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  #1  
Old 08-19-2003, 10:40 PM
Monkey Magic
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Question What should I check when buying a SVX?

I am considering buying a SVX I have seen locally, and I was wondering if some of the experts can help me out.

The windsheild says it's a 91, but from what I understand 92 was the first year, so it must be a mistake. The car is silver with a black top, has 60,000 miles, seems fairly clean, and they are asking $4000. I go back tomarrow to test drive it and ask more questions, no one was at the lot today when I went there.

What should I check, and what questions should I ask? These cars are totally alien to me. I really love the idea of a flat six and AWD, but I don't want a money pit. I need it to be able to take 15k+ miles per year and stay fairly reliable. And since I live in Florida, reliable A/C is a must.

Any help would be tremendously appreciated.
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  #2  
Old 08-20-2003, 07:48 AM
solarsvx solarsvx is offline
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hi monkey,, 92s are the 1st years. i have the same exact car. with 60,000 miles that really low, look for oil leaks around the valve covers, wheel bearing u will hear a loud huming sound from the rear of the car if they do. and make shure the tranny shifts nicely.

ps let me know if u are ever in orlando here
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Old 08-20-2003, 09:24 AM
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ensteele ensteele is offline
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First - welcome to the site. This is where you should be able to get about any information that you are looking for.

Now about the car. The first SVXes were manufactured in 91, but came out in 92, so were all sold as 92s. That is not a problem, because about half of the 92 were built then.

That is a good price on the car if it is in good shape. I would look at the car in general. Is the paint good, interior good, general shape? Does the car have any maintenance records, or is there any history about the car. Look at the engine - are there any oil leaks, around the valve covers, or power steering tank. Is the engine clean or dirty. Generally how does it look. Check the dipsticks. How does the oil look? The transmission oil dipstick is towards the back and has a yellow handle. Check it and smell the oil. Does it smell burnt, or like it should. Is the color good, or very dark?

When you test drive, listen to the noises. Does it have a rumble or whine in the rear of the car, that might be wheel bearings. Listen to how the car shifts. Does it hesitate in any of the gears? Are the shifts crisp and sharp? How does the engine sound. I would check the windows and make sure they work, radio, CD, AC etc to make sure they all work. Check to see if the cruse control works. Wipers front and back, etc. When you break, does it stop without feeling like the rotors are warped?

The major problem areas to worry about is the transmission, wheel bearings, and brakes. Those are the most common problems. The other thing that you don't want is a car that has not been maintained, or abused.

Good luck with the car. Let us know how it comes out, and again, welcome to the site.
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[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

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  #4  
Old 08-20-2003, 10:01 AM
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Seraph Seraph is offline
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Re: What should I check when buying a SVX?

Quote:
Originally posted by Monkey Magic
The windsheild says it's a 91, but from what I understand 92 was the first year, so it must be a mistake. The car is silver with a black top, has 60,000 miles, seems fairly clean, and they are asking $4000.

I currently don't have a job but... If you don't take that SVX, I will. 4000 for 60k silver is very good (although it's a 92). The only thing that I would watch out for is the tranny on the beast. Most tranny seem to fail at around 75k area.

Have someone here that own the SVX have a look for you as well.

L
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Previous SVXes: •1994 LE Barcelona Red 107k • 1992 LS-L Pearl White 143k • 1994 LSi Bordeaux Pearl 220k • 1992 LS-L Ebony Pearl 184k • 1992 LS-L Liquid Silver 145k • 1992 LS-L Liquid Silver 102k • 1992 LS-L Ebony Pearl 123k
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  #5  
Old 08-20-2003, 12:58 PM
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Re: Re: What should I check when buying a SVX?

Quote:
Originally posted by Seraph
If you don't take that SVX, I will (although it's a 92).
What da ya got against the 92's? I mean after all you can always put a '97 grille on it!.....LOL
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  #6  
Old 08-20-2003, 01:53 PM
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Noir Noir is offline
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re: i have a 92 with a grill

i have a 92 with a grill. well monkey, i have bad news for you....that's going to be a money pit. no way out of it, it's just a matter of time. if you slowly keep an eye out for things 'starting' to go wrong and fix them, then you are ahead of the game and won't get caught with a surprise. just letting you know. i think most of us have dumped more money into the car than it's worth for 92's but hell it's worth it . if you end up not buying it let me know about the condition. i'm looking for another , guess i'm looking for lots of pain and i think i'm running out of room here for cars but i love those svx's

good luck
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