To new or prospective SVX owners

[dcarrb]

Here I offer the maintenance and repair records on my silver SVX. I paid $1800 for this car in August of 2006, with an odometer reading of 154,273 miles. I've logged 19,500+ miles in local routine driving and occasional 250 mile road trips. Valve cover gaskets and front seals (and hopefully the timing belt) had apparently been replaced by a previous owner. Safe bet that a PO also took the hit for a radiator and rear wheel bearings. It's bone stock, tight, ultra-quiet (excepting occasional chatter from a heat shield at speed), rust-free, and strong. It exhibits less-than-artful collision repair to the nose, needs paint and a host of minor things such as dash bulbs and sun visors. All-in-all, it's probably a fairly typical example, thus this list may be of interest to those with, or considering, a car of similar age/mileage:

69,780 mi. transmission replaced (receipt came with the car)
154,301 mi. battery replaced
154,320 mi. air filter replaced
154,375 mi. oil and filter changed
power steering fluid changed
rear wiper blade replaced
154,445 mi. four-wheel alignment
tires balanced and rotated
154,456 mi. radio antenna assembly replaced (used)
154,472 mi. transmission fluid and filter changed
differential lube changed (both)
154,500 mi. rear wiper motor assembly replaced (used)
154,665 mi. front wiper blades replaced
154,739 mi. fog lamp bulb (right side) replaced
156,924 mi. oil and filter changed
PCV valve replaced
front wheel bearings (both) replaced
front ABS tone wheels (both) replaced
right-front ABS sensor replaced
power steering high-pressure hose replaced
157,228 mi. window master switch replaced
158,718 mi. throttle position sensor replaced
159,600 mi. ignition switch replaced
tires (4 Cooper CS4 Touring, V-rated)
160,000 mi. oil and filter changed
steering rack replaced
AC compressor/receiver replaced (R-134a)
power steering return hose replaced
162,773 mi. front sway bar bushings replaced
oil and filter changed
170,732 mi. hood support struts replaced
170,750 mi. right-front brake hose replaced
oil and filter changed
transmission fluid and filter changed
tires balanced and rotated
170,767 mi. alternator and drive belt replaced
173,100 mi. right low-beam headlight bulb replaced
173,770 mi. rear strut mounts and spring seats replaced

Bold-type items were goners; other stuff was PM/wishful thinking. I have a shift lock control unit, trunk struts, and breather hoses in the garage, waiting to be installed on some warm Saturday. Add a starter relay to the to-do list. It bothers me not knowing the age of the timing belt and I'll probably tend that in the coming year. In short, there's always something as a matter of routine. Candidly, I'm crazy about this car but lack the resources and motivation to treat it as it truly deserves. You should budget accordingly.

dcb

[Mike621]

Thanks for the detailed synopsis. After nearly 5 years of ownership, I've contemplating listing out the same, but have yet to do so. SVX ownership can prove to be expensive.

[RojoRocket]

I'm frankly afraid to list everything. The wife might find it!!

Glenn

[Seraph]

Owning a SVX is like owning a boat. Your happiest days are the days you bought the SVX and the day you sell the SVX.

[shelfy]

yikes! i've done very little to the ebony svx in 33 months / 61k miles of ownership, but the things i have done have been major.

[LetItSnow]

It's awful that the SVX can be picked up for a fraction of its upkeep cost. These cars are going to die away as they are bought by people who aren't aware that they're probably going to pay the difference to maybe $7k-10k to keep it from becoming (or remaining) rolling (or not!) junk, and don't follow through with that expense.

It's not an $1800 car in the conventional sense!

[dcarrb]

Understand, I don't think this is a bad record for an eighteen year old, eighteen hundred dollar car. It's a real-world example. Folks should be mindful that it takes money, constant care, and more money to keep ANY old car rolling.

The more I spend on these things, the longer I figure they've got to stick around and earn their keep.

dcb

[Mike621]

