Some quick SVX questions

Rotorflyr · #1 07-14-2003, 03:01 AM

While my plans to purchase an SVX have been put on hold (temporarily) due to some unforseen expenses that have arisen, I do have a couple of questions for those with families who own them.

1) How well does a car seat fit in the back?

2) How comfortable are they really on long drives (6+hrs)

3)What would you say your average gas mileage is when crusing on the highway?

4)And for those of you who have more then one SVX (of different years/models) Which year/model do you like best and why?

Thanks!

Oh yeah, was also wondering what the average age of the people here is, since it seems like an (slightly) older crowd then the impreza fans? (just curious)

Andy · #2 07-14-2003, 03:32 AM

Hi and welcome.

1) I have two liitle-uns in the back of mine, now 7 and 5. They both prefer the SVX for comfort than any previous car, including a Legacy and Nissan Primera.

2) Last year I did Devon-Birmingham-Devon in one day, about 9 hours of driving. No numb bum at the end of it.

3) Low to mid 20s

4) Early models are quicker, later models are newer

(Silver ones have an extra 37bhp)

wasions · #3 07-14-2003, 07:14 AM

The rear seats are 'scooped out' a little too much for most car seats. They'll fit okay, but might leave a few marks after lengthy use.

There is currently no better touring car than the SVX. I've never driven a more comfortable vacation car. We've done many 15+ hour days in it, and have never had the first complaint about numbness, or resetting the seat, or any of those usual long-distance things. Just get in the car and drive, and drive, and drive, and . . . well, you get the picture.

Gas mileage on trips has always been a solid 26.5, regardless of speed or grade.

By comparison, we took the Volvo to Colorado (about 1300 miles or so) last winter and averaged (with skis on top) 24 mpg on the way there (west, uphill), and 36 mpg on the way back. We were stunned by the difference.

ensteele · #4 07-14-2003, 10:31 AM

I can't comment on the car seat.

I can comment on the long trip part. I have driven SVXes from OK, OH, MI, IL to Washington State. 3 of the 4 trips I did straight through to home from where I bought the cars. I got a few naps on the way, but made it in 30 hours or so at times. I would not have been able to do this with any other car. It is the best road car I have ever driven.

The 94s have an air bag on the pass side. The 94s and later have some tranny upgrades that make for fewer problems than the earlier models. 94s and after also have the manual seat belts instead of the auto ones, which usually have less problems.

Good Luck

#5 07-14-2003, 11:43 AM

You see... Earl can't comment on the back seat because he has too damn many spare tires back there!! But I'm sure they are all comfortable!!

The fronts are quite comfortable comparatively to the vehicles I've been in over the years. I love the agronomic lower back lever feature!! Can't forget that feature!!

Gas, no complaints at all... compared to today's huge SUV's!

You might consider the safety factory of the SVX. The car handles exceptionally well over other vehicles as well as the driveability. Weight of the car I guess you could say is comparatively close to a military tank on wheels! Overall, a pretty darn safe and fun car to drive!

ensteele · #6 07-14-2003, 07:04 PM

John - I was refering to the child seat.

But I can say that you can haul lots of wheels and tires back there with the seat folded down.

Chicane · #7 07-14-2003, 07:11 PM

They're great on the highway... they aren't real fast or anything off the line but very competent at higher speeds. The only downside is that the back seats are pretty cramped, and that it gets CRAPPY gas mileage... and when I say crappy, I don't mean the MPG... the MPG ranges from 16 (city driving in the winter) to 24 (Highway, summer), and it ONLY TAKES PREMIUM, so your gas bills are going to be a bit more than you're used to.

- Rob

Ron Mummert · #8 07-14-2003, 08:39 PM

On a 3500 mile vacation trip I got 27.75 MPG with a mix 30% "city/town, 70% cruising at 70-80 mph. Anyone getting less mpg should take it out of 3rd & try Drive.

Ron.

Rotorflyr · #9 07-15-2003, 02:25 PM

For those who have answered so far, Thanks!
Anyone else have any input, I'd like to hear it,
As for the comment on "higher gas bills" I already use premium so Im not real concerned about that, nor do I care if the car is super fast off the line or otherwise, as long as it isn't slow, and has decent/good acceleration and passing power.....If I wanted a fast car, I'd go for a Vette or a Classic Mustang or something along those lines.......

SVX10 · #10 07-15-2003, 02:37 PM

The SVX rules. I drive it once or twice a year from NM to MI (about 1700 miles). I've done a 15 hr day and all that hurt was my eyes

Gas mileage has been as high as 31MPG, but it was as low as 27. On city streets, a short commute will kill mileage and put it at about 19MPG. Gearing is definately perfect for highway cruising. 3000RPM at 90mph. At legal speeds, it's rarely above 2500RPM. Highway pickup is great, off the line is somewhat disappointing. But the dead silent ride, comfy comfy seats, and pretty interior style make up for the performance. Some car magazine called the handling the best compromise between performance and compliance that they've seen. I have a friend, 21 years old, 5'6"ish, and he loves the back seats. They're very comfortable. I'm 6'4" and I can tolerate them for 20 minutes or so. It's more the lack of head room than the lack of leg room that gets to me. The seats all definately have a good shape to them. The car is awesome.

