new to svx's

[Davestone]

So I have been thinking about getting an svx from a local dealer and I just had some questions for you guys.

1) Whats the deal with the steering wheel? Is it supposed to only lock in the down position?

2)It is a 95 Lsi black with 66,xxx miles for about 8k. Is that a good deal? The car is in pretty good shape no major dings or scratches, only one previous owner. It also comes with a year warranty on the engine and trans.

All info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
David

[bugs]

1. Lever underneath steering wheel allows you to adjust the steering wheel up and down. You reach under the steering wheel, pull back on the lever and while pulling the lever towards you move the steering wheel until it's where you want it, then release the lever. It should lock in place. This car also came with telescoping steering wheel. That adjustment is on the left side of the steering wheel and is a level that you push down to unlock the wheel.

2. I don't know. Cars are worth whatever you're willing to pay for them.

Eric

[ensteele]

Originally Posted by Davestone

So I have been thinking about getting an svx from a local dealer and I just had some questions for you guys.

1) Whats the deal with the steering wheel? Is it supposed to only lock in the down position?

2)It is a 95 Lsi black with 66,xxx miles for about 8k. Is that a good deal? The car is in pretty good shape no major dings or scratches, only one previous owner. It also comes with a year warranty on the engine and trans.

All info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
David

The last member got the right info on the steering wheel. There are many options that people miss and have problems with until they learn about them.

As far as price, if the car is as good as you say it is, that price would be pretty close to what I would expect. I saw a 94 with 68K go for $7,700 and another 94 with 50K go for $8,900. I know of a 95 with 63K that was sold for $7,800. All of these were good clean SVXs. I would say that you get what you pay for. If you get one like that, you should have a nice one that will last for many years. Good luck.

There is a document that tells you what to look for when buying used SVXs in the How-To Documents. It is located in this folder.

[Wikedjuggalo]

Well 66k miles isnt bad, check for transmission problems, and make sure you check for rust etc. I heard of someone almost getting an SVX really cheap because the dealership didn't know that the steering wheel move down by a second leaver and convinced them the whole column needed to be replace, but don't try that. I think 8k I reasonable considering KBB is at about 8.5k. Specially if there is a warranty on the transmission and motor.

[porschekiller]

whatever car you get converting to a manual will do wonders for the balance and efficiency of the car. see tomssvx for more info. he just finished mine. 66k miles on an svx is like twice that on most cars. these engines are so reliable and efficient they'r used in avaiation. the auto is the handicap. for $10k i could sell you my car i havent even picked up with a heavy duty 5sp from Japan and alot of new stuff and custom parts for 7,400 rpm shifts and GT3 sounds. this is a car that would outclass a new Z4, Cayman, or TT.

[Davestone]

Thanks for all the info guys. As of now i'm leaning towards getting it, but i still need to get a second opinion on my current car.

David

[Myxalplyx]

(Scary Theme Music) Be weary of the wheel bearings and any transmission related problems. (/Scary Theme Music off)

Other than that, check the blue book value of it. If the worth is totally based on you, purchase it for what you think it is worth (like was said earlier in this thread).

[crazyhorse]

SVXi are REALLY great cars. They DO have thier weaknesses though. Once you learn how to overcome those, the SVX can't be beat for a comfy, fast daily driver.

With these cars reaching 10-15 years of age, thier values are really variable. What it's worth, is really a matter of what you're willing/able to pay.

[Hondasucks]

I noticed you are in Corvallis, bring it to John and Phil's and have them do a Courtesy Inspection on it... I work there, we have a very knowledgeable service department! What dealership is it at? I can't believe there is an SVX in town that I haven't seen lol...

With only 80k, I would do a transmission flush and filter, and add an external tranny cooler, since the main enemy of the 4EAT is heat, altbough the 94+ transmissions are not as prone to failure as the older ones (I have a 2004 rebuilt unit in my SVX)

[Davestone]

The car is at a dealership down in Eugene so i think driving it up here might be a little hard. I have a guy in Eugene that I'm going to take it to. I appreciate the suggestion though.

[Hondasucks]

Just don't take it to Gary Swindler @ Subaroo Specialties, I've heard from several sources that he's a crook and does sub-par work (but I've never had any personal experience with him so I can't speak from personal experience)

As for the car, as long as it drives okay and shifts okay, it should be fine, and if it doesn't you can always low-ball 'em and I have a good transmission guts that could be put in it (Needs a front pump and torque converter), and Patrick (nextse7en) has a good tranny that needs a front differential (Could be swapped from the transmission that's already in the one you're looking at)

Don't be too worried though, with that low of milege, and being a newer one, your transmission is probably fine, and at the most in need of fresh fluid... Welcome to the board!

[SVX_MY_BABY]

Originally Posted by Davestone

1) Whats the deal with the steering wheel? Is it supposed to only lock in the down position?

David

Don't know if the last reply was quite clear enough. There is a lever on the left of the column which just lets the wheel pop up out of the way for ease of entry & exit. The other lever is under the column almost under the dash. It's the one that adjusts the tilt and telescopics.

[ensteele]

Originally Posted by Hondasucks

With only 80k, I would do a transmission flush and filter, and add an external tranny cooler, since the main enemy of the 4EAT is heat, altbough the 94+ transmissions are not as prone to failure as the older ones

I would give this careful thought. Many transmissions have failed right after a flush. A fluid change would be better. There are many threads on this and I would do a search to find out the information. The internal filter change would be a good thing though. At least you know how it is then. Like you said before, the later transmissions are not as quick to fail. An external filter and cooler would also be a very good investment.

[Hondasucks]

oh wow the post box is still broken...

I flushed mine due to the pump locking up in the original tranny, and I just wanted to make sure there weren't any chunks of gunk floating around in the system... I can get part #s for the internal filter/strainer as well as for the pan gasket + the external inline tranny filter, I don't know if the later ones have them or not, but mine does, looks kinda like a fuel filter, but it's under the battery tray, bolted to the frame rail. There is a pretty good external spin-on filter kit that I've seen mentioned on here but I can't remember the name of it off the top of my head.

[ensteele]

PermaCool.