> But remember, modern Subaru flat-sixes are so good because Subaru in the
> 1980s had a run of horrible flat-fours.... back then, the WBX6 would have
> been than the top options Subaru had - the WBX4 was at least as good as the
> Subaru fours of the time, in 1985.
>

This topic has rreeeaaaalllly gotten off of the original track, but , as a
previous owner of a 1980 Subaru 4wd wagon, I can't let that statement go
unchallenged.  Yes, the 1600 was a bit low on power and it used old
technology(carburetor, solid lifters, gear driven camshaft), but it was
dependable, simple, easy to work on, and I put well over 200k on it and it
still didn't need a rebuild.   I didn't have to worry about the engine
dissolving and leaving puddles if I didn't scrutinize the anti-freeze I
used; I didn't have to carefully choose what oil filter to use, I didn't
have to figure out ways to "burp" the cooling system; I didn't have to
carry boxes of spare parts when I traveled; I've never heard of anyone
discussing "Subaru Syndrome".  And, if I had needed to rebuild the engine,
I could have done so for a small fraction of the typical $4,000 price tag
for a WBX rebuild.

--
Brett in Portland, OR
"Albert" '82 VanaFox I4 Riviera