Interested in a SVX

#1 10-30-2001, 02:34 PM

I'm new to the SVX world. I have a friend (Green1995SVX) who owns one and I have driven it a few times. I really like the way they handle and I am definently thinking about getting one (preferably black). Is there anything that I should know other than the general problems they have that I have read about here. Also, is there a year of SVX that anyone would recommend to hold up better. Thanks alot for any help you can give me on making my decision.

Mr. Pockets · #2 10-30-2001, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SVX Novice
I'm new to the SVX world. I have a friend (Green1995SVX) who owns one and I have driven it a few times. I really like the way they handle and I am definently thinking about getting one (preferably black). Is there anything that I should know other than the general problems they have that I have read about here. Also, is there a year of SVX that anyone would recommend to hold up better. Thanks alot for any help you can give me on making my decision.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - you want the service history of the car documented. A well-maintained, babied SVX is going to serve you well. Even a thrashed SVX is easy to fall in love with (even feel sorry for), but passing one up in hopes of finding one owned by a responsible owner is well worth the wait. I speak from experience.

Good luck, and feel free to ask us any questions you might have.

Aredubjay · #3 10-30-2001, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SVX Novice
I'm new to the SVX world. I have a friend (Green1995SVX) who owns one and I have driven it a few times. I really like the way they handle and I am definently thinking about getting one (preferably black). Is there anything that I should know other than the general problems they have that I have read about here. Also, is there a year of SVX that anyone would recommend to hold up better. Thanks alot for any help you can give me on making my decision.

Scottie, was that you with Mike at Reading? Just wondering.

Get with Mike, he's been around here for a long time and has heard us all spouting off. I'm pretty sure he's learned what to look for by now. Make it a "buddy" project. They say don't go swimming without a buddy. I now feel the same way about an SVX. If you're going shopping, take a buddy who knows. There are also plenty of SVXers, who would probably be willing to go along if given the right amount of notice, and to help you check the thing out. The best insurance though, is to not only do the things that Nick suggested, but, to go ahead and pay a little cash for a full and knowledgeable inspection from a REAL Subaru tech. I believe you have a few favorable dealerships in your ares. Good luck.

Like Nick said, don't fall TOO in love -- you've definitely got to shop around. Of course, you have a good area to shop around in up there in PA and thereabouts. Unfortunately, my choices, when I bought mine, were very limited.

Ron Mummert · #4 10-30-2001, 10:25 PM

Firstly - Welcome, Scotty. I don't know wheather you're a starving artist, or if you just hit the state lottery, so let's say you're somewhere mid-range. Assuming you know all the common boo-boos associated with these cars...1. Forget the "best year". How much do want to spend? If tops is 10K, then try to find something for AT LEAST a grand less. Keep some reserve for the inevitable "minor" repair. This amount may put you in a totally cherry '92 or at least a very decent '93 or '94. 2. Look around in Autotrader or Yahoo Classifieds. Look nationwide. You'll find a huge price spread even within the same model years. Now that you generally know what you'll get for the money, shop within your driving range & be prepared to make an offer if something looks good. But, as others have said, try to get the car checked out by a competent mechanic, or at minimum, it should be state inspected. 3. If you "must" buy from a dealer (I won't), insist on a warranty. If a private owner, my preference, insist on service records. You can learn a lot about a car by who owns it. I'd rather spend my money on a '92 with 100K that has had recent repairs, assuming the repairs were done properly, than a '94 with 60K & no repair records. 4. Don't get hung up on color, or minor dings. These are bargaining chips with a private owner. Beware of a "must sell, need money for food". No offense to those in dire straits, but if the car was owned by someone who was always behind in the rent, guess who couldn't afford to change the oil.
Enough said. Good luck & take your time.
Ron.

EveryShadeofBlue · #5 10-31-2001, 08:54 AM

Welcome to the club Scottie! Good luck in your quest to find an SVX. Stick with Mike and he'll be sure to find you one that will last. Just don't buy his, he's had too many problems!

If you can afford the car and still go to college and have a roof over your head, go for it.

Jeff

1994SubaruSVX · #6 10-31-2001, 09:18 AM

do i mind spending money to keep this car running. because i dont care if the car was babied since coming of the showroom floor, it will break, trust me....it will break. i love this car, how it looks, how it drives, and the overall performance. but the day my yearly repair bills are higher than what it would cost me to pay for a new car is the day i sell my svx. right now i can honestly say that is not the case. again you will spend money on this car so you should be prepared for that.

wasions · #7 10-31-2001, 09:38 AM

I just don't get it.

