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  #1  
Old 09-23-2004, 07:43 PM
Weebitob Weebitob is offline
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Looking at 1992 SVX (need help)

As I mentioned in my last thread I am looking at an SVX, which is, pretty much right by me. It is a pearl white 1992 SVX with approximately 126,000 miles on it. Now other than a minor ding on the front left side right by the hood and some dirt a braised on it, the body seems to be in very good condition. When I checked the breaks they looked rusty but the discs did not look too warped, then I again I don't have any experience in warp/ing discs so can you help me on how to detect that. Mind you that this is being also sold at an automotive repair shop that specializes in transmission and the guy told me that he rebuilt the transmission since the person he obtained, claiming to be his friend, had an overheated thus busted tranny. The interior looks very nice with no sign of tears on the or barely any, if none, carpet wear (the leather sears still look black as ever considering it is 12 years old).

Now I am planning to purchasing tomorrow with a price he stated as a solid 4k even though $4,959 was written on the window, this might not give me that much room to haggle, even though I thought of bringing the price down $200 at most.

Can you tell me what signs would point to it being a lemon in any way. I am intended on test driving and hopefully buying it tomorrow afternoon at 4:00 so any responses until then would be helpful.

Thanks

And don't worry I am not installing any mods immediately, even though some new brakes might make me feel a bit more comfortable and/or unless you state otherwise.

Last edited by Weebitob; 09-23-2004 at 10:27 PM.
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  #2  
Old 09-23-2004, 08:25 PM
lee lee is offline
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rusty looking brake rotors do no mean anything much except that the car hasn't been driven in a while. the way to tell if they are warped is by applying the brakes - if there's an oscillation in the pedal, or the car kind of "jerks" (can't figure out how to describe - it's a catching on the brake pads as the warped sections rotate around) then the rotors may be warped.

the main criticism of the SVX seems to be the longevity (or lack thereof) for the transmission. If he rebuilt it, and believes in his work, then ask him how long he's willing to warranty it. If you can't get a year at least, then I'd be cautious and very observant of shifting characteristics on the test drive.

If you can wait longer, send out a request on the forum for a Jersey member to accompany you on a test drive - they should know what to look for - and my experience is this is one of the friendly groups of diverse people I've associated with. Best of luck.
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  #3  
Old 09-23-2004, 08:59 PM
Weebitob Weebitob is offline
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Thanks

Thanks for your input. I would not even have known the difference between warped and otherwise I would have not known the difference.

As for getting a Jersey specialist, I just want to know if there are any special (inherited over time engine problems) such as the 3,000 rpm problem used RX-7s tend to have. Just want to know because I have a friend who is an automotive specialist in his own right, he is working towards becoming a certified mechanic, he just has to finish up his UTI course, he also took and passed an auto repair course at Morris Tech (tech school). I know that does not make him perfect in anyone's own right but it makes him know a thing or two about autos. I just want to know if there is a huge difference in having a SVX specialist there, in contrast to a general one.

He is also aspiring to become a certified Porsche mechanic, so he might as well get to know the works of some kind of Flat 6.
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  #4  
Old 09-24-2004, 10:10 AM
elvis elvis is offline
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Is this the one in White Planes or Denville? Sounds like Denville.

The one in White Planes was simply a mess! Body damage everywhere (also caused by a "friend"). Where do people get these friends that wreck their cars? Why would a buyer care if a friend caused the damage - I don't get it. I passed on this one.

The Denville one was better, but I had a few issues that made me uncomfortable. The Transmission was supposed to have been rebuilt by the shop where the car was parked (Lee Myles?). I used to live in that area when I was a kid and the shop has been there as long as I can remember, so I think they are trustworthy.

However, the car has (had?) a cracked windshield (about $900 to fix), there was a lot of previous body repairs (look at the door jambs), the sunroof stuck, the truck did not open (who knows what's in there). I offered the guy $2500 and he passed without a counter offer. I would have gone no higher than $3500.

This was two months ago and he said that the car had been sitting for months. So I would say it has not been driven in about a year...

