what should i look for in a svx? (planning to buy one soon)

hey, i'm looking forward to buy a SVX sometime soon... what should i look for in particular? year? etc mechnical stuff. is there any particular years that are better than others? so on...


thanks,\
touger

[Chicane]

Please use the search button. This topic has been discussed about 519,187,385,882,018,185,326,454 times.

Thanks!

- Rob

well a couple of warnings---or better yet caveats--

a) bearings are prone to wear out prematurely ( as compared to other cars)

b) balky transmissions due to poor cooling of tranny fluid (add-on tranny cooler fully recommended)

c) fogged up brake lights

d) car doesn't feel it is going as fast as it actually is = speeding tickets!!!

e) sun visors that don't stay up (droopy)

f) oh god I can't go on I want to cry...

never mind
Squiggy

[ensteele]

Originally posted by Chicane
Please use the search button. This topic has been discussed about 519,187,385,882,018,185,326,454 times.

Thanks!

- Rob

He would automatically know that because this is his first post. Glad you know that.

Great welcome to the forum.

[ensteele]

With that said -

Welcome to the site TouGer. I hope we can help you with some of your questions. Some members here are more helpful and tactful than others.

If you want to research any information here from the many post over the years, you can do a search for the specific item you want to know about. If you have problems or can't find it, ask. We also have How-To Documents that will show you how to do many things. Good luck and again, welcome.

[dcarrb]

Originally posted by squiggy
well a couple of warnings---or better yet caveats--

a) bearings are prone to wear out prematurely ( as compared to other cars)

b) balky transmissions due to poor cooling of tranny fluid (add-on tranny cooler fully recommended)

c) fogged up brake lights

d) car doesn't feel it is going as fast as it actually is = speeding tickets!!!

e) sun visors that don't stay up (droopy)

f) oh god I can't go on I want to cry...

never mind
Squiggy

Also check the operation of all electrical accessories, antenna, and CD player. Look for power steering leaks, and examine the hoses (A/C hoses, too). Give the brakes a good workout to reveal warped rotors. Look for oil leaking from the bottom of the timing belt cover.

Your best bet is to find one with service records documenting that the above (and seemingly inevitable) troubles have been addressed.

Good luck.


dcb

[JeffN]

And then look at mine

http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/show...threadid=18159

My wife says to me last night...hey, i saw this cool looking Subaru in the paper the other day, you should go look at it. LOL

I never really talked to her about one seriously because i thought she'd have an issue with the windows.

sooooo..... I've pretty much decided today, that if i can find the money, there are few going for sale around me. That said, I did a little searching and also read the FAQ just so i don't feel like such a newb.

In general from what I've read, it's a better idea to stick with the '94 or later?

My primary concerns should be the transmission and rear bearings, as well as upgrading the front rotors and pads right? Anything else MAJOR, other then just regular maintenance records i should be looking for?

I don't think I'd get rid of my wagon (my current daily driver) but i don't know if i'm ready to buy a "project car" that is more expense, then it is fun.
If i can go into this with a somewhat accurate cost in mind, it would make convincing the wife to buy a second Subaru for myself much easier, or talk her into selling the POS escort of hers.

I'd like something that is reliable enough to be used as an alternate, and possibly for track days. (Do you know how odd it feels to be the only full size wagon racing among wrx's??)



Anywho, any suggestions are welcome.

Also, i don't know if i was just looking in the wrong places, but are there any aftermarket headers for the SVX?...my wagon was so boring until i did the Headers and back. Now, it's fun to drive

[Mr. Pockets]

Originally posted by Bane
In general from what I've read, it's a better idea to stick with the '94 or later?

It's possible that you're generally right. But I think more important is how the car was cared for. My '93 was impeccably maintained before I bought it. The previous owner even had wiper blades and the battery replaced by the dealer.

Anyway, it's served me extremely well.

It's easy to tell a car that was cared for compared to one which was recently detailed to make it look like it was. So just pay attention to the details as well as the major things you've already noted, and you should be able to find a gem.

Just try not to fall in love with the first one you drive. That's too easy to do, and then you're stuck with, 'well I just need to fix this and that and get the tranny replaced and it'll be perfect!!!'

HAHAHA

tell me about it!

can you imagine my surprise when i found out the hard way about the head gasket problem that plagues the 2.5?

If i had done a little research ahead of time, i probably would have bought one that was already done, instead of a timebomb waiting to go off...sigh.

now, what about mechanics for SVX's?
Are they a rarity? is there some sort of plaque that should be on their walls that says "SVX certified"?

[ensteele]

"plaque on their walls that says "SVX certified"

Where? I'd like one.

[Chicane]

SVX's are reliable cars as long as they are taken care of. Mine came with some pretty insane records.... and it's now my daily driver. Although madison has taken it's toll on it (dings, dents, scratches, smashed rear 1/4 panel, completely awful suspension that's been beaten to heck), it still runs great, and on the highway (where it's smooth and I don't notice the suspension much) it feels wonderful.

- Rob

[Noir]

Originally posted by TouGer
hey, i'm looking forward to buy a SVX sometime soon... what should i look for in particular? year? etc mechnical stuff. is there any particular years that are better than others? so on...


thanks,\
touger

Welcome, Rob's more bark than bite. Don't mind him. Everyone's basically given pretty good advice on trying to find a decent SVX. Here's another option:

If you have patience and a little money to spend, you can buy one's that in 'not so perfect' shape for really cheap and then search the wanted/for sale forum and fix up your car. I did so with my first SVX before it got totalled and it was great restoring it to it's original glory. I remember as I was getting it restored, mechanics and service managers at a local subaru dealership telling me that my SVX was one of the nicest they've seen coming into their dealerships (it was pretty beat up when I bought it). I do know that a minimum of 6 SVX's have been to their shop for repairs . I counted them .