has it been 17 years? Sorry Not Datsun: Subaru 4x4 1800 wagon 1983 CHEAP!!!

ah, the 2nd-gen Subaru 1800 (1979-1984). Back in the 80s, I loved the size and looks of the Leone line, but found the back seat too small buy one. Instead we got a 1986 3rd-gen 2WD. It was "ok", at least for a FWD car, and sharpened up the styling a bit compared to the 2nd-gen. For example, all the rounded parts of the body were squared up such as the curve of the rear side glass on hatchbacks and wagons like this one

Our next Subaru was a great car -- a 1996 Legacy. 10x the car compared to earlier Subarus and so much better quality than a first-gen Legacy. The only complaint I had was it was a bit underpowered with its 2.2 liter engine (I was always wishing it had more power). We lived on a long hill and while it was warming up, it took a lot more throttle than I was comfortable with

We had that for 7 years until we bought a 2006 Forester. With its variable cam timing, fly-by-wire throttle and 2.5 liter engine, it had plenty of power! Zipped right up that hill, and more than enough power to merge with any sort of freeway traffic. And it was very reliable. Still have it, but I accidentally cracked the radiator while changing a belt and didn't notice it. So it overheated and now sitting in the garage waiting to be fixed

The only complaint I have about the Forester is that the driver's window whistled at speed. I notice that since my 2006, Subaru have changed their long-standing use of hardtop windows and gone to sedan-style glass. I reckon it was because of the many owner complaints of noisy windows. Pity they didn't fix that problem, as the hardtop styling is so nice, no glass frames in the way when the door is open

Don't know if i'll ever buy a Subaru again what with them getting rid of conventional automatics. And their Forester styling since 2012 isn't what I like. The BRZ two-seater is nice though ...

Gotta love that AWD. No slipping in the rain or on wet grass, or with heavy throttle on corners. And steering without torque-steer due to their symmetrical half-shafts. More neutral, better handling than FWD. With the viscous diff they had better traction than any other full-time AWD (see the comparison videos on Youtube)

But in the last 10 years they've gone heavily to electronically-aided AWD and now are no better than then competition (see the comparison videos on Youtube)?