punisher,

Just because you have spent only $2k that it is a good motor. Most people have problems with this motor. I know because I have friends that have it and constanly go in for repairs and they are tired of it. I have friends that have their gasket seal replaced like 3 times. I do not need to own an Impreza to know if it is a good motor or not. I trust what my friends tell me because they are enthusiasts like me. I driven both the 2.5L Phase I and I have the 2.5L Phase II in my Legacy right now and there is a difference between the two motors besides the DOHC and SOHC. I think that you just need to accept the fact that the 2.5L Phase I is just a crap motor.