Description
SPARES/ REPAIRS
Hi,
For sale is my Subaru SVX. I’ve been looking for one for a while and picked the best example that would be an investment which ticked all the boxes, sadly the water pump bearing failed with no pre symptoms the next day when I was parked up. These things happen, and as it’s an old car- I was planning to do the work at some point anyway. I’ve made a big book, highlighted the parts I need and disassembled main areas to have an external rebuild and have a nice reliable car. (Engine feels repairable, read a detailed description in the engines section) Sadly I study, have a few jobs and a few cars- and it really feels I don’t have the time.
I’m an engineer myself so you will find an extremely genuine honest advert, if you have the skills and the time- this could be a perfect winter project that would get you a reliable car. When was the last time you’ve seen one on the road, especially used daily?
Main facts:
Pictures taken on the day when I purchased it as it was an opportunity for a day out in Hastings area
MOT: 30. 10. 2020 (Expired)
HPI: Clean
Mileage:108k
Owners: 3
02. 08. 2020->
28. 08. 2013 -> 02. 08. 2020
01. 03. 2000-> 28. 08. 2013
30. 05. 1997-> 01. 03. 2000
Service history: Extremely detailed, full write up at the bottom (Original booklet etc all present!)
Engine:
3. 3 EG33 H6 engine with 240bhp. I believe these are well ahead of time and match the likes of Porsche, a very unique setup and will be a pleasure to enjoy once restored.
The car was regularly serviced and drove perfect for around 120miles when I purchased it, sadly the next day in the car park the temp needle just started to rise and I immediately switched it off. The coolant ran out from the belt cover area. I had the car recovered home and not started since. I then started the inspection of the engine- focusing to find the problem to see if I can take further steps to save it. After disassembly, I found the water pump bearing failure which mate the pump rotor offset and crash in to the body of the water pump. (I kept it, so you will be able to see+ have pictures) Coolant then escaped through the bearing area and as it was running out temp gauge started to rise.
The timing belt has been done 30k ago but in 2009, so can’t say it wasn’t maintained, just weekend usage in prolonged time played against it.
Seeing this failure- I completely understand that things like this happen and being a none interference engine+ being parked, switched off and recovered the engine has 90% of sustaining no major damage.
I don’t do half jobs so my rebuild would include replacing all possible gaskets, seals and making every component look it’s best. I started by disassembling enough to do a deep clean. For that I custom made over 30+ blanking plates for the engine to prevent contamination. I’ve spent around 8h cleaning the main surface and getting it ready for reassembly.
The plan of action is: Remove rocker covers, change gaskets, cam seals, crank seal. Then reinstall every component back making sure it’s either new or fully refurbished. (I kept all the bolts etc in numbered boxes and made videos for myself for reference to simplify building it back in the future). Parts are mostly interchangeable with other Subaru, but you will have to put in additional effort getting stuff from US and other sources. I would proceed to improve the cooling side and potentially instal external auto box cooler+ oil cooler.
Obviously you can take an easier root and replace less and just have a partial build, but I like to do things once properly and hope it will last as long as possible with correct maintenance. In theory this car will need ~£1000 for all new top of the range engine components+ 10-50h to do a top quality job (I have all the service manual for required tasks printed out and will pass it on as SVX bible which also has all needed parts highlighted!)
An even easier choice could be swapping a different engine that can be bought for 500-1500 but that will run the same risks without having all the work done properly.
Must mention- UK cars were all ODB1 ( Very common) which is great news as ODB2 are extremely rare and would be impossible to find. (the rare ones were only sold in US due to emission regulations)
Gearbox:
4AT 4 speed automatic gearbox. SVX is known for it’s biggest weak point, the gearbox. Happily, being the final year- this model has all the revisions and is considered the most reliable unit and a must have. An upgrade for any older model. The box worked flawlessly and delivered a great drive, all gears selected easily and shifted in smoothly cold and warm.
Subaru owners normally love manual, with huge experience in cars, I can really say that the auto box really suits the car as it’s built for a different purpose.
If on the other hand you wanted to swap to manual, the current box would fetch top resale value.
Suspension/ Brakes:
Drove flawlessly and felt great in the sweeping roads of Route 1066 and effortless on the motorway. I have not inspected the suspension in detail, but the ride quality and brakes felt perfect so won’t require any serious jobs.
