The SVX and you

[TomsSVX]

I need to vent something that has been on my mind lately.

To pre-tense this a little I am sick and tired of hearing a commercial on the radio or TV that uses the phrase "now more than ever" Seriously?? Did you wipe your ass with $100 bills before the recession??

Ok to the point. I have been reading the forums for years now and have seen many members come and go. We are in the middle of the "young" crowd migration and a lot of older members are less frequent. This not a bad thing,as diversity amongst us is what brings us together. But with it the realization that the cars are losing value becomes aparent as the "young" crowd typically has a lower budget. With that being said please take the next couple points to heart before buying an SVX.

1. It is a 16 year old car. It is going to NEED maintenance that may or may not have been kept up on by the previous owners. GET USED TO IT!!

2. Head Gasket failures are becoming more and more common. I have not noticed any particular year, mileage, abusive owners, or any other factor contributing to the cause of failure more than AGE. If you are buying an SVX, expect this repair within the next 3 years at least.

3. The transmissions are FINE! The 1992's did have a string of things wrong with them that caused a premature failure. These have essentially been phased out by remans. Seriously at this point, you need to realize that automatic transmissions from the late 80's are not going to last a hell of a lot longer than 100K especially if they are not maintained and serviced regularly. If you are buying an SVX with the original trans, be skeptical but at this age, it is likely going to be an issue. If you get one with a rebuilt trans, be skeptical but make sure it is serviced often and properly.

4. You are not going to make a 400hp SVX w/ a couple hundred bucks. It is not a modifier's car. It is a fabricator's car to modifiy. You are not gonna find parts on JC Whitney or Summit Racing that will bolt on. EVERYTHING is specialty for this vehicle. Some of us have done our best to convert commonly used parts from other vehicles to adapt to the car. BUT this doesn't mean it is going to be cheap or easy. If you want real performance gains, you will need $10k as a good start.

5. The wheels bearings are not bad by design. Example: I race my 1992 silver w/ 160K on the ODO. It has the factory wheel bearings in it. These are some of the things that are called REGULAR MAINTENANCE. It is possible to deal with a hub that may be out of round. In these select few cases the hub needs to be replaced to fix the issue. Again, it is not the bearing's fault, it is a bad hub. As long as they are installed properly, they will last a long time

6. Exhaust systems are going to rust. You are talking about 16 year old tubing here people. It sees extremely hot temperatures, water, salt, you name it. They are only going to get worse. STOP trying to patch it, have it replaced in sections if you cannot afford to replace the entire exhaust.

7. Rubber, it dries out. Engine mounts, transmission mounts, differential bushings, exhaust hangers, control arm bushings, swap bar bushings... These things are going to fail. You own an old car, get used to the idea.

8. Oil Leaks, its a Subaru... its going to happen. FIX THEM! I have seen undercoating wiped off of the bottom of some of the cars that come into the shop because the oil simply breaks it down. It is not helping anything.

9. Services, you want to fix you cam seals after reading point #8. Do you know when the timing belt was changed? Do you know when the water pump was changed?? Are those idlers from 1990 really still good?? These are not questions you need to ask. When taking the timing covers off do the following. Replace the cam seals, cam plugs, crank seal, water pump, thermostat, thermostat gasket, water pump gasket, timing belt, timing belt idlers. This will save you money in the long run because it takes at least an hour to get to any of these to repair on their own. Labor=$ Save money by spending it wisely.

10.This may be the most important of all. It is a 1992-1997 CAR!! Doesn't matter if it is a Subaru or a Ford. It will need maintenance, it will need repairs, and it will need them sooner than you want to believe.

So for you that own them. Start taking care of them and stop *****ing about how expensive they are to have, or sell them to someone who will. For those of you buying them. This will help you be aware of what you are buying into and hopefully guide you in the correct direction with your decision.

I will offend people by making this thread, I hope I enlighten the majority

Tom

[Crazy_pilot]

Well said. Many times I've be nearly driven nuts by people who own 240s or Civics or Neons (ie; common cars which have a massive aftermarket full of cheap, bolt on parts), who just don't understand that I can't go out and buy a turbo kit or coilover system or stove pipe exhaust.

Unfortunately I think it's the low selling value of our cars that is driving this trend. Young people without a significant budget can buy these cars, but then aren't ready for the cost of repair, which can easily equal the purchase price of a cheaper SVX.

And seriously, budgeting for repair work isn't that hard. I'm a full time student, away from home during the school year, without a loan. I worked through the year and I now have nearly $6000 saved up for my 6MT swap. Two more paychecks and I'll be ready to buy everything.

Reality check people. It looks cool, it looks fast, it looks like it would have a myriad of bolt on parts available, but it's not. It's a 12-17 year old car that never caught on. It was never designed to be cheap, in 1990 or today.

[SVXyGirl]

THANK YOU TOM!!!

Originally Posted by Crazy_pilot

Unfortunately I think it's the low selling value of our cars that is driving this trend. Young people without a significant budget can buy these cars, but then aren't ready for the cost of repair, which can easily equal the purchase price of a cheaper SVX...

Or they buy an SVX. Blow the trans and either part it out or take it to the junk yard.

I'd rather be buying parts for my SVX than spending my money on designer shoes or a purse. A purse is not dragging my @$$ to work everyday.

[Wikedjuggalo]

When I bought one I put in more repairs cost then what I paid for it . Of course I did preventative maintenance. Adding up my repairs in my Barcelona it was purchased for 2000 dollars and then with in 1 year 1/2 I have put over 4000 dollars back into it. Now the engine is needed to be pulled and HG done on it (I believe). My Emerald I ended up having as much money as I bought it for back in repairs/preventative stuff. Not to scare anyone :O but people needed to know what can happen. Then again sometimes people get them and don't have any problems.


