Hesitant about owning an SVX...

#1 10-29-2003, 06:26 PM

Hi. This is my first post.

Picture it. I've always been intrigued by the SVX but never really knew much about it. When I see an SVX on the road, I get surprised because they are few and FAR in between in L.A. Guess there's not much demand for AWD around here. But damn, gotta love those windows!

Anyway, I'm currently in the market for a daily driver. My 240SX is clocked in at 230,000 miles and Reverse gear just went out. So I figure instead of getting it fixed, I should just get a new, used car. Time for a change anyway. Long story short, I came across a nice 1992 white SVX with 73,000 miles. Never really thought about it before but hey, why not? So I'm really excited, right.....

Then I came across this forum and have been reading about the horror stories about the transmission problem. Suffice it to say, my enthusiasm was curbed.

I'm really not crazy about the idea of driving a car and just WAITING for the tranny to break down because of an overheating issue. It seems from the accounts I've read, it's inevitable. I don't want to drop that kind of money and then find out later that the hole is just starting to deepen. A money pit is not what I want. That would seriously make me regret getting an SVX.

Then I hear the other side of the story about owners account raving about the handling, luxury ammenities and, argueably, the reliability of the SVX...except for the tranny issue. Well, that's a BIG "except" IMO.

So should I or shouldn't I? That is the question.
Are my concerns valid?

Seraph · #2 10-29-2003, 07:09 PM

To be honest, it all depends on how much you like the car. I on my 3rd SVX. There are people here with 5. Also, there are people here who gave up after the first.

Getting any used car is like throwing a dice. You never know what you could get. Sometimes, its great, sometimes, you get screwed. My recommandation is to have someone else who knows SVXes (No I do not mean a car expert. I mean someone who already have a SVX and went through a tranny at one point) check the car out. The reason behind that is unless your tranny or diff went south while you own it, you know the feel of the car before it went south.

Apart from that, check the inside, outside, overspray, take it out for a spin, and see if you can live with it. Just in case, save up 2k cash for car repairs. Tranny can cost about 2-3k to repair and that's about it. Other minor stuff will happen but they are not much to worry about. Minor as in wheel bearings but they are only about 100 bucks a piece.

If you think you can afford that 100 bucks items from time to time, you are pretty much good to go with a SVX. Once that big expense is over, you are in the clear for another couple of years. My current SVX has over 200k miles and engine wise, its running strong.

Jamsvx · #3 10-29-2003, 07:37 PM

I can only agree!

I spent two years looking for the right SVX and went into ownership knowing full well of the transmission issues.

Would I have bought one that had not had a tranny replacement - YES! Only I would have negotiated a few thousand off the price to over it!

As an overall package, the SVX is second to none - sure, it may have tranny issues but so too do the Mercedes and BMW's, indeed, those two brands are commonly held out to be the epitome of reliability and durability but have a troll through www.mbworld.org or www.bimmerforums.com and read all about their engine failures; electronic problems; tranny failures and (my favourite) the $5000US it costs to strip back a W140 S-class to replace an aircon evaporator that was built into the car so as to never need to be replaced - guess what, it was a faulty design...should I mention the $4000-$5000 that MB charge to replace a defective wiring harness in a 1996 S500SEC coupe??? Madness

Audi A8's - gremlins left right and centre and they have tranny woes like us!

My point - these are all extremely expensive cars that cost a fortune to fix, are plagued with (very expensive!) problems yet people buy them second hand thinking "German, bulletproof, will last forever"....err...no....however, people hestitate on the SVX.

In reality, there is only one main thing to worry about - the tranny and as a % of the whole car, it is actually not that big a hit. Sure, it is expensive, but the rest of the car has depreciated to such a massive extent as to offset this amount - in any other brand (Euro for example) what you get in an SVX would see another zero on the end of the price!!

You will not find a greater source of information on the planet than you will find here on the SVX, period.

As Seraph said, take an SVX'er to have a look (most will probably drive you there in their's so you can get a 'feel' - I know I would) and get them to have a look.

