Our hometown had a little dealership that sold “professor” cars: Volvos, Subarus, etc., as we had a few colleges and universities, along with being nicknamed “Little San Francisco” due to the incredibly steep hills. This 1992 Subaru SVX is located south of the San Bernardino Freeway in South El Monte, California, and it’s posted here on craigslist. The seller is asking $4,500, here is the original listing, and thanks to Barney for the tip!
My first sighting of a Subaru SVX was when it first came out in 1992, and it was parked sideways like in the photo above. I couldn’t believe how space-age this thing looked with the inset window that opens and closes within another piece of curved glass. It was nuts compared to the 1991 Dodge Spirit I was driving at the time. This Liquid Silver example appears to have had some bodywork or at least paintwork on the right front fender.
It could use some touch-ups here and there, or maybe a full repaint as you’d only be doing below the unique glass beltline (a Fred Mertz high-beltline, but still). The rear 3/4 angle is my favorite. I like the front, but it looked similar to a lot of cars from the era between 1992 and 1996, with an almost bland front end and the weird upswept “smile” at the leading edge of the hood on the grille. That rear view, though – spot-on! Oh yeah, here’s what the trunk looks like. Nice job on the photos, seller! The SVX was the work of famous Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, and I love that Subaru took a risk and made these cars for a handful of model years.
Dang, this one is an automatic. Just kidding, they were all automatics, one of two things holding me back from owning an SVX. The other is the automatic seatbelts on some model years. I have other automatic transmission vehicles, and I know a lot of owners have done conversions to manual transmissions. Maybe Todd Fitch could swap out a modern WRX 6-speed for me, hmmm… The interior is positively un-Subaru-like in its luxury and design. The back seating area is best left for bags of groceries or grocery bag-sized kids.
The engine is another breakthrough for Subaru: a 3.3-liter EG33 DOHC boxer-six with 230 horsepower and 224 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent through a Jatco E-4AT four-speed automatic to all four wheels as needed, and the transmission can be a bit of a trouble spot for some owners. The seller says this one has zero mechanical issues and they’re firm on the price. Have any of you owned a Subaru SVX? If so, please let us know the good and bad experiences.
I’ve driven SVXa and, despite the slushbox (which worked pretty well) really enjoyed them as smooth quiet and comfortable long-distance grand tourers. I liked the styling, too, which was distinctive.
In fact, a few years ago, I hunted (briefly) for an SVX for my own driveway. That came to an abrupt end when I did a search of Subaru parts lists. Almost nothing was available, including such necessities as drive axles/CV joints, and most engine parts. So, if anything broke, it was pretty much the end.
So, much as I liked the car and wanted one, the idea that it might soon turn into Yard Art soured me on the idea. I hope the buyer of this one has better results.
I haven’t seen or thought about one of these in years, but I also liked them when they came out, and remember seeing a few around my town. I had no clue they could only be had with an automatic, a big no-no for me at the time. That very unusual door glass is almost mesmerizing! Another great write-up, Scotty, and thanks for giving this one its due!
We had a local Subaru dealer nearby during that time and I remember seeing one or two but even then, you didn’t see many. The side glass ( a window within a window) is really unique. I’m with Mike Stephens above, I thought these came with a 5 speed which is something I would’ve wanted. Hopefully it finds a good new home. Great write up Scotty. ( I’m seeing a Subie thing with you lately lol.)
-Dave
This cars intentions from the Subaru brass seemed to be on more a GT/Luxury cruiser coupe. So autoloader was deemed mandatory… just my theory 💁♂️
Subaru at the time didn’t have a manual trans that could withstand the full torque potential from this flat-6, so they all had to be automatics. The prior XT6 was available with a manual, but that engine wasn’t as torquey as this version.
They eventually developed a more robust manual trans later, so some adventurous SVX owners have retrofitted one from a WRX.
They spoofed this car, in “RoboCop”. The 6000 SUX.
Nice joke, but the SVX debuted about 5 years after RoboCop.
If you look closely at the 6000 SUX, it was just a highly modified ’70s GM colonnade sedan, and the name was probably meant to mock the Pontiac 6000 STE.
As long as it’s been this car had one of the best auto selling commercials of all time for this car. I’ll never forget the look on his father’s face when he brought it home.
These are so interesting with all their futuristic style cues. The mailslot window was cool until you got to the drive thru. In 1992 Japan was testing the technology advances of AWD, all-wheel-steer, turbo charging and digital you name it. You could choose this, the VR3000 and the NSX. All equally unique.
Owners of these cars love them. And it was the last time (IMHO) That Subaru made a 6 cylinder with a hill of beans. The owners of these have come up with a list of parts needed to make these a manual transmission if you so desire. My across the street neighbor and fellow car business confidant. Was the general manager at a Chrysler/Plymouth/Subaru store. For as long as Subaru built these. He had one for a demo. He loved these. However,they never did anything for me.
I always loved these, but the price when new made them unattainable for me, so, when my son was ready to start driving we found a very clean example that wouldn’t run, broken timing belt. The 3.3L they have are non interfering, so an easy fix, Belt, water pump, idler and tensioner, crank and boom, started first try. A few minor things and he was off and instantly became the “cool kid” on the block. Even the neighbor with a GT40 asked about it and laughing asked to trade cars…
Anyway, good memories.