Misc. Ramblings - The state of SVXY

[LarryIII]

SVXY is my '92 SVX. It is my daily driver and has 142K miles on it. Last night at work, I started it up to go home and the exhaust sounded like an old souped up V-8 with a Thrush glasspack (the oldtimers will remember). I listened to it all the way on the drive home. Same thing this morning. So there is probably a hole somewhere in the exhaust system. I just hope it's not on a cat.
I will take it to the nearby Midas shop Sat. morn. and get it on a lift to see what's what. I'll report back on Mon.

Last Sat. I replaced the driver's side foglight bulb. Getting the bulb out is pretty easy. Putting it in was a PIA because of that little metal spring clip which holds the bulb in place and the fact that I have short, fat fingers.


So the major items that need fixing (large $)on SVXY are:
1) Tranny slips in 4th more noticably now.
2) Front main oil seal leaks.
3) Exhaust sytem needs work (hopefully not a cat).

Minor items that need work are:
1) Most interior bulbs under the dash switches need replacement (hello Radio Shack)
2) Front seat leather is poor on both seats. I need to install the 2 front seats that have been sitting in my gararge.
3) There is an exterior rust spot on the front of the sunroof. It has started to bubble the black paint.
5) There are many paint chips on the front edge of the rear spoiler.
6) Various door dings need removal.


I have to make a decision soon on whether or not to keep and fix this SVX or get rid of it. I have grown very very attached to this car and must weigh all the pros and cons of keeping it or letting it go. The main problem is that it should NOT be an emotional issue since I'm trained as an engineer. BUT IT IS.

I always said that, when looking to buy an SVX, you will KNOW when you find the right one. I have found that you will not only know it in your head but also in your heart.

That is my problem now.
I guess I'm just an old, incurable romantic (as opposed to just a 'dirty old man'....right Ron? )

[dcarrb]

KEEP IT.

dcb

[SilverSpear]

Originally posted by dcarrb
KEEP IT.

dcb

i double that... you can always keep it for parts for your other SVX's

[LarryIII]

Emotionally, I couldn't keep it as a parts car. I would not do that to this SVX.


It comes down to the question of whether or not to retire in 2 years or keep SVXY running right and retire in 3-4 years.

[SilverSpear]

Originally posted by LarryIII
Emotionally, I couldn't keep it as a parts car. I would not do that to this SVX.


It comes down to the question of whether or not to retire in 2 years or keep SVXY running right and retire in 3-4 years.

keep it in your garage and fix it little by little by buying many aftermarket parts (like chip, exhaust....) then do a complete paintjob.... you will have a Kick-@ss car at the end...

[mohrds]

Keep it!

Those are all minor issues (other than the tranny).

The sunroof can be de-rusted and painted for probably around $100 at a good shop. Get the spoiler done at the same time.

The front oil seal can be replaced (along with cam seals, water pump and oil pump) at the next timing belt scheduled change.

Exhaust is most likely a donut disentegrated. There are six of them in the SVX's exhaust and they seem to decompose much faster than the other exhaust components.

The bulbs and seats are weekend projects.

As for the dings, wasn't someone trying to organize a local dent doctor guy to come out to Reading for a cash day project?

Doug

[CigarJohnny]

Keep the car, Larry. Aside from the tranny all the other repairs are minor. Besides, with 4 SVX in your garage, shouldn't one of them be a 5-speed? Seems like SVXY is a candidate for a transplant. It will alter her characteristics for the better and all the other SVXen in your stable will be eyeing her up as the new hotty.

Johnny

[Mr. Pockets]

Larry, only you can decide whether or not it's right for your to keep the car, but you know what people on this site are going to say.

I'm going to give you different advice, and it's the same thing I'm saying to an increasing number of people as the months and years go by.

There comes a time when you have to decide whether to throw in the towel, dude. For me, it was a few years ago. I consider it a pre-emptive towel-throwing. Rather than watch my SVX deteriorate and pay out for increasingly expensive and increasingly frequent repairs, I put my SVX away. Sure, I drive it every summer for a few thousand miles and I love every second of it. But for me it's not the best choice as a daily driver.

So I drive a 20-year old car instead.

Okay, bad example.

Anyway, I just think more and more peopel are going to come to the same conclusion eventually. I think most will sell their car. Like you, I'm attached to it, so instead of selling I put the SVX away. I own it and I've gotten my value out of the money I paid for it. It's not worth selling because I wouldn't get much for it.

[benebob]

Since it is illegal to sell cats. I'll give ya one if it comes to keeping it or not.

[n00b on demand]

Originally posted by benebob
Since it is illegal to sell cats.

We sold our cat to the neighbor a few years back. Oh wait you mean catalytic converter.....opps sorry

[LarryIII]

To all,

We only have 3 SVXes and 5 cats.


Larry (and 3 less canoli...yum yum) III

[shelfy]

keep it. claret is my daily driver and needs some work (brakes, windshield, seats, dash lights, and paint). i certainly don't need with a new car. you will regret letting it go.

[dcarrb]

Sure, there comes a time in the life of every car when hard choices must be made, but an important factor to be considered is, your current car is a known commodity. You know what's been done to it, how it has been treated and what it's likely to need. There's value in that knowledge. Buying another (used) car, no matter how new or nice or well documented, is always a roll of the dice.

dcb

[Earthworm]

Keep it and 5/6 speed it. All the other problems are minor.

[shelfy]

if i lost my fourth gear, i wouldn't even do anything about it. the high RPMs would drown out the bearing noise.