1995 Subaru SVX

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quietside
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Re: 1995 Subaru SVX

Post by quietside »

SiC wrote: Fri Dec 20, 2019 5:39 pm
quietside wrote: Fri Dec 20, 2019 3:51 pm If anyone is thinking of buying one I will of course try to answer any questions you might have; I know what's available, who can work on them without bodging them or lying, and what to run a mile from.
Isn't there so few of these around now that just finding one is a task, let alone choosing a good or bad one?
There's always a few knocking around at any given time; they're not as rare as an XT or a Piazza, for example.

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Mine is basically an OK car, it's just been owned by a string of idiots and I've had to gradually unfuck it.
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Re: 1995 Subaru SVX

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The previous owner of the SVX did many twatty things. Pick your worst/favourite.

1. Cutting the gauze out of the air filter.
2. Replacing the magazine in the 10 disc CD changer with a similar 6 disc item that bricked the mechanism.
3. Handing over an old blue V5 that wasn't in his name so I couldn't tax it online (so I had to drive it back on trade plates; luckily, I knew someone).
4. Taking the helper struts off the boot lid (which stops the very heavy fibreglass and metal panel from chebbing you in the head when open).
5. Removing the central locking, ashtray and cigarette lighter element.
6. Removing the electric aerial and replacing it with a broken one.
7. Swearing to me the gearbox was fine*.
8. Telling me that it didn't run on high test fuel and in fact it hated it. The opposite is true.
9. Claiming that a check engine light was on because of condensation.
10. Replacing the plastic seat back with a cloth one.

Don't even get me started on the gearbox place.
Last edited by quietside on Fri Dec 20, 2019 10:08 pm, edited 3 times in total.
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Re: 1995 Subaru SVX

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He told me about the central locking. That was it.
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Re: 1995 Subaru SVX

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Since then it's had, in order:

1. A nearly-new ally Koyorad radiator with an uprated cooler (because the old one, complete with cooler, was dying and the gearbox place insisted it was fine). I may yet have another external cooler fitted.

2.The box repositioned (it was put back in crooked, banged against the body under load and strained the prop UJs.

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3. A new bottom hose (old item was replaced finger tight, blew off and nearly cooked the engine which was filled with OAT rather than blue glycol)

4. A new lambda sensor (ECU was throwing up an error code when the CHECK ENGINE flashes were read, despite not being displayed)

5. Two new coil packs (running rough across both banks with one pot down each side). Power has been fully restored despite the best efforts of the gearbox.

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6. A replacement speedo cluster known to be working (the original began reading half true, I suspected one of the two VSS units had died but tests by a specialist traced it to the dial pack. Another garage suggested I use a GPS speed app on my phone; the gearbox specialist has used a JDM 4EAT case for the box replacement and JDM Alcyones/Legacys/Imprezas use an external VSS screwed into the front diff housing - they'd left it in unconnected as UK cars read speed from the back axle).

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7. New speakers all round (the original rear 6x9s had rotted and were full of insect dung). Wiring adaptors and front speaker mounts purchased from the US so the dead moulded items could be replaced with aftermarket units attached by adaptors to the original wiring). Unfortunately the infamous sleeve lock regulator which tensions the window cable, broke in half - so the drivers' window doesn't go down any more. 3D printed copies are available and I've ordered a pair from the US.

8. JDM transmission tunnel carpet (located randomly by an SVX NATION member who realised he had it lying around).

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9. Rear discs treated chemically to stop them grinding (only part successful, one is still vocal). There's an occasional groan from the rear diff which indicates new fluid and an inspection is needed. I suspect I'll end up having to buy new discs and they're made of unobtanium; most parts list insist that SVXs use 260mm solid rotors when they actually use 290mm vented items. Subaru used the same PCD/offset rotor on the 2004-2005 Group N Impreza STi 'gravel' rally car so you can get new discs, albeit at a price. Front discs and pads all round are still readily available.

I've still got to take the CD autochanger out; I listen to music via the CD IN on the headunit via a bluetooth adaptor and the 'changer doesn't work anyway. I'd rather have a flat boot floor in preference to a bricked autochanger further wrecked by the PO fitting a 6 disc magazine to a 10 disc unit after he took said mag for another car and shoved a similar but incompatible 6 disc cart in for some baffling and unknown reason.

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10. It still needs an exhaust, the new aerial fitting and the buzz from the rear speaker shelf (fitted from a scrap car as the PO took it out and didn't replace it) sorted, along with the dead bonnet struts, a new plenum cover and a battery bracket. Oh, and a rear plastic seat back, as I still can't find one. The PO left a hideous alcantara thing in its place. I've also got to fix the sleeve lock regulator (pictured above) because it broke and it pulls the window up and down.
Last edited by quietside on Tue Dec 24, 2019 10:41 am, edited 1 time in total.
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NergleFuttocks
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Re: 1995 Subaru SVX

Post by NergleFuttocks »

Handsome beasts! What is the rationale behind the window design? Is it just a concept car thing or is there an actual point to it? Must be a nightmare to smoke in!
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Re: 1995 Subaru SVX

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quietside wrote: Fri Dec 20, 2019 8:47 pm The previous owner of the SVX did many twatty things. Pick your worst/favourite.

1. Cutting the gauze out of the air filter.
2. Replacing the magazine in the 10 disc CD changer with a similar 6 disc item that bricked the mechanism.
3. Handing over an old blue V5 that wasn't in his name so I couldn't tax it online (so I had to drive it back on trade plates; luckily, I knew someone).
4. Taking the helper struts off the boot lid (which stops the very heavy fibreglass and metal panel from chebbing you in the head when open).
5. Removing the central locking, ashtray and cigarette lighter element.
6. Removing the electric aerial and replacing it with a broken one.
7. Swearing to me the gearbox was fine*.
8. Telling me that it didn't run on high test fuel and in fact it hated it. The opposite is true.
9. Claiming that a check engine light was on because of condensation.
10. Replacing the plastic seat back with a cloth one.

Don't even get me started on the gearbox place.
Definitely number 7, because everyone knows that a sporty Subaru should have... OK, I'll stop there :-D
On the road:
1998 Disco 4.0 V8 (manual)
1994 Vauxhall Calibra 3.0 V6

Running but need fettling:

1986 Honda CBX750F
1991 Maserati 222 SE
1990 Yamaha XJ900F

Tax & MOT-exempt, woohoo!

1982 Suzuki GSX1100SZ Katana
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Re: 1995 Subaru SVX

Post by Asimo »

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Good to read of your progress on this. I briefly wondered if this was your car when I snapped it in Edinburgh a few months ago. The SVX does have a certain presence in the street!
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Re: 1995 Subaru SVX

Post by NergleFuttocks »

Must be tempting to park up next to a Calibra and just tut, shake your head and mutter “I remember my first coupe son”
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Re: 1995 Subaru SVX

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NergleFuttocks wrote: Mon Dec 23, 2019 1:11 pm Must be tempting to park up next to a Calibra and just tut, shake your head and mutter “I remember my first coupe son”
Ha! Best of luck finding a Calibra on the road nowadays, they've almost disappeared.
On the road:
1998 Disco 4.0 V8 (manual)
1994 Vauxhall Calibra 3.0 V6

Running but need fettling:

1986 Honda CBX750F
1991 Maserati 222 SE
1990 Yamaha XJ900F

Tax & MOT-exempt, woohoo!

1982 Suzuki GSX1100SZ Katana
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quietside
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Re: 1995 Subaru SVX

Post by quietside »

I dunno, I quite like a Calibra on slabs.
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