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Well...here I come. Sound off.
I've been looking at them for over a year - and my recent move to the Poconos came with one caveat: "If I'm moving to the Poconos, I'm getting a freakin' Subaru."
Currently a Honda man, but...I remember drooling over the SVXs in the 90s...and I'm taking out a small loan to buy an SVX. They're reliable, good in the snow, fast, and look pretty danged cool. NOW - here are my issues, and I'd like feedback. 1) Tranny problems: I've read that 92 trannies were awful - blew up continually, and that the later (94 and after) trannies were less susceptible to total failure. Is this true? I'm honestly not concerned about warped rotors - slotting and beefing them up isn't that much of an issue. 2) What is the best way to *prevent* this from happening? I've read about tranny coolers, rebuilds with better parts, better filtration (?), etc. 3) There are those online who insist that any SVX produced 94 and after is *slower* than the 92-93 models. Is this true? If so, why? 4) Although I"ll probably buy any SVX in decent shape (as long as it's AWD), I'll eventually need parts. links/suggestions would be helpful. I'm sure that there are tons of threads buried here that cover all of these subjects, but...hey...take it easy. I'm new. |
#2
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* Use synthetic transmission fluid *Flush the transmission and change the filter at regular intervals. Quote:
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*www.1stsubaruparts.com Last edited by SVXtra; 08-25-2005 at 06:37 PM. |
#3
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hey goat, if you happen to find a couple of them, let me in on the action too... i'm also looking for one...
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#4
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Welcome to the site and I hope you get the informaton that you need to enjoy this wonderful car.
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. Earl .... ... .... ><SVX(*> Subaru Ambassador [COLOR=”silver”]1992 Tri Color L[/COLOR] ~45K (06/91) #2430 1992 Dark Teal LS-L ~184K (05/91) #0739 1992 Claret LS-L ~196K (05/91) #0831 1992 Pearl LS-L ~103K (06/91) #1680 1992 Pearl LS-L ~151K (06/91) #2229 1992 Dark Teal LS ~150K (07/91) #3098 (parts car) 1992 White LS-L ~139K (08/92) #6913 1993 25th AE ~98K (02/93) #164 1993 25th AE ~58K (02/93) #176 1993 25th AE ~107K (02/93) #215 1993 25th AE ~162K (02/93) #223 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~124K (1/94) #2408 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~144K (10/93) #1484 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~68K (10/93) #1525 1994 Barcelona Red LSi ~46K (02/94) #2624 1994 Pearl LSi ~41K (12/93) #1961 1995 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~70K (02/95) #855 1996 Polo Green LSi ~95K (03/96) #872 1997 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~55K (08/96) #097 2003 Brilliant Red LS1 Convertible ~29K (04/03) #8951 1999 Magnetic Red LS1 Coupe ~33K (04/99) #6420 My Email | Old Locker | New Locker | Picture of 15 of the 19 |
#5
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I would recommend a 94 or 95. You get the tranny improvements and there still pre-OBDII. If you want to get rid of the govenor, buy one of ECUTunes Reprgrammed ECUs. They have improved the fuel curves and I think there using the 92 ECUs.
Of course, you could also buy any 92-95 and do a 5-speed conversion. Then you dont need to worry about the auto burning up. |
#7
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Welcome, and good luck. dcb |
#8
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Hey Goat,
Get the SVX, you'll love it! I was a long-time Honda man, and though my SVX isn't quite as rock-solid reliable as a Honda (I NEVER had any un-sched maintenance on a Honda...) it sure has more personality! I'd recommend a late '94 or a '95. No motor-mouse shoulder belts, no OBDII, and transmission upgrades. But '92's outnumber the rest of the years combined, so that's what you're most likely to find. '92's really aren't that scary. Some comments to your questions: 1) If you look at the "SVX Thread of World Records" post, you'll find several '92's with 4EAT's that have gone well over 100K miles. A lot of it depends on how you treat the car. I agree with "dcarrb", though. ANY auto trans whith over 100K is on borrowed time. There are some good-quality, beefed up rebuilts out there, but they're not cheap. 2) I'll echo the way to keep a '92 trans alive: 1. QUALITY external cooler (not a $20 PepBoys special), 2. Synthetic fluid, 3. Factory external filter. These supposedly went on '92's after about car 8300, although my car (by VIN) was supposedly the third car from the factory to have it but it wasn't installed. You can still get the filter kit through the dealers, and they're pretty cheap (around $35). 3) I've heard storys that the shift map was changed in POWER mode in '94s and later to address the transmissions issues, but have never seen any conclusive evidence. SVX's are not hot rods. You've got only 230 hp in a 3500 lb, auto trans car. It was built as a luxury tourer, not a sports car. They weren't bad performers in their day, but there on the slow end these days. If you want a fast Subaru, get a WRX or STi. 4) The dealer's still have a lot of parts, but some things (like security modules) are no longer available through Subaru. There are the 'net sites mentioned in some of the other posts. And don't forget Evil-bay. I've had pretty good luck getting some decent used parts there. Over all, I have not had any problem getting parts for my '92 |
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I might be on the market for another honda from a friend from cheap So I might be kinda going back Otherwise I've had no problems with either car other than warping brakes(gotta love lead foots) and apparently killing alternators(only one each) Otherwise, Welcome to the site and do enjoy the AWD but if your a mnual man then your gonna want to do a manual swap.
