I was going to buy an SVX

When I thought about how much it costs to maintain and repair a late model SVX I said no thanks. Considering the cost of repairing a less than robust transmission and the replacement costs of a factory windshield are astronomical. So decided I'm going to buy a used Mk VIII EVO next year. There faster,they handle better,parts are easier to acquire and with a little luck I might even have some warranty remaining on the car....

I'm glad you did your research! It's a shame when we see people who buy an svx because it looks "cool" and goes fast, but dont figure in the maintenance expense of a premium car. It's what's poluting the market with unfortunate poorly maintained SVXen. Best of luck to you with the Evo!

Mike

I did a great deal of my research here at the subaru-svx.net I would often come here and sometimes read for hours over the course of several months trying to make a decision. I have found this wed site to be one of the most articulate and informative I have visited during my extensive research on this subject. I wish to thank all the members here for there thoughtful and informative posts. Now I can only wonder how many 56 year old retired obstetricians are cruising around Northern Virginia in EVO's....

[RojoRocket]

SVXtra,
I understand the results of your research may have led you to the "dark side" but one must consider all the unmeasureable factors of SVX ownership as well. The pleasure I get every time I gaze upon the beauty of my increasingly rare, thanks to the aforementioned lack of care by the unprepared/unwise owners, beauty overrides the "fastar" factor that seems to rule the decisions of many. You must have missed the underlying love most of us have for our cars. Every mile I spend touring, smooth and quiet, reminds me why I'm here on this board. Reading/asking to learn the tricks of maintaining my sultry beauty without breaking the bank, and understanding that it might end any moment, ruined by some inattentive moron, or other act of fate. Cars cost $$ to keep on the road, and my SVX, driven daily, and traveled in by choice, may be one of the few opportunities this "near retirement previous boy-racer" may have to drive such a thing of beauty without talking to a mortgage broker. I hope you find other mature, helpful owners on the EVO-net, but can't help but wonder how much "spam" you'll have to wade through to find them. Make mine SVX!

Glenn

Sorry to beer-ramble, here in my hotel room missing home, but not my SVX down in the lot . I'm certain other more articulate folks might make a more convincing case, as well as make you wonder about the regret factor down the road.

[ensteele]

Well said Glenn. I think I could be considered a lover of the SVX and I know that I enjoy it as much or more than any other high performance car I have driven. It is not the speed, the handling that makes me feel the pride when I am in my SVX, but the extreme lack of knowledge of what the heck it is. All of the questions that I get at the gas pump, and the amazement of people when they find out it is a Subaru! The SVX is not just a car, but a way of life for most of us. If we didn't have to look for parts, and wonder when we were going to have the next problem, we would probably drive them more and ware them out!

I got my SVX because it goes fast and it looks cool.

[shotgunslade]

I think the unreliability of the SVX has been seriously overhyped. My wife's cars over the past few years have included an Audi 5000s, which needed a new transmission at 56,000 miles, a Nissan Maxima, which had a transmission rebuild at 60,000 miles and a replacement at 90,000 miles, and a Mazda Millenia S, which required a transmission rebuild at 105,000 miles. The Audi was a total mess in terms of repairs, we sold it at 65,000 miles after replacing several steering racks, power steering pumps, an AC compressor, a radiator, an engine computer, a transmission computer, several window regulators, and a sunroof operator. Other than the transmission the the Nissan was pretty good. The Maza was also pretty good, but, when we sold it at 115,000 miles, it was burning oil, had oil leaks that were too expensive to fix, and had a starter that wouldn't engage in cold weather (unfixable after a starter replacement and several attempted repairs), and was generally loose and sloppy. My daily driver before I entered SVX land was a Porsche 911 (11 years), I spent a lot of money on repairs for it, (clutch replacement), had to be towed several times (a little water in the gas leads to fuel injection system corrosion that can only be cured by replacement of the entire fuel injection system; liquid lock due to wide open stuck injectors is an interesting phenomenon), but still it was an absolute ball to drive around.

I am now on my second SVX. I took my 92 from 75,000 miles to 120,000 miles, then bought a 94 with 74,000. The 92 transmission was getting a little iffy, but a Smallcar shift kit seemed to shore it up pretty well. Replaced one rear wheel bearing. My 94 now has 83,000, and I have spent a fair amount of money on mods, but maintenance has been nil. When I look at the cost of these same mods for a BMW or a Porsche, they would cost 3 or 4 times as much. An engine chip for one of these cars costs the better part of $1000, compared with $219 for the Ecutune Stage 1. Ben's drilled and slotted rotors and SS brake lines cost me about $400, while the same stuff of a Porsche is well over $1000.

My final analysis is that this is a pretty damn reliable car, that is a ball to drive (can't wait to get my GC/Koni setup on the car), and is a real bargain to mod up. Just think, I can put in a 5 speed for the same amount of money I spent to replace the automatic in the Mazda.

[thundering02]

Originally Posted by Kiteless

I got my SVX because it goes fast and it looks cool.

Yeah me too.