1992 Claret SVX
Purchased August 2005: 149.xxx Mi
http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/show...claret+vermont
Replaced MAF with Used Unit
Installed New Wipers (Bosch Triple Edge)
New Exhaust System (Magnaflow/installed by SubaFreak) 151k~
Replaced Front Pads.
Replace Battery
Replace Alternator
Replaced LR Wheel Bearing
Installed Poly Front Sway Bushings
Replaced RF Caliper 160k~
Installed '04 WRX Radio
Replaced Radiator
Replaced Front Speakers with MB Quart Discus
Replaced Rear Speakers with Kicker
Replaced Entire Exhaust with Stock System 168k
Replaced Rear Subframe and Differential Used (Donor)
Replaced All 4 Struts (Donor Car)
Replaced All 4 Hubs (Donor Car)
(Donor Car was a 51k Mile 97 LSi that was wrecked in the front end.)
Replaced Front Rotors and Pads 162k
Replace Battery
Complete Repaint. Winter 2007
Alcyone Emblem
HIDs
Replaced Wiper with Bosch Icons (170k)
Replaced door edge trims, cladding retainers Spring 2007
Replaced Both Bumper Covers
Swapped Interiors Entirely Spring 2007
(Car was driven seldom for the next two years, and parked most of the time)
Rebuilt Engine 171k (March 2009)
Rebuilt Alternator
Replaced Transmission 171k (March 2009)
Installed Mazda RX8 Wheels with Toyo Proxes 4 171k (March 2009)
Replaced Power Steering Pump
Replaced Steering Rack
Purchased Prodrive Wheels for Summer
Replaced Radio with Pioneer Unit (180k)
Replaced Front Differential (180k)

185,000: Removed Engine (lost compression), Transmission(Diff Failed Again), Rear Differential, etc

In progress:
Replacing Fuel Lines Above Tank,
Install Rebuilt Shortblock,
Swap to 5 speed
Replace Rear Brakes
Replace PS Pump
Reinstall A/C and Charge
Install Bullet CB Exhaust

[dcarrb]

Forgot the speakers: I replaced the blown, factory-original door speakers with some aftermarket units I found on eBay. Twenty bucks, shipped? Still using the stock CD/radio.

On the other SVX I went mod-wild and installed a cheap transmission cooler.

dcb

[Sov13t]

That's nice... if I kept a record on my car... I would /wrists just by looking at it.

[dcarrb]

Awhile back I totaled all my SVX expenses excepting gas and insurance. Purchase price—everything—divided by months of ownership. Figured maybe I'd do better with a new car payment. Not there yet.

dcb

[Crazy_pilot]

Oh god...

Date.............Kilometers...........Work Done/Purchase Made
08-May-07.......175744.............Brought her home.
10-May-07.......175853.................Safety Inspection
09-Jun-07.................................PWR Rad purchased
15-Jun-07........176000..................Exhaust repaired
15-Jun-07........176000..........Rear pads and rotors, front pads
05-Jul-07....................................JDM Hood Badge
13-Jul-07.........176044.................Safety Inspection
13-Aug-07........................................Insured
14-Aug-07.....................................6000K HID kit
15-Aug-07........176140.................Emmissions Test
15-Aug-07........176140.....................Registered
16-Aug-07........176300.....................Oil Change
25-Aug-07........176500..................Installed HID kit
06-Oct-07.........................JDM Clear Corners downpayment
19-Oct-07................................Rear bearings and bolts
03-Nov-07.................................15/15 Mod, 20/20 Mod
05-Nov-07.................................Winter Tires Purchased
07-Nov-07...........................JDM Clear Corners Final Payment
08-Nov-07...........................Rear lateral link arm, alignment bolt, '05 Outback endlink
10-Nov-07............................Group A Crank and Alt pulley
25-Nov-07........178900...........Left rear wheel bearing replaced
04-Dec-07........179000.............Reman alternator installed
04-Dec-07........179000 ................New alt belt installed
21-Dec-07........179935 .................Snow tires installed
10-Jan-08..................................16 quarts Amsoil 5w30
12-Jan-08.........181002.......................Oil change
21-Jan-08.........181450...............$15/15 min mod installed
21-Jan-08.........181475........Optima Red Top battery bought and installed
28-Jan-08.........181800.............Left front ball joint replaced
08-Feb-08......................................Gold Sti BBS rims
24-Mar-08........185000............Right Rear wheel bearing replaced
13-Apr-08........186112..........Oil Change, front/rear diff oil changed
13-Apr-08........186112..................Summer tires installed
16-Apr-08........186300........................Alignement
25-May-08.......191000........................Oil Change
10-Aug-08........194110 .........Oil change, reseal valve covers, cams, crank, timing belt, spark plugs, install PWR rad, coolant flush, new upper rad hose
25-Aug-08....................................Oil Pan purchased
26-Aug-08........194350 ...................Oil Pan Replaced
10-Sep-08........196592 ............Right Front Ball Joint replaced
02-Oct-08........197250................ECU Bead Crush mod
07-Oct-08........197440...............Winter Tires Installed
20-Nov-08........198000 ...........Corrosion Free undercoating
11-Apr-09.........203000...............Summer tires installed
30-Apr-09.........203503.......................Oil change
04-Jun-09.........205345.............Coolant flush and new t-stat
23-Jul-09.............................Inner/Outer tie rods purchased
25-Jul-09..........207500............New water pump installed
07-Aug-09........208000 ........New Cat-Back exhaust fabricated
28-Aug-09........208385 ........Tie Rods replaced, alignment done
04-Sep-09........208685 ...................Emmissions Test
04-Sep-09........208685 ................Renewed License Plate
14-Sep-09........210550 ..............Replaced PCV Valve
06-Dec-09........213175 ..............Winter Tires Installed


