So you want to Buy an SVX do You?

SVX – A bid for the unusual!

Having decided to sell my Ducati Motorbike, and keep the perfect condition low mileage 7-year-old Pontiac TransAm garaged over the winter I decided it was time to get an ordinary car to run around in.

So I set off to the World Wide Web in search of an ‘ordinary’ car that would be the perfect run around. This is where I hit the first stumbling block; ordinary cars are just that - ordinary! So I thought well I could widen the field a bit and maybe get a four wheel drive, after all that would be practical when it snows. But also having a Landrover 110 in the family I did not want another slow tedious 4x4. Oh dear, a 4x4 with attitude was needed! I ruled out the Vauxhall Calibra Turbo 4x4 because well it’s a Vauxhall, and oh yes my wife had one years ago and it was dreadful – exactly as I had expected to be! I faced a vacuum of choice, or did I?

Rather despondent from the first few weeks of searching, I stumbled upon this website about the SVX Subaru, a car I remembered years ago by its weird windows and astronomical price. Well the windows were still there, but the price…. Now that had changed. But wait, I was looking for a run around, a run of the mill car, an ordinary vehicle. Oh no I have failed haven’t I this is none of these, but it is different and it really did not seem that much for a car with every extra available.

I had fallen for the idea, so all thoughts of searching further had halted it was now time to research what to look for and cost up the inevitable repair bills and the insurance. The later quite surprised me, more than my 5.7L V8 Trans Am! Maybe this car does go a bit well for its 3.3L engine? Still the insurance was affordable (dare I say in budget – given I did not really have a budget!).

I must have read 90% of the SVX websites and concluded, whatever I purchased I could almost guarantee I would need a set of rear wheel bearings. But equally I had to locate a car with the gearbox work having been done. From what I read the car is good for a trip to the moon and back so mileage seemed fairly low on the list provided the gearbox was fairly fresh.

Some weeks later I found myself driving back down the M1 in a black 1992 SVX, which as predicted needed bearings but had a reconditioned gearbox just 10,000 miles ago. Externally and internally the finish was a good 9 out of 10, and a few small niggles needed attention. But for the money I had the basis of a very good example of the car.

During my search for parts locally, I soon discovered that the official dealer prices were a little to rich for my taste. However a trip to www.subaruparts.com soon resolved the price issue and the helpful folks there soon had wheel bearings, exhaust gaskets, and steering gator boots on their way to me from the USA to England.

A local garage, who specialise in Landrover, agreed to undertake the SVX and with technical information downloaded from the multitude of SVX sites all work along with full engine service and belt change (acquired from www.ebay.com auction site!) the car was ready.

I now have one of the best examples of SVX in the UK, and thoroughly enjoy the experience of driving it offers. To an extent now I understand the price tag attached to it when new, and wonder why so few ever sold in the UK. Maybe this car was too far ahead of its time and Subaru did not have the strength to market it harder. Either way I now have a new dilemma, this car was intended to be a daily run around so I can keep the TransAm nice I am concerned it too has achieved a keep it good status – maybe Ill just have to use the Landrover 110 as my daily car. (After all it is run in now with 160,000 miles on its turbo diesel, and the bodywork is being reabsorbed back into nature!)

Whatever your reasons for owning an SVX I now too understand them, and for those considering the purchase my advice Research, Research and then Research again – you will not be disappointed!

Paul.

ps I did not mention the rear spoiler did I - another www.ebay.com moment - still I think it was worth it don't you?

Re above

[wasions]

Great car Paul!

Now you can get that beater (P T-A) out. No wait. It's much finer to be seen an an SVX.

Ergo our collective dilemma. The SVX is too nice to take out, but too cool to keep in.

Absolutly beautiful I must say, I love your head lights!! I just got my SVX I know how you feel there is no turning back, but it is my only use car even though I have another. Guess ill just need a second SVX and a bashing car also, ahh the fun of cars.

And to think the spoiler that graces such a beautiful car came from under my bed!

Mike

[Trevor]

Great post. Thanks for the enjoyable read.

[Aredubjay]

Yes, you've learned what we've all learned. Congratulations and many happy "ordinary" miles in your extraordinary car.

[ensteele]

That feeling you get when you get into your car (SVX), well, that is why some of us could not stop at just one. What a sickness!!! I guess it could be worse.

[Clydesvx]

I hope the Rover boys cleaned and repacked your bearings before replacing them. That gunk they come packed in is NOT grease.

Good Luck.
Clydesvx

[wasions]

Originally posted by Clydesvx
I hope the Rover boys cleaned and repacked your bearings before replacing them. That gunk they come packed in is NOT grease.

Good Luck.
Clydesvx

R-R-R-R-r-r-r-r-R-R-R-R-r-r-r-r-R-R-R-R-r-r-r-r



Don't they slip a note in the bearing that says so? I mean, who (besides Subaru) even does that?

Originally posted by wasions


R-R-R-R-r-r-r-r-R-R-R-R-r-r-r-r-R-R-R-R-r-r-r-r



Don't they slip a note in the bearing that says so? I mean, who (besides Subaru) even does that?

Steve,

Are you saying that your Suby Master Tech writes notes to you and puts them in your wheel bearings ?

You better not post the note contents here. This is a family friendly site.

Larry III

[wasions]

Originally posted by Larry 3rd


Steve,

Are you saying that your Suby Master Tech writes notes to you and puts them in your wheel bearings ?

You better not post the note contents here. This is a family friendly site.

Larry III

Well, he says he does, but I can't post the contents anyway, because I don't know where the wheel bearings are.

Let's see, I've looked under the dash, in the trunk, even under the seats. Surely he wouldn't be so stupid as to put something that expensive outside the car?!?

[SHISVX]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by PWA1X
[B]
sell my Ducati Motorbike

YOUR CRAZY!!!!!

well, you can't be that nuts, you do have an SVX, but still you sold your Ducati!?!?!??! good luck with the car, it's a beauty!

Kelli

[Tim]

Beautiful car!


Where did you purchase the head light cover?