[svxcess]

.

The story of the svxcess-pearlie

Back in June, 1999 I spotted this immaculate 1992 pearlie in the administration parking lot at the college where I worked. I saw it there for a few days before asking security who owned it. They knew who owned it and would not tell me directly, but pointed in the direction of the Admin building where the owner worked.

I went into the building about 5:30pm. The offices were almost empty, but I was able to find the Secretary to the Chancellor. I said: "Debbie, you know everyone around here, who owns that white SVX out in the parking lot?"

And just as I finished that sentence, from behind a cubicle a small voice said “I do. Why?”

Startled at first, I replied, "It’s a really a stunning car. I'm sure you've heard this before, but if you ever think about selling it, could you please give me a call?"


"Her next comment really caught me by surprise!. “Funny you should ask, I'll be selling it within a month”

"Really!!... do you know how much you want for it?"

She replied: "I know exactly what I want for it.. $7500 firm.I was going to trade it in, but the dealer would only give me $3500 and I told him it was worth much more"
(She was the original owner and bought it brand new in 1992 for $28,000. To think that it was worth only $3500 just 7 years later seemed to be very upsetting to her)


Without a second thought I said: "I'LL BUY IT!... Can I write you a check for $1000 right now as a down payment? You can hold onto it or cash it, and whenever you are ready to take delivery of your new car, I will give you a cashier’s check for the balance".

"That’s fine"


And an informal bill of sale /commitment to buy was quickly created and signed. When she handed it back to me she said.

"Do you want me to open it up so you can take a look at it?"

. "No" I replied.

"Do you want to start it up or test drive it?"

Again I said: "No. I’ve looked this car over very closely many times long before I came in to speak to you. Anyone who maintains this car in this condition must really care about keeping it perfect, both mechanically and cosmetically. Call me when you are ready to finalize everything."


Three weeks later, I met her at the Nissan dealer in Bel Air,where she was taking delivery of a new, bright yellow Nissan Xterra. She signed over the title, I gave her the check and the first time I ever drove it was to go directly to the DMV to register it before going home. She also included the original factory green SVX jacket which was never worn, s cases of oil, a case of oil filters, a case of air filters and complete service records since day one.

First time up my driveway, July 2, 1999




The new pearlie and my 1997 Legacy GT

The reason she was selling her SVX was that her husband had just died unexpectedly. The SVX was her car and her husband owned a Subaru Forester, which they used to carry around the crates for their show dogs. After his death, she had to sell his Forester and get another car that would hold the dog crates (obviously it wasn’t the SVX).


And then I met the most wonderful people while surfing the web to get a little more information this magical dream come true... and the rest is history.

The pearlie is still alive and well in Vancouver, Canada, in the possession of Chris Gooderham (known here as CDG). Sold it to him after I found my 1996 Polo. He bought it sight unseen, paid my asking price and sent me the entire amount in full. He flew in from Vancouver to Richmond to visit family, and then rented a car to come to Baltimore. He documented his 3,000 mile journey back to Vancouver and had to stop in Chicago to get a new CV axle.



Personal Note

In retrospect, I realize just how lucky I was. Despite my enthusiasm, I should have at least taken a test drive before making that commitment (like I have always done in every other car I have ever bought) Maybe I was afraid I would find something about the car that I didn't like and change my mind.

I knew nothing about any the problem areas that plagued these cars, like transmissions, wheel bearings, etc., or knew anyone else with an SVX to help me ascertain its condition. My technical knowledge on this car was about zero, but I felt that this was THE car.

I had never bought a used car from a private seller, much less a person I did not know. She knew nothing about cars, as her husband took care of all maintenance. She did mention that they had the transmission replaced at 102,000 miles (which was 10,000 miles before I bought it). Her excitement about how the car drove and handled on various roads, trips, and all types of weather proved to be contagious!

I had never bought a car that I hadn't researched at least a little, or a make that I was not familiar with (This was my first Subaru and my first AWD). Add all of these things up and my first Subaru experience could have been much different. I was indeed lucky.

Luck is for rabbits... knowledge is power. Here's to one of the most powerful networks imaginable!

.