The Subaru SVX World Network   SVX Network Forums
Live Chat!
SVX or Subaru Links
Old Lockers
Photo Post
How-To Documents
Message Archive
SVX Shop Search
IRC users:

Go Back   The Subaru SVX World Network > SVX Main Forums > General SVX Babble

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-11-2008, 02:49 PM
Boosted5speed Boosted5speed is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Austin, Tx
Posts: 4
First SVX purchase, What to look out for?

I'm going to take a look at a green 92 later this evening, which if I buy it will be my first SVX purchase, though not my first Subaru.

Is there anything in particular I should look out for on the car, aside from the general leaks/strange noises/rust and tire wear you would do on any normal vehicle?

I know the wheel bearings are prone to failure on these, and the transmissions can be a trouble spot (going to take a looksie and see if the car has an aftermarket tranny cooler installed) but aside from that don't really know what else.

Inspection is recent, so she passed emissions fine.

Alternator, battery, timing belt and main seals and front tires have been recently replaced according to the ad, and apparently the A/C compressor has a short of some kind, but at $1,900 the car seems like a good deal considering the location (Texas) and the apparent condition of the car.

What do you guys think?



Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-11-2008, 03:16 PM
JaySVX's Avatar
JaySVX JaySVX is offline
Bad decisions effect everybody
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Collegeville, PA
Posts: 1,902
Send a message via AIM to JaySVX Send a message via Yahoo to JaySVX
Nice cat!

Check to see if a re manufactured transmission was installed, it should have the upgraded filter which is less prone to failure. If you turn the AC on does the pulley spin? If so, that's good at least, it means the pulley is not seized. It cannot short, as it is mechanical. Also, keep in mind in Texas, AC is extremely important...

It passed emissions fine, but won't next time if it's sitting on that grass for very long, as the moisture can destroy the catalytic converter.

Watch out for hood struts, it can come down on your head/fingers/tools pretty hard at 49lbs.

Your wheels are on backwards!!!
__________________
*No SVX at the moment...*
1987 Winnebago Elandan 35'
2001 Yamaha Roadstar 1600
2004 Ford Excursion Eddie Bauer, 6.0litre Power Stroke Diesel - Daily Driver.


Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, scotch in one hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming HOOOOYA !!!!!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-11-2008, 03:23 PM
Sean486's Avatar
Sean486 Sean486 is offline
Happy SVX
Subaru Silver Contributor
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Mechanicsburg, PA
Posts: 3,406
Registered SVX
Check that the FWD light is not on. Check the plastic top of the radiator for cracks. Check the brakes for pulsing. Check for leaks, and of course check the transmission fluid for burnt smells.
__________________
1992 LSL ebony pearl 170k - Thank you Ron Mummert
Reading Box of Wine Car
-----------------------------------
1992 SVX LSL 5-Speed Sold at 180K 2019
1995 SVX Lsi Polo Sold at 118K 2007
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-11-2008, 05:02 PM
SVX_MY_BABY's Avatar
SVX_MY_BABY SVX_MY_BABY is offline
Posting since Dec.'98
Subaru Silver Contributor
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: HALIFAX Nova Scotia
Posts: 1,472
Registered SVX
Looks like the radio antenna is stuck or broken. Which is not a big deal. Could just be an o-ring leak on the AC, which is common. There are a lot of similarities to the legacy, so if you're familiar with them that will make it easier to look over.

Check the HOW TO section to see how to read error codes. There may be some stored even if the check engine light is not on, unless the battery has been disconnected.

My guess would be that if they just replaced the timing belt, which is a major expense and are now selling there is probably something else wrong. At 1900 though you have room for a fair number of repairs to put it right, even if you put out the same amount as the purchase price.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-11-2008, 05:18 PM
ensteele's Avatar
ensteele ensteele is offline
Betcha can't buy just one!
Alcyone Gold Contributor
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Burlington, WA
Posts: 19,552
Send a message via ICQ to ensteele Send a message via Yahoo to ensteele Send a message via Skype™ to ensteele
Registered SVX Classic SVX
To find out what to look for in a used SVX, look in this folder for the doc. Good luck.
__________________
.
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
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-11-2008, 06:30 PM
NikFu S.'s Avatar
NikFu S. NikFu S. is offline
Takin tools to task
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: A-town, Alaska
Posts: 7,280
Send a message via MSN to NikFu S.
Registered SVX
How much for the cat?
__________________
"That which can be asserted without evidence
can be dismissed without evidence."


