The 2000ish Subarus had head gasket problems so far I haven't heard issues with the new ones.

Well after all that talk about the Subaru, I ended up with a Mitsubishi RVR. I do like that its a smidge wider, and taller. I'm only 5'6" and kept bumping my head on the visor of the crosstrek with my sunglasses on my head. That and it was $4000 more. Trucks gone :( But I think I was going to end up putting a transmission in that thing sooner then I would have liked so that's going to save me a few grand right there.
Dogs seem happy even with the seats up. Thankfully nothing with 2 legs that belongs to me will ever fill those back seats! So the dogs can still use it totally flat out, and heck throw some foam in to fill the gap between the front seat and the back ones flat out and I can sleep in it!

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l8...725_153206.jpg
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l8...725_163758.jpg

Well congrats on the new ride ,haven't heard much about the rvr let us know how you like it.

Looks nice, congrats! Mitsubishi Zeros were the most reliable fighter plane during the war, I'm sure you will be happy with the car. I will have to keep an eye out for you driving past my house while you scream 'Banzai' down the road, Lol.