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#1
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Soon to be a new SVX owner!
I'm a newbie, and have been an admirer of the SVX for many years. I currently own a bone-stock Silver 2000 SVT Lightning which runs mid 13's in the 1/4.
Due to the birth of my son last June, I've put my Lightning up for sale this Spring and from the great response I've gotten, it'll probably be sold in the next 2-3 weeks. Instead of buying a fast AWD rocket straight from the factory (read: Evo & STI), I'm looking at buying a project car which I can pay for with cash and then drop 5K in it with performance mods over the next year (thinking 5 spd conv, exhaust, intake, Tenzo wheels, suspension, brakes). What years of SVX's tend to have the least problems? Will 95-97 SVXs have fewer tranny problems as Subaru made updates in the '92, '93 and '94 model years. What is the most that I should pay for an SVX? I see some dealers selling '97 models for 12K+, while some private parties sell them for just 7-8K. Thanks!
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"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something." - Plato 2013 Cosmic Blue 5spd Evo X GSR 2006 Galaxy Gray 6MT RX-8 (sold) 2006 Steel Gray WRX TR (sold) 1996 Brilliant Red SVX L (sold) Last edited by Chiketkd; 04-03-2004 at 12:06 AM. |
#2
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technically the transmission problem was "fixed" in 94... i'll bet you we have quite a few members that would wave a certain finger at that remark from subaru. In my opinion, if you are going to be replacing the transmission with a manual.. get one that the trannys already going on, this way you can save a little in the purchase price, but then pay for the transmission swap. (would you be doing some of this work yourself??) The other route you could go is pay a little bit more for the car, and sell the auto box to someone and come out maybe even on the swap. (again... depending on labor) the biggest differences between a 96-97, and a 94-95 is going to be the OBDII system. the newer cars have the more electronic system, which I think is a benifit, although some do not. as to what to pay, depends mostly on the miles, and whether the person was an enthusiast (read: took good care of it) or someone who just beat on the car. if it was well taken care of, and has under 50K miles, i can definatly see a 97 being over $12k, ( my moms was) if i were you, i think i would go with a 96 (maybe 94, 95.. but i kinda like the OBDII), with low miles, good auto tranny, and well taken care of. it would probably be $8-10k. then, as you have the money to spend, drop the STi 6speed or the normal 5 speed, a "Porter suspension special" and the other normal modifications. you might also think about the supercharger kit that is being made. this is definatly a great car to buy with cash, and then still have money left to modify...
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Greg 97 Red SVX LSi clean 96 Black SVX LSi beater 90 Red Eclipse GSX track ho 99 Ford F250 work horse My Locker |
#3
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Thanks drivemusicnow! The transmission sale idea sounds interesting. Might be able to get a good price if I sell it on Ebay. I probably want to get a car with a good working transmission as I will not be looking to do the 5 spd swap until Fall/Winter (plus I'll want to see what kinda times I can run in the 1/4 as a baseline before modding).
I'll probably stay away from '97 models as dealers tend to mark up the last year of any model the most. A '95/'96 appeals to me the most, and the car seems to come alive in red, black and blue. Hopefully, I'll be able to find a decent one in the coming weeks in the Mid-Atlantic region...
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"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something." - Plato 2013 Cosmic Blue 5spd Evo X GSR 2006 Galaxy Gray 6MT RX-8 (sold) 2006 Steel Gray WRX TR (sold) 1996 Brilliant Red SVX L (sold) |
#4
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Here's my advice: get one with a dead tranny. Why? You're going to replace it anyway, and used 4heats don't get ANY cash on ebay, because... well, can you offer a warranty on your USED transmission? no. You can't. So who's going to buy it? Not many people. The good news is that a REALLY clean SVX with great everything and bad transmission can be had for CHEAP.
Just keep your eyes out on ebay for a good one with a bad tranny. - Rob |
#5
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Yeah, if I had to buy mine over, I'd buy one cheap with a blown tranny and no other obvious probs, although I'd probably want it drivable enough to test drive. I thought I was getting a good deal buying one with a brand new tranny under warrantee, didn't turn out that great.
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#6
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You can still get great deals on cars without dead trannys. I have never purchased one that way, and have made some very good deals. I also bought on with a 5 speed swap that had been done 10,000 miles earlier, and that one cost me big time.
Good luck and welcome to the site.
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. Earl .... ... .... ><SVX(*> Subaru Ambassador [COLOR=”silver”]1992 Tri Color L[/COLOR] ~45K (06/91) #2430 1992 Dark Teal LS-L ~184K (05/91) #0739 1992 Claret LS-L ~196K (05/91) #0831 1992 Pearl LS-L ~103K (06/91) #1680 1992 Pearl LS-L ~151K (06/91) #2229 1992 Dark Teal LS ~150K (07/91) #3098 (parts car) 1992 White LS-L ~139K (08/92) #6913 1993 25th AE ~98K (02/93) #164 1993 25th AE ~58K (02/93) #176 1993 25th AE ~107K (02/93) #215 1993 25th AE ~162K (02/93) #223 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~124K (1/94) #2408 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~144K (10/93) #1484 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~68K (10/93) #1525 1994 Barcelona Red LSi ~46K (02/94) #2624 1994 Pearl LSi ~41K (12/93) #1961 1995 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~70K (02/95) #855 1996 Polo Green LSi ~95K (03/96) #872 1997 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~55K (08/96) #097 2003 Brilliant Red LS1 Convertible ~29K (04/03) #8951 1999 Magnetic Red LS1 Coupe ~33K (04/99) #6420 My Email | Old Locker | New Locker | Picture of 15 of the 19 |
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