116,000 miles, and I'm still waiting for a bad bearing, trannie, whatever. Even my CV boots are still good. I must have a lemon.

Steve

LarryIII · #8 10-31-2001, 10:20 AM

Scottie,

Welcome to the SVX family. Like the car, we too are a bit dysfunctional. My suggestion is to figure out how much money that you want to spend on the car. Subtract $3000- from that amount as a "just in case" or "Oh Sh*t" fund. Then go looking around for the latest model year, best one, that you can buy for the remainder.

For example:
There is a black '97 in upstate NY for sale @ $18,000. So you really need $21,000- to buy it.

Don't forget $ for taxes & licensing.

Good Luck.

Larry III

#9 10-31-2001, 10:48 AM

uhhh THANKS JEFF! Now i'll NEVER be able to unload mine!!! J/K

-Mike

EveryShadeofBlue · #10 10-31-2001, 10:59 AM

Mike! "Unload" is a HARSH term to use about the SVX. You don't unload an SVX, you "regretfully sell it"

Jeff

Ron Mummert · #11 10-31-2001, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by wasions
I just don't get it.

116,000 miles, and I'm still waiting for a bad bearing, trannie, whatever. Even my CV boots are still good. I must have a lemon.

Steve

Steve - Out of curiosity, is your car garaged, & are you the original owner? Do you treat it like the Touring Car that it is, or do you play hot rod with it?
Ron.

wasions · #12 10-31-2001, 12:41 PM

Garage? I wish!

The car had just over 3,000 miles on it when we got it (new) from the dealer. One of the salespersons had driven it for awhile, and apparently didn't like it, so she parked it in the back. (They claimed that they'd lost it on the lot.

) It's been my wife's daily driver ever since. The first year we had it, she drove it about a mile to work, and then a mile home each day. She changed jobs though, about three years ago, and has been driving 42 miles each way, 5-6 days a week. (She's so lucky! ) It's also been our vacation/road trip car. (Of course!)

It's had regular oil changes at 5,000 mile intervals (gasp) and usually gets recommended scheduled maintenance about 1,000 to 5,000 miles late.

Having a history of TSD club rallying and autocrossing (though not in this car), I can't say that it's been particularly babied (we love twisty roads!), but then again we'd like to keep it forever, and that alone tends to lighten pressure on the fun pedal sometimes. And I do watch tire pressures/fluid levels and stuff like that pretty closely.

We've been discussing another car in order to give the SVX a rest, but neither of us is sure she'd be happy driving whatever (lesser) alternative we'd be stuck with.

Steve

svxter · #13 10-31-2001, 12:50 PM

Scottie

I would like to second a point made by Larry III - if at all possible, buy the latest model year car you can. You will probably pay more, buy you'll get the advantage of having the "tweaks" that were applied to improve the car's reliability. You'll probably also get a lower mileage vehicle.

Ron Mummert · #14 10-31-2001, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wasions
Garage? I wish!

The car had just over 3,000 miles on it when we got it (new) from the dealer. One of the salespersons had driven it for awhile, and apparently didn't like it, so she parked it in the back. (They claimed that they'd lost it on the lot. ) It's been my wife's daily driver ever since. The first year we had it, she drove it about a mile to work, and then a mile home each day. She changed jobs though, about three years ago, and has been driving 42 miles each way, 5-6 days a week. (She's so lucky! ) It's also been our vacation/road trip car. (Of course!)

It's had regular oil changes at 5,000 mile intervals (gasp) and usually gets recommended scheduled maintenance about 1,000 to 5,000 miles late.

Having a history of TSD club rallying and autocrossing (though not in this car), I can't say that it's been particularly babied (we love twisty roads!), but then again we'd like to keep it forever, and that alone tends to lighten pressure on the fun pedal sometimes. And I do watch tire pressures/fluid levels and stuff like that pretty closely.

We've been discussing another car in order to give the SVX a rest, but neither of us is sure she'd be happy driving whatever (lesser) alternative we'd be stuck with.

Steve

Thanks for the history, Steve. I consider twisty roads part of "touring". It must be the lady driver. Continued good luck with her & "her". Ron.