Should I buy it?

[Wildstar]

Hello everyone, this is my first post.

I am thinking about purchasing a 1995 SVX, as my Gen. 1 RX-7 finally
died at 198,484 miles (RIP Sniff Sniff).

The 95 I am looking at is a Blue L Model AWD. with 90,740 miles on it
it runs and drives great, around the back streets of the owners house,
I have yet to drive it on the highway.

I have pulled a CAR FAX and everything looks fine.

I was wondering what a good price for this car is? He's asking 4,995
what should I look for when test driving it on the highway?

I know from reading that the wheel bearings and the tranny are issues,
I can usually hear a bad wheel bearing, but what should I look for in a
bad tranny?

I've mostly had Sporty cars (65 Mustang, Alfa Spider, 79 RX-7, Dodge Shadow Turbo, 85 RX-7 ETC..) in my life, and I don't want a box. I'm looking for something fun to drive, that is hopefully somewhat reliable

Should I get the car I will probably replace all of the fluids with Royal Purple Synthetics and replace the hoses and belts. I there anything
anyone would recommend I do to this car when I get it home?

I am soliciting any and all advice as to what to look for in evaluating the car and what Preventative measures to take should I buy it. I have to make a decision tomorrow, so I'd appreciate as much advice as possible tonight.

Thanks

Chuck E.

[It's Just Eric]

Asking price seems a bit high, but then again it is the most desired color as well as low mileage. Check out things like the valve cover gaskets, cam seals, ect.Also ask for matinence records if he has any, and adjust the price accordingly. you can probly get it for 6 or 700 bucks less easilly.
If the tranny is going bad youll know it as soon as you drive it. Itll either bind in turns or slip between gears (Flare) If youve taken it for a brief drive and it hasnt done anything bad, its probly fine
As part of preventitive matinence, anyone will tell you to get a transmission cooler and filter. The coolers can be bought at any self respecting auto parts store for the roundabouts of 50 dollars, and the filters (The internal transmission filter that is) can be bought ...somewhere or another for I think about 20 dollars.
Being you havent driven it on the highway yet, your in for quite a treat. The svx is just a joy to drive on highways and twisty back country roads, Im sure youll have fun with it. If you decide to go for it hopefully it gives you years of fun and service

[SVXRide]

yeah, what Eric said. Definitely check to see if the owner has records for any trans work done.
-Bill

[Motorsport-SVX]

usually at around 100k check and see if:
the rear wheel bearings are making noise or have been done.
radiator been replaced ?
and timing belt pkg ? at very least.
Also pull the pass side dipstick to the trans while
parked and check the front differential fluid.
After you drive the car if the trans feels normal, thats about the best you can do.
Even a good today trans can take a dump a month from now, there are no garauntees.
$4500 is a more realistic price if its been maintaned well with reciepts to back it up.

[SSSVX]

If you like the car and be happy with his/her best offer, you may just get it. A 95 blue, AWD with decent low miles is even rare. Take a test drive on the high speed, pay attention if there's any noises.....as you read. Do a search, there's actually some threads giving advices to people how to buy an SVX.

Good luck.
PS: your rotary engine died at 198K was the first motor? If yes, that's not
bad from a rotary. Quite some rotary engines die before 100K, and, usually
the H6 3.3 (the one you're thinking to buy) has better records...

[Wildstar]

OK, So Far I have:

Ask for Service records:
Pretty sure he's not going to have these, as
for most of it's life the car was owned by a guy in TN, and the current owner only has it because his son's girlfriend totaled his son's car, and her dad, rather than getting the boy a similar car, gave his son the SVX, to settle the debt. His son works for an office supply company and needed a bigger car to carry supplies to his accounts. So the car has just been sitting in his dad's garage for over 2 years

There is a notation in the CARFAX report where a service contract claim
was made at 66,045 miles on 1/08/2001, but it does not say what was
repaired.

Tranny:

Look for binding in turns or slip between gears
What would this feel like?

Check pass side dipstick to the trans while
parked and check the front differential fluid.

Do I need to be under the car to check the DIFF fluid?

Tomorrow, I an going to park it with one side up on the curb and crawl under the car and look for drips and rust and such.

