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  #1  
Old 07-22-2009, 12:49 PM
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Matt007b Matt007b is offline
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To LSL or not to LSL that is the question..

Ok some of you probably have seen me lurking around the for sale section..a little about me.

I'm dealing with an illness which I think is caused by food intolerance (embarassing but true) so i'm hardly working and doing this trial by error diet as the doctor ordered and having *some* sucess, and to pay off the medical debt I just got the parents to buy my miata 99' (lowered it to blue book..hopefully they'll keep good care of it, my dad always wanted a convertable, I was hoping to sell it to someone else so I wouldn't have to play musical chairs with cars here or watch the parents destroy it but the market for cars selling wise.....sucks.)

Anyway to my question... so I'm looking at a few SVX's around the country online...willing to fly there and drive one back, always wanted one since they came out in the 90's, I'm A HUUUUGE FAN OF THE CAR, such great design and styling...looking for clean, low mileage..good condition, and once I start working and feeling better i'll buy one (hence i'm looking now) but I have a question.

I know the 92 Svx LSL (touring package) has a variable electronic controlled rack and pinion deal that the LS does not have..also the LSL has power seat/leather/6 speakers instead of 4..heated mirrors..

I like the pearl white with black top a LOT..but sadly the one i'm looking at is a 92' LS model with cloth seats/4 speaker set up and no cd player..everything else is great and I can live without heated mirrors (was thinking down the road i'd maybe get those JMD folding ones). Would I be missing out a lot on that electronic controlled steering function? Is it work looking out for? Or holding out buying one for?? Does it make a huuge difference in handling? I'm not looking to race this car, just a good handling day driver (I don't drive very much) Any LS 92 owners wishing they had it?

The LSL model i'm looking at doesn't have a rear wing, and i'll probably get a OEM one if I get that one...but it's slightly more expensive of course than the LS. Wonder how hard that is to install..

IF I got the pearl white, how hard would it be to install those tweeters in the corners? Are they prewired? I guess the biggest question is, is that steering assist option that comes with 92' touring package worth wanting? Can you really tell a difference?

Ok that's my million questions in one post (sorry) but new user here and thanks for the informative site! *bows* I've got 3 in my sights and I was watching a few others (bountiful utah/vancover washington but of course they sell before I get feeling better) but just wondred if anyone could chime in about the electronic steering option on those cars. Worth getting?
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  #2  
Old 07-22-2009, 01:25 PM
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Re: To LSL or not to LSL that is the question..

I am not sure about the steering on the base model...

but this morning, my LS-L earned it's keep in the steering department.

I popped up over a hill, and there was a couple of big racoons killed in the road. Big enough to possibly get caught up under the car, one in the middle of the lane, and an obliterated one near the center line.

A quick dive to the right, half onto the shoulder, and back on the road... was remarkably taught and controlled, and the steering effort was quite high and precise. (good thing). The dampers and anti-roll bars allowed the car to roll somewhat, but even that wasn't out of control.

Other cars, both less sporty and focused, and probably even some that are more focused and skittish, might likely have had much more trouble with a full-highway speed excursion onto a gravel shoulder.

It was completely different than the highly boosted power steering at parking-lot speeds, which makes parking and maneuvering in and out of parking spaces easier. It is most definitely NOT a gimmick.

Those without the speed-sensitive steering probably have a static rate somewhat between them, and probably geared more for comfort than performance. It probably is what most people would consider quite normal for steering effort.

I would say, if you want the options, and are not ready just yet... hold out for an LS-L Pearly. Seems like a lot of the 92s were either Pearlies, or Clarets...
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1992 Claret SVX. Rescued from certain destruction, and still on the road, where it belongs. Waiting for a bit of a makeover, when I can afford it.
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  #3  
Old 07-22-2009, 01:35 PM
NiftySVX NiftySVX is offline
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Re: To LSL or not to LSL that is the question..

The car is prewired for the tweeters, there is a blank that you can cut out and just snap it in, but you'd be wasting your time, the factory sound system is pretty crappy, and it is likely the door speakers are bad because of the age. (they use a foam surround that deteriorates) The speed sensitive steering is quite different from the engine speed variable. It is more of a preference. I think the vehicle speed sensing is better, but it is a little light at low speed. Others disagree, and like the RPM sensing type better. The touring package also had a slightly different struts, which gave a firmer ride, but it is not really noticable unless you own one of each or have spent alot of time with one or the other. I really liked the way my 92 LSL drove compared to my 94 L, but I could never get past the motorized seat belts. If you are looking for an inexpensive car, the SVX is not for you. The car will nickel and dime you, especially a 92.
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  #4  
Old 07-22-2009, 01:40 PM
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Re: To LSL or not to LSL that is the question..

wow i'm glad you didn't damage the car..I watched a lady following me to close in a giant SUV freaking me and my miata out; roar around me and didn't notice the lane was closed due to construction. She went right over a orange barrell and it was dragging it underneath a few hundred yards as she tried to get off to the opposite side of the freeway

anyway yeah..I don't want to miss out on anything, i'm lurking here and autotrader and a few other sites..i'm feeling better but not 100% yet but soon as I'm fully recovered I think I might take your advice and go for the LSL..there's a dark teal one i'm looking at, just minus the rear wing..but I can buy an OEM one (never drilled into a car but..I think the wing makes it look better for me anyway). Thanks for the response
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  #5  
Old 07-22-2009, 01:47 PM
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Re: To LSL or not to LSL that is the question..

