raskol Posted July 27, 2005 Share Posted July 27, 2005 Hi, New here and not a car expert by any means so please excuse any newbie mistakes. Anyway, I have a hand-me-down 1994 SVX w/ 130,000 miles on it, and I totally love it. An incredibly reliable ride. I took it to the dealership recently to have something minor done and they found another $2,000+ worth of repairs I need to have done. I'm wondering whether much of this work could be done elsewhere for less, or am I stuck w/ the dealership due to the problems of getting parts. Here's what they said needs done (as I remember it) and the costs: - Front right stabilizer rod (or something like that) - not gone yet but close: $116 - Rotors (rusted) and pads for all 4 wheels: $600 - Y pipe (part of the exhaust sytem; rusting out): $1,280 - Leaking oil pan: $280 I love the car and would spend the dough in an instant . . . if I had it. As it is, I can swing the stabilizer rod, but not much else for awhile. Any of this doable by a decent mechanic for less? Thoughts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted July 27, 2005 Share Posted July 27, 2005 Welcome to the forum. Lots of good friendly advice here. I don't think you would have any problem with the listed repairs though the exhaust system may require some special tools if the piping has to be made. You could let a shop that specializes in those repairs look things over and see what they will quote on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtsmiths Posted July 27, 2005 Share Posted July 27, 2005 "Rusted rotors'? Someone has a boat payment due. All rotors rust. Hit the brakes a few times and it's gone, at least where it counts. I suume it stops OK and doesn't make any gawdawful noises? Anyone can do exhausts and tie rod ends and such. Avoid Stealerships, find a good indy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuBrat84 Posted July 27, 2005 Share Posted July 27, 2005 Here's what they said needs done (as I remember it) and the costs: - Front right stabilizer rod (or something like that) - not gone yet but close: $116 - Rotors (rusted) and pads for all 4 wheels: $600 - Y pipe (part of the exhaust sytem; rusting out): $1,280 - Leaking oil pan: $280 - Front right stabilizer rod (or something like that) - not gone yet but close: $116 - Probably not a bad idea to have something like that done at a stealership as long as they offer a good warranty on their work. - Rotors (rusted) and pads for all 4 wheels: $600 - If your rotors are warped because they are rusted then you should do it. Stealership SOLD me a 98 Legacy with rusty rotos.. said it's fine. If you do your rotors.. find a good trustworthy brake shop or DIY it's a pretty easy repair if you got a little patience and a repair manual. Probably half that 600 is labor. - Y pipe (part of the exhaust sytem; rusting out): $1,280 - WHAAAAT???? NO WAY. Find a good "Owner Operated" exhaust shop.. He can probably build you one with a brand new catalytic converter for like $200-$300.. unless that SVX takes a special something.. but I doubt it. If your cat is okay and you just need some pipes cut and new ones fit in and welded properly.. it'd be even cheaper. Anyone know how much the SVX "Y w/ cat" costs? - Leaking oil pan: $280 - I would imagine this is $85/hour labor because they probably are required to pull the motor to change the oil pan gasket. Are you losing more than a quart between oil changes? If no, don't worry about it. IF yes, you should probably get it done.. I haven't wrenched on an SVX ... YET... but it IS a subaru.. so MOST of my info should be correct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raskol Posted July 27, 2005 Author Share Posted July 27, 2005 Thanks for all the advice! Just to attempt to give a little more info . . . - Rotors: I was at work when they looked at it, but they showed it (on the lift)to my girlfriend. They said something about rust and a gap between the rotors and pads. I dunno. I'm an automotive idiot. Yeah, everyone has rusty rotors in New England, but maybe they're warped too. I'll take it to a brake shop. - Oil pan: Like the rotors, they do rust out here because of all the winter salting. Plus, the SVX rides very low to the ground. Still, I almost never need oil but I do have it changed fairly regularly. I'll probably ignore it for now. - Y pipe: The problem is where it attatches to the "cat." I think the cat. converter is fine, it's just the pipe I guess. Sounds like a job for an exhaust specialist. Good to know that it doesn't all have to be done at the dealership. They charge ~$50 an hour labor, and if takes 5 seconds to fix something, well, that's a "subaru" hour. Parts for the SVX are really expensive. I needed a new sun visor for the driver's side: $150 for the part. Plus, I guess this was a dealer's car and it has an engine it made by Alfa Romeo (so I was told . . .). