Fundamentally I have grown to detest boxer engines. I hate the sound, the balance and vibration cycle, and the access. Talk about taking a starter motor and building an entire car around it to make sure you can't get at the motor when you want to do any actual servicing! Bearing in mind one of my first cars was a Jowett Javelin, from which Subaru derived the concept, and which I enjoyed. But at least the Jowett had a decent engine bay, made it easy to access the cylinders and plugs, had a sub-frame to drop the engine out on, huge ground clearance and 16" wheels. Boxer layout is a daft configuration for an "off-road" oriented vehicle such as the Subaru Forester or Outback, as the plugs are the first thing to get doused in a creek crossing, while the engine gets filthy with mud in rough going. Look at a WRX engine and it looks like some kid or a demented kitten got a ball of wool, messed around with it a lot, then stood on it to get it all to fit under the bonnet and then slammed the lid shut before it could all explode out again. VW Beetles and Porsches both sound like washing machines and Subarus don't sound much better, being only slightly improved by the addition of a water jacket to act as a silencer.
CP_e Standback & PNP; CP_e 3" SS Downpipe; Corksport FMIC with Top-mount K&N filter & OEM Ram CAI; Turbosmart BOV;Dashhawk;Prosport Boost Guage;Sumitomo HTRZIII's in 225/45 x 18