Quote:
Originally Posted by NiftySVX View Post
The car is prewired for the tweeters, there is a blank that you can cut out and just snap it in, but you'd be wasting your time, the factory sound system is pretty crappy, and it is likely the door speakers are bad because of the age. (they use a foam surround that deteriorates) The speed sensitive steering is quite different from the engine speed variable. It is more of a preference. I think the vehicle speed sensing is better, but it is a little light at low speed. Others disagree, and like the RPM sensing type better. The touring package also had a slightly different struts, which gave a firmer ride, but it is not really noticable unless you own one of each or have spent alot of time with one or the other. I really liked the way my 92 LSL drove compared to my 94 L, but I could never get past the motorized seat belts. If you are looking for an inexpensive car, the SVX is not for you. The car will nickel and dime you, especially a 92.
Mmmm interesting, well i've always been a bit of a gear nut, and I enjoy changing spark plugs/filters and such, heavy work I can't do but still I don't mind maintaining something as far as preventative maintenance..and i've been going through the site's how to do files, especially on the transmission filter and trans. problems...I like maintaining cars i've read all about the transmission problems you people have probably already run into, and i'm prepared for it. My BIGGEST worry is buying a car and half way home having the transmission die..that would be probably the worst possible scenario. Just if I have to buy a cheaper car i'd rather get a fun to enjoy... one to tool around with instead of one that I don't care much for (plus AWD will help around here) but I do understand where you're coming from. A normal person would not plop down money on a near 20 year old car.

Yeah that's what I was looking for was the reviews of the steering..sounds like the speed sensing is pretty nice..nuts..well taken care of ones are pretty hard to find..well..all of you have taken good care of yours but affordable ones that look like they've been maintained? Hard to find. Anyway thanks (thanks for the tweeter info too..ehh.. probably worth holding out for the lsl then..I used to have a 92 integra with the electric seat belts..didn't bother me..very 90's but I understand they're not the rage now or..ever will be again ha)

Last edited by Matt007b; 07-22-2009 at 01:54 PM.
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  #6  
Old 07-22-2009, 01:54 PM
STeeL25T STeeL25T is offline
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Re: To LSL or not to LSL that is the question..

Speaking as a person who drove a 96 LSi for a few years, then bought an MR-2 Spyder, and then bought ANOTHER SVX lol I can tell you that your not going to find the handling your used to in this 3600 lbs behemoth of a car. It isn't bad at all from what I remember, but its not going to move like my 2200 lbs roadster.

I don't know about converting so I'll leave that question to the experts. If your goin for 92 though, keep the transmission in mind.
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  #7  
Old 07-22-2009, 02:01 PM
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Re: To LSL or not to LSL that is the question..

Quote:
Originally Posted by STeeL25T View Post
Speaking as a person who drove a 96 LSi for a few years, then bought an MR-2 Spyder, and then bought ANOTHER SVX lol I can tell you that your not going to find the handling your used to in this 3600 lbs behemoth of a car. It isn't bad at all from what I remember, but its not going to move like my 2200 lbs roadster.

I don't know about converting so I'll leave that question to the experts. If your goin for 92 though, keep the transmission in mind.
yeah no doubt, i've been driving a miata the past oo..10 years, and that car is light! But then again.. I currenly have zero ABS..no rear differential..so it's pretty scary to drive around here even with winter tires.

so I know it's gonna be a different feeling but i'm excited..always liked em' always wanted one, but yeah that transmission is a bit of a scare, hopefully some prices will come down for later years. Basically around $5.5K and below 100K miles and i'm looking at it. Newer the year and good shape the better..because I know the early transmissions if they haven't been upgraded it's gonna be a problem. Some people are still selling theirs for near $9K! anyway thanks
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  #8  
Old 08-06-2009, 12:22 AM
subiemech85 subiemech85 is offline
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Re: To LSL or not to LSL that is the question..

if'n you find a well maintained 250K+ '94 or newer for less than $3,000 , snag it!

it's only medium mileage


leather and sunroof is worth the extra expense to "upgrade"
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  #9  
Old 08-06-2009, 10:58 PM
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tiv0 tiv0 is offline
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Re: To LSL or not to LSL that is the question..

Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt007b View Post
I enjoy changing spark plugs
you may enjoy it now...but just wait till you're trying to squeeze a socket down the side of the flat 6 haha

Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt007b View Post
I used to have a 92 integra with the electric seat belts..didn't bother me..very 90's but I understand they're not the rage now or..ever will be again ha)
i like the electric belts; except for the occasional time they decide not to work right away. i think they add to the 'spaceship' feel of the vehicle, or at least thats what everyone tells me
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  #10  
Old 08-06-2009, 11:26 PM
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Re: To LSL or not to LSL that is the question..

The electric belts only really annoy me in the fact that I always forget the separate lap-belt, and have to keep my left arm out of the way when the belt comes back.

I do like the fact that getting stuff in and out of the back seat is easier with the seat belts far out of the way. I don't know why I didn't put that together before getting the car...
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1992 Claret SVX. Rescued from certain destruction, and still on the road, where it belongs. Waiting for a bit of a makeover, when I can afford it.
2005 Garnet Red Pearl Legacy GT Limited 5-speed. - The late great Subaru sport touring sedan.
1999 Classic Red Miata, Preferred equipment package 5-speed. Fun, fun, fun, in the Sun, sun, sun.
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  #11  
Old 08-06-2009, 11:36 PM
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Re: To LSL or not to LSL that is the question..

i cant tell you how many times someone will open the door and immediately start to get out and that belt moves forward and wraps around their neck
gets 'em every time
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