AWD Closing the doors

[yt]

Well, it has been looming for over a year whether or not we wanted to keep the shop open. Thanks to the continued support of our customers over the years we have been able to keep the shop doors open and continue to do our best to serve the community. Mike and I have decided it is in our best interests to close the shop in the coming months when we have some time to start clearing most of our things into storage.

That being said, it was time we told the rest of the community what our intentions were. We are looking at a final closing date sometime after the new year, likely January. We do still have a large work load right now that we are focusing our efforts and attention on for the time being. Also, this is not meant to deter anyone from doing business with us. Anything that holds a warranty of any sort I will be dealing with personally until the period is up. So, for example you have purchased one of our re-manufactured engines and have a 12month 12kmile policy on it. If there was any issue within your policy period I would still honor the warranty originally issued.

The lift, the compressor, the tools, and things of this manner will not be for sale. However, all of our parts inventory must go. Now, understand we are very busy right now with trying to clear out and finish up the work we have been assigned, so please, no shipping quote requests etc... for parts you have no real intention of purchasing. We encourage any and all people interested in parts to come by on the weekends and pick out what you want. These parts will be sold at VERY low prices since we will need them gone sooner than later.

This is not the end of the business, I will continue to sell 5mt kits, reman engines, and the Hydra Nemesis along with a few of our other specialty items, but our service bay will be closed. If there is something you want done, I would suggest making plans accordingly. It has been an interesting learning experience doing this and I thank all of you who have been a contribution to our venture.

Tom Johnson & Michael Milan

[SVXyGirl]

That was certainly a nice setup you had Tom. It's a shame to see you guys closing shop. Will you have a list of items that will be available? Maybe I'll have to take a road trip up there to get some parts. Do you still have that claret bumper?

[SVXRide]

Noooooo!

(Okay, so maybe I knew this was coming...)


-Bill
p.s. I did ship the strut via UPS. Shims should be going out around mid week if Sean doesn't have to work overtime at his new job. He has ~ half of them done as of Friday

[ensteele]

I am always very sad to see a bood business go. Good luck guys.

[svxistentialist]

Tom & Mike

I'm sad to see this come to this point and I wish you both the very best in whatever your next venture may be.

Joe

[Sean486]

Sorry to hear that guys. Wish you both all the best.

[yt]

Don't be sorry to hear it, at first I was pretty upset about the idea since we put so much work into it getting up and going. At this point it will be a relief not to have to deal with it every waking hour we are not working our regular jobs. Like I said, I will still be making a lot of our products from my house and keeping the business. We will just not be doing the service portion of it anymore as the space to do it is costing more than it was worth to have. Thanks again to all who have been our customers, from buying engines to something as small as a pair of hood struts.

Tom

[Mike621]

As Tom has said, closing All We'll Drive was a difficult decision we are forced to make.

Over the past two years, I have had the opportunity to meet and befriend owners and enthusiasts of these cars, and assist many with their needs. I am grateful to those who brought their cars to us, and those that referred others to us.

I appreciate the opportunity I had to take my love for these cars and assist other owners with their questions and with their projects.

Ultimately, Tom and I have come to an understanding that these cars are truly a dying breed. I have cringed at countless posts criticizing SVX sale, parts, and service prices and have watched many members walk away from these cars, knowing that more people are thinking less of these vehicles day by day.

I too have had my doubting moments, but remain loyal to the SVX, even though it has cost me a great deal of financial and personal expense.

To those members that have been on these forums for a long time, or those members going above and beyond to maintain, restore, and renew your cars, I salute you as being motivation to pursue my goals in SVX vehicle and shop ownership. You have been an inspiration to others, including myself, to continue to own and maintain these cars.

Tom, Eric, and I wanted to be at the forefront of bringing the SVX back as a respectable car, by improving our methods, searching constantly for the most permanent and thorough solutions to common SVX woes, and by taking our products and services to the next level of quality, at great personal and financial costs to ourselves. We tasked ourselves with renewing and creating the respect and prestige that these vehicles deserved.

Perhaps our goal was a bit fantastic and fleeting, and out of reach.

[svxistentialist]

Originally Posted by Mike621

Perhaps our goal was a bit fantastic and fleeting, and out of reach.

It is to your eternal credit that you set such lofty goals and extreme high standards in pursuit of serving the SVX car and the SVX community. So don't beat yourself up about that score.

The reality is a business must have profit and steady income, and I suspect your client market had to come to you from too broad a geographical spectrum. You live and learn.

As I said best wishes with your new venture, keep the eye on the costs and cash flow.

Joe

[svxfiles]

Dear Tom, Mike and Eric,
You are honest, knowlegable, and hard working professionals!
I respect and trust you.
I too know the hardships of running a small automotive business, especially in a specialized field.
I know that you will all succeed in whatever path you deside to take.
Good luck, my friends.
Tom Krynock

[Green1995SVX]

This is very disappointing to hear. I wish you guys the best in the future.

[Speedklix]

Sorry to hear this, but at least you guys are going to continue. I might need a new steering rack if I keep mine. Vandals and Car theifs have messed mine up pretty good the last few months... sign of the times or just plain stupidity, i don't know... but they have killed my motivation and my wife will not let me put any money into it for now.

Goodluck to both of you anyhow, I hope you guys had fun with the experience overall.

[SomethingElse]

sad sader sading

let me know when you guys need help cleaning out the shop...I can bring the truck up and haul away some trannys and stuff....plus I can bring some rear diffs.

[CorSVXette]

I can't believe it I was just there Now who am I going to "trust" to work on my car? Can you guys suggest anyone nearby?

[NiftySVX]

Originally Posted by Mike621

Ultimately, Tom and I have come to an understanding that these cars are truly a dying breed. I have cringed at countless posts criticizing SVX sale, parts, and service prices and have watched many members walk away from these cars, knowing that more people are thinking less of these vehicles day by day.

I too have had my doubting moments, but remain loyal to the SVX, even though it has cost me a great deal of financial and personal expense.

A reality all of us SVX purists must remember is that any manufacturer considers a vehicle at end of service life at 10 years old.

I can completely understand this. It's hard, especially for those of us who are long term owners and paid a large amount of money for our cars. I commented recently about the community and what has happened to it. Unfortunately, the majority of the people who enjoyed the SVX when it was new have long since moved on as it is no longer current in its features and specifications. I myself have replaced my SVX as I do not feel comfortable relying on it as a daily driver. Since the value of the vehicle has declined to below $5000 for a prime example, with most of them fetching around 2 or 3k, it's brought in a crowd of folks that just don't see the SVX the same way some of us do who owned one in the 90s when it was a head turner, attracting attention and awe from passers-by, and cost tens of thousands of dollars.

It is sad to see the place go, but I understand. At some point, we all have to let go and accept the reality of the situation. And that reality is a world where the SVX has been out of production for nearly 13 years, the value is below that at which most major repairs would cost, and there are likely less than 5000 units still in operation.