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  #16  
Old 05-22-2009, 01:55 AM
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Re: The SVX and you

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wikedjuggalo View Post

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.
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  #17  
Old 05-22-2009, 03:12 AM
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Re: The SVX and you

Quote:
Originally Posted by Black88GTA View Post
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.
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  #18  
Old 05-22-2009, 05:14 AM
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Re: The SVX and you

Very well said, Bro!!!!
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  #19  
Old 05-22-2009, 06:30 AM
dcarrb dcarrb is offline
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Re: The SVX and you

Well put, Tom. Should be required reading for any potential SVX owner.

Awhile back I posted about averaging costs for my two; I've forgotten the exact numbers but it worked-out to something like $170 per month for the teal and $190 for the silver. This for the initial purchase and everything except gas and insurance. I've put over 50,000 miles on the teal and 16,000 on the silver, and currently drive each about 5,000 miles per year. Real-world driving, no flogging but no pampering. So far, no major repairs. The teal's got a date with the paint booth; both need it.

ANYONE buying one of these cars should expect to spend at least as much; probably way more.

As to the transmissions: The teal could still be on the original, depending upon whether or not the salesman was telling the truth about that undocumented "recent overhaul." Bone stock except for an auxiliary cooler in series and a "campaign" filter. The silver's got 100,000 miles on it's second tranny, no aux cooler, no filter, nothing. Just regular fluid changes for both. Not bad, in my book.

dcb
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  #20  
Old 05-22-2009, 06:43 AM
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Re: The SVX and you

Quote:
Originally Posted by TomsSVX View Post
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.
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  #21  
Old 05-22-2009, 06:49 AM
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Re: The SVX and you

Quote:
Originally Posted by oab_au View Post
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.
Not to mention for a 92-97 generation 230 HP is a lot for an engine of its size and with natural aspiration. There are very few engines that put out that amount from that generation, and its very close to what new cars are coming out with. Not bad for 17 years.
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  #22  
Old 05-22-2009, 07:40 AM
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Re: The SVX and you

my svx has been incrdibly reliable im not sure just because of the low mileage,

the only maintnence i put into it was a new timming belt and front main engine seal and a battery

for the age of the car its been pretty good
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  #23  
Old 05-22-2009, 07:50 AM
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Re: The SVX and you

I put in over 15K into the car. I still need suspension and a paint job. That should bring me close to the original cost of the vehicle in 1992.
This car is not for the first time buyer.
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  #24  
Old 05-22-2009, 08:06 AM
Sid E. Ryner Sid E. Ryner is offline
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Smile Re: The SVX and you

thanks Tom.
Like any 12-17 years old car it will need special care.
If you gonna buy an SVX or any used car, buy in good to mint condition.
Cheap now, expensive later!
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  #25  
Old 05-22-2009, 09:27 AM
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Re: The SVX and you

Thanks Tom.

This is a great thread. I keep telling, warning if you like, potential new owners not to fall in love with the first SVX they see, but to ensure they buy a good cared for vehicle.

Everything Tom said I would endorse, these are the things you must heed or risk spending big bucks when you thought you were home free.

I would even add another, regards ageing rubber. The vacuum pipes get hard and break or leak due to heat and the years, and even the wiring plastics can get brittle under the hood. These things are often the cause of erratic running on cars that are otherwise reliable and faultless when all systems are good.

Well said, dood. We could make this a sticky, bit I am thinking that a link to it in the How-To could be as good or maybe a better solution.

Joe
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  #26  
Old 05-22-2009, 09:55 AM
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Re: The SVX and you

This is why I have shopped for an SVX for 2+ years. I know I have looked and talked to many people on here. Heck I am sure I have even angered a few in the process (oh well) but I have found that when buying one of these cars the cost/repair factor can be quite mind blowing.

I will also say that owning one of these without a back up car or using an SVX as a daily driver is not such a good idea.
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  #27  
Old 05-22-2009, 10:27 AM
sunvalleyray sunvalleyray is offline
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Re: The SVX and you

Tom,

You will never make it in politics for you speak the TRUTH! Great job, thanks for your effort.

Ray
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  #28  
Old 05-22-2009, 10:36 AM
NiftySVX NiftySVX is offline
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Re: The SVX and you

Yeah back in the day when the car's value was still high it was a different crowd, like back in the 90's. People didn't butcher them as much. The main trend in the past several years have been the 5-speed conversions. But, then again, My car was still under factory warranty when I got it so things were obviously way different. And, I am curious, I change my coolant every 2-3 years or 30,000 miles. Are we seeing head gasket problems on cars that have been properly maintained or is it the ones that have been neglected?
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  #29  
Old 05-22-2009, 10:30 PM
PaulDexler PaulDexler is offline
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Re: The SVX and you

I have three cars, all of about the same age. (A 91, a 92, and a 93.) One is an SVX, and it is the one that gives me the most pleasure to drive, even though I bought all three because they are great drivers.

I'm reaching the end of my earning life, and I try to put a little aside each month for maintenance, because deferred maintenance is the biggest car killer. And it's not just us. I read in "Sports Car Market" about people who buy 12 cylinder Ferraris and then get rid of them after a year or so because they are going to need thousands of dollars in maintenance, and spending all that money won't give them any extra bling.

My family is constantly bugging me about "Why don't you just buy one good car and get rid of these three clunkers?" First of all, they're not clunkers. Each one gives me something to enjoy when I drive it. It brings me joy to go out and decide, "which one will I drive today?"The SVX satisfies a desire that came on me when I first saw the first one on the stand at the L.A. Auto Show in January, 1992. I have no payments on them, except when something goes wrong.

Tom, good thoughts. I can't see taking a superbly-designed, rare car, hacking it up to make some sort of hot rod, and then throwing the whole thing away when the project goes bad (as it will.)
OK, I could rant on on this subject for hours, but I won't.
Paul
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  #30  
Old 05-22-2009, 11:48 PM
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Re: The SVX and you

I'm going to agree with you on all points but one; the transmission. Despite my awd not working and the breakband being adjusted (the latter expected over time, and they made it accessable externally for that), I've read countless threads on people replacing their transmissions 2, 3, 4, and one guy even 6 times, and all within an unreasonable amount of time/mileage. I've had plenty of old cars with original auto and manual transmissions that still shifted great and have seen a great deal more abuse (think Trans Am) than most of the aformentioned SVXi ever have, and they haven't blown to bits. Sure, the 4EAT is fine with the 4cyl cars with higher gearing as well, but the only redesign it ever saw when they put it into something with 2 more cylinders and 1000 more pounds was different gearing. They're pretty ****ty. The only saving grace is that Subaru back then was making the transformation (and set the example for) that Hyundai is making now.

The only other complaint I have is the lack of decent OEM struts :P Konis are cooler anyway.
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