External:
Finished in very rare Polo Green metallic. Bodywork is in great condition for the age, obviously with some age related marks.
-Completely standard with the rare chrome grill in great condition.
-Millia Miglia period specific made in Italy alloy wheels. At the start my plan was to revert to standard, but these wheels really suit the car and I think are a unique high quality set that actually can be left on
-Headlight washers work (common problem)
-Parking sensors
Interior:
Top of the range black leather facelift interior.
-Fancy wood grain that is only available in the later cars
-Black electric, heated leather seats in immaculate condition
-Alcantara is in great condition, so is the dashboard
-Sunroof that works and doesn’t leak
-Electric heated mirrors
-Uprated headunit hidden away behind the cover
-All electric windows work fine
-Central locking
-Buttons fitted next to the shifter are for additional 12v sockets (the car potentially had satnav, etc switched on and the owner had a fetish for having more than needed 12v ???? )
-Genuine black SVX floor mats (Extremely rare!)
-Cruise control, works great.
-Split folding rear seats that make the car very practical
Faults:
-Engine as mentioned in the previous section.
-Bodywork is in great condition for the age but obviously has some age ware
-No deep big scratches
-Some stone chips
-Tiny bubbling on drivers rear arch that has been treated but needs early correction to avoid any future issues (my ideas was to have door and side trims off and have the car coated at the same time to preserve the main areas)
-Stone chip in drivers headlight (mot safe and road legal, but I would replace the unit)
-Bonnet has some laquer peel due to usual bird problem, think a good polish will bring most of it back
-No other rust or serious defects visible as it lived in the garage with the owner that had it for 13 years so generally it’s in great condition
-I would remove all the additional 12v sockets and bring the interior to completely original condition
-Passenger side cat cover is loose and has been mended by the previous owner, was planning to look in to a stainless steel system anyway that would be a touch more vocal than stock to really enjoy the H6 sound.
-A/ C didn’t blow ice cold so potentially needed a re-gas or inspection (I would remove the whole system as I never use A/ C and would utilise the area for oil coolers)
Service history:
Currently on 108k
2020. 02 xxxxx Fuel filter, MAF,
2014-2020 The car was used as a weekend toy, serviced but the owner didn’t keep many papers due to the mileage he did
2014. 11 xxxx Oil
2011. 05 89544 Oils (Engine/ Gearbox)
2011. 11 xxxx Brake pads
2011. 09 xxxx Diff oil change
Xxxx. xx 86544 Oil
Xxxx. xx 85384 Front brake discs and pads
Xxxx. xx 83800 Air filter
2009. 09 78891 Oil
2009. 09 78853 Timing belt, spark plugs, power steering, brake fluid
2008. 07 78702
2007. 12 72723 Oils, PAS O- RING
2006. 01 xxxxx Pads
2005. 11 xxxxx Original windscreen £935
2005. 03 xxxxx Aux belts
2005. 02 xxxxx Gearbox oil
2004. 01 54257 Oil
2002. 06 xxxxx Pads F/ R
2002. 03 45566 60000 Service (oil/ air/ fuel filter, spark plugs, brake fluid)
2001. 05 39620
2000. 11 36314 45000 Service (Timing belt, oils)
2000. 05 30390
2000. 02 24508
1999. 05 21296 22500 Service
1998. 07 12867
1997. 12 12755
1997. 09 7763
1997. 07 2942
1997. 06 950
So all in all, this is a great project car for an enthusiast with the knowledge and time. The car is a great investment, a true neck twister and show stopper. Most of the examples online don’t tell you quarter of my detail and with this car you will be able to do what’s needed and have a reliable unique car that can be used every day. Now I spent a huge amount of time already but currently selling off my classics so I could focus on work and studies. Saying that, I’m not willing to give the car away. I will be making a loss and if it doesn’t sell by the time I finish restoring my 300zx TT and e34 525i -I might be done with studies then too so might carry on with the work. Basically it’s not the right timing for me for such an in depth project and I really hope it can go to a good home where it can be focused on and finished to bring one of 50 RHD final year cars back on the road. (Too good for breaking, but the decision is yours at this price).
£2999ovno (Will consider a swap/ px cash both ways for a running car, 4x4 or bike that I could use and not spend a lot of time on).
Southampton