I understand your concerns about buying an SVX, but I must say I'm surprised you're going with an Evo instead...

I love rally cars. My first car was a 1968 Opel Kadett Rallye I bought new from a local Buick Dealer. Remember those cars? It was basically an Opel Kadette with two extra fog lights,rally gauge package and large black stripes on the hood for an extra 500 dollars. It threw a rod at 700 miles.Gee, I wonder why? My next car was a 1970 Boss 429 Mustang I bought used in 1971 from the money I saved in Vietnam. I was drafted in September of 1968 and signed up for another year of service to go warrant officer school to fly medical evac UH-1's. Which I did for the 101st out of Camp Eagle in Phu-Bai and Firebase Howard near Hue. The black Boss served me well while I was in college until the gas crisis of 1973 when I sold it for a Celica. I now own a 2003 GS 300,1967 Shelby GT 350, and a 2001 IS 300. Which my son drives more than I do. I've even owned a few LandCruisers both FJ-40 and FJ-45. But the EVO is something special to me. But I refuse to pay 35k for a new one...

[NikFu S.]

Originally Posted by SVXtra

I now own a 2003 GS 300, 1967 Shelby GT 350, and a 2001 IS 300. Which my son drives more than I do. I've owned a few Landcruisers both FJ-40 and FJ-45. But the EVO VIII is something special to me.

I think you just wanted a car with a number in the name.

[ensteele]

Originally Posted by NikFu S.

I think you just wanted a car with a number in the name.

SVX #1
SVX #2
SVX #3 .....

[svxistentialist]

Originally Posted by SVXtra

I love rally cars. My first car was a 1968 Opel Kadett Rallye I bought new from a local Buick Dealer. Remember those cars? It was basically an Opel Kadette with two extra fog lights,rally gauge package and large black stripes on the hood for an extra 500 dollars. It threw a rod at 700 miles.Gee, I wonder why? My next car was a 1970 Boss 429 Mustang I bought used in 1971 from the money I saved in Vietnam. I was drafted in September of 1968 and signed up for another year of service to go warrant officer school to fly medical evac UH-1's. Which I did for the 101st out of Camp Eagle in Phu-Bai and Firebase Howard near Hue. The black Boss served me well while I was in college until the gas crisis of 1973 when I sold it for a Celica. I now own a 2003 GS 300,1967 Shelby GT 350, and a 2001 IS 300. Which my son drives more than I do. I've even owned a few LandCruisers both FJ-40 and FJ-45. But the EVO is something special to me. But I refuse to pay 35k for a new one...

I would like to introduce myself to the group. I'm an SVXaholic.

There, I've said it. But I love those EVO cars, for the same reasons as stated above. The drive is fun, fun , fun

If you have absorbed all the info on here, you will probably have heard more than you need to know about trannies slipping and rear bearings going. I am not trying to sell you on the SVX experience, but there is a squeeky wheel syndrome at play here. The people who get great use from their SVX are too busy out driving their cars to be on the net looking for help, or complaining.

I am currently driving a twin turbo Legacy wagon. The experience is probably closest to the WRX Impreza. It makes 260 hp, a lovely noise, and goes like stink. I'd prefer it to the SVX on a back road, and when both turbos are pushing, the hedges go Millennium Falcon on you, but for everyday comfort, the SVX is streets ahead.

The love affair we have with the SVX is caused by a combination of the looks and easy speed ability. You would need to drive one for a week to know what I mean.

So I'm serious when I say, go for the EVO. I would. But I would not sell the SVX to get it. Currently I am scheming to buy a Skyline GTR, the early R32 small version. I'll sell the Legacy to get it, but not the SVX.

Joe

I would like to introduce myself to the group. I'm an SVXaholic

Hello my friend..



I think the SVX is a fantastic car! Especially in LSI trim. With its beautiful leather interior and the added safety of 4 wheel drive. I almost bought a beautiful dark green 95 LSI two weeks ago for 4k. The engine and beige interior were both extreamly clean. But my garage is already full. And I would not like parking such a fine automobile in my driveway for long periods. So more or less I have decided to sell my IS 300 next year and use the money to purchase a low milage MK VIII EVO from someone over 30...


Here is a picture of the SVX I almost bought two weeks ago. I think its still for sale?

[ensteele]

Originally Posted by svxistentialist

I would like to introduce myself to the group. I'm an SVXaholic.

Joe

Hi. I came with Joe to see what you do here. No, I am not a SVXaholic. I just drive them socially and at meets.

[Ron Mummert]

[QUOTE=SVXtra]I love rally cars. My first car was a 1968 Opel Kadett Rallye I bought new from a local Buick Dealer. Remember those cars? It was basically an Opel Kadette with two extra fog lights,rally gauge package and large black stripes on the hood for an extra 500 dollars. It threw a rod at 700 miles.


I remember the Kaydett Rallye. I had a '70 Opel Manta 1900 (the last NEW car I ever bought), that took me to 130K, & still ran OK when I sold it. I just couldn't hack it when the bolt-on A/C finally quit.

Ron.