Outback 1 owned since new:
MY-1997
Trans manual
Head gaskets went at ~275000 kms. caught early when oil showed up in antifreeze.
Head gaskets replaced. Now at 380000 kms and running strong.
Outback 2 bought used.
MY- 1997
Trams manual
Head gaskets blown when I Bought the car with 260000 kms. Replaced the head gaskets right away. At 290000 something bad and noisy happened to the crank. I suspect the previous owner had driven for a while with the head gaskets swapping oil and antifreeze and bearing damage had begun. Replaