trophies are definately possible locally esp. in stock GS form where the courses aren't Mini tight.

Racing is where most cars become classic, not by sitting in a garage. I was hoping to spur on some good competition with the racer but it never panned out. Its a shame as when properly sorted, the SVX is an absolute blast to drive. I sure hope the racer gets to come out and play this coming weekend in its new home. as I've told OT I'm more than willing to do a good part to sponsor a proper driver for the one form of racing the SVX should be VERY strong. Hillclimbing. The car is nearly there, just need the proper modivated driver.

[ensteele]

I am not going anywhere either. I suppose that may have looked at me and thought I was crazy. Well, I guess I am. I have a love for the SVX and still do. I have had my share of problems with a couple of them, but for the most part, I have been lucky. I have saved a few from certain death, or in fact brought a couple back from death. Why do I have as many as I do? Because I can I guess. I have written my story about my experience with the SVX and will post it in the next couple of days. It is about 35 pages with pictures.

I know that having them is not an investment like others have asked if it was, because I don't think they will ever be "Classics". They are a collectors car, because people collect them! Like me I guess. It is a car that I love and don't want to be without. I may sell about half of them in the future just to get the herd number down a bit, and I can give the other more attention. I also feel that it is not only the SVX that I love, but it is the people and community of owners that I like as well. We tend to have may different backgrounds, but all have the same love for this amazing car (well, most of us do). I have seen amazing acts of kindness when it comes to checking on parts or cars for someone who is far away, a bed on a cross country trip, as well as many other things when the member has only been in communicaton with them on this site and never met face to face. It is a community which I have enjoyed no mater where I have gone, meets or just a stop and a hello. It is the package deal, not just owning a SVX. I keep hearing about love - that of course is Subaru's slogen now - Love.

[LetItSnow]

One thing I wish was easier to alter is the steering ratio. On a rather tight course last season, my wrists were smashing each other from turning the wheel so far!

[svxcess]

Originally Posted by ensteele

I keep hearing about love - that of course is Subaru's slogan now - Love.

,

[TomsSVX]

I used to race my car all the time... Problem is after a while I was working too much and couldnt afford the time to be racing rather than working... Double edge sword of sorts.

Tom

[icingdeath88]

Originally Posted by LetItSnow

One thing I wish was easier to alter is the steering ratio. On a rather tight course last season, my wrists were smashing each other from turning the wheel so far!

I am with you 110% on this. I knicked a couch on the highway, just because the wheels didn't turn enough when I tried to avoid it. I drove my buddies S2k and it was soooo much more natural feeling. (I forget what the ratio is but it's a lot quicker.)

I still think we could have a quicker ratio steering rack made.

[Subix]

Well that's awesome... I'm looking forward to your mini novel Earl... reading new things, experiences and memories about the SVX is nice and since you own a herd, it should prove to be very enlightening.

I wasn't intending this thread to be depressing but just in general question it, being in a mood I guess. The last page or 2 really bounced back though and demolishes the negative across the board. It's cool to see how many people are actually bringing and keeping it up to speed, enjoying the SVX as svxfiles kindly pointed out with the various members here and what they've done in doing so.

Hopefully I'll make it to a Reading someday!

[thumper_svx]

Well, for the record I wasn't attempting to be negative... just putting my thoughts on paper.

In all honesty, the SVX is still a wonderful car and a part of me would actually love to keep mine going indefinitely. The simple fact is that my life doesn't have room for a second car any more, which is what the SVX will become because what I need more than anything is a daily driver I don't have to fix every other weekend. While my SVX isn't bad (I've only had to fix a few minor things here and there) I do fear for the future with her. Generally she's more reliable than my '94 or my last '96, but if something serious breaks I can see that I will end up with the car parked in the garage for some time before I will find time to fix it. Given that my two car garage is already taken up by two motorcycles and my SVX, and my SVX will soon have to make way for a brand new BMW... well... I just don't have the room or the time for the car any more.

For its time, the car was epic and beautiful. Even by todays standard the SVX is a fantastically gorgeous machine that manages to turn heads. But time has marched on and I'm afraid that my life has done the same. Sometime in the next 2-3 years I plan to sell my house and move to an apartment or a villa. When I do that I'll have even less garage room than I do now, but I'll be shot of this elephant on my back called a mortgage. Maybe some financial minds will tell me I'm crazy but in the next few decades I see myself finding much more advantage to my life being flexible rather than tying myself to a suburban lifestyle I never really wanted in the first place. Before I get into a seriously off-topic rant about where I think the world is going, I'll just say that having something like the SVX is just not going to be compatible with my vision of the world in 10 years... though it'll certainly suit somebody else far more.

So I'm enjoying my SVX while I have her. I am driving her when I can, reveling in the fact that the SVX is by far the most comfortable commuting car I have ever owned, and can hold its own on twisty roads. With a good stereo system (which I have) the car is actually virtually perfect except for all the points listed above. It will pain me to part with this car because it's by far the best SVX I've ever owned... but part with it I will.

