It takes more than a passing flash in traffic to appreciate the delicious oddity known as the Subaru SVX. After a big splash at the 1989 Tokyo Auto Show, the futuristic 2+2 entered production in 1992 with nearly all its show-car weirdness intact. This 1994 Subaru SVX in Darby, Pennsylvania comes to market here on eBay, and the seller pronounces it prize-worthy at “any car show” today. The daring No Reserve auction has garnered over 10 bids, the latest topping $2000. The car’s original paint shines, and the interior shows well for nearly 123,000 miles. The seller describes a mechanically sound and road-ready Japanese classic with a quiet and smooth 220 HP 3.3L (200 cid) flat six.
Designed by Italian automotive design giant Giorgetto Giugiaro, the SVX features the “window within a window” as a way to break from typical design limitation: needing the side window to fully roll into the door. Giugiaro’s SVX offers an expansive greenhouse and a low-slung sill thanks to the clever inset window. Now you can pay tolls and exchange cash for a double-cheeseburger combo without exiting the vehicle. Plus the unique feature gets people talking every time you park it, and that’s what the SVX is all about.
While the listing omits any mention of this Subaru’s trim level designation, the wood trim and power roof (only available on LS and LSi) and front wheel drive (only available on base L and LS) pin it as a front-wheel-drive LS. Thanks to cars101.com for some details. Horsepower (230) and transmission (four-speed automatic) propel all models.
If a six-cylinder flat or “boxer” motor sounds familiar, you’re probably thinking about another classic, the Porsche 911. While Subaru puts their flat six up front and Porsche in the rear, both position the weight of the motor over the drive wheels. Subaru imported fewer than 2000 copies of the 1994 SVX, and hagerty.com calls OEM parts “essentially nonexistent.” With muscle car prices waning since around 2007, would it be crazy to think of a ’90s techno-wonder like the SVX as becoming a six-digit collectible? Do you remember your first impression of the SVX?
Must own one someday… Nice one, Todd!
I had one. Loved driving it. It handled well for a fairly heavy car. I would probably still have it if I would have carried through with a 5spd swap from a Legacy. If the one featured would have been an AWD model, I would be watching the auction to the end.
No “major leaks”, but an abundance of “normal seepage”
This seller lists that with all the cars they sell on eBay so no buyer can come back and say “You said it doesn’t leak and there’s seepage” and cancel the sale and get a refund. CYA for them.
Isn’t this like the only affordable 2 door that subaru HAD made in the last 40 years?
What an insult to single drivers with & w/o this car.
Imagine if they put side windows like that on ’60’s american cars.
You’re correct- this is the FWD LS model with the Ecsaine “ultra suede” seats. I had an identical one about 7 years ago I wish I hadn’t sold– one of half a dozen SVXs I had. There are some slight advantages to having the less-expensive FWD version– fewer things to fix if you don’t really need AWD, and you don’t have to replace all the tires at once if one goes bad. FWD SVXs are marginally lighter and a few tenths quicker than the AWD versions.
By 1994 Subaru had begun to resolve the problems with the failure-prone transmission and the motorized seatbelts were gone. Be aware that, as the ad says, some OEM parts are becoming impossible to find. The windshield is a $1000+ OEM item (titanium-coated) item and is very rare now. The EG33 H6 engine is bulletproof and non-interference, which makes it a favorite to swap into Vanagons these days.
The SVX is eye-catching, yes, but its performance doesn’t match its looks.
I remember when the Subaru SVX was offered here in the USA. I was impressed with its looks. At the time, I found it more attractive than the Legacy.
I love Subaru quirkiness. I drove a bare bones XT coupe back in the day, with the rear seat delete. Tremendous cargo capacity.
Who ever said these cars did anything the best ? They have a super engine look super cool. I remember when These showed up. Liked um then I like um now Later……………………………….JIMMY