More work for the Claret, etc

Mike621 · #1 08-05-2010, 10:43 AM

Driving my Claret during last winter proved to be an eyeopening and costly experience.

Once I had performed the last round of repairs,

http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/showthread.php?t=53159

I had wanted to be finished with working on my car for awhile. I was admittedly, broke, and wanted to just move on before anything else popped up. I borrowed from a friend and purchased my Volvo 850 wagon soon after Reading, and listed my Claret on eBay. Needless to say, it did not meet the reserve. I had mixed feelings on parting with it anyway. Ideally, I would have gotten my $7500 reserve, and would be starting school this coming month. This however, was not the case.

My Volvo proved itself well (I equate it to an aging rocking chair or an appliance) for I put about 12,000 miles on it since May, and replaced the timing belt, wp, radiator, etc. The car has been suffering brake system issues lately, and is in the shop for a couple associated issues.

On a couple of short stop & go trips, I noticed the engine was getting noisy on startup. I stopped bumping my sale thread, and pulled my CL ad for my car. I was in complete denial that this was happening again.

I put the Volvo in for its timing belt and decided to drive the SVX again just for a few days. On that next morning, an idiot backed into it at a gas station, damaging the fender and bumper.

Discouraged to say the least, I gave the driver "a piece of my mind" and reported the accident, and settled with her insurance company.

I took the opportunity to fix the front end, and grab up a rental.

I am having the shop that originally did my paintwork take care of the car again, and have been addressing little issues here and there.

Some progress photos/re-assembly:

Things I'll be dealing with in upcoming months:

Install professionally rebuilt shortblock & new pilot bearing.

Troubleshoot A/C System (again)

and onto other things:

Replace Front Brakes

Install new reservoir seals

Reseal Taillights

Replace Trim

Fix anceint overspray from years ago.

Install new OEM bumper stays, holders, hardware, etc.

Mike621 · #2 08-05-2010, 10:44 AM

Have my Prodrives fixed... (they all have a little of this)

Clean up this mess!

Clean dingy headliner

Get rid of this mark on my dash suede

Oh, and I'll be replacing any rusty/damaged hardware underneath the hood (again).

I have my work cut out for me!

ensteele · #3 08-05-2010, 12:30 PM

Hi Mike

I tend to wonder if you are going forward or not. Don't get me wrong. This is one pretty car, but by the time you do all of this, are you going to get back what you put into it when sold. If it didn't go at the $7,500, and you do all of the additional work, I don't see you will get your investment back.

If you are doing it for the love of the car, I understand completely! I don't even know for sure you will sell it after you do all of the work. Just a thought. You do amazing work and you are very skilled at what you do. I wish you the best as you move forward.

Mike621 · #4 08-05-2010, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ensteele

Hi Mike

I tend to wonder if you are going forward or not. Don't get me wrong. This is one pretty car, but by the time you do all of this, are you going to get back what you put into it when sold. If it didn't go at the $7,500, and you do all of the additional work, I don't see you will get your investment back.

If you are doing it for the love of the car, I understand completely! I don't even know for sure you will sell it after you do all of the work. Just a thought. You do amazing work and you are very skilled at what you do. I wish you the best as you move forward.

Earl,

I agree with what you are saying here, and knew after I had installed the last motor, 5 speed, etc and did not get a bite, that I'm pretty much married to the car at this point. To sell it, I'd lose a lot of what I have in it, and to be honest, I still have a good time with it all.

I have come to terms over time that owning one of these cars isn't always easy, but is a rewarding experience.

Thanks for the kind words.

Sean486 · #5 08-05-2010, 02:52 PM

Mike, you are just way too irresponsible to own an SVX, you are running around, curbing your wheels, smashing your fenders, blowing up your motor and blowing out your transmissions. Good grief, you need be driving a Volvo or something.

(Kidding of course) I'm sure all the work will be done first class as usual, and am glad to see that you have decide to keep it, even if it does come with a sigh and feeling of resignation.

Hocrest · #6 08-05-2010, 03:18 PM

And now you won't have to show up in a Volvo at Reading next year.

ensteele · #7 08-05-2010, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike621

Earl,

I agree with what you are saying here, and knew after I had installed the last motor, 5 speed, etc and did not get a bite, that I'm pretty much married to the car at this point. To sell it, I'd lose a lot of what I have in it, and to be honest, I still have a good time with it all.

I have come to terms over time that owning one of these cars isn't always easy, but is a rewarding experience.

Thanks for the kind words.

If you are maried to it, you won't have to sell it and will still be around. Good to hear it.

Mike621 · #8 09-04-2010, 08:08 AM

Old motor:

New motor is to the right.

I'm heading off to the garage. More work to be done today...

SVXyGirl · #9 09-05-2010, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ensteele

If you are maried to it, you won't have to sell it and will still be around. Good to hear it.

I'm definitely married to my SVXs....also to my bike apparently. Too many people wanting something cheap, but still too cheap to buy something cheap. I like not having car payments though.

Mike, even in pieces, the car still looks great. Best of luck getting everything back together.