Thinking about an SVX, what to expect?

Hi guys. I'm a newb here. I've been lusting for an SVX ever since I first laid eyes on one as an impressionable 13 year old at the '92 Chicago Auto Show. I'm seriously considering selling my '89 MR2 and diving in head first to this SVX hobby... but I've got a lot of questions first. I know that going from a mid engined go cart to an AWD luxo-sports car is going to be an eye opening experience, but is there still dyanmic thrills to be had? What does the car handle like, how's the steering, the ride, the body control? Is it tossable, throttle steerable, neutral and all those other fun things? Or will it's rareness, quirkiness, flat six-ness and inherent coolness have to suffice for my transportation giggles? I don't mind spending some cash modding a car to my tastes, and if I do end up buying one a manual swap and some suspension work are definitely on the to-do list, how do these cars take to said mods? I really appreciate any advice you guys have for me, thanks for taking the time to read my post.

[It's Just Eric]

Do a search. Spend a few hours reading things, youll come up with everything you need to know.
Basicly, the car handles nice. its heavy, but pretty close to neutral (Mild understeer) Gets a bit of body roll, but all in all the suspension is a great balence between ride quality and proformance. The aformentioned manual swap and suspension work are guarenteed ways to make the car handle its best. Little input here, seems the two best manual trannies to use are the 05 and up wrx 5 speeds, or the more expensive sti 6 speed. The best suspension set up Ive experienced in person was the Koni struts with ground controll coilovers. 90 miles an hour around a reasonably tight corner and the car layed perfectly flat.
The car's rareness and design will grow on you immensly if it hasnt already. Youll probly have an easier time getting used to the cars looks than the looks your car will get.
Either way, if you were planning on doing a manual swap, its pretty easy to find SVXi with blown transmissions for next to nothing. Hopefully if you go the svx route you enjoy it

Trust me, the looks are a large part of the appeal to me... Citroens and Tatras are my other aesthetic ideals, yeah I like strange cars. Thanks for the reply and very funny signature!

Originally Posted by It's Just Eric

Do a search. Spend a few hours reading things, youll come up with everything you need to know.
Basicly, the car handles nice. its heavy, but pretty close to neutral (Mild understeer) Gets a bit of body roll, but all in all the suspension is a great balence between ride quality and proformance. The aformentioned manual swap and suspension work are guarenteed ways to make the car handle its best. Little input here, seems the two best manual trannies to use are the 05 and up wrx 5 speeds, or the more expensive sti 6 speed. The best suspension set up Ive experienced in person was the Koni struts with ground controll coilovers. 90 miles an hour around a reasonably tight corner and the car layed perfectly flat.
The car's rareness and design will grow on you immensly if it hasnt already. Youll probly have an easier time getting used to the cars looks than the looks your car will get.
Either way, if you were planning on doing a manual swap, its pretty easy to find SVXi with blown transmissions for next to nothing. Hopefully if you go the svx route you enjoy it

[intelisevil]

"No one expects the Spanish Inquisition"

Quoted from: Monty Python's Flying Circus and Mel Brooks's film 'History of the World, Part I'. I prefer the latter.

Dan

Good lord! That was random!

Originally Posted by intelisevil

"No one expects the Spanish Inquisition"

Quoted from: Monty Python's Flying Circus and Mel Brooks's film 'History of the World, Part I'. I prefer the latter.

Dan

[It's Just Eric]

Hey...since all 3 of us are online, lets just have our own personally hijacked thread. I suspect not many people will want to visit yet another "Hi im new" thead, especially if they see theres already people on it....

Ooh...you didnt happen to hilight my siggy did ya?
..we are lighting off fireworks to annoy the neibors. Heehehe..

Okay..so yeah, if you have any other questions, feel free to ask, Ill probly be checking back and forth

[intelisevil]

Originally Posted by 4AGeaZy-E

Good lord! That was random!

I've never been accused of being entirely sane . . . Any time I see the word expect, I think of that quote.

Citroens, Studebaker Avantis and Chevrolet Corvairs are other cars that I've always liked.

No fireworks to add to this private hijack.

My fingers hurt too much to type, I got a bit of frostbite from working as a lift operator this weekend. It's snowing at the end of May, what is Mother-Nature doing to us?

Oh yeah, back to the thread . . . Don't spend too much on the first car you find. I paid $2800 for my first one, $1500 for my second. They are both daily drivers and the only expenses I've had for them so far has been new tires and a new radiator. I just bought a 'parts car' with a very good body but dead engine and tranny for $500, I hope to get it back on the road.

[It's Just Eric]

Yeah, had to read that title again to figure out exactly what the monty refrence was to. Your right, noone expects the spanish inquisition.
Also +1 on the dont spend too much thing. I got mine for 1500 bucks with a relativly fresh engine and tranny. So far the only money ive put into it was in gas, oil, and that entire interior that I couldnt pass up.
Looks like thatll change pretty soon, as I need tires and a cv joint. otherwose, been rinning fine since haloween
I know that one can be found in very good - great shape with a bad tranny for under 1500, or just good shape for about 1000. finding the first one is always a little tough
We are out of fireworks....

and... DEATH hahahaha. Where do I find one of these $1500 dead tranny cars? Down at the castle AAAAAaaaaaarrrrrrggggh?

[It's Just Eric]

Well, a 1500 dollar car IS like stumbling on the holy grail. a friend of mine managed to find a pretty decent condition one with no tranny and a broken tail light for ..I think it was 900 dollars..
Also the case of his beutifull 94 pearl that was bought for 400 if memory serves correctly. It may be a little harder to do up over in there on the west coast, as it seems 90% of the svx owners are on the east coast, but the deals are out there, you juse need to keep all eyes open and wait for something to roll around (Then offer a third of what they are asking)

By the way, welcome to the forums.

[Suby Fan]

ya know i have been meaning to ask you why is it that the offer is not vaild in minnesota????

[curly2k3]

meh, I got mine with a brand new tranny for 2,900. Just be ready for a bunch of money for parts that seem to always be replaced. I don't know about everyone else but also my insurance is friggen nuts. about 3k a year, for liability!

[It's Just Eric]

ya know i have been meaning to ask you why is it that the offer is not vaild in minnesota????

Well, everything in my signature except the pregnant thing was on a real warning label I saw at some point or another. Im pretty sure the offer not valid was on sevral diffrent cupons or discounts. Im guessing they werent valid there because that was where they were manufactured or something. It was quite some time ago so my memory is a little fuzzy

Oh, and a good search will bring up all kinds of common problems and fixes...though if your going 5 speed the biggest problem will be fixed.

[Alycone]

Originally posted by 4AGeaZy-E
I don't mind spending some cash

That's definately key. The SVX is a great car but it has expensive taste.

As for buying cheap, I went the paying a bit more and getting full maitenance records route. Cant say I was able to avoid paying for expensive repairs, so maybe I was dumb to not buy a cheapie. At least my car gets outstanding gas mileage for an SVX. If I was going to buy another SVX I'd probably get one with a dying tranny.

[ensteele]

You have that now