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtsmiths Posted July 27, 2005 Share Posted July 27, 2005 Plus, I guess this was a dealer's car and it has an engine it made by Alfa Romeo (so I was told . . .). WHAAAAAT? Run as fast and as far from this dealership as you can. Don't even go back for an oil change. That is THE most bogus thing I ever heard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomcat00 Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 Thanks for all the advice! Just to attempt to give a little more info . . . Parts for the SVX are really expensive. I needed a new sun visor for the driver's side: $150 for the part. Look for interior parts at a salvage yard; it's not uncommon to find a wrecked car with plenty to pick over, and if it is a u-pull-it type of place, the prices are often a deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted August 2, 2005 Share Posted August 2, 2005 RUN LIKE HELL!!! I agree that the brakes are easy to do and you should give it a shot at doing it yourself. Just remeber to take apart one wheel at a time on the same axle so you have a refernce (where did this part come from....) its really easy. I never heard of an oil pan rotting out, but i guess its possible. If its not leaking, dont worry about it. The Y pipe, wowzers! Search around on the net, im sure you will do much better. Front stabalizer bar?!?! hehe the alfa engine ... go back and laugh in his face ! Get a second opinion from a local shop, as there isnt anything there that has to be fixed at the dealership. Sweet car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. RX Posted August 2, 2005 Share Posted August 2, 2005 Good to know that it doesn't all have to be done at the dealership. They charge ~$50 an hour labor, and if takes 5 seconds to fix something, well, that's a "subaru" hour.Parts for the SVX are really expensive. I needed a new sun visor for the driver's side: $150 for the part. Plus, I guess this was a dealer's car and it has an engine it made by Alfa Romeo (so I was told . . .). Wait a minute, is this a Subaru dealer??? If they told you the engine was built by Alfa, you'd better find another dealer and report them to Subaru of America. They do have a reasonable labor charge though. but with all the other untruths that they have told you, I'd be suspicious there also. I wonder if I would get a different story if I took you car in, want to bet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frag Posted August 2, 2005 Share Posted August 2, 2005 I think I know where that "Alfa-Romeo" thing comes from. It's not the engine of course but the body design of the 1971 Subaru SVX that was the work of Giurgiaro of Italdesign, which is also known for having designed at least 9 different Alfa-Romeo body works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. RX Posted August 2, 2005 Share Posted August 2, 2005 I think I know where that "Alfa-Romeo" thing comes from. It's not the engine of course but the body design of the 1971 Subaru SVX that was the work of Giurgiaro of Italdesign, which is also known for having designed at least 9 different Alfa-Romeo body works.1971 SVX, WOW that would be a rare car. I know you meant 1991, right?? Hey, you ever race up Mount Royal? I took a rental car up there in 2003, looks like places might be fun as speed (if the RCMP don't catch you). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frag Posted August 2, 2005 Share Posted August 2, 2005 7 had been my lucky number up to now... Yes I do, but on my bicycle, both from inside (Olmstead road) and outside (Camilien Houde). The later is part of the "Coupe du monde" bicycle race course and it sure can give you a good workout. Have a nice day Dr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frag Posted August 2, 2005 Share Posted August 2, 2005 You have here some of Italdesign body works, including the 91 SVX. http://www.automobilemag.com/photo_gallery/0309_italdesign/index9.html There is definitly a family resemblance between the SVX and some of these cars, the Lotus Esprit for example. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KStretch55 Posted August 2, 2005 Share Posted August 2, 2005 They aren't called "stealerships" for no reason!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1maBrat Posted August 3, 2005 Share Posted August 3, 2005 - Front right stabilizer rod (or something like that) - not gone yet but close: $116- Rotors (rusted) and pads for all 4 wheels: $600 - Y pipe (part of the exhaust sytem; rusting out): $1,280 - Leaking oil pan: $280 I love the car and would spend the dough in an instant . . . if I had it. As it is, I can swing the stabilizer rod, but not much else for awhile. Any of this doable by a decent mechanic for less? Thoughts. Wait til you need glass.. lol Our SVX had the right passenger window broken out and it cost us 419.00 plus installation (230.00) but we installed ourselves. If your handy with cars most of this work can be done yourself with basic tools. The 'Y-pipe" is more complicated. BTW, the windshield is $2200.00 up here in Canada, so be very careful not to break it, fix all chips asap. We can now purchase a special windshield glass coverage up in Alberta specifically for windshield's as our glass coverage here does not cover windshields. Here's a pic of "MYDARLN" 1994 SVX http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/showgallery.php?cat=728&page=2&sort=1&perpage=12&= Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. RX Posted August 3, 2005 Share Posted August 3, 2005 BTW, the windshield is $2200.00 up here in Canada, so be very careful not to break it, fix all chips asap. We can now purchase a special windshield glass coverage up in Alberta specifically for windshield's as our glass coverage here does not cover windshields. Here's a pic of "MYDARLN" 1994 SVX http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/showgallery.php?cat=728&page=2&sort=1&perpage=12&= Boy, that is strange, my insurance covers windshields, I've had three replaced so far on that insurance, with $100 deductable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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