My mechanic is a good guy and competant, plus VERY reasonable on $$, but I think he fears working on my SVX. What sort of things on this car should just about any mechanic be capable of doing? For instance, how different/difficult is it to have the rotors ground or pads changed? Or things like CV boots/joints? What about shocks, struts? Would he need a manual? Special tools?

The mechanic I bought it from seem very able to work on this car -- in its prior history they did almost everything, including putting a new fuel rail and Subaru tranny, but they are very expensive, though less than a dealer would be...

Thanks for your insight.