Summary: Repairs exceeded cost of purchase..

[Tim]

Originally Posted by Wikedjuggalo

Summary: Repairs exceeded cost of purchase..

I would never admit to how much I've spent on the SVX: Somewhere in the ballpark of $15,000

[oab_au]

Yes got to agree with that Tom. What gets me is the US generation (nothing personal) think this car is the same as all the other US cars. " got to do the exhaust and the inlet to free up some HP".
Believe me Subaru has freed up all there is, to get the best out of the engine, the rest takes a lot of money and work.
Not for the pocket money approach.

Harvey.

[Black88GTA]

There is nothing more expensive than a "cheap" SVX. I bought mine for $1k in January needing "nothing but a MAF and a new transmission" according to the previous owner. Familiar story to some on the board, I'm sure. Long story short, I have spent roughly $5000 - $5500 since then just bringing it back from the brink, and I'm far from done. I didn't know it at the time, but it was basically in "parts car" condition when I got it. I feel most would have either scrapped it or parted it out if they had ended up with it and assessed all of the work needed to make it a reliable driver again.

On one hand, I'm glad that another is saved from the scrap heap. But on the other hand - given the money I've spent on it - I could have bought a beautiful SVX with half the mileage and very little work needed in the first place, and had plenty of cash left over to boot.

My car is finally at the point where it is in acceptable (to me) running shape. All major work that still remains to be done mechanically (at least for now) is to reseal the front of the motor, replace belts and crank pulley (all of this will be done this weekend) and track down an annoying EGR problem which has popped up in the last week. Non-essential things still on the to-do list include replacing the doors, having some minor bodywork done, and finally getting a fresh paint job. When all is said and done, I'll probably have close to $10k into it - but at least it'll be a good, solid, presentable car again.

To all potential buyers - save yourself the trouble. Spend more money at the start on a well-cared for car, rather than a "bargain" fixer-upper. You'll thank yourself later.

[ensteele]

Originally Posted by Black88GTA

There is nothing more expensive than a "cheap" SVX.

But on the other hand - given the money I've spent on it - I could have bought a beautiful SVX with half the mileage and very little work needed in the first place, and had plenty of cash left over to boot.

To all potential buyers - save yourself the trouble. Spend more money at the start on a well-cared for car, rather than a "bargain" fixer-upper. You'll thank yourself later.

I agree with this as well. This is what I have told some members in the past and they still bought a cheap one and wonder why it cost them so much.

[SSSVX]

Originally Posted by Wikedjuggalo

Summary: Repairs exceeded cost of purchase..

This will happen, and this is a ten yrs-old plus car especially of many of us bought it used. This will happen, if you still have it because you still love this car. Whatever more time or money you gonna spend on, it's probably the labor or money of love in my opinions. It's not easy to keep up, and to have a good reliable old car.

[rvnmaniac]

That's right i haven't seen you with Prada shoes or a Gucchi bag,,,HMMMMM



I'd rather be buying parts for my SVX than spending my money on designer shoes or a purse. A purse is not dragging my @$$ to work everyday. [/QUOTE]

[Mike621]

I think there are so many people who still have not read this thread, and SHOULD.


Its funny to watch certain people call themselves enthusiasts, when they are just truly cheap people trying to pinch pennies. I find that when I truly have a passion for something, I give more than the bare minimum to get by. There are true enthusiasts on this site, ones who go above and beyond for these cars.

I know I am one of them.


I think to the majority, my cars and services are worth little to nothing, and even to much of this group, a discount, a break, a freebie, or invitation aren't enough to get support for an establishment specifically focused on their vehicle. But I digress.

I truly feel that support for the svx as a vehicle of value is dwindling, and I don't know what I can do about it aside from taking care of my own.

[svxistentialist]

Originally Posted by Mike621

I truly feel that support for the svx as a vehicle of value is dwindling, and I don't know what I can do about it aside from taking care of my own.

Mike

The phrase you use "a vehicle of value" is interesting.

It is most interesting in the number of interpretations that can be put on this statement, depending the type of person making the remark.

To some, a vehicle of value can mean they are getting or using a car that has net worth more than what it cost them. These will be "cheap" owners.

To others, a vehicle of value could mean a vehicle that has capability to perform the function they need. Or even beyond their needs. Like the SVX's winter driving ability for instance. These owners could be cheap owners, using up the car and disposing of it when their needs change or the car runs out of steam. Or they could be careful owners, who realise they have a special car, and take care of it because it takes care of them.

To yet more people, a vehicle of value could mean a special car that requires care and is worth preserving, because it has classic significance. These people will not be cheap, they will service and care for the car as it requires, and above and beyond that level. I think real and true enthusiasts like you are in this bracket.

I'm merely pointing this out because as the SVX gets older the type of people who buy them for their low market price will tend to have a higher percentage of "cheap" owners. That's just the way it is.

For the enthusiast owner, the SVX is a victim of its own futuristic looks. It still looks modern, and it is trapped in a time warp because collector values will not push the price of the car up until it appeals to collectors. Prices will continue to drop before they rise, I fear.

Joe

[Mike621]

Agreed completely. Thank you.

[Green1995SVX]

This thread is full of win. Well said, Tom.

[Landshark]

Originally Posted by TomsSVX

We are in the middle of the "young" crowd migration and a lot of older members are less frequent. This not a bad thing,as diversity amongst us is what brings us together. But with it the realization that the cars are losing value becomes aparent as the "young" crowd typically has a lower budget. With that being said please take the next couple points to heart before buying an SVX.

there's been cheap bastiges on here long before you joined.