[Old Davy]

Howdy Folks. Old Davy here, the lucky new owner of CanadianMike's 1997 SVX.

I well remember the SVX when it was introduced in Canada in 1992. It knocked my style & technology socks off and I swore I would have one some day. Over the years since I have had several Subarus culminating in my 2006 Newport Blue Outback XT, which I had lowered by the dealership on OEM Legacy GT suspension - to regain the 'locked on rails' handling.

Thoroughly devoted to the Boxer engine and Subaru's quirky frameless windows for that sleek edge-to-edge greenhouse glass, and aircraft quality build (pre 2010) every rare time I would spot an SVX the want juices would start to flow again - but you know how life just keeps keepin' on...
But at my age the Bucket List begins to take on a casual urgency and hell, ya can't take it with you when you fall off your perch, so...

The wee town of Stratford Ontario is fortunate to have a Subaru Dealership - SASS - and occasionally over the years an SVX or two would appear on the Used Lot. The owner Iqball has two sons that grew up with an SVX in the family and they would collect up parts cars to keep one running. There's been a red one, a white one, a black one and recently, a Laguna Blue one - all pre-1995. Also a rusted out black 1992 with a gutted interior & no engine hiding in the weeds back of lot.
Three months ago, I had a look at the 1993 Blue one priced at $4500 but it was in such rough & rusted shape I knew it was a project outside my interests as I approach retirement. Also had those Barbarella passive seatbelt restraints. That was enough to set my resolve to find me a 1996/97 version, if I could.

Just for kicks I did a google search which led to the superb 1997 Black LSi only 90 minutes away that Canadian Mike was keen to sell. I inquired and got nothing but great honest vibes from him and when we met up a week later halfway between our homes in Brantford for a hiway test drive and inspection I was hard pressed to contain my WOW! reaction.
Sealed the deal, met up 11 days later and drove the car back to Stratford on July 23, possibly one of this summer's hottest muggy days...with no AC. (condenser later proved to have a big hole punched in it from a road rock)
First order of business was to diagnose the AC problem and engine light always on. SASS Service Manager Rob is a straight forward honest guy, btw. He knows I know almost as much about Subaru's as he does so he's never tried to pull wool on Old Davy. He also knows I am ready to pay whatever it takes to reasonably repair anything I can't myself.
So, he sourced a new OEM Condenser that should be here from Arizona in a few days. The rest of the AC plumbing and Compressor are like new - the pre-charge vacuum procedure will clear the evaporator and lines. New O-rings, of course.
The Mechanics at SASS are also a great bunch who speak my engineer's language and they too marvel at the superb condition this maintained SVX is in.
Mike had replaced (but kept) the Airbox with a cone filter and a new MAF. The engine light was always on sending the code for a right O2 sensor.

I'll mention here that deep diving research in the Forum Archives led me to downloading the entire 1993 and 1997 Dealership Technical Manuals. (I have almost finished printing the whole thing for future reference)
On a now educated hunch I put the airbox back in, got a new paper filter at JiffyLube (also managed by an ardent Subarunian) and after a few days of gentle ECU relearning driving, the engine light went out and has stayed out since.
Turning my attention to other quibbles, I removed and serviced the stuck antenna and it now retracts fully again.
Went over the interior with Mr Clean Magic Eraser and toothbrushes. Blotted some light stains from the Escaine as directed and there's not a mark or blemish to be seen.
Underhood was so clean a dry brushing brought up the insulation lining nap (free of any crusty stains as one usually finds) and the gleam of the engine bay with a few swipes with a damp cloth.
Ordered the Doctor Colorchip kit from Florida (which was on my doorstep duty and taxes free in 3 days) and set to slow work on the clearcoat's minor 'white' scratches and major road rash chips. (I find repeated applications of the Dr Colorchip does successfully bring the surface up to clearcoat level if you are patient and diligent).
One more cosmetic correction needed attention. Mike had cleared the front corner lamps but this look is not to my taste. I considered getting the lamps from the black junker in the weeds at SASS and inquired. They wanted $100 each and they would need polishing.
That night I went a-googling again and discovered the JDM spec lamps which have no North American orange triangle inserts. They simply continue the transparent sweep of the headlights. Found a salvaged pair on eBay from Japan for $125 w $30 shipping and they are on their way here.
I must thank Mike for his taste in alloys. The car came with winter and summer sets with rubber and imho look better than the SVX alloys.

Thanks Mike, for a super transaction and putting this Dreamship in my garage.

Did I say it was fast? Last weekend I drove over to Grand Bend on a shakedown cruise. With the police presence on our roads I have become used to setting the cruise control and making my sleeper way in the Outback XT wherever I go. As I did with the sleek SVX. On a hilly valley back country 2-lane I got stuck behind a transport truck barely pulling 70 in a 90 kph posting. Clear to pass I floored it. Rock steady acceleration pinned me to the seatback. When I pulled back into my lane I was astonished to see the speedometer at 189 kph (~118 mph). That would have been a minimum $2000 fine and seizure. Needless to say I was back on cruise control for the rest of the drive but with a big smirk plastered on my face.
"50+km/hr over (Stunt Driving/Speed Racing) = 6 points + immediate 7 day licence suspension and car impoundment + up to 2 year additional license suspension upon conviction. Monetary fine from $2000 to $10,000."

One more thing. I obviously had to get new plates at the MTO registration office and was concerned that whatever was top of the pile might turn out to have 'bad' number & letter combinations. I was sure I was gonna have to spring $250 for vanity plate replacements.
Nope, first plate that came up couldn't be more perfect.
First segment - BPCA (in my mind Blackberry Playbook CAnada - yes I'm a RIM fan and an investor)
Second segment - has two 7's and a 3 - my lucky numbers.

So, that's my introduction. Once I get the AC sorted and those new corner lamps in I'll be posting pictures of my Elroy Jetson Edition Blackberry Rocketcar.