I'm 21 (therefore no input on child seats

)

-Mat

#11 07-15-2003, 03:25 PM

i'll sort of chime in on what everyone else said..

the svx is born for long-distance, highway cruising..

the seats are super-comfortable (at least the leather ones are) and the car returns significantly better mileage cruising at 80 or 90 mph than it does around town.. think 18mpg around town and 26 mpg on the highway..

i think the average age of the SVX buyer has decreased pretty substantially over the past three years as the average price of an svx has dropped rather drastically.. i bought my '92 two years ago for $5000 and now a '92 can easily be found for $2500 or less..

-adam

(ps, i'm 22)

#12 07-15-2003, 03:42 PM

1) How well does a car seat fit in the back?

I put a spare baby seat in mine, cause for long highway trips the SVX is such a pleasure to drive, and really comes into it's own. This is instead of a 1997 Liberty RX wagon (Aussie Legacy) which my wife drives normally. The only thing is that the front passenger seat has to come forward some to give room for the baby's feet. If the seat was placed in the middle even that may not be an issue? The baby seat does leave some mark's in the leather but they seem to dissappear slowly when I remove it.

2) How comfortable are they really on long drives (6+hrs)

The best! I thought our 97 Liberty RX 2.5 was so comfortable when we first got it (new). Then, in 2001, a 7 year old second hand '94 SVX came along. Now every other car I drive feels uncomfortable. The SVX is made for long fast touring.

3)What would you say your average gas mileage is when crusing on the highway?

Literally DOUBLE what I do in the city. I don't do gallons nor miles here though, it's all kilometres and litres...

4)And for those of you who have more then one SVX (of different years/models) Which year/model do you like best and why?

n/a

#13 07-15-2003, 04:39 PM

'94 AND UP HAVE THE SPLIT SEATS IN THE REAR!

HWY GAS WAS ABOUT 27 MPG

I drove close to 2000 miles R/T with my pregnant wife last month. The car is quite comfortable for extended trips (minus the number of pee breaks!) Although, I do wish you could get the power seat option on the passenger side...

The Monzta · #14 07-15-2003, 05:04 PM

Not had my SVX for long but here goes:

1) I have two daughters, the older one is seven and finds the back very comfy with plenty of room for her legs. The other is eight months old and sits in a rearward facing baby seat. I find the seatbelt is just an inch or two too short to easily accomodate it but with a bit of huffing and puffing I can get her securely installed. She must find it comfy as she's not lasted longer than five minutes before she's sawing wood (zzzzzzzzz)

She'll soon be ready to go into a forward facing seat which will make life a lot easier. My car has an all black interior and with the large amounts of window space it gets murderously hot when the car's been left standing in the sun. If you're gonna carry your children in there regularly in sunny weather then I would definitely recommend you buy some good sun blinds for the rear.

2) Haven't done any long journeys yet but after a long, tiring day in the office it's a perfect car for relaxing back into and enjoying a soothing journey home. Everything is laid out perfectly for a comfy drive; seating, instruments, switchgear. The visibility all round is superb for a sportscar, the steering precise and firm (but not heavy), fantastic brakes and excellent handling and performance. The SVX is two cars in one package.....you wanna cruise? Then it will cruise all day, relaxing and refined. You wanna nail it? Then she'll do that too, no problem. I was late for work the other day and had to cover the 11 miles ASAP. Once I'd got through the villages and joined the motorway I was then able to put my foot down. As I join the motorway I have to immediately ascend a hill....from a near standstill on the entry sliproad I was doing over 130 mph before I got to the top of the hill....and she was still pulling......and I wasn't in Power mode. I was most impressed.

3) So far I've averaged between 20 and 26 mpg with a mixture of town, country and motorway driving.

4) Don't know which years SVXs are best but when I was looking for mine I was aiming to get the newest I could possibly afford working on the theory that the latest cars of any make are usually the most highly developed and liberally scattered with 'toys'.

Hope this is of some help.

The Monzta

AnthraXFan · #15 07-16-2003, 10:44 PM

well, mine seems to get good gas mileage on the highway(25 mpg or so)....but there is a down side

Had the car in for an allignment not too long ago because the car was shaking. After the allignment, the car ran soooo smooth for about a WEEK. Something else must be wrong that the subaru dealership looked past. Now it's doing what it used to, and that is shaking. (driver side rear it feels like) Ug, very tiring on the highway, i can tell you that much, i really must take it back to get looked at. When this car was alligned, WOW, was it ever great to relax on the highway with.