Let me rant for a while

[bcpianoman]

Why is it that frequently when someone offers a car for sale here, someone else sites a lowball transaction that’s taken place and suggests that should be the benchmark? It seems to suggest that a seller should investigate the lowest price for which an SVX has ever been sold, and then ask for less. Take a look at this link for example.

http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/showthread.php?t=38965

To me, these cars are worth a lot more than other makes and models. I wouldn’t sell one for less than it was worth to me and I wouldn’t buy one for more than it was worth to me. And I sure wouldn’t care if someone else thought that I valued my car too highly.

The SVX is a unique vehicle but it doesn’t appeal to everyone. It unfortunately has gained (unfairly I might add) a bad reputation for reliability, largely due to the fact that it has weaknesses that can be intimidating to the uneducated. As we know, these idiosyncrasies and more of an annoyance than a prohibiting factor. My experiences with my SVXs (I have three with the fourth one coming on Saturday) have been much more favourable than experiences that I’ve had with other makes and models. Before 2004, I had never owned four cars at one time, let alone four of the same kind.

We, of all people, should recognize that these cars have always been undervalued in the market place (at least in the US) compared to other makes and models. We should recognize as well that this board is probably the best forum for the exchange of information about the SVX in the world. People look to this site for all kinds of information, including pricing information when considering either a sale or a purchase. Let’s let the laws of supply and demand govern those prices, unimpeded by the bias remarks of someone who knows of someone else who got a better deal somehow, somewhere some time ago.

[Trevor]

I agree with the point made, i.e. when a member publishes data on a car for sale, it is hardly cricket (good sportsmanship), to follow up with posts which could influence the price in a negative way.

I have several times made the point that the huge number of problems, which come to the fore here, tend to give prospective buyers of an SVX, a very bad impression. More complimentary posts on view would be a good thing.

I came here shortly after purchasing my car and my immediate reaction was --- damn, it appears that I have bought a lemon. This site comprises published information, which can very well affect pockets.


Edit P.S. Would something like this be out of place, on the home page. -----

The SVX is a truly a remarkable car, the point being proven by the enthusiasm displayed here.

Visitors will become aware of a large enthusiastic exchange of information, as this is a feature of the site. Unfortunately this tends to result in a prominence of advice involving repairs and maintenance. Please do not let this lead you towards an unfortunate impression regarding that which is correctly, an excellent and classic vehicle.

[Crazy_pilot]

+1.

My SVX, even though I've only had it for a week and we're still getting to know one another, is more than jsut an A to B transportation to me. It means a lot more to me than that, which is a sentiment perhaps only understood by car-lovers. My Taurus was an A to B machine, but that's another story.

I don't like, and don't appreciate, someone dictating to me what my car is worth. I have friends who "know" cars, and try finding things out online about this wierd looking car I have. Of course, the first thing they find is "THE TRANSMISSIONS BLOW UP" in big block letters. The next time they talk to me, it's invariably to tell me I bought a worthless junker.

If you wish to comment on someone's For Sale post, please restrict it to things such as "good luck", or constructive questions. The SVX changes hands for shreds of money already. We're the people who love this car, let's not be the ones pushing the value down. Crushing it's value is what's lead to the plague of parts-scammers, people who think the SVX is worth more dead and stripped than running on the road.

I love my car, unique quirks, lack of cupholders and all, and I don't plan on parting with it for a long while.

[RSVX]

There is a Sticky Thread in the SVX Cars For Sale Forum that deals with this topic. Earle posted it a month or so ago. You should also know that I have made the Wanted/For Sale Forum my pet project as some of you may have seen.

Rest assured that when I see someone trying to complain about someones pricing, I contact them ASAP. With that, if any of you see a thread with this going on, by all means point it out to me. I have already sent a PM or two based on this rule. I even made a post in a particularly heated thread on the subject.

With that, I will be pointing the offending user in the above thread to the Sticky and making sure that they get the message.

[lhopp77]

RIGHT! I vote for total censorship. Everyone should toe the line and only say what is nice and tidy. While some do go over the line once in a while (even me) and others are always negative, it hardly seems like an open forum site to restrict opinions.

I agree that it may not be "cricket" to post a good deal when someone lists a car for sale, but it is also hardly cricket for someone to join JUST with the intent of trying to take advantage of SVX lovers. I see nothing wrong with injecting a touch of reality as I have previously stated.

I always assumed this was a free forum permitting the exchange of thoughts, opinions, facts and experiences without undue censorship. Of course, things such as personal attacks, ethnic or racial slurs and blatantly illegal activities are valid censorship concerns.

Just my opinion again.

Lee

[It's Just Eric]

Seems to me a big concern with svx onwerns is that the car isnt woth anything when they finaly do need to part with it. So WHY on earth would they offer half (Or even considerably less than half) to someone who is selling? Dont you realize that YOU are lowering the car's book value by doing such? How much do you want the car anyway?
And of course, the asshat that offers 200$ for a running driving svx is going to be the first to ***** when they get into a parking lot incident and the car is totaled
Now, Ill be the first to admit I picked my cars up cheap as chips. My 96 lsi with 105k cost me 1400$...It needed a transmission (Which is no big deal) and had an R title. I was a bit skeptical about how well it'd drive...But once I did, I realized I STOLE this car. The body is all straight, and mnus some shoddy paintwork on the hood and bumper, its fine. I also picked up my 92 lsl with 168k for 1000...but that, once again, needed work. Transmission, exhaust, driveshaft, rear, and all the mounts for the above were MISSING. Needless to mention it's other minor problems, as they are pretty typical....
Now, the first person that decides 1000 is fair for a running driving car is out of it. I got mine so cheap because they were project cars, destined to go to the crusher, or rot in someones yard. I honestly wouldnt let either car go for less than 3,000...go ahead and tell me I deserve less, I dare you
Lastly...It seems to me the people who say the car is worth XXX amount are the people who ARENT EVEN IN THE MARKET for an svx, and usually have no intention of BUYING (another) one, even if the price is below THEIR suggsted retail. I mean seriously..If you arent buying an svx..and you arent selling an svx, dont even troll that section. It's NOT a used car garage sale (even if the car was garage kept) and if you have no intention of buying the car, it's ****ed up you'd even make an offer
-Eric