Hopefully not my last Reading but if this keeps up...

[NeedForSpeed]

Originally Posted by Sean486

Thats a bit harsh Ben, I thought the majority were in very good shape. Maybe 4 or 5 that were pretty rough.

The turnout was small though, I am guessing 10-20 cars less than Reading 10.

How many SVX in Reading this year? 10-20 less is how many?

Also, I agree with Earl, maintenance meets are an answer .

Nothing feels better than to fix the little stuff, and even better, to help someone else with the little stuff that otherwise would be neglected

To stop the downward spiral, the upward spiral needs a push.

[subi-crosser]

Originally Posted by benebob

Actually, the average distance driven has definately gone down. It wasn't so much of a lack of cleanliness or polish but rather countless cars that I couldn't even talk my inspection guy into stickering and yes he stickered my TVR when it barely moved under its own power. Many of these cars were in the exact same state of disrepair as last year. As Mike said it isn't so much a cut on anyone there but rather the sad realization of how quickly the herd is thinning.

Yeah the TVR does fit nicely on top of a flat bed. It isn't the easiest thing to get there though. Quite a few got to take it for a spin, only hiccup was a certain Tom forgetting to turn the radiator fan on but not being to worried as it neared 140 degrees. He didn't realize it was celcius. Maybe he can change that out when he puts a 302 in it this fall. You know I do try to get cars down to a managable weight.

Without actually attending the event, I 'figured' that the numbers would be down from looking at my OWN bank book!
I used to wash my cars every week, now I'm so busy trying to replace the lost income, that the cars get washed when I can't see out the windows.
Everything I try to do costs more and takes longer! I also have a lot less 'disposable' income over the last 3 years!
I'm still working the same job, but my income from it has dropped over $12,000!
My SVX still needs the same paint it needed when I bought it, I have the paint. What I am lacking is the TIME to make it ready for paint.
Times are TOUGH!! (at least in MY world)
I'm sure that a LOT of other members are feeling the 'pinch'.
My SVX had 222K on it when I got it! I have added to the numbers, it's still kinda ugly, but I will keep working on it and playing with it till I get it back into shape. THEN I will drive it to Reading.

[TomsSVX]

I have to agree with Ben here... For the last 3-4 years my motivation to keep my cars up and to make them better has primarily been driven by this site and its members. Friendly competition drove the mods while superior examples of class and aesthetics drove the need to keep it nice.

When member devotion and will-power to do the unreasonable to keep the cars on the road and keep them in *good* shape dwindled, my efforts to do the same did as well. Primarily in the past there was a tight knit group of owners who really did do a good job of this, they have all but been vacant from the site and sparse at meets, which now are few and far between.

Maintenance meets are a nightmare... trust me. I have seen what you do at your maint. meets out west, I like it a lot. Quite frankly, a maint meet out here has always been a smash and grab attempt at cheap/free labor when the participant blew past the line of being reasonable and would *get stuck* Two very different worlds, the East and West coasts. Hell, out East when I finished a job under time people asked what took so long... When I was out west it was a shock

Either way, group attendance and moral was way down this year from last... Who in the hell thought it appropriate to have a rolling parts car in the lot? There were parts scattered around like a 2yr old's play room.

I had a good time with good people, but it was no Reading... If it cannot turn around for the better soon I feel also this may have very well been my last. People can argue that I didn't drive my SVXi there... but quite frankly, I like driving the M5 more than the SVX and I didn't really come for people to see my cars.

Tom

[NeedForSpeed]

Tom, Ben, Diana, somebody,
Change the weekend, forget the tradition,

Did anyone get a car count, how many attended?

As for our 'national SVX weekend', you can add 15 cars to the Reading total, that is the number that made the SoCal meet this past weekend .

[subi-crosser]

Originally Posted by TomsSVX

I have to agree with Ben here... For the last 3-4 years my motivation to keep my cars up and to make them better has primarily been driven by this site and its members. Friendly competition drove the mods while superior examples of class and aesthetics drove the need to keep it nice.

When member devotion and will-power to do the unreasonable to keep the cars on the road and keep them in *good* shape dwindled, my efforts to do the same did as well. Primarily in the past there was a tight knit group of owners who really did do a good job of this, they have all but been vacant from the site and sparse at meets, which now are few and far between.

Maintenance meets are a nightmare... trust me. I have seen what you do at your maint. meets out west, I like it a lot. Quite frankly, a maint meet out here has always been a smash and grab attempt at cheap/free labor when the participant blew past the line of being reasonable and would *get stuck* Two very different worlds, the East and West coasts. Hell, out East when I finished a job under time people asked what took so long... When I was out west it was a shock

Either way, group attendance and moral was way down this year from last... Who in the hell thought it appropriate to have a rolling parts car in the lot? There were parts scattered around like a 2yr old's play room.