My tranny may go (it was replaced before I bought it and I fitted a cooler) but everytime that I walk back to that low menacing shape, still as futuristic as it was 10 years ago, and people asking "what the *&^*^& is that" as I sink into the leather seats, stare around at those wonderful windows and flatten it out of the carpark, that banshee howl reverberating around me, I cannot help but think of the very privileged band to which i belong - those who truely appreciate what an outstanding car we own.

BUY ONE!!!

nordique14 · #4 10-29-2003, 07:45 PM

One of the things that should have been done to a 92-93 SVX is to have the tranny filter installed. There was a TSB on it.
http://members.tripod.com/quick_svx/.../42748095.html

If you have the VIN, you can call 1-800-SUBARU-3 and ask them about the service history of the car. They should be able to provide you with informatioon about any major repairs, recalls and TSBs performed on the car.

You can also check out Edmunds to see what TSBs were issued for any car:
http://www.edmunds.com/products/maintguide/index.html

I'm currently working in LA (near LAX) and would be willing to help you check out the car after work if you wanted. I have owned a 95 SVX for about 3 yers now and know how the transmission should shift.

Good luck.

Matt

Gargoyle · #5 10-29-2003, 07:51 PM

Think about it this way ( It's how im going at it ) I just bought my SVX about a month ago ( 52,045 miles) I got a little iffy about it after finding this forum & hearing the tranny stories ( and mine doesnt even have a cooler *YET* ) I have put over 700 miles on it & the last 500 have been pushing her around a bit (GOSH SHE HANDELS GREAT ) granted i keep my trips down to around an hour or so it doesnt get to hot .
SO my thinking goes like this----- Of all the tranny stories i have heard, overheating seems to be the key problem. So provided the tranny is strong when you get it ( mines seems rock solid ) Im gonna have a cooler installed & run synthetic fluid & geta TEMP gauge then im thinken with a little common sense it will hold toghter. * most people seem to say that it is a really strong tranny that came with a bad cooling bug*
So i guess my advice would be get it & fall in love as i did. & if it brakes FIX IT !!!!!

if not at least tell everyone where it is so one of us can get our second or sixth if you're ( well we wont say who ) lol

Seraph · #6 10-29-2003, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gargoyle

if not at least tell everyone where it is so one of us can get our second or sixth if you're ( well we wont say who ) lol

The crazy man already got his 92 Pearl. I tested that for him.

I don't think he will be chasing after this one. But knowing him, who knows.

L

#7 10-29-2003, 08:33 PM

JamSVX is right. My moms used BMW 5 series has gone through 2 trannys now at a rediculous amount a pop. My SVX? Tranny still runs perfect and i usually beat the absolute hell out of it. I do have FWD though, I dont know if that makes a difference. As for overheating, never had a problem, i am planning on geting a tranny cooler and putting trickshift synthetic fluid in the tranny. Go for it though. I do like the 240s though, it must be that RWD

ensteele · #8 10-30-2003, 09:02 AM

I was drawn to the SVX like a moth to fire! ZAP!

Sidewinder · #9 10-30-2003, 09:02 AM

You know, as we write this, my tranny is in the shop and being rebuilt. Yeah, that does suck, but despite that, I cannot wait to get my car back in order and go for a drive. Plus, I can't wait to have a car and be able to drive. Anyway, I would suggest that you get the car just because it's a great car. I've only had mine for a hair over four months, but I was aware of the flaws and so this wasn't that big of a surprise. Many more years ahead of me with this car.. I can't wait!

Mr. Pockets · #10 10-30-2003, 09:33 AM

I'll throw in my 2 cents, although I think my sentiments have already been expressed by other members.

I love my SVX. I bought it four years ago (I just realized that...wow) and it still makes me smile every time I climb into the seat.

I would absolutely call the SVX a reliable car. I bought mine with 95k miles on it and drove it for about 30k before I started storing it most of the time. Now I only put a few thousand on it a year, if that. But, even though I'll call it reliable, understand that it is more expensive than the average car to maintain. Preventative maintenance is an absolute must. A well-cared-for SVX is a dream to own and drive. A poorly-cared-for SVX will be a nightmare.

