Few Questions about SVX's before I buy

#1 09-06-2005, 08:42 PM

Hello,
In getting a car (1991 Volvo 240 w/ 210k) for my sister from a guy, I saw that he also had an SVX (Long story, I can explain later if you'd like) for sale. It's a 1992 SVX with Touring Package, which I verified by looking at the VIN for the X35. He says it is completely optioned, visible by the spoiler and CD player. I just have to verify that it has an engine block heater (Not important to me, just curious). It was a Virginia car, meaning NO RUST, which is important to me living in NY. Here's all the info I have-

1992 Subaru SVX
100,000 miles
Touring Package
BLACK!!!
New set of wheels
New exhaust
New wheel bearings
Brakes turned down
$5400

I'm no n00b to home car repair, but I'm no mechanic either. I do brakes, minor cosmetic repair, and I would like to start doing my own oil changes.

I guess what I'm really asking is, Is this a car which will last me for the rest of college and some time there after? What should I check/look out for/be wary of? I've got 4 years left to go, and I probably drive about 10,000 miles per year. I've become religious with oil changes. This will be MY first car, as my current one is owned by my parents. I love the car not only for the fact of how it drives, but also due to the fact that I have seen 2 in my entire lifetime.

P.S. Did I mention it's

Black

?

Landshark · #2 09-06-2005, 09:46 PM

i don't want to be a downer, but a 100k mile SVX probably isn't the best choice as a first car for a college student with 4 years of school left.

it could possibly run reliably for you and not give you any trouble, or it could REALLY bite you in the arse. are you a gambler?

my advice: save your loot ( if you can use your parents car - continue using it), finish school, get a job, and then get yourself something nice.

n00b on demand · #3 09-06-2005, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Landshark

i don't want to be a downer, but a 100k mile SVX probably isn't the best choice as a first car for a college student with 4 years of school left.

it could possibly run reliably for you and not give you any trouble, or it could REALLY bite you in the arse. are you a gambler?

my advice: save your loot ( if you can use your parents car - continue using it), finish school, get a job, and then get yourself something nice.

Yeah that sums it up best. Not a great car for a first car. Some of us get lucky...but sometimes the car ****s on you and your going to be in a huge financial hole. Get a legacy or an impreza as your first car. Great reliability and AWD..not to mention fun beaters

ensteele · #4 09-06-2005, 10:51 PM

If you want to see what to look at on the car, click on this link. This is in the How-To Documents and will give you some pointers on SVXes. The heater was not a standard option. It could be installed, but I would doubt that it has it. The spoiler was also an option, even on the touring package. I would have to agree with the above comments, and suggest that you be cautious when looking at this car as something that will last with low maintenance. Some are good, and others are nothing but trouble. Good luck on you decision. If you have any more questions, be sure to ask. We will try to answer them, even though we will be honest and the answers may not be the ones you are looking for.

NikFu S. · #5 09-06-2005, 10:59 PM

My car came with the LS-L block heater.

If you want to know whether it's there or not, just look under the driver's side valve cover for an outlet. If something is plugged in, that's a block heater.

#6 09-07-2005, 11:07 PM

Well,
The more and more I think about it, the more and more I want the SVX. One of the main reasons I don't think of this as much of a gamble is because of the person I'm buying it from. Here's the long story, it may help you understand my trust.

We bought the Volvo from him a few weeks ago. We looked at it once, and shook on it that day. Brought it home, and everything worked great. But after a while, the oil started to leak, AC was not cold at all, and a few other problems which I can't recall of hand. Either way, the car went back to him, and he fixed it no charge, but upon driving it home after that, more problems ensued. We brought it back that day, which brought me to the point I am today now contemplating owning my own car. We picked the volvo back up yesterday, when I verified the fact that it was a touring package SVX.

Now I'm not expecting to have free repairs from this guy for the life of the car. Nor am I expecting to have no problems whatsoever. What I am expecting is that there will be no major failures (transmission, something largely wrong with the engine, etc). Thanks ensteele for the things to look for. I'm definately gonna do most if not all of them. I'll do the Carfax so I can get it on my car again to help sell it. The next time I see/speak to him, I'm gonna ask him these questions-
1.Do you think the car will last me through college
2.Would you give it to your daughter
3.Engine block heater?
4.Can I take it to a mechanic
5.Can I get it washed (It was sitting under a tree, and got a little dusty)

Are any of my questions not needed, or are there any I should add? I sat in the car yesterday again, and I need to look over everything once more.

Again, thanks for your help.

-Brooks