I had a good time with good people, but it was no Reading... If it cannot turn around for the better soon I feel also this may have very well been my last. People can argue that I didn't drive my SVXi there... but quite frankly, I like driving the M5 more than the SVX and I didn't really come for people to see my cars.

Tom

I have 37 cars and trucks. I noticed last week, that the only car I drive that makes the cops look again is the SVX!
It has all the parts and the only thing 'different' is the primer spots everywhere.
They seem to be 'attracted' by the profile. It looks the same as it did 2 years ago when we met at the 'Pumpkin Carve'. (I Think that YOU moved the dealer tag).
I take pride in my sorry specimine. I actually knocked a LOT of dents out of it before that day!
I just 'recieved' the box of Knock Sensors the other day. I will enjoy the car a lot more once they are installed.

I just walked outside and looked at it again a few minutes ago.
It looks like it needs some 'love'. It also looks kinda like it would EAT anything that got too close!
If someone would not know that it had already covered 222K miles, they might think that it was 'rough'. MOST cars with that mileage would have been run through the 'Press' and been sent back as a new Kia!


It will be a while before it becomes 'pretty'. It WILL be the sweetest looking 222K car at Reading Next year!

[green_eyed_lady]

Originally Posted by NeedForSpeed

How many SVX in Reading this year? 10-20 less is how many?

Originally Posted by NeedForSpeed

Did anyone get a car count, how many attended?

As for our 'national SVX weekend', you can add 15 cars to the Reading total, that is the number that made the SoCal meet this past weekend .

I believe the highest count was 32, incuding the rolling "parts car"

Still not a bad turnout, considering a lot of "regulars" couldn't make it this year.

[Sov13t]

There are highs and lows... in everything.

-Sov13t.

[michael]

Guess I'll chime in. I have to agree with Subi-crosser, a lot of us are broke right now. That's my excuse for not going this year. Last year I went on the wrong weekend Yes, I'm not the most social member or active poster but don't say I'm not proud of my SVX. I don't hide it, I just can't afford to have it on the road as often as I'd like. After 130k of DD use time has also come to turn the clock backwards. If it has to sit till finances get better so be it, better than running it into the ground. That's what legacys are for

[Freeman]

Originally Posted by Sov13t

There are highs and lows... in everything.

-Sov13t.

My new favorite quote..

[Subix]

I didn't have the funds or time to go this year but I would have loved to had been there. Instead, we did have ourselves a little INdy SVX meet thanks to Nate for getting that together

My SVX has been a WIP since I've gotten it in May of 2008, has had a few accidents (now with side rear qtr. panel damage that hasn't been repaired) and aside from the upkeep costs over the past few months, aesthetically it is not the best but it is on the way to being a much nicer beast than when I first got it! (and in the meantime, a much more reliable beast)

I'm not here complaining about the issues I've encountered or may encounter, just that keeping the thing driving alone is a chore in itself. (most probably due to lack of proper caring for by the previous owner) Battery, Alternator, PS Pump, Radiator, O2 Sensors, Coil Packs and Rims (to replace cracked one) takes a fair toll on the wallet over the course of a single year.

I think showing up to Reading alone is showing pride in ownership of these cars, especially those who travel many many miles to get to such a gathering. As far as others, they could have dropped the ever problem riddled cars or let them rot altogether but the small amount of dedicated drivers and owners here continue to strive, some more painfully than others, to keep these cars on the road. That alone says a lot.

With that said, I'm guessing by this time next year I personally will have had my paint job done, dents and dings ironed out and interior beefed up with new carpet/seats. It shall be pretty for Reading XII but mostly, it'll be awesome to meet up with a ton of like minded people!

[benebob]

Originally Posted by NeedForSpeed

Tom, Ben, Diana, somebody,
Change the weekend, forget the tradition,

Did anyone get a car count, how many attended?

As for our 'national SVX weekend', you can add 15 cars to the Reading total, that is the number that made the SoCal meet this past weekend .

Honestly, changing the weekend (or month as its changed quite a bit over the years in April) will probably mean an end to Reading quite quickly. Only other months might be Sept/Oct. Do you really want to stand in a parking lot when it is 100 degrees (I've been there and done that at the 10th meet. I won't do that again). Most of the other months are vacation and family months for many so they're pretty much out of the question. As for moving it, that's not my decision nor do I want it to be. I've given up working on planning the event years ago because it simply only leads to headaches because no one will be happy. If you want to move it feel free, just from experience, you won't get the turn out you would in April.

As for a maint. meet. Brilliant idea, drive a beater car with rusted 1000 miles to do the work you should have done in a proper shop only to break 3 bolts off and then have to take it to a shop in Reading. Why didn't I think of that one!. As Tom said, there is your difference between east and west coast cars.

Like I said, if you haven't been to Reading, now is the time to go. Pretty soon they'll only be a handful of cars able to go and an even smailler number willing to go.

I'm sure most people hate me and my arrogance for simply speaking the truth. Maybe I'm wrong but sadly, I don't see how I am.