I ended up getting Pearl (the previous owners name for "her") from a user on this board in Clifton. Other than two cracked converters, All's well.

Everyone who wants a Penguin (as I obviously did) should know that repainting a panel Pearl White is almost impossible to do at this point. These cars are more than 10 years old now, and the paint will have faded away from the original color. Pearl paint is a three step process and very hard to adjust for subtle shade differences. To make it look right, you will most-likely be painting the whole car.

- Oliver

Last edited by elvis; 09-24-2004 at 10:12 AM.
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  #5  
Old 09-24-2004, 04:40 PM
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thundering02 thundering02 is offline
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get a waranty on the trans because I got a 1000 mile warnaty(gone in a week) and now at 2500ish it's acting up.
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  #6  
Old 09-24-2004, 04:41 PM
Weebitob Weebitob is offline
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Talking You are correct thser!

Yep you got it right, it is indeed the one in Denville. Good thing the guy was too busy today for a test drive.

Even though it was not today I went with my best friend to see the car. He then told me I should ask for the keys so I can get an inside look. But before we did that, my friend noticed the crack on the windshield, it looks more like the type of crack a small rock would do. It does not seem like it would inhibit my view since it seems to be below the steering wheel, but it brings up other problems. My friend also noticed this SVX only passed inspection in Connecticut, so if I take it the NJ one they might see the crack and instantly fail it. As for the door jamb, it seems to be only a problem with the passenger side door and my friend told me that could be fixed with WD-40, is that right As for the inside, like I said before and now confirmed it is pristine. From your experience, do SVXs generally have an interior in that sort of condition? For the sunroof, I heard that there are issues with the sunroof in some SVXs which result in giving it a push or at least moving 20mph in order for it to work well, then again I never really used any of the electronics other than the door lock. Which brings me to the alarm, it seems a bit quiet with no sound except for being heard inside the car (one mini honk) and can somewhat be heard when opening the car (two mini honks).

Anyway, I hope since the car has been sitting out for a month more I can have some luck in getting it for 2500. I also found a black 92 SVX on autotrader with about 92k miles on it, and it is about 25miles from me. But the question is will have as good an interior as this or exterior for that matter since the person never posted an actual photo.

Unless any of you can hook me up with a Jersey guy/gal selling his/her SVX.

As for the white one I am hoping for a test drive on Monday, my friend also called up his uncle who is a mechanic to perhaps come over and help check it out for me. If the engine is in good condition and if the door (which should be cheap), sunroof and perhaps windshield to be fixed, I might take a max payment between 2900-3200. The whole color thing does not seem to be too much of an issue for me, but it is nice to know, thanks.

As for the trunk if that is fixed, if that is even the issue and be able to be opened, perhaps I can find out how many bodies I can fit into this thing.

Last edited by Weebitob; 09-24-2004 at 04:58 PM.
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  #7  
Old 09-26-2004, 12:22 PM
elvis elvis is offline
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I believe the Black one is in Linden at a used car lot?

Lots of undercarriage noise on that one. Probably the right-rear bearing, Shocks, Rotors were noisy.

Body was ok, I think a little worse that the one in Denville. Driver's door has a homemade repair that reattached the cladding with a bolt which was then painted over. Other than that just lots of little scratches and dings. It's hard to tell if any panels were painted or replaced. (that's what I meant about the door jambs in Denville - mismatched paint)

Interior was also ok. There were some holes from previously-removed equipment. Both visors were good, and the Sunroof was working perfectly.

I did not extend an offer on this one because of the interior stuff and I guess because I really wanted a Penguin.

The sales person seemed to be a decent guy (I know, cars salesmen) and offered to fix all the mechanical stuff before the sale. Be sure to have someone take a good look on a lift before you decide what you want him to fix...

There is a dark-colored on for sale on somebody's front yard in Englewood. I'll get the # next time I drive by it.
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  #8  
Old 09-26-2004, 12:31 PM
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NapaBavarian NapaBavarian is offline
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Hey- My dad lived in Ridgewood from 11 till college
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