'92 Dark Teal SVX LS-L, >146,000m
3 pedals, 5 speeds., restoration underway.
2012 Honda Insight, slow but cute.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-12-2008, 12:15 AM
YourConfused YourConfused is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1,276
pm'd you the end
__________________
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." Benjamin Franklin


blk 92' LSL w/ average mods

pics here http://s306.photobucket.com/albums/nn277/yourconfused/


Cash68: "Hmm, I wouldn't brag about beating Escorts. That's like saying you tricked a retarded person."
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 01-12-2008, 07:02 AM
Boosted5speed Boosted5speed is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Austin, Tx
Posts: 4
The cat was free - I think I'm going to pass on the SVX though. To shorten things up some....

A/C doesn't work, had the fuse pulled so not sure if the compressor would click on or not, the interior lights were non-functional, hood struts were gone, sounded like she had an exhaust leak that wasn't pretty, and most importantly..

I think the transmission is on its last legs. Feels like it only has 2 gears, takes off in (2nd? not sure, 55mph @ 6000ish rpm) hit the rev limiter on shift a couple of times and then went immediately into what felt like OD with no lock (65ish mph right over 3000rpm). Smelled like transmission fluid, was low on the stick when I looked at it.

Now, if im not mistaken, the 4eat in there should feel similar to the one in my 95 legacy lsi correct? Im used to the gear change intervals in that car, it felt nothing like it, with only 1 noticeable shift between stop and highway speed.

Oh well =[ anybody know where I can find a nice clean SVX down here thats already been swapped to a 5speed?

I saw this earlier and am wondering what kind of work would be involved there - CV axles don't generally just slip out unless you hit something =d or maybe he just means the axle died.

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/car/531815144.html


I guess shorten was a bad way to describe the post.

Last edited by Boosted5speed; 01-12-2008 at 07:04 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 01-12-2008, 07:41 AM
Tim's Avatar
Tim Tim is offline
My car's Italian, right?
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: New Brunswick, New Jersey
Posts: 3,304
Send a message via AIM to Tim
The svx shifts very softly, much different from that of its legacy 4eat counterparts.
__________________
Tim
92 Liquid Silver SVX 5MT
2009 BMW Z4 (Gone)
2012 Camry V6 SE
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 01-12-2008, 08:26 AM
Boosted5speed Boosted5speed is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Austin, Tx
Posts: 4
Quote:
Originally Posted by TE1221 View Post
The svx shifts very softly, much different from that of its legacy 4eat counterparts.
I was more referring to the feel of actually having 4 noticeable gear shifts there was only one noticeable shift, with a drop from redline to ~3000 rpm - to me, it felt like it only had 2 gears.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 01-12-2008, 10:03 AM
SVX_MY_BABY's Avatar
SVX_MY_BABY SVX_MY_BABY is offline
Posting since Dec.'98
Subaru Silver Contributor
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: HALIFAX Nova Scotia
Posts: 1,472
Registered SVX
Quote:
Originally Posted by Boosted5speed View Post
I was more referring to the feel of actually having 4 noticeable gear shifts there was only one noticeable shift, with a drop from redline to ~3000 rpm - to me, it felt like it only had 2 gears.
If it's shifting at the red line you have problems. There is a slight rev between shifts at low speed but not excessive.

Why not salvage the $900 car? The diff in cost is almost equal to a 5 or 6mt tranny. If the axel has slipped out of the front diff it may be no big deal. It's only held in by a clip and can easily fall out if the struts or wheel assemblies were yanked on. The clicking is probably a partial engagement of the gears. If the gears on the end are stripped just get a spline from an old legacy axle. They are the same.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:23 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
© 2001-2015 SVX World Network
(208)-906-1122