'92 SVX- Dead

[RndmManiak]

So yesterday I got t-boned by some jerk who ran the red light about 15 secs after it went red, AFTER someone had already gone through it turning left from the green side. I didn't see them so they slammed into me and most likely totaled my Subaru SVX. I loved that car so much =( won't know until the police report goes through to her insurance company so they'll actually look at the vehicle. I'm so pissed.

I'm okay, hit my head on the window, and it swelled up pretty bad, but nothing other than that.

So... I've been thinking about getting an Outback, with a manual transmission. I'm just your average poor college student, so I don't have enough money to buy anything over $10,000 but does anyone have any other suggestions? I go longboarding/snowboarding frequently so I want something that can hold that stuff in the back, and I also have a medium sized dog that I take everywhere with.

Anything?

[henryq89]

dude that sucks! SVX are getting so rare now...damn atleast your ok .....time to join the wagon mafia!

[TheAngryPidgeon]

Sorry to hear that man, but glad to hear you're alright.

An option to consider is picking up a BD (2nd gen Sedan) if you can find one. I love mine. I came from an Integra, and I assume, coming from a SVX, that the large trunk and the extra room gained by putting down the back seats would be enough to fit boards/whatever else you need to carry around with you. If not, I know hellaGT has some Thule racks for his BD and not only do they look good, but they obviously work great for carrying the snowboard around.

You wouldn't have the cargo capacity of an Outback, but it would be a nice middle of the road between that of the SVX and the Outback, and you will still retain some of the sportiness that you had previously.

It's definitely not the only option, but as an upgrade in cargo and passenger capacity from my old two door, I am extremely pleased.

[RndmManiak]

Sorry to hear that man, but glad to hear you're alright.

An option to consider is picking up a BD (2nd gen Sedan) if you can find one. I love mine. I came from an Integra, and I assume, coming from a SVX, that the large trunk and the extra room gained by putting down the back seats would be enough to fit boards/whatever else you need to carry around with you. If not, I know hellaGT has some Thule racks for his BD and not only do they look good, but they obviously work great for carrying the snowboard around.

You wouldn't have the cargo capacity of an Outback, but it would be a nice middle of the road between that of the SVX and the Outback, and you will still retain some of the sportiness that you had previously.


Hm, hadn't thought about that, I'll check it out. If I had the money I'd go for the WRX. I'm going to miss that car, even if it was tiny.

[1996Battlewagon]

That really sucks man. The SVX is such a special car, especially in the Subaru community and it is always a sad day to see one go. Glad you're okay though.

I'd say keep looking for a wagon. Once you have one, you will constantly be putting stuff in the back and eventually you won't be able to understand why you never had one. If an Outback is too tall for you, look at a Legacy wagon. I've owned both a BK and BG (current) and honestly; they feel about the same in the corners; just the BK is lower and thus, less roll. Plus, BKs weigh less. Just go out and test drive until you can't test drive no more.

[OutbackMat]

I was unimpressed with my '99 2.5GT for two reasons:
It handled like a barge (I was used to Neons).
The AWD system was not as good as my wife's automatic-equipped Outback.

There is a cure for the barge handling, and had I known you could swap suspensions around for almost nothing, I'd probably still have the car, but I don't know what to say about the trans. I went back to Neons and with Blizzaks on it, I can go wherever the wife's car goes.

[StatGSR]

The AWD system was not as good as my wife's automatic-equipped Outback.


you own a manual or an auto gt, that makes no sense, please explain!

[TheAngryPidgeon]

Your suspension must have been shot, my BD out handles my old Integra easily.

Or you had a 4EAT and the AWD distribution was different than what you were expecting?

[1996Battlewagon]

The AWD system was not as good as my wife's automatic-equipped Outback.

Seriously, please explain this; it makes no sense at all. The 5sp cars have a better torque distribution and the Auto cars all have the same.

[StatGSR]

my BD out handles my old Integra easily.


Another comment hard for me to believe! haha

[TheAngryPidgeon]

my BD out handles my old Integra easily.


Another comment hard for me to believe! haha

I'm serious, even hellaGT's, which has a more worn suspension than mine is a way better ride on the corners than my Integra was. If you know how to handle the weight, the grip is far better in the Subaru.