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86 GMC Jimmy Blue and Silver- R.I.P. 87 Integra RS ~228k miles R.I.P. 92 SVX LS-L Perly ~186k R.I.P. 89 240sx se red ~165k miles Gone and unknown 89 240sx se Black~185k R.I.P. 85 Toyota pickup ~205k R.I.P. 85 BMW 325e ~ Gone and unknown 85 Ford Mustang getting engine swap now! 05 Colorado ~108k Daily Driver |
#10
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Oh, wait a minute, you were talking about Honda CARS weren't you? ..... never mind.
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Randy Johnson 1993 25th Anniversary Edition ~74K #291 I like mine rare. |
#11
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LOL Good stuff. I actually have an '88 CRX si with about 285,000 on it, and not only does it run like a top, it still smokes a heck of a lot of stock cars (especially if the road is anything but straight.) I'm getting approved for a loan on Monday - if that '97 LSi in Florida is still available at that point, you might see something interesting happen. |
#12
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Wow I feel at home on this Thread!
I have owned: 1975 Honda Civic CVCC 1980 Honda Civic 4DR Hatch 1981 Honda Prelude 1983 Honda Civic 2Dr 1986 Honda CRX 2000 Honda Accord Total Honda Guy. Then I was given my SVX but my Grandpa. All I can say is I love the TORQUE. Never had that in any Honda. I did feel bad in not owning a Honda so I went out and bought a New Honda 4.5HP Lawn Mower. Thus I still have a Honda, Have the Torque of the SVX, Safety of a Volvo GLT and Spunk of a FIAT. I like to think I drive outside of the BOX
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1992 SVX LSL Peacock 94,000Miles 1981 VW Westfalia 166,000Miles 1995 Volvo 850 Wagon GLE 174,000Miles 1981 FIAT Spider 120,000Miles 50% Boxer |
#13
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Randy Johnson 3rd Registered Member 02-21-2001 First Member to Reach 10,000 Posts First to arrive at the very first Reading Meet Subaru Ambassador 1992 SVX PPG Pace Car Replica 110+k 1993 White Impreza L 240+K miles 2001 Legacy Outback Limited Sedan 250+K miles 2013 Deep Indigo Pearl Legacy 3.6R 49+K miles "Reading is my favorite Holiday" Mike Davis -- at Reading VI |
#14
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Randy - did you say something?
__________________
. Earl .... ... .... ><SVX(*> Subaru Ambassador [COLOR=”silver”]1992 Tri Color L[/COLOR] ~45K (06/91) #2430 1992 Dark Teal LS-L ~184K (05/91) #0739 1992 Claret LS-L ~196K (05/91) #0831 1992 Pearl LS-L ~103K (06/91) #1680 1992 Pearl LS-L ~151K (06/91) #2229 1992 Dark Teal LS ~150K (07/91) #3098 (parts car) 1992 White LS-L ~139K (08/92) #6913 1993 25th AE ~98K (02/93) #164 1993 25th AE ~58K (02/93) #176 1993 25th AE ~107K (02/93) #215 1993 25th AE ~162K (02/93) #223 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~124K (1/94) #2408 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~144K (10/93) #1484 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~68K (10/93) #1525 1994 Barcelona Red LSi ~46K (02/94) #2624 1994 Pearl LSi ~41K (12/93) #1961 1995 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~70K (02/95) #855 1996 Polo Green LSi ~95K (03/96) #872 1997 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~55K (08/96) #097 2003 Brilliant Red LS1 Convertible ~29K (04/03) #8951 1999 Magnetic Red LS1 Coupe ~33K (04/99) #6420 My Email | Old Locker | New Locker | Picture of 15 of the 19 |
#15
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This Florida Cannonball Run is starting to look like more and more of a possibility. Anyone know anything about header gaskets, and how difficult they are to replace? (Note: Exhaust header gaskets, not head gaskets. |
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