I will also be driving it on the highway with my brother in the back listening for wheel bearing issues. and I have already
requested a local mechanic to give me a price to replace the timing belt.

I had not thought much about the radiator, is there a problem with them?

Was thinking about offering him 4500 anyway.

SSSVX, the 1985 RX-7 GSL did indeed have the original 12a engine
it seems to have blown a seal in the front rotor. I think I'm gonna
keep it and look for a 13b out of a newer car. The old RX is fun to
drive.

Does any one else have any more advice or suggestions reguarding my
possible SVX purchase?

Thanks

Chuck E.

[dcarrb]

I think that's a fair price for an SVX with 90,000 miles and a clean bill of health.

The stock radiator is prone to splitting along the front of bulge in the top tank; if it's busted, you'll know. Same with the rear wheel bearings. Mine sounded like a 55-gallon drum filled with marbles, rolling down a hill. Also, examine the crank pulley, start the car and see if it turns true. If you see rubber protruding from between the pieces or it apperas to wobble, you'll need another right away.

Binding in turns: Ever driven a 4WD vehicle on dry pavement with all wheels engaged? It feels as if it doesn't want to turn. Not a good sign with Subaru's AWD system. As to slipping between shifts, see if there's a delay in shiftinng, or it the engine RPMs "flare" during shifts. Bad things.

I've put over 30,000 miles on my SVX without extraordinary care and the only time she left me walking was when the battery tanked. That said, you're talking about a car that's 12 model years old, so count on having to open your wallet from time to time (if, for example, that radiator lets go soon). Hope it works out for you.

dcb

[Chiketkd]

Originally Posted by dcarrb

I think that's a fair price for an SVX with 90,000 miles and a clean bill of health.

+1 $4,995 is definitely a fair price for a Laguna Blue '95 SVX L with 90K miles. I was going to pay close to 6K for one with similar miles earlier this year. Besides, if the tranny goes south, you could have her back on the road and faster than ever with around $600-$800 in parts (4.44 Legacy trans and rear diff swap).

-Chike

[Suby Fan]

Originally Posted by Wildstar

Tranny:

Look for binding in turns or slip between gears
What would this feel like?

Check pass side dipstick to the trans while
parked and check the front differential fluid.

Do I need to be under the car to check the DIFF fluid?

binding in turns feels like you have a flat tire almost.... sliping while turning (i could only get the car to do this under harder turns) feels like you suddenly put it in Neutral

not the front... its a dip stick on the oposite side of the tranny dipstick on the "right side"

[Wildstar]

Do these AWD diff's use any special kind of diff oil?,
or will regular 90wt hypoid gear lube work?

What have any of you paid to have the timing belts replaced?

I am going to over to his house to make my final decision
in about an hour.

Thanks every one who helped with my questions. I'm
sure if I get the car I will have more. :-)

Chuck E.

[Chiketkd]

Originally Posted by Wildstar

Do these AWD diff's use any special kind of diff oil?,
or will regular 90wt hypoid gear lube work?

What have any of you paid to have the timing belts replaced?

I am going to over to his house to make my final decision
in about an hour.

Thanks every one who helped with my questions. I'm
sure if I get the car I will have more. :-)

Chuck E.

No special kinda of gear oil is needed per se. I used to use Valvoline Durablend 75w90 in my rear diff and a heavier weight gear oil in the front (something like Lucas 85w140?). Either way, I got everything from Advance Auto Parts or Napa.

[shotgunslade]

You might try driving it around a parking lot with the accelerator pedal only slightly depressed, and pay attention to the shifts. If the 2-3 shift, which will happen about 15-20 mph, at low part throttle, is really slow, and the engine surges a little bit in the middle of it, then the tranny is on that slippery slope.

[PDSides]

Take the five grand and put it down on a new Honda Civic Coupe. Monthly payments on the Honda will be offset by the money saved in gasoline and in general maintenance of the SVX. You will have a new car with a new car warranty, a sporty vehicle with great resale value, fun to drive and cheap to own. Of course, you, having endured a rotary engine, might want to think about a mid-60's British sports car. Seriously, the SVX isn't for everybody. When its right, there's nothing to compare. When its not, it can be a nightmare. (No poetry intended) Best wishes.
Preston