That is missing a few things, including the doors I put on the car 1.5 years ago.

Total spent on the car by my speadsheet: $10,795. This does not include gas or insurance, or the random crap like cleaning stuff and fluid top-ups. $4000 was the purchase price for my SVX, so I've sunk almost $7K into it since then.

Important note: Very few things on my car have "broken". The alternator, rear bearings, brakes, water pump and exhaust are the only things that have ever broken and needed to be replaced. Those represent $1200 at most. Everything else has been preventative maintenance, or just done because I thought it should be.

I would disagree with Seraph. I love my SVX every day I drive it. It has never let me down. I take it on a 1000 mile trip to school and back every year. There is no other car I would rather be driving. (well, I would love an EJ22 swapped Brat to pound through the winter to keep the SVX clean, but you know what I mean.)

[K_Dub]

Originally Posted by dcarrb

Awhile back I totaled all my SVX expenses excepting gas and insurance. Purchase price—everything—divided by months of ownership. Figured maybe I'd do better with a new car payment. Not there yet.

dcb

A while back I looked at the lease payments for the new Legacy GT (closest comparable car). $550 a month to drive Subaru's flagship model. If you spend $6600/year on an SVX it'll be all new in no time. I use that logic to justify my expenses to my girlfriend and it makes this car seem pretty thrifty.

The asking price for my car was $6500 and I talked them down to $3200 based on the repairs I said were needed to make it "like new" and I still overpaid. I've now spent about half that sum over a year to repair/upgrade my car and it's getting close to where she needs to be. It's still cheap, it just depends on your perspective.

My car's sneaking up on 200k miles quickly, but I figure a trans replacement/upgrade is on the horizon, and an engine rebuild may be in the cards as well. Once that's all done, I can justify the bodywork she needs and I can't imagine anything that'd send this car to retirement. Treated right these cars will last forever, and do it for less money than the modern equivalent (as if there is such a thing). You've just got to keep up with your "payments".

[Wikedjuggalo]

Originally Posted by K_Dub

A while back I looked at the lease payments for the new Legacy GT (closest comparable car). $550 a month to drive Subaru's flagship model. If you spend $6600/year on an SVX it'll be all new in no time. I use that logic to justify my expenses to my girlfriend and it makes this car seem pretty thrifty.

The asking price for my car was $6500 and I talked them down to $3200 based on the repairs I said were needed to make it "like new" and I still overpaid. I've now spent about half that sum over a year to repair/upgrade my car and it's getting close to where she needs to be. It's still cheap, it just depends on your perspective.

My car's sneaking up on 200k miles quickly, but I figure a trans replacement/upgrade is on the horizon, and an engine rebuild may be in the cards as well. Once that's all done, I can justify the bodywork she needs and I can't imagine anything that'd send this car to retirement. Treated right these cars will last forever, and do it for less money than the modern equivalent (as if there is such a thing). You've just got to keep up with your "payments".

Even with my repairs the overall cost of owning a new vehicle is greater then the svx ever could be.

[Bohler]

Originally Posted by dcarrb

I paid $1800 for this car in August of 2006, with an odometer reading of 154,273 miles.

I paid $3500 for mine in Sep 07 with 160000miles on it. Makes me feel like I might have overpaid.
Since then I have spent well over that price in just mechanical repairs: replaced the sparkplugs(Guy who had it before me only replaced the passenger side and he used the wrong kind), right rear brake caliper and rotor(due to caliper seizing up), Transmission(due to shearing front diff and nonworking AWD), MAF(due to stalling), timing belt(due to breaking), idlers and water pump(preventitive), Camshaft and sprocket(due to broken timing belt), coil packs(one was going bad replaced them all),driveshaft(broken front u-joint),front axles(due to vibration).
Car now has over 200,000miles on it and it runs great, but it is sad knowing that the value of my car doubles when I put my bicycle on the roof rack!