So find one which was taken care of - babied, even. If you continue to take care of it, it'll reward you with a fantastic experience.

#11 10-30-2003, 09:49 AM

Thanks for the replies. I'm still on the fence whether or not to pursue the SVX.

As far as it being "more expensive than the average car to maintain," I have to keep in mind that I have a weekend car also that I have to maintain. So a daily driver MUST be low maintenance enough to the point of basically just changing fluids and putting gas in the tank. I was spoiled with my 240sx because that's how it was. But with a tranny failure just waiting to happen, well...

The things that drew me to the SVX is that it's 6-cylinder, AWD and the handling. It may be just a daily driver but that doesn't mean that it shouldn't be fun either.

I don't know.

Mr. Pockets · #12 10-30-2003, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Xmen
Thanks for the replies. I'm still on the fence whether or not to pursue the SVX.

As far as it being "more expensive than the average car to maintain," I have to keep in mind that I have a weekend car also that I have to maintain. So a daily driver MUST be low maintenance enough to the point of basically just changing fluids and putting gas in the tank. I was spoiled with my 240sx because that's how it was. But with a tranny failure just waiting to happen, well...

The things that drew me to the SVX is that it's 6-cylinder, AWD and the handling. It may be just a daily driver but that doesn't mean that it shouldn't be fun either.

I don't know.

I see where you're coming from. In my case, My SVX is my weekend car. This is just my opinion, but I think you probably want something which requires less care, if you just want a reliable daily driver which requires little care. The SVX is a complicated, low-production car. Parts are expensive and it's sometimes difficult to find competent service.

Other people on the site have sat on the same fence you're now on, and eventually replaced their previous 'weekend car' with the SVX they bought as a daily driver.

I think in the end that only you can decide whether or not this car fits your needs. Go drive one with an owner and you'll probably fall in love with it, though.

svx_commuter · #13 10-30-2003, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Xmen
Thanks for the replies. I'm still on the fence whether or not to pursue the SVX.

As far as it being "more expensive than the average car to maintain," I have to keep in mind that I have a weekend car also that I have to maintain. So a daily driver MUST be low maintenance enough to the point of basically just changing fluids and putting gas in the tank. I was spoiled with my 240sx because that's how it was. But with a tranny failure just waiting to happen, well...

The things that drew me to the SVX is that it's 6-cylinder, AWD and the handling. It may be just a daily driver but that doesn't mean that it shouldn't be fun either.

I don't know.

I drive mine every work day and miss it when I do NOT take it to work. It is just so easy to drive and I feel so much better when I get to work because the driving so easy. It is so quiet and takes such little energy from me.

Since you like the looks and know it handles well, I suggest you don't drive it.

I think you'll end up wanting it a lot more.

Chicane · #14 10-30-2003, 10:55 AM

I bought my car in august of 2002, and am extremely happy with it. I put on 20k miles in one year, and it has been extremely reliable. Sure, I've spent a bit of money, but I think you have to when you buy an older (around 10 yr old) car. I have all the records since my car was made, and I got it for $3600. It needed new tires, and new brakes, and the exhaust leaked. So I spent 400 on brake rotors and pads, installed those myself, and 600 on tires. So for under 5 grand I have AWD, one of the nicest interiors known to man, a quasi exotic car, a SPECTACULAR engine, and tons of options. I'm happy. The only bad thing thats really happened was when I was offroading and hit a bump, my tensioner didn't maintain tension and now its stranded 6 hours north of here, having the cams realigned. The thing that really stunk is that the dealership I took it to broke my radiator and cross threaded some stuff.

I guess the biggest concern I would have would be where you live, and if you know of any competent shops. I'm never going to the dealership again.

- Rob

Noir · #15 10-30-2003, 11:02 AM

i've poured lots of money into mine and i still love it. it's the only car i never griped about paying maintenance on.

parts can take up to a week to get so keep that in mind when you have to do repairs. i have to pick which struts i want because i just found out that 3 of the 4 struts are leaking. guess that means upgrades for my baby

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