Long before the WRX was produced, Subaru provided me with my third car — a 1982 Subaru DL. It was a cheap hatchback with a five speed manual transmission that made driving the back roads of Morrow County a blast. But Subaru was never satisfied with producing only economy cars. From 1985 to 1991 they produced an angular model called the XT which came with either a four or six cylinder engine. It was a departure form the norm that caught the attention of a classmate in college. This car evolved into Mystery Car 99.
As guessed by “eggsngrits,” Mystery Car 99 is none other than the Subaru SVX. The SVX was produced by Subaru from 1992 to 1997. This was the time when luxury coupes were testing the market waters. According to SubaruSVX.com,
“The SVX was Subaru’s attempt to enter the once-popular luxury/performance car category. The prototype was designed by renowned designer Giorgetto Giugiaro of ItalDesign. Subaru produced around 25,000 SVXs from 1992 through 1997 (about 14,000 of these were imported to the United States). The most striking feature of the car is the windows. The window design of the SVX was created with the goal of good aerodynamics, unobstructed visibility, and a distinctive appearance. The car sold for between $28,000 and $35,000.”
While I have investigated the vehicle on several occasions, this car has yet to grace my driveway. The diminutive size has kept our family of five from owning one. But if you are looking for a luxury coupe, these can be had for less than $3,000. Just be sure to research the car before purchasing. They are known for problems with the transmission, wheel bearings, and warped rotors. So, be sure to check these items before making your purchase. However, from what I have read, the joy of driving the car will overshadow any possible problems.