The one I am looking at is a 1992 model and has 120,000 miles with the original engine and transmission. No known tranny or engine problems. I am told that the interior is perfect. It has power window and door locks, AWD, ABS, cc, cd, moon roof, leather seats, and A/C works good. There are the usual minor exterior scratches. There is a small oil leak, but not sure where it is coming from until I check out the car in person. They want $4,250 for it. How much would you pay for it?

 

To be honest, I am not in need of another car and I just barely have enough for it. If I buy it I may have to postpone fixing my other subaru. But I find it hard to pass up a rare subaru (I think this may be a mental disorder). How does it feel to drive one of these? Do they feel too heavy? Thanks for replies.

I think that is to high, especially if the transmission hasn't been replaced/rebuilt...

 

Anytime you buy an early, high mileage SVX you should plan on replacing the trans in the first year ($1000 - $3000). I had to replace mine about a month after I bought it, but I had that expense planned so it didn't hit me that hard.

 

 

They are wonderful cars, and I doubt I'll ever give mine up. But they are expensive to maintain. Even if you do all the work yourself, the parts cost more than other Soob stuff.

Don't forget to stock up on wheel bearings...

 

 

And as was said above, if the tranny has not been rebuilt/replaced, plan on doing it as soon as you get halfway home after buying it...(psss.. 5 speed conversion)

I agree that I would plan on doing tranny work.

 

Same goes for other cars like an EA82T... if I take one in I just plan to do a head gasket and or timing belts in the near future. EA82 I just plan on the timing belts.

The SVX feels very heavy. Partly, that's because it IS heavy. But it is also partly because there was never a 5-speed offered in it and the auto just seems to make the feeling of heaviness even worse because it tends to make you more disconnected from the car and the road.

 

Having said that, they are an absolute BLAST to drive. The problem is that you have to REALLY run it hard to make it work and that just shortens the lifespan of the tranny as well as wheel bearings.

 

Kelley says that a 92 SVX w/ 120k and in good condition should go for about $3950 in a private party sale in this market. Yours may be higher or lower, you probably want to check. I'd also make sure to get the VIN and run a carFax on it. However, assuming that it is EXACTLY what you have been led to believe, I'd probably open at about $2500 and let him talk me up to about $3500 or so. Point out that maintenance is harder and more expensive than on other Soobs and that this one is clearly in need of some maintenance. As someone else pointed out, this car is going to NEED a tranny soon and that's gonna set you back about $2000, possibly less if you do it all yourself.

 

If it were me, I wouldn't spend more than $3500. I'd bank the rest to do a 5-speed swap (doesn't the STI have 6?) and put the car on a very strict bodyfat reduction program (I'm thinking Adkins, here).