Long time idleing = weird smell
 

I have this experience on almost every SVX Ive owned.
If the car sits and idles for more then 5-10 min, while
standing along either side of the car I get a "Weird" odor.
Its not exhaust, gas or rotten egg smell. Its something I
cant place and have never smelled anywhere else and on
any other type of car.
Its almost a kerosene type smell.
Wonder if its the sound deadening material under the carpet
or something.
On the road trip to Reno a few months ago I dont remember
ever smelling it after long driving. It only seems to be apparent
while sitting still and idleing over time

How long did you let it idle for? Ill let me car idle for the same amount you did and see what kind of smell i get.

at least 10 min or more

If that is the smell I think it is then it was more common on the new 97 OBS I had. It is the black rust proofing coating that is sprayed all over the bottom of the SVX and other Subarus. I have noticed that when the tranny rear seal was leaking it softened up the coating back in the tunnel area. Now it is completely gone from the spray area. This just proves that it is petro based and oil soluble. In your case it may be that the under coating is melting in the area of the pipes between the engine headers and the first cat. Those pipes get pretty close to the bottom of the car and all the engine heat channels out through that area. After it melts it would release the odor.

I also got this smell - just like lantern fuel.

Thats on top of my smelly cat.

Yeah.......its rank