While I no longer own this car, I believe that this 1994 Subaru SVX LSi was the best car I've owned. Not because it was particularly a good car mind you, but because it was so unique.
I actually received this car from my grandparents for the cost of the needed repairs on the car. My grandfather bought this car and was the sole owner for 15 years before it came into my possession. With minimal repairs I owned a truly unique car, which at the time only had 19,000 miles.
What made this car great though? Was it the rare panda original paint coat, the immaculate all-suede interior, the hide-and-seek audio controls? Or the fact that the aerodynamic windows allowed you to drive at highway speed with the windows down with little road noise? No, it was the sheer wow factor this car represented driving down the road. I almost caused three accidents because people where staring at this car trying to figure out what it was. People were always looking at it as if it was some sort of rare exotic car. Clearly it was not.
It had its problems though; mainly that it was a heavy car. Weighting in at 3,600 lbs, the H-6 engine, while very adequate, had a hard time getting this guy moving quickly and the weak brakes had an even harder time slowing it down. Eventually, this was the reason I sold the car.
In the three years I owned it, I needed to replace the front brake and rotors pads twice. In the end, I sold the car still with a very low odometer of 38,000 and for about five times the value of what I put into it.
Looking back wish I would have kept it and used it as the weekend car it was meant to be. -- Ben
If you want to participate in the Readers Rides blog, click here to read the submission guidelines and email your text and photos to submissions@edmunds.com -- Donna
noburgers says:
05:19 AM, 02/22/12
I remember one guy I worked with loved Subarus and had bought one of these. It was a real marvel in its time--quirky, unique and EXPENSIVE! I remember the side windows being unusual too--maybe sometimes Subaru was different for the sake of being different. It was pretty rare back then, and any survivors now must be very rare. I think I've only seen one in the past 5 years or so. Thanks for reminding me of this little beaut.
agnh says:
06:35 AM, 02/22/12
I remember when these came out, people were shocked at the idea of a $25k Subaru.
If memory serves, the LSi was FWD
sp23ms3 says:
07:26 AM, 02/22/12
Thanks for writing into readers rides! Have very fond memories of the SVX. It was always fun to go out and watch people's reactions to the car. Sadly as you know, it was also good friends with the Subaru dealer.
06scooby says:
07:46 AM, 02/22/12
These were sold in FWD versions?
I bet a manual tranny would have made these cars more engaging to drive, but I don't think they were ever offered with one.
steviebster says:
08:36 AM, 02/22/12
Great pics. I've always loved the Subaru SVX. In fact, I was looking to buy one back in 2008. Even in the Pacific NW land of Subaru-mania, they are hard to find. I ended up with another fav of mine, a 1993 Lexus SC 400. Hopefully, my post and pics of it will be posted on here. Thanks for sharing!
Subaru-fan in Seattle,
Stephen
sp23ms3 says:
09:58 AM, 02/22/12
@06scooby,
When the car was built Subaru didn't have a strong enough manual to cope with the power of the H6 so it was saddled with the autobox.
FWD came in 94' to help reduce the price of the car.
The FWD version is 'pretty easy' to have a WRX manual box installed. Seen a few WRX motor swaps as well.
wpy777 says:
10:18 AM, 02/22/12
I used to drive a Subaru XT, that was a weird car too! and loved it!
cardrvr says:
02:13 PM, 02/22/12
I remember seeing these things "back in the day"... First time I saw it, I was also thinking "WTF is this???" (but in a "good" way - I really liked how they looked). Too bad Subaru is highly unlikely to do such "experiments" in car's design nowadays...
300zxguy says:
04:01 PM, 02/22/12
I, too, love the styling of the SVX. We'll probably never see another car quite like it, with its unique all glass look greenhouse with windows-in-a-window side glass. I considered buying one, but lack of manual transmission and the annoying motorized belts were two big strikes. Also, seems the auto trans was prone to problems, and very expensive to fix if it did break. I still get a kick out of seeing nice examples out in the wild. I suppose if I had one I'd try to keep it nice and hold onto it for a long time, just because of its uniqueness.
300zxguy says:
04:56 PM, 02/22/12
I, too, love the styling of the SVX. We'll probably never see another car quite like it, with its unique all glass look greenhouse with windows-in-a-window side glass. I considered buying one, but lack of manual transmission and the annoying motorized belts were two big strikes. Also, seems the auto trans was prone to problems, and very expensive to fix if it did break. I still get a kick out of seeing nice examples out in the wild. I suppose if I had one I'd try to keep it nice and hold onto it for a long time, just because of its uniqueness.
bonzjr says:
05:13 PM, 02/22/12
Awesome car. Thanks for sharing.
Some people have solved the trouble-prone auto trans problem by replacing it with a manual. Yes, it can be done. Search the interwebs.
This car will be a collectible someday.
zeniff says:
06:58 PM, 02/22/12
I recall the SVX coming out right around the time the NSX did. Obviously one is far better than the other, but the SVX has a certain quirkiness that made it really unique. Never driven nor ridden in an SVX, but I do agree there is something very intriguing about this car.
90in55 says:
11:16 PM, 02/23/12
This car was actually designed by Bertone. It's a perfect example of Italo-Japanese quirkiness.
sp23ms3 says:
06:05 AM, 02/24/12
^^^Giugiaro at Italdesign
90in55 says:
10:37 PM, 02/24/12
@sp23ms3,
You're right, my bad. I got my designers mixed up.
litewerk says:
12:55 AM, 03/ 1/12
What an awesome example of a very unique and cool car. Have seen very few over the years. But even in recent years, because I am out on the roads every day, I still see one from time to time. My first reaction is always what was that, and then within moments my memory recalls it as a Subaru SVX.
redgeminipa1 says:
05:04 AM, 04/23/12
I've always loved the SVX. I still say I'll own one someday.
I remember the last one I saw at my local dealer new - loaded '97 LSi AWD - cranberry red over tan leather, and every option. The sticker was $37,000! If I had the money... ugh!