SVX vs STi

Rod. · #1 07-18-2007, 10:11 PM

Hi,
This is my 1st post. I'm thinking (again / still) about getting an SVX. I have an STi now -- will I be disappointed in the difference in the overall driving experience?

Also, how fragile is the tranny? What other problems can I / should I expect with an SVX?

Does the solar front windshield (not sure what it's called) affect radar detector sensitivity?

Thanks,
Rod.

It's Just Eric · #2 07-18-2007, 10:30 PM

Hey, welcome to the forum

Answer to the first question:
Apples are red, and oranges arent. Also, if orange juice gets in your eye, itll hurt more than an apple. Apples are more commonly associated with teachers, and oranges with florida.

Okay, okay, serious answer. The svx is more luxury oriented. figure your sti with 100 less hp, and mabey 2-300 pounds heavier. The svx'x suspension is a bit more plush than the sti, but Im going to go out on a limb and say that it is more comfortable for long trips. The svx, overall, is a car VERY finely balenced between luxury and performance, with unique style to boot

Second question:
The transmission is probly one of the weakest links in the mechanical aspect of the svx. a transmission cooler can effectivly incrase the life of the stock auto. There are also MANY alternitives to the auto transmission if it happens to fail...you could even rip the 6 speed from your sti and put it in, if need be

Third question:
yes. It'll signifigantly reduce the range of radar detectors, garage door openers, ez-pass, ect. fixes include using a remote mounted radar detector, putting the ez-pass on the rear deck / usint a licence plate mount, and getting out of the car and opening the garage door yourself

Nomake Wan · #3 07-18-2007, 11:36 PM

That's odd, I've never had a problem with the remote for my car/the remote for the community gate/the remote for the garage in my SVX.

Kelvin · #4 07-18-2007, 11:54 PM

Me neither, my radar detector works fine. It's be slower, but it's classier and less boy-racer-ish. It's also very comfy. I love my SVX.

Nomake Wan · #5 07-19-2007, 12:14 AM

Oh yeah, and I drove across country in it without stopping at a Motel. Slept in the car when my dad was driving, and he slept when I was driving. Honestly, it's a Grand Touring car whereas that STi is closer to a rally car. SVX can take long distance stuff like it's nothing.

Tip: If you really wanna be comfortable make sure that whatever you stuff into the SVX doesn't prevent the front seats from reclining. It was our one major flaw in the trip.

XT6Wagon · #6 07-19-2007, 12:31 AM

Mmm, dunno, I think the SVX will disappoint stock. Its just... different.

If you want a softer STi, a legacy spec-B with 6spd is a better platform than the current STi for roadracing, and is a nicer Daily driver.

If you want to just go luxury, Try the 1998 jaguar XJR's are cheap and good if you fit in one. 370+ HP stock can't go wrong, uses mustang cobra supercharger so pulleys exist to up the boost.

But the SVX if you want to put up with the wierdness is a very good ride. Just doesn't have the power or grip of an STi. Its an older car so relaiblity isn't the same and parts can be annoying at times since its a rare model not on the "genaric" subaru platform. On the plus side you much more sit *in* the car instead of *on* the car, you have to drive it to apreciate the difference.

Nomake Wan · #7 07-19-2007, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XT6Wagon

On the plus side you much more sit *in* the car instead of *on* the car, you have to drive it to apreciate the difference.

YES. I owned a 1990 Legacy sedan before the SVX, and I always appreciated that you sat in it (as opposed to my dad's Ford Contour where you sit on it).

Then I sat in the SVX for the first time and was like, "Woaaaah. This is low!"

JaySVX · #8 07-19-2007, 06:36 AM

The STi is a performance machine, with less in mind as far as luxary goes. The SVX is a luxery vehicle, extremely comfortable, but with quite a bit of performance, just not as much as the STi. The "power" mode of the SVX, when it detects agressive driving, will give you a pretty good boost in juice and can push you back into the seat.

I like to go fast. Really fast. Many cars though, due to lack of weight/poor suspension, don't ride nearly as smooth as the SVX. Crusing down the highway at 80mph you feel like your doing 20mph, you've still got excelent handling, and power if you mash the accelerator, yet you can still stop in a pretty decent amount of time. Due to the weight of the SVX, you may want to consider upgrading to drilled/slotted rotors, as the stock heat up easily and tend to warp. My 94 SVX LSi had a great ride, but the suspention was starting to go, as well as the motor mounts and tranny mount. With those replaced, it would be as smooth as my 1980 caddy el dorado with it's 2door body and 6litre v8 engine, yet much faster.

As has been posted many times before, be careful. It seems members can't seem to just buy one...

Kelvin · #9 07-19-2007, 09:46 AM

Drilled/slotted rotors will not improve your braking performance. Switching to amazing pads like Axxis ultimates will.

JaySVX · #10 07-19-2007, 12:09 PM

I was refering to the rotors to help prevent warping, never said it increased performance.

Rod. · #11 07-19-2007, 10:15 PM

Thanks to everyone who replied. While I appreciate the STi's raw power and handling, it's just that -- pretty raw. I autocross and have tracked it (solosprint) and it's great, but as a cruiser, as many of you say the SVX is likely a much better overall highway car. I'll have a hard look at an SVX in the next days and I'm sure I'll be back with more questions.

Thanks,
Rod.

NikFu S. · #12 07-19-2007, 10:31 PM

Hate to get OT here but I don't think it has ever been proven that our rotors warp. I doubt anyone drives their SVX harder than I did in my glory days and my rotors are fine, if not better looking than most peoples.

Good pads improve braking dramatically.

Kelvin · #13 07-19-2007, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NikFu S.

Hate to get OT here but I don't think it has ever been proven that our rotors warp. I doubt anyone drives their SVX harder than I did in my glory days and my rotors are fine, if not better looking than most peoples.

Good pads improve braking dramatically.

Ditto. My rotors never warped. I had uneven pad deposits when I had crappy pads once.

http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/wp...rakedisk.shtml

Rotors do not warp.

XT6Wagon · #14 07-19-2007, 11:44 PM

Eh, stop parroting Stoptech's BS, rotors can and do warp.

Just not properly designed rotors, for the application they are being used for.

The SVX 's rotors are barely sufficent for its wieght but they are properly designed.

Landshark · #15 07-20-2007, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kelvin

Drilled/slotted rotors will not improve your braking performance. Switching to amazing pads like Axxis ultimates will.

they will also leave black trails behind you and have you cleaning your wheels every other day. i had them on for about two weeks and removed them. good bite, but not worth the mess.

i have EBC Redstuff ceramics on the LGT now, and they are only slightly less dirty then the Ultimates. "low dust" my ass!!!