Couple Questions on Buying an SVX!

PhenomSVX · #1 05-27-2010, 07:42 PM

Hi everyone. I posted, kinda introducing myself in the "Everyone Check In Here" Thread and I guess not many people check that cause I never got an answer LOL.

I am new here. I actually joined because the SVX has been my dream car (well, realistic dream car) for a long time now. There was a guy that lived up the street from me growing up that had one and I fell in love with it after I heard it drive by

I am actually looking to buy one very soon, I have been saving up money so I can buy a nice one.

My question for all of you SVX junkies out there is which is the best year of this car (in your opinion, of course), and why? Also, when I go to buy one are there any particular "warning signs," so to speak, that I should look for that would cause me trouble down the road?

Thanks in advance!
Kelly

Freeman · #2 05-27-2010, 08:16 PM

Honestly I love the 92 pearl. OBDI with more hp than the others. A nice one of those with timing belt and water pump already done, also the ss brake lines and I'd prefer a 4.44 tranny so you'd know it's been swapped. Watch for any cars too far north cause that usually means rust.. Usually..

Welcome to the Network. Glad your here!

PhenomSVX · #3 05-27-2010, 08:27 PM

Hmm okay. I live in Washington state, so I guess I probably shouldn't buy one from up here then

But what exactly is the 4.44 tranny? Is it just a newer tranny than the original?

Thanks!

oab_au · #4 05-27-2010, 08:34 PM

I think the 95 model is the best model. (I could be biased

) They had all the modifications done to it by then, and it is the last of the OBD1, that has less emission controls that the OBD2.
When test driving it, check for the change from second to third for revving between changes.
Don't buy a rusty one.

Harvey .

PhenomSVX · #5 05-27-2010, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oab_au

When test driving it, check for the change from second to third for revving between changes.

If it does rev between changes, what exactly does that mean?

Sorry for all the questions, I'm a n00b haha

Lookin4SVX · #6 05-27-2010, 08:52 PM

Well I wouldn't say don't by one from up north, just make sure you check under the car.

Southern cars that have not seen snow/salt would of course be in better shape than one that has lived for years as a winter beater.

Things to look out for:

I guess first thing to do is to link you to this:
http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/show...01&postcount=2

Then I will say:
Maintenance records - Car is old, don't care if it is a 92 or a 97.
Make sure you have records to what major service has been done.
Look for things like Head Gasket, Timing belt, Crank seal (oil pump seal), Cam seals, Water Pump.

Transmission Slipping - Does the tranny shift smooth, or does the rpm flair between gears like your in neutral.

Electrical Problems - The car is old, wiring become brittle.
Chasing electrical problems will make you wish you just needed a new tranny.

Leaking Engine Gaskets - Valve Cover Gaskets (rocker panel gaskets)
Make sure you don't see any oil leaks from the side of the motor.

Paint - How is the paint?
Repainting a car properly will cost you $3,500+.

Rear Wheel Barrings - Another known issue with the SVX
These get destroyed, if the car has loud noise from the back, may be shot barrings.

Look out for Flashing power light on start up. It should light up, then go off.
Flashing means transmission error code.

Double check the VIN on the dash against the VIN on the firewall against the VIN on the Fugi ID plate on the driver side front strut tower.
Call me paranoid.

Does the Air Conditioning Work? Any codes from the Climate control unit?

Does the Sunroof open without you having to push it up.

Chipped/scratched glass

Do the power windows work.

Do the power locks work.

Does the security system work.

Does the power seat work.

--

That should give you a good start

Lookin4SVX · #7 05-27-2010, 08:57 PM

If the RPM rev like you are in neutral when it is shifting between gears that would mean the Transmission is likely on its way out.
The clutch plates are slipping. Transmission is BAD.
The original SVX Transmission is not very good. If you read this board you will see what I mean. They die, its a common problem, they overheat and they die.

A 4.44 Tranny is a swap from another subaru into the SVX. If your SVX is AWD, this will mean swapping out the rear end with the matching 4.44 one.
It is a stronger transmission with a different gear ratio.
It has the higher gear ratio, so at highway cruising speed it is higher in the RPM range.
Gears are shorter. Makes car faster.

P.S. I am also a n00b to the SVX world. I just bought mine on March 8th 2010.
So I just went through this. I ended up buying a 92LS-L from Maine with 188,000mi on it. (Yes, I bought a high millage northern car).

PhenomSVX · #8 05-27-2010, 09:04 PM

That helps me out a lot! Thanks Lookin4SVX! I do have one question for you though, what do you mean any codes from the climate control unit?

Lookin4SVX · #9 05-27-2010, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhenomSVX

That helps me out a lot! Thanks Lookin4SVX! I do have one question for you though, what do you mean any codes from the climate control unit?

I don't know why this is not in the NEW how to section under climate control.

See Attached:

PhenomSVX · #10 05-27-2010, 09:29 PM

LOL I don't know either!

But thanks a lot! All that really helps! Hopefully the next time I post on here I got me an SVX

Lookin4SVX · #11 05-27-2010, 09:30 PM

Ask all the questions you want.

Read all the info you can.

Do not rush into a purchase.

If someone is in a rush to sell a car, you can bet there is a reason.

PhenomSVX · #12 05-27-2010, 09:32 PM

I will never rush into a purchase again! LOL. I did with my first car, a 1994 Ford Taurus SHO and it had a mountain of problems, so I am very careful about buying used cars now. Thanks much!

Cam · #13 05-27-2010, 09:51 PM

What part of washington are you from? If you would like to see the mountain of problems an SVX can bring you then you can come visit my garage. I have an engine in the middle of a rebuild. Trust me, it has caused me a bit of trouble in the past. But I rushed into my purchase, and was not familiar with the car at all so I picked up a car one level above a bucket.

And I have been in love ever since.

Have you looked at any potential cars yet? Make sure the tranny feels solid when you test drive the car. It will not have the quickest shifting transmission, but it should NOT slip, or jolt. It is a smooth, slow shifting tranny by design.

Welcome to the forum, there is an amazing amount of information and support here.

PhenomSVX · #14 05-27-2010, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cam

What part of washington are you from?

Vancouver, where are you at?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cam

Have you looked at any potential cars yet?

No I haven't, I've just been saving up and looking around, I don't quite have enough for a nice one yet. But I'm getting there!

Lookin4SVX · #15 05-27-2010, 11:07 PM

So what are you looking for out of your SVX?
You looking at AWD or FWD?
You looking for Cloth or Leather?
Want a Sunroof?
What colors do you like?
Do you want ODBII?
Some of these questions can narrow down your search.

Prices:
Nice 97's I see going for $7000-$8500
Nice 94's I see going for $4000-$5000
Nice 92's I see going for $3000-$4000
Good 92's I see going for $1500-$2500
Poor 92's I see going for $1,200-$1500
Parts cars I see going for $500-$850

When I say Nice I mean Low Millage "Garage Queens", Mint Inside and Out.