Faults:

Power steering hose failed 45K.

Front brake rotors turned 55K.

General Comments:

I remember seeing my first SVX years ago in traffic on the freeway. I remember thinking "lucky rich guy". The combination of flat six, AWD and that never-before-seen styling made an impression. Life with the Outback was good and so we bought an SVX LSi.

It was on the "Run to the Gorge" through the backroads of southwest Washington State to the Columbia River Gorge where we fell in with a Honda S2000, a Lotus Elan and a Jag XK8. With the Lotus driver as our rabbit, the rest of us followed, ignoring the speed limit and corner speed signs. We drove fast and hard for miles, on the most wonderful turns anywhere. The lightweight Lotus ate up that road; the Jag matched him using horsepower and roadholding; the S2K, with 100 hp for each of its two litres & six-speed, kept up by using the revs and constantly stirring that box.

In that estimable group of blueblood sports cars with capable drivers at the helm of each one, the LSi gave up not one inch. Not for a heartbeat, not even once. The LSi used its AWD all afternoon. As I set up for each turn and headed for each apex, power-on, the feel of four wheels working together was awesome. Understeer? Just input more power, and the 3.3 was there, ready to deliver. No watching the rev's, no waiting for turbo spool-up (no shifting, for that matter). When the power hits all four wheels, the attitude of the car changes from early understeer to near neutral. While accelerating. We were as good as any car on that road that day and better than many. We ran with 'em and we could stand with 'em.

On Sunday morning, with the Run officially over, we left the hotel on our own and did some sightseeing down the Gorge, poking along gawking at views and waterfalls like the tourists that we were. After that, we rejoined the freeway for the three-hour drive back home. Closed the windows and sunroof, turned the climate control on a gentle setting, put in a CD. The LSi wafted us home in comfort and quiet. It's all that too.

General Comments:

Very fast and stylish. The boxer engine gets the MPH up there. Styling similar to very expensive European sports cars. Car sounds unbelievable when started or gears shifted. Performance and speed of a sports car with the interior and options like a luxury car.

Faults:

Needed some engine work after my brother raced it, as to be expected.

General Comments:

It is very comfortable and performs well.

Needs a better braking system though.

Faults:

Car has been trouble free for 40,000 miles. One $20 sensor I replaced myself.

General Comments:

Exceptional long distance cruiser. Like Jaguar ride with better handling. Very reliable and economical. Amazing these great cars are available so reasonable.

Very comfortable and very good handling - not quite as good as my Porsche Carrera, but more comfortable. Can out accelerate almost every car at the stop lights.

Faults:

My problems with Subaru of America have been legendary. I once got into a shouting match with one of the Customer Service Agents and fortunately I had her on speaker phone and 3 other members of my medical staff heard her. Her supervisor's comment was that she did not think there was a problem, since it was obvious the agent was having a bad day. I found the home address of the President of Subaru/Fuji Heavy Industries and faxed/mailed a complaint. His response was to send the complaint back to Customer Service and I had to deal with the original agent.

I would under no circumstances buy anything from Subaru or Fuji Heavy Industries. I would not buy any vehicle from a manufacturer who does not participate under the automotive section of the Better Business Bureau. That alone should tell you of the difficulties experienced.

I am now on my fourth alternator since new. I go through one per year it seems.

The dealership I purchased from no longer sells Subarus so I have been with a new dealership for one year. So far, they have been tolerable.

My SVX has been in the shop for a total of 46 days for various problems since new. I find this unacceptable for car, particularily one which listed for 36k.

General Comments:

I know my comments seem stressed. But this vehicle was to be my dream car. It has proved to be anything but. Now the vehicle is worth only 9k. I feel cheated by Subaru.