Considering an SVX, would like advice

Hello,

I'm a new member here, and am considering getting an SVX for my next car. It will be used mostly as a commuter at least for a little while, and I would like to get some advice from people before I start looking for one.

I'm by no means new to cars, and am familiar with identifying problems with cars before buying them, but due to the nature of the SVX, I was hoping maybe someone that knows these cars could make some recommendations.

Of course I'll look at the fluids, brakes, suspension, tires, CV boots, electrical connections and exhaust, and I'll do a compression/leakdown check on anything that looks good otherwise.

I'm particularly interested in whether there are any good indicators of imminent transmission problems other than the typical process of listening for thunking, banging, roughness, etc.

Anyway, I'm sure you guys know these cars better than I do, so any suggestions would be most appreciated.

[RojoRocket]

matt, It appears you're already on the right track, being here. I'm sure a few hours of fascinating reading through the archives of transmission PAIN! and diff SUFFERING, will clue you in generally, so I'll leave you to your own devices there.

A detail I like to look at is tire wear. Especially bad wear in any one corner. Mismatched sizes/types of tire can cause real problems that might not be real easy to spot. If I were getting the car right now I would probably put 4 new tires on it and get used to making sure they wear evenly. Losing only one tire can become a real expense down the line as well. I'm referring here specifically to the AWD variant. Good luck in your search! Far more eloquent folks than I have written of the joys of SVX ownership, but driving the car daily gives one a real appreciation of all the good and not so good attributes of the car. It also makes one appreciate what a fine travelling car it is when you can finally get out and stretch her legs for several hundred miles. Whoooosh!!

Glenn

is that bad if one of the tires is really worn out on one corner?

[Landshark]

hi Matt,

good luck on your search, or buy mine and have no worries......

Originally posted by beefy420
is that bad if one of the tires is really worn out on one corner?

In an all wheel drive car, you want the diameters and weights of the rotating mass in each corner to be the same or you can cause damage to the AWD system, and add stress to the differentials. It's like how in a FWD or RWD car, you should replace front or rear tires as a package deal.

[n00b on demand]

Originally posted by beefy420
is that bad if one of the tires is really worn out on one corner?

Corner meaning the outside of the tire itself? If thats the case its a case of under inflation.

[sharky512345]

Originally posted by soobiesvx93


Corner meaning the outside of the tire itself? If thats the case its a case of under inflation.

what about if just the inside ~2 inches on just the front tires are worn very much so and the rest of the front tires worn way less?

[n00b on demand]

I think wearing on the sides means its under inflated....wearing of the middle of the tires means its over inflated.

[sharky512345]

okay, i think that the previous owner didn't rotate the tires or something, the rears have way more tread than the fronts. might be looking into new tires soon

[ensteele]

Here is some advice about buying a used SVX. This Link will take you directly. Good luck and welcome to the site.

Thanks for all the great info guys. ensteele, that's a great write-up and exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!

Matt.

Originally posted by mattvct
compression/leakdown check on anything that looks good

Ambitious of you! There's a service port in the wheel wells for the rear cylinders btw.

I wish you the best of luck in aquiring an SVX! It sounds like you know a thing or two about drivability and how to maintain it. From one SVX commuter to a future one I can honestly say that working on this car yourself will save you thousands. Gas mileage aside, there's nothing nicer than cruising in an SVX wherever you go.

Welcome!

[Matthewmongan]

several things

its important that your local mechanic can work on this car i have had a lot of trouble.

check the belts specificaly the fron one for uneven wear as this is a hard problem to fix if it gets out of hand (the pullies can work them self's out of allignment. i have had my ccar in the shop five times over the winter and i still have the squeeking.)

smell the engine compartment check the rear main seal for leaks, check out the fluid in the rear diff (this is oftin overlooked)

bring a magnent with out in a plastic bag and run over the car with it (i grew up watching macgiver). this can ruit our bondo and its more precise that the knock test. my PO (preivious owner) hit a deer and it rooled on the hood. that was the only damage from the accident and he told me up front so i was cool about it.

if it has a bra ask that it be remoived because this can hide body damage.

check to see if the hood shuts evenly and the doors line up with the fenders

MOST IMPORTANT. drive as many svx's as you can. its like a science experiment where you have a control subject and the test variant. this will give you a basis of the svx and its temporment. it allows you to compare a well maintained svx to the one your buying. i do this on every car i buy and personaly i believe its one of the best things you can do if you cant have a mechanic run over the car.

[Matthewmongan]

oh i say put the magnent in a bag so you dont scratch the car. i use the purple felt bag that the liquer comes in. i hate the booze but the bag is useful.

[Matthewmongan]

one more thing check to make sure that the vent shut offs work ( the things in you ac outlets in the dash that close the vent) mine didnt work and the center trim poped off this morning when i tried to force it shut. oohps