NPoCP: Went to look at a Saab and found a Subaru edition

"DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!" (daft-ryosuke)
09/04/2016 at 09:54 • Filed to: subaru, svx, le, coupe, npocp

On Friday, I went to look at a Saab 9-7x and I found this instead. It’s a 1994 SVX LE. Looks nearly immaculate, like it just came out of the showroom floor.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Would you say that’s a NP or a CP? Though I’m not necessarily looking for a coupe (hence the 9-7x), it’d still be a neat thing to own.

DISCUSSION (23)

smobgirl > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!
09/04/2016 at 10:01

Doesn't seem like CP to me if everything checks out. I've always thought they were pretty neat so I'd probably go for it.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!
09/04/2016 at 10:03

Price is OK. I look these up from time to time and usually they are a bit lower but not as clean. I’d make sure to get a thorough inspection. These sold in low numbers and had a lot of unique parts, so maintenance and repairs could be tricky. Transmission issues are the big issue I’ve heard of. The auto was also used in the Legacy and some Mazdas/Nissans if it needs a total replacement.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!
09/04/2016 at 10:12

NP. What 9-7x are you looking at? 6 cylinder or 8. If you aren’t a V8 snob, I’d go for the 4.2 over the 5.3. It is super reliable, super smooth, quite quick, and it feels special, unlike the 5.3.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!
09/04/2016 at 10:13

I'd say NP. I checked out the dealers website to look at the 09 RX8 but it's not listed.

Steve in Manhattan > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!
09/04/2016 at 10:16

CP - high miles and very complicated to work on. You’d be at the dealer a lot. 1997 - I’d just graduated from law school, and Subaru had just given up on selling the SVX here ... dealer would not negotiate a 36 grand sticker, so I bought a ‘97 SHO. Should have bought a Supra, but water under THAT bridge.

But seriously - it’s more than 20 years old, and even a dealer might not have parts. Walk away.

sdwarf36 > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!
09/04/2016 at 10:26

Big tranny issues.

DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
09/04/2016 at 10:32

I’m looking for a 5.3 but I don’t mind the 4.2. I have experience with both through my parents’ cars.

Spridget > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!
09/04/2016 at 10:43

If it is as good as it looks, then NP. As others have said, transmission issues are a problem, but if everything works then that’s not a terrible price. I’d offer $3,200 - $3,600 and see if they take it.

DipodomysDeserti > Steve in Manhattan
09/04/2016 at 10:54

120k is high miles for a 22 year old car? Wut?

DipodomysDeserti > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!
09/04/2016 at 10:55

Nice price. You can find them for a grand, but they're wrecked with bad transmissions. It's at a dealer, so if you could get it for $3,500 it would be a solid buy.

Steve in Manhattan > DipodomysDeserti
09/04/2016 at 11:26

No - it’s high miles for anything that complicated. The AWD system is wildly complex and the rest of the car is a nightmare. Believe me - I did the research.

random001 > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!
09/04/2016 at 11:35

Man, I love those. If this was AWD (I don’t think it is?) I’d have a hard time not calling in an offer. Except that I can’t, because medical stuff coming up, but still.

Boxer_4 > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!
09/04/2016 at 11:47

If I’m not mistaken, only the LSi trim was AWD in 1994. Looking at the VIN in the listing, I’m quite certain this SVX is front wheel drive. Digit 11 of the VIN identifies the transmission type (H - AWD, K - FWD).

It is possible that an AWD transmission could have been swapped in by a previous owner, however, it looks way too original and taken care of for that to be the case.

Boxer_4 > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
09/04/2016 at 11:59

Any Subaru 4EAT should drop right in. 4EATs from ‘95+ are a better bet, since the issues that the earlier versions suffered in higher performance applications were pretty much rectified. Newer 4EAT final drive ratios are generally geared lower, too, which can make the SVX appreciably faster off the line (though, you do have to swap the rear differential one that matches the transmission final drive ratio).

The VTD (Variable Torque Distribution) 4EAT is also a replacement option; either one out of a JDM SVX (geared close to a stock USDM SVX), or older USDM WRXs and Forester XTs (geared lower). I believe both cases need the rear differential replaced to match (USDM VTD for sure, not quite sure about the JDM VTD).

DipodomysDeserti > Steve in Manhattan
09/04/2016 at 12:17

The ACT 4 system found in the Americam SVX is the same AWD system Subaru used in almost all their 4EAT equipped cars up until 2009 or so. The system is somewhat complex but very reliable. You rarely hear about issues with Subaru’s AWD systems.

The EG33 used in the SVX is known for being a reliable engine. It’s built on the same platform as the EJ22 which is one of the most reliable engines that Subaru has ever made. They’re even non interference so you won’t wreck your engine if your timing belt breaks. Typical oil leak issues like every Subie engine. Quite a few people have swapped them into Imprezas over the years.

Really the only issue with the SVX is the 4EAT transmission. It’s not known for being all that robust. However, the same tranny was used in various Subies, Nissans, and Mazdas, so it’s easy to find replacements, and they’re cheap.

The SVX is your typical old Subaru. Same AWD system, and same transmission as every other auto Subie from the early ‘90s until about 2010. I’s the only Subie to use the EG33, but the engine is built just like it’s 4 banger cousin.

Steve in Manhattan > DipodomysDeserti
09/04/2016 at 12:30

I nearly bought one, and a long-ago GF had one. I got it into the air once on a back road in rural MD. Still, a manual would have been nice.

DipodomysDeserti > Steve in Manhattan
09/04/2016 at 12:40

A manual would be fantastic, and solve its biggest reliability issue.

Steve in Manhattan > DipodomysDeserti
09/04/2016 at 12:42

There are conversions out there, but I’d only trust a true expert to swap a 5M in ... seems to me it’s not just a bolt on job.

DipodomysDeserti > Steve in Manhattan
09/04/2016 at 12:45

Definitely not a bolt on job. Since the AWD system, ECU and transmission are electronically linked you’d have to have someone work some wiring magic.

Boxer_4 > DipodomysDeserti
09/04/2016 at 12:54

Also, unlike almost every other Subaru, I don’t believe there are any prefab hard points for the clutch master and other assorted necessary parts, so more fab work is needed. Most Subarus are designed for both auto and manual so the body shell has the hard points required for both.

Boxer_4 > DipodomysDeserti
09/04/2016 at 13:07

Yep, the EG33 is basically an EJ22 with two extra cylinders, and the valve train from an EJ25D.

One interesting note about it being a non-interference engine: there is no piston to valve interference, and valve to valve interference is prevented by having the intake cams gear driven by the exhaust cams (I believe I have that correct)

With the EJ25D, both the intake cams and exhaust cams are driven by the timing belt, so they don’t avoid the issue of valve to valve interference.

Steve in Manhattan > DipodomysDeserti
09/04/2016 at 13:12

I’d considered a new one, dealer was an asshole. I am so far away from that ... but I should have bought the Supra. 1997 - talk about the wayback machine!

DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! > random001
09/04/2016 at 16:36

I think, this one being an LE which was the top of the line, it's got AWD. Don't quote me though.