First time poster!!!:eek:

You're very welcome Question. Anything specific you would like to know, somebody here will likely have the answer.

And don't let talk about gearboxes and wheel bearings scare you. When cared for these cars are wonderful to drive and very reliable. Check out the high mileage thread, you'll see what I mean.

Welcome.

Joe:)

hey
 

hi my names jeremy i live in anchorage alaska i have a 93 pearlie looking into getting it to a 5mt or a 6 , dropping an inch um, custom wide body kit or even complete engine over hual in the future to a 2jz (out of a supra) an push it too 1000HP!!!!! um an alot more work to make it alot of the firsts i want it to be

New Member
 

Hi everybody. I've been lurking/learning for a few weeks so I thought it was time to intorduce myself.
My name is Wayne and I live in the Pittsburgh area. I just bought a red 96 L from down south. It has 82,000 miles and looks and runs fine so far. I plan on adding a trans cooler and filter next month.
I've been a Subaru fan for quite some time. In the 70s I had a wagon which served me well. In 2001 I bought a WRX (as a 50th birthday present to myself) which renewed my interest in Subarus. I'm also a member of NASIOC.
I do have a question for any other members form the Pittsburgh area. What dealers are trustworthy for service? I have used Bowser and don't have any issues with them but I'd still like to have options.
Thanks in advance.

Welcome to The Club, Wayne!:)
Maybe we'll see you at Jose & Tonys!;)
Tom

Wayne,

The SVX shop search (see the link in the page header) shows Bowser as well as Bud Baer in Washington, PA and Kerven in Butler. Neither are very close. I have no first-hand experience with either one. There are several members in the 'Burgh area (Landshark and Brian are two I can think of right off the top of my head) who might be able to steer you in the right direction.

BTW, Tom (svxfiles) and I are originally from the Pgh area (hence the 'José & Tony's' reference - it's a Mexican restaurant in Dormont in case you've never heard of it) and we are up that way several times a year.

Maybe we can do a mini-meet when we're in the area. :D

Welcome to the site.

And GO STEELERS!!!!

Jeremy,

You might want to check on the year -- all '93's were Barcelona Red, so it's either been repainted or it's a '92 or '94. Check the VIN -- the tenth digit will tell you the year ('92 is N, '93 is P, '94 is R).

And welcome to another Alaskan SVXer!

Welcome aboard, I'm not familiar with the Pittsburgh area, but I do know of an excellent shop that specializes in SVX's that's less than 2 hours away. Tom SVXfiles (Mr. Modesty up there ^^^) has a shop near Cumberland, MD. He is one of the innovators and top experts on these cars that we all love.

Dave, I was going to mention that, but I didn't want to be crass. I think it's in poor taste to assault new members with our sales pitch. ;)

So thanks for the plug! :)

Thanks for the warm welcome!
I'm familiar with Jose and Tony's but have never actually been there. I would love to meet you guys there at some point but we will probably meet at your shop before that. I have read all the good things about you (Tom and Diana) and planned to visit once I had the need. (I've always liked the ride on RT40 out of Uniontown anyway.) Maybe we can schedule the install of the trans cooler and filter after the holidays. I like to support small businesses instead of the big dealers. Somehow I feel better about spending my money with them.

Last year at the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, I stopped at the Subaru area and there were lots of WRXs but only 1 SVX. The announcer on the PA system was talking about the SVX and how rare they are. That's when I got interested in finding one for myself. Anyway, I was thinking that maybe the PVGP would be a good venue for a meet. Just a thought.

Let me know when you guys are coming this way and we can set up a meeting at Jose and Tony’s. I could use a good Margarita!

Hi guys. Just saw your forum and thought I would join. My wife has a Tribeca and I drive an 07 Acura TL-S. I am looking for something unique yet that can actually be driven. I've always like SVX's, but needed the practicality of what I drive now. So, I'm hoping to learn some more about these cars so that I can make an informed purchase. Hopefully in the near future.

So I guess what I am looking for is a couple of things. 1. What should I be looking for in a inexpensive SVX? I want a car that won't eat me alive maintenance wise...Had a 2002 BMW 540i...expensive to maintain as the miles added up. 2. Anyone have what I may be looking for that they would consider selling...again...inexpensively $3-4K max???

I've checked out the for sale section, but don't know what I should look for and avoid. I know it will probably be a higher mileage car, so what maintenance can I expect, etc...

Thanks for welcoming me and hopefully I can join the owners!!

Welcome!

The rear wheel bearings are an issue on this car, but the transmission is the biggest achilles heel. You want a car that has had the OE transmission swapped out for a Legacy auto, or a manual, unless you plan to spend lots of money getting it done post-purchase.

$3-4K should get you a good one, but it won't get you a great one.

$4K just might buy my '92 LS-L Touring (AWD, power leather), but it has a few (minor) isses yet; it needs the windshield washer fixed (there is a free reservoir/pump offered by another member on here, I have to diagnose it first) and the rear washer has a bad grommet where it passes through the rear window, so it leaks there. The wheel bearings have been done and transmission has been swapped for a shorter gear Legacy auto, and an external spin-on filter, cooler and temp gauge have been added to ensure durability. Mine also has a slight brake upgrade, newish Kumhos (love them!) but needs a windshield (recent).
The paint and body are much nicer than most that I've seen in person (which isn't many) and the interior is as nice as I've seen.

140,000 miles.

Click the "for sale" link in my sig for tons of pictures.

Welcome to the site.

The best advice to start with is to buy a good one that doesn't need too much work. It will cost more at first, but will save you money in the long run. Add some upgrades like the tranny external filter and external cooler. Stay on top of maintenance and repair things as you see them before they fail. This site is the best place to learn about the SVX and get the help you need on some of the general problems. Check here first before taking it someplace to be fixed. It will save you money! If you drive the car with the respect that it deserves, it is not a bad car to have. It is unusual and unique, and that is what is most fun about it.

If you find a car that you may be interested in, there is a guide on what to look for when buying a used SVX in the How-To Documents. Good luck and visit us often to answer your questions. That is what we are here for. :) :)

Thanks guys. It's nice to be welcomed to a forum with knowledgeable people. Still looking for something inexpensive upfront and on the backend...as is everyone. :)

Take your time and one will come along. Don't fall in love with the first pretty one that comes along. :)