Well, it still rolls...
 

I hadn't started my SVX since...well, to tell you the truth, I really don't know. It had been at least three months, but maybe more.

The security system had totally drained the battery. I would have pulled it, but I meant to run the car every couple weeks like I did last year. Then, once the battery was dead, it was so cold outside that I didn't feel like jumping it.

Speaking of jumping it, the Justy did the job. Heh. It was probably pretty funny to see the SVX being brought to life by a car half its size.

I drove it a little...only for about ten minutes, and I stuck to the snow-covered gravel roads that I live on. I didn't want the car to touch the salt.

Even without many forward gears, I still love that car. I didn't break 25mph, but it still felt like flying...

Someday. It'll work again someday. :(

Nick,
I feel your sadness/elation in your words. Yes, someday.

Meanwhile, I almost ran out the other day to look at an 88 Justy, "In great shape" for only 900.00. Then, I remembered, I can't afford 900.00, what with "Patience" needing tranny work again, and "ET" needing O2's. :(

I think you should rename Patience. How about Elliot?

If it doesn't stop having tranny trouble, I'll rename it "Reeses Pieces." :mad:

$900 is nuts for an '88 Justy. I mean, I love the little thing and all, but come on.

Besides, I don't even think that the '88 was fuel injected. If you've ever worked on an '80s pre-FI Subaru, you'd probably avoid them. I haven't actually measured, but by my estimate my '85 GL has four hundred thousand miles of vacuum tubing.

Anyway, I'm thinking again about converting my Justy to 4WD. Yeah, it's great in the snow for FWD, but it'd be killer with 4WD. I'm going to replace the clutch this summer anyway, and there can't be that much additional work - we're talking about a JUSTY. :D

When my Justy was broken into they estimated it's value between $1300 - $1800 (CDN).

The 88's were not fuel injected. Actually they were the last new car in the US to not be fuel injected! Yes there's a lot of tubing under the hood. It's what also controls the 4wd as well.

Mr. Pockets, have you been in the snow with a 4WD Justy? Sooo much more fun than 2wd! Especially with snow tires! It makes you feel invincible :D

My old Swift with Blizzaks is terrific in snow....I can only imagine how good a 4WD Justy would be! What fun! :) Don

Yeah, but when was that? :D

And that tubing is what scares me away from ever owning another '80s Subaru. Sure, the block will last forever, but you'll be replacing tubes until the day you friggin' die. ;)

I've never driven a 4WD Justy, period. I wish I would get the chance, but Justys are more rare here than SVXs. Although, I have to tell you, AWD seems to be more practical for me. I really want to buy a wrecked 1.8L AWD Impreza and transplant the engine, tranny and drivetrain into my Justy. I think it'd fit, and how slick would that be? :D :D :D

That was 1 year ago.
I don't remember replacing any tubes on my Justy actually.
Justy's are getting very rare here as well. Mainly because of rust. I don't think you would be able to transplant a 4cyl into the Justy. It has a very narrow engine compartment and even if you did it would be harder to change the plugs than the SVX! :p It's a nice thought though. I think it would be better to adapt a turbo from a Suzuki Swift (Firefly/Sprint...) to fit the Justy for more power. There was a guy in Toronto looking into doing that.

I have an '85 GL behind my garage (gotta call a salvage yard someday...), but before it was moved there, I commuted with it for awhile. I replaced the radiator and rebuilt the carburetor, and during both of those repairs the friggin' vacuum tubing got in the way. It was all in okay shape, I guess, but I suspect that many of my problems were really due to the vacuum lines. I should have just replaced it all.

As for the turbo, I think that if I start to do fun things to the Justy, that'll be the route I pick (instead of the 4cyl). I agree - it's far more feasible. Of course, I'll still need to have a manifold custom made and stuff like that...

Stop evil thoughts!
 

Hmm now I want a Justy! (with turbo)

Seriously, if you ever venture into that, I'd be glad to help with the machining and welding end of it. :cool:

I too have not driven my SVX in so many months I can't remember anymore....April is closing in....must get turbos installed before Reading:eek:

I was searching for Turbo Justys and found nothing yet, but I did happen upon this little gem:

Custom Justy

The theme song from "The Munsters" popped into my head when I saw that. :D

When you want to transport your recently departed loved ones in style, what could possibly beat the Justy Hearse?

:D

Really. Just the car for undertakers that cater to 'small' families.