[svxistentialist]

There is more than a nugget of truth in both the positive side and the negative side being debated here.

As Reading has assumed the mantle of the nearest thing to a US national meet, the maintenance and swap meet part of the event should neither be dissed nor discarded. This is the only time so many members actually get to meet one another, so why not use part of the meeting time to do small maintenance jobs and let members swap parts.

Just keep this aspect of the Meet in proportion and keep the auto jumble swap meet part off to one side like is normally done, to avoid untidying up the place.

Also the numbers turning up and the quality of cars turning up will both go downhill as the cars get older and the owner profile changes.

Don't b1tch about it, just get used to it. It's called reality.

Joe

[NeedForSpeed]

Originally Posted by benebob

Honestly, changing the weekend (or month as its changed quite a bit over the years in April) will probably mean an end to Reading quite quickly. Only other months might be Sept/Oct. Do you really want to stand in a parking lot when it is 100 degrees (I've been there and done that at the 10th meet. I won't do that again). Most of the other months are vacation and family months for many so they're pretty much out of the question. As for moving it, that's not my decision nor do I want it to be. I've given up working on planning the event years ago because it simply only leads to headaches because no one will be happy. If you want to move it feel free, just from experience, you won't get the turn out you would in April.

As for a maint. meet. Brilliant idea, drive a beater car with rusted 1000 miles to do the work you should have done in a proper shop only to break 3 bolts off and then have to take it to a shop in Reading. Why didn't I think of that one!. As Tom said, there is your difference between east and west coast cars.

Like I said, if you haven't been to Reading, now is the time to go. Pretty soon they'll only be a handful of cars able to go and an even smailler number willing to go.

I'm sure most people hate me and my arrogance for simply speaking the truth. Maybe I'm wrong but sadly, I don't see how I am.

Sadly, you can't be too far wrong. The SVX is well past its prime, and most examples on the road today have been repaired/restored in some way, or, in process of falling off the road. The truth is, someone needed to have the guts to blow the horn, to sound the alarm, to rally the troops, and you did . Hopefully, your posts will be a wake up call, somehow, someway.

As for maintenance, I understand what you are saying. There is always a risk working on a car, even on a small project, that something will break, or somehow the job requires something not available. Another problem is that many of those who do know how to fix the little stuff actually work on cars everyday, and the meet is a time to relax, and enjoy their SVX. If maintenance was part of the program, the list of maintenance items would have to be short and previously established.

It seems that one year, svxfiles adjusted TPS. I liked that idea, as theoretically, everyone's car idled and ran better, and many could be grateful that one of the SVX guru masters touched their car. The negative flip, is when people expect more while being ungrateful for what was received.

I believe that Earl has had maintenance meets for things like o-rings, bulbs, etc., but, it seems the same decline in meet numbers is happening in the NorthWest. Yet, it seems that there is a simple list of SVX problems/diseases that we can repair/irradicate, that no car should suffer, which would be an incentive for owners to attend meets. If an owner returns home in a better SVX, say the map light bulbs now work, that's a since of pride and SVX community. As for beaters, no worries, most won't be around to make the meet next year, but, that's exactly what you are shouting, "Pretty soon they'll only be a handful of cars able to go and an even smailler number willing to go".

I don't have the answers, but I agree with you, now is the time to discuss the future

[Freeman]

I'd like to believe there is a bright future for the svx. It's a beautiful car with much potential and I refuse to believe that the end is near. Highs and lows to everything and I'm sure we'll see an influx of cars and more members sooner or later. We just have to wait..

[1986nate]

Wow, I'm sorry I drove the 1000 mile trip in my $500 SVX that has rusted out doors, rusting quarter panels, dented drivers side fender, dented hood and a dent in the roof that I saved from being parted out because some kid really was f***ing the sh!t out of it for the few months he had it before "luckily" the front diff blew on it and he couldn't screw it up anymore. But currently its the one that is in the best mechanical condition. 1 month ago this car wasn't even on the road and yet I put 2400 miles on it this weekend to come out and meet up with people that I've been able to gain strong friendships from. Everyone on here is soooo worried about driving their SVX that they have owned for years even 500 miles or sometimes even less to get to a meet in fear that something might happen due to the age of the cars. Yet I had no real worries about taking this car that I just picked up all that distance.

People come here for the friendships/people than anything, plain and simple!!! Last year I had to bring a Durango and spent as much on gas as it probably would be to have put 4.44 gears in my silver (which still currently remains with a blown high clutch). But I wanted to come and meet the people that I have talked to even though at that time last year, I had only been on the forum for about 6 months. I went there last year and didn't know anyone really and felt somewhat of an outsider but left with a few new friends and met a lot of great people. Those same people that have helped me out with my "adventures" over the past couple months. I could care less if there weren't any SVX there at all, as long as it remained a place that old friends could meet up again once a year and just have a great time doing whatever.