Story & Shots: Phillip Pratt
There’s an old saying about ‘opportunity’… well there are several dozen. Two stick out the most to me. The first is: “When Opportunity knocks, you’d better answer it” and the next is “Opportunity knocks but once”. While I unequivocally agree with the first, the second isn’t always true.
For the briefest of moments they were going by the hilarious moniker: FAH Q Motorsports
Sometimes opportunity doesn’t just show up once and then walk away. Like a Jehovah’s Witness on a Saturday, it can be persistent and either bang on the door until someone answers, or just keep coming back. Both of these proverbs describe the journey of South Florida’s WRXperts, Subaru Specialists, to the proverbial “tee”.
Individually, the two halves of the WRXperts, Rodrigo Ruiz, and Juan Cardentey, were already accomplished mechanics before they decided to work together. It wasn’t until Rodrigo needed help getting a job done, did the two happened to meet through a mutual acquaintance. After the work was completed, Juan and Rod found themselves continuously running into each other on the street. Turned out they lived within just five minutes of each other.
After fate pushed them together on several occasions, they finally exchanged numbers at a local supermarket, of all places. A little while later, Rod injured his hand and was unable to complete a job he’d begun. During a couple of all-nighters, Rod and Juan decided to join forces and pool their talents to create what would later be called WRXperts… I say “later” because for the briefest of moments they were going by the hilarious moniker “FAH Q Motorsports”, a holdover from Rodrigo’s solo days.
“We were busy. Every day of the week, and then the weekends…”
After being a mostly mobile service, and when necessary, doing work out of Rod’s Pembroke Pines home (which was becoming a hassle with HOA and the City applying pressure for them to “cease and desist”), in late 2013 the two were able to secure a space in a body shop in Miami called Perfection Paint & Body.
“We were busy. Every day of the week, and then the weekends. It got so busy I ended up quitting my job of fifteen years” Juan recalled, “We needed somewhere to wrench”. The workload was consistent enough that Rod too left his employment.
Eventually, they even brought on other mechanics, JC and then Andy. With just enough space to squeeze in two lifts and their tools, they made it work for over four years. A tribute to their reliable and fast work, the WRXperts built up a steady clientele, despite not being in the most convenient of locations. The best route to their shop was utilizing a notoriously congested, multi-lane, perpetually under-construction, highway named the 826, more affectionately known as “the Palmetto”.
“We’d get photos sent to us from customers stuck in traffic, but they’d still make the trip, and we’re grateful for the loyalty.”
For those not familiar with the layout of South Florida – the area the WRXperts relocated to after leaving Rod’s home in Pembroke Pines was roughly twenty-three miles South, in the heart of Miami. That may not seem like a big deal, but once morning traffic kicks in, a customer could easily be in for a forty-five-minute to an hour of driving, and then some! That is assuming they were coming from the South Broward area.
Some customers routinely made the trip from as far north as West Palm Beach
Some customers routinely made the trip from as far north as West Palm Beach. That can be a two-hour drive on a clear day. Now, that is loyalty. Even with a steady stream of Subies coming in, and a rock-solid rep, the WRXperts weren’t exempt from a bad day. The owner of the shop they occupied sold the building to a land developer. That wasn’t the worst part, though. The new owner planned to level it. With only nine days’ notice, they had to move out whilst in the middle of projects ranging from oil changes to full engine builds.
“Even with offering mobile services and finishing builds at customer residences, we lost a lot of business in the transition…” Rod laments. “Probably around four to five [thousand dollars] of work.”
After searching the many industrial areas of South Florida from Bird Road to Opalocka, Juan finally came across an online listing for a shop in West Park, a city north of Miami-Dade County. Like, just north of it. I mean, they uncomfortably touch like strangers on a city bus. Juan was unfamiliar with the area despite it neighboring his city of residence, Miramar.
“I didn’t know where the hell West Park was! I never heard of it” Juan remarks with a laugh “It was right off Miramar Pkwy and 441! I was like, ‘sweet, it’s close by!”
Sweet indeed. The shop is now in between all the major highways, not just one jammed-packed monstrosity. It’s ironically a few blocks South of a well-known Subaru dealership and even has an auto parts store immediately next door.
Opportunity did not simply knock on their door; it kicked it down and ground its muddy platforms on their white couch. With help from friend/ customer/ realtor Michael Liming, the guys jumped on it and struck a deal. With more room than they ever thought they’d have, the WRXperts have five lifts at their disposal with space to spare, including an area dedicated exclusively to engine builds, and get this… a waiting room. With chairs!
Only loyal customers will understand the ramifications of that. With a new centrally located, larger space and a base of faithful customers at their backs, there is finally room to grow. As far as their relationship with good old opportunity, well, I doubt that this will be the last visit.
The WRXperts from left to right: Juan, JC, Rodrigo, and Andy
Since the writing of this article, Rodrigo passed away. We send our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and the South Florida Subaru community.