[OutbackMat]

Your suspension must have been shot, my BD out handles my old Integra easily.

Or you had a 4EAT and the AWD distribution was different than what you were expecting?

The car had 42,000 miles on it and the PO took exquisite care of it. Never seen a used car that nice before. Now with the Saabaru suspension on our Outback, it easily outhandles my Neon. Easily. And the faster and stupider you are with the car, the better it works.

My '99 GT was a 5-speed. My wife's '97 outback is a 4EAT. And yes, that's probably the best way to explain my gripe. We got the Outback first, and I fell in love with the drivetrain--not especially powerful, but fun enough and go-anywhere. I prefer manual transmissions, so when it was time to get a new car, I decided I had to have a 5-speed 2.5GT. My local dealer scored one for me after about 6 months of looking.

I could drive the car quickly but due to the weight and size, the car couldn't flick to save it's life--you get used to that sort of thing and when it's gone, driving isn't nearly as fun. My 5-speed would have trouble in the snow (and we get plenty of it normally) where hers would go through like a tank. It seemed like the power distribution wasn't nearly as flexible as the 4EAT and it really turned me off to the car.
I probably should have done more research and kept the car, but I don't really regret selling it and getting my Neon. Not trolling or anything here, just providing an opinion.

[Huffer]

I've had both trannys, in the same year Legacy, both GTs. The 4EAT is great for convenience, and navigating the snow is easy even in bad conditions with the D3 or D2 gear. In my 5MT, I can rotate the tailend anytime I want by shifting down and stomping on the gas.

At anyrate, before this topic goes OT, I think AngryPid's suggestion of a BD over an BG/BK is a worthy one if RndmManiak doesn't want to rock a wagon. Nothing like blasting an alpine pass with blizzaks and a roofrack though. ;)

[OutbackMat]

Well then for an on-topic bit of advice:
I think a sedan is closer to the SVX in terms of interior space--the wagons feel really open and kinda long. So if you prefer something more encapsulating, get the sedan. If you'd like something airy, get the wagon, particularly an Outback with the bubble-top. Obviously, drive both before commiting.
You might decide that the Legacy is completely too large and opt for an Impreza. If I didn't have a baby or haul 4 people from time-to-time, the Impreza might have been a viable choice for me--there's no rear legroom, a far cry from the Legacy (or a Neon, for that matter--105" wheelbase rocks!). But if you're going to be carpooling or have more than 1 passenger, nix the Impreza.
Also to consider is if you want the DOHC or SOHC engine. I've driven both and I really like the SOHC better. It's low-end torquier, smoother, and more linear in power delivery. The DOHCs are kinda peaky, though seemingly less so with the 5MT. Of course, the SOHC is only available in the '00+ MY cars, which means more expensive. I'm sure you can find something in your price range on Autotrader or something. Hell, when I sold my GT back in '05, it was in perfect running order with 63K on the clock and went for $8300.

[seahawk]

Very sad. My dad had a couple of SVXs over the years, both a 92 and a 94 AWD. They were fun little cars, and are definitely hard to find now a days. I hope it's not totalled, but either way good luck with it.

[d1giPhux]

That sucks man :[ .. but hey... i'll sell you my car! :D

[ryu_haneda]

Sounds like an old-school outback would be a great bargain for all weather conditions to me. If I'm not mistaken, manual Subarus had a viscous awd distribution, whereas automatics (like my 2.5GT Sedan) use electronic distribution.

If you don't mind paying a bit for repairs (or learning how to do them yourself), you'll get a great, do-anything platform. There are a lot of parts to use and swap in and out. (Like a turbocharged engine from a wrx, for example. :grin:)

Seriously, I think that the old-school Subaru strength is versatility with value. All wheel drive cars don't get much cheaper. By comparison, other manufacturers are probably more expensive (Audi, Mercedes-Benz). On the other hand, you may be able to find used awd Suzukis.

Of course, you could wait for WRX wagons to get real cheap. I don't think they're quite that cheap yet, though.

Hard to believe I didn't become a fanboy sooner. :)