On the flip side, I'll probably still lurk here like I did the last couple of times I "left the fold"... and the SVX and its community will always have a special place in my heart.

[thumper_svx]

And posting another message... auto-cross.

I have tracked all of my cars I've owned since about 1998, and while the SVX is pretty damned good it's far from the best in stock form. Tires make a huge difference to the SVX, but it does have some bad habits in power transfer from front to rear at the edge. Basically, the torque transfer can shift rapidly and unexpectedly which can cause you to lose a bit of "focus", so careful track driving is necessary. However, if you are familiar with it and know the feel you can work around it pretty well. However, the SVX's steering is pretty numb (and needs a quicker ratio as mentioned above), and the brakes really do suck for a car this heavy. Aftermarket stuff makes it a lot better, but it's still a heavy but quite capable car.

The capabilities of the SVX are better than 98% of the driving populous in my opinion. But there's that 2% (of which I consider myself one) who can push the SVX beyond its limits. My 2001 330i had less power than the SVX and weighed... well... not much less than the SVX truth be told. With a good balanced RWD platform though I could consistently decimate my time that I got on the same track with the SVX.

HTH

[SomethingElse]

yeah mine was negative too...that happens when I post drunk...regardless.

I still have 3...soon to be 2. More than likely Ill always have 2..a 5 speed and 4.44. Worst case scenario Ill always have one.

Its still slow, my 95 M3 out performed it in every way. I know its apples to oranges, just sayin.

Its a great touring car. I drove my black one almost 2000 miles with no issues,only stopped for pee pee,gas, and sleep. with a 4.44 I averaged 26.1 mpg...not too shabby. I will always be an owner because of the forum,I still have a crap ton of parts, and I do love the car. Most times when im pumping gas, some random has to say something to me...that says something about our cars.

[Tim]

I've been off the boards for a while and haven't made Reading. Currently I've been in the process of an engine refresh, steering rack replacement and possible repaint. When you're doing this yourself the costs are much more reasonable.

What yt said, it's all about priorities. While I enjoyed my z4 it was still missing something so I'm moving onto the route of a real daily driver while making the svx my weekend project. The svx isnt a terrible car to work on as long as you have the patience. If you accept it for what it is you won't be disappointed, but as technology evolves there will be many faster and better handling cars. I personally don't plan on giving mine up.

[dromano]

This thread IS depressing but, some very good sentiment expressed. My daily driver is a 92 (made 10/91) liquid silver LSL. It will be 20 years old in just over a month. I am planning for an engine rebuild if needed. I have owned this SVX since April 1999, nearly 12.5 years, it had 69340 miles then. Today 124k+, an average of 4435 miles a year. I am 70, retired and now a days drive just twice a week, 38 miles to the golf club and home. I have done nearly all the repairs and maintenance with the help of this forum.

I'm not going anywhere. I get 22 mpg, now interested in better mileage from a pregnant roller skate.

The only issue with my SVX is the front wipers have not worked for 9 years but, hey I'm living in the desert and it rains twice a year maybe, with the slope of the windshield once I get to 40 mph the rain flies off and visibility is no problem, faster is better.

I paid $8944 in April 1999, maybe $2000 in new parts over the years, never had car payments, never stranded.

I will keep driving it till they take my driver's license away.

[shotgunslade]

Haven't had my car on the track since I spun a bearing a year ago. Engine is rebuilt. Runs fine, but failed emissions. Long story, but it could pass emissions, if I could get a helpful shop that would let me bring it in warmed up and do the sniffer test right away. My goto shop here broke their sniffer, and it isn't worthwhile for them to replace it for the occasioal OBD1 car that might come through.

So I drive it once a month at night when the cops can't see my lapsed inspection sticker. It is still the same wonderful driver with gobs of torque that I remember from my Watkins Glen drive in May of 2010.

I'll probably soon get around to registering it as a collector car in NJ, so no emissions test, but only 3000 miles per year allowed. At that point, I'm going for a very good quality paint job., and that will be the last mod. Don't know if I will take it to the track again. Takes the entire weekend, and I've got other stuff I want to do. Maybe after I retire.

Regrets? Yeah, a few. If I put this much money in a Porsche 968, it would be a track terror.

But, it sounds great and handles fantastically, and, in the hands of this inexperienced driver, is both forgiving and exciting on the track.

[kwren]

Originally Posted by SomethingElse

Its a great touring car.

It really is... and if we want another car, we can't just pretend that our SVX is another kind of car. I can drive any one of my 3 and appreciate all the great things about my daily drive!

When I went to start up my "old guy", my 200K a couple of days ago I was wondering if it would start ok. It hadn't been started in a month. It started in an instant and ran so quiet that I could hardly hear it running.

We fly a lot (Alaska airlines) and as soon as we get to our destination we rent a car, so we get to test drive a lot of different brands. Nothing compares with any one of our 3 SVX's. We might all do better if we accept all the greatness that the car is designed to be and not complain about what we wish it was. If you want a race car, simply go by yourself a race car, or whatever other kind of car you want!

Keith