3 Reasons Why Subaru Uses the Boxer Engine; Will It Continue?

Fasteddie I like the Tesla, electric cars... and for the most part I agree with your statements but I have a hard time using the word SAFETY and Tesla in the same sentence. My opinion is based on the company and not the car but it is difficult to separate the two. Tesla is pushing technology out before it is ready and they are doing it for the wrong reasons. Their autonomous cars are one example. They are making the news as they are crashing into motorcycles and pedestrians because the sensors do not always recognize these as things the car should stop for.

Could this be sour grapes

I've owned 3 Subaru's. 2 were rather new, I drove both to 125-150k each, and I had almost no problems with them (one had a wheel bearing issue, but that was it). The only one I had issues with was the SVX, it had a dismal transmission. But with 185k miles, the engine ran beautifully and had no issues.

I bought a 2002 WRX, had the dealer install a ton of upgrades like bigger turbo, injectors, fuel pump, up and down pipes and it dynoed at about 380 rwhp IIRC. Drove it 123,000 miles with zero problems, but was always careful on the maintenance. Traded it in in 2010 for an STi SE with just a reflash and it now has 137,000 miles. Zero problems. I have no idea how these cars came to be known as fragile or problematic. I think they are fantastic cars that handle like sports cars on 18" wheels and max performance summer tires, and like Sno-Cats in the winter with 17" wheels and Blizzaks. These are amazingly well made, parts don't break or fall off, and as long as you stick to a strict maintenance program are very reliable. The only thing I have ever replaced were brake pads and rotors. These were and are my daily drivers and never let me down. The awd system is superb, esp. on the STi with the switchable diff lock and I/.S and S+ modes. I will soon be getting another. With a few $$ in tuning they will stay with any Porsche except the turbo and will blow away most "sports cars". They really are that good. And lest you think I'm a WRX/STi nut, I have owned 5 Ferraris including 2 Challenge cars and raced them, a Shelby Brock Cobra Daytona Coupe, A Jaguar E type, 7 BMW's including 2 M3s and an M550i, various Mercedes, a Porsche 911 (993), 2 Corvettes, and just bought a Jaguar XJ220. And I still prefer the scoobies as daily drivers. And their seats are amazingly comfortable! Nothing can touch these cars in this price range. Sorry for the rant, but I have heard too many misinformed people tell me to watch my head gasket, etc. By far my favorite "go-to" car in bad weather, and we get a lot of snow upstate NY.

Unfortunately, you do not say why the Subaru engines blow and how frequent that is.
I find that the boxer concept is a good one. If the engines fail it must have to do with detail.design or materials used. .
BMW used the boxer in their star motorbike with good success.

Access to the engine is likely difficult being buried underneath. I don't drive one so I don't know, How easy is it to make an oil change or chance the spark plugs?

Unfortunately, you do not say why the Subaru engines blow and how frequent that is.
I find that the boxer concept is a good one. If the engines fail it must have to do with detail.design or materials used. .
BMW used the boxer in their star motorbike with good success.

Access to the engine is likely difficult being buried underneath. I don't drive one so I don't know, How easy is it to make an oil change or chance the spark plugs?

We just bought the 2020 Forester Touring Trim, and we like it a lot. It is our first Subaru after owning Toyotas, Hondas, and VWs. The safety features and comfort are what sold us.

There was not too much difference between 2019 and 2020, so I would see who gives you the best deal. I would have preferred to be able to purchase a more efficient E-boxer version that is being sold in Japan.

Good luck to you. At the closing for our purchase, the dealer said; "welcome to the cult" truer words..

Joe ..... unfortunately your 2010 Forester falls within the problem date range. Much to Subaru’s credit, the carmaker replaced their OEM gaskets with SIX STAR MLS (Multi Layered Stainless) gaskets, which have solved the problem. On 2015 models and beyond, the number of head gasket issues in Subaru vehicles has been nearly nonexistent, and Subaru continues to be recognized as the auto manufacturer with more vehicles of 10 or more years still running reliably and virtually free from any major maintanance.

Thank you SO much for your honesty. Comfy high-up SUV’s with great visibility and traction in slippery situations. However, it was way too much of a hassle to deal with the constant attention of Subaru’s AWD-boxer scheme. I owned a 2014 DITurbo Forester XT touring for 9 months. For every month of ownership it spent a week in the shop. Before 50k miles the dealer discovered I had premature engine wear. Suspension parts were wearing out just driving on normal roads, no off-roading at all. Dealt with the “Christmas tree” effect with all the instrument cluster lights staying on a few times. “Limp mode” the local Subaru service dept called it. Engine problems, poor electrical system, and the interior rattles were absurd for a vehicle that young and one “built for adventure”. I got rid of it before the famous head gasket and wheel bearing issues came up when I decided to price a new CVT lineartronic transmission simulated 8speed in the XT models just out of curiosity....over $8k in parts alone. CVT’s are not serviceable, avoid them and especially the Subaru CVT’s. I went back to our family brand, Toyota, and I have been saving money ever since.

Thank you SO much for your honesty. Comfy high-up SUV’s with great visibility and traction in slippery situations. However, it was way too much of a hassle to deal with the constant attention of Subaru’s AWD-boxer scheme. I owned a 2014 DITurbo Forester XT touring for 9 months. For every month of ownership it spent a week in the shop. Before 50k miles the dealer discovered I had premature engine wear. Suspension parts were wearing out just driving on normal roads, no off-roading at all. Dealt with the “Christmas tree” effect with all the instrument cluster lights staying on a few times. “Limp mode” the local Subaru service dept called it. Engine problems, poor electrical system, and the interior rattles were absurd for a vehicle that young and one “built for adventure”. I got rid of it before the famous head gasket and wheel bearing issues came up when I decided to price a new CVT lineartronic transmission simulated 8speed in the XT models just out of curiosity....over $8k in parts alone. CVT’s are not serviceable, avoid them and especially the Subaru CVT’s. I went back to our family brand, Toyota, and I have been saving money ever since.

ok MR. ENGINEER...for starters there IS NOT a vehicle out there that lasts 10 years without calling for some form of overhaul of the powertrain. your precious honda crap requires a full timing overhaul to keep the warrantee at 120000 miles. if you skip this by 160000 miles the timing has thrown and you've either slammed a valve through a piston or stuffed a rod through the side of the block i.e. you're ending up paying $8500 bucks or so for a new engine. secondly it takes a half an hour to pull ANY of the boxer engines out of ANY Subaru body. the 100000 mile timing replacement with engine out takes less than 20 minutes and the kit for it costs 180 bucks. the manual calls for INSPECTION OF ENGINE SEALS and replacement as required. and finally its not the engine that has the issue its the standard HG that is the issue and that isn't always the case as my 2002 Subaru has 344896 miles on it and I've NEVER had to crack off a head or open the crankcase EVER. i'm just now considering changing my 2.5L engine as its just now starting to get piston blowby significant enough that I go through 1/2 a quart every 3 weeks to a month. so with that its obvious either you aren't a very good engineer or you're just whining cuz you got stupid and now you have to get your hands dirty. either way nut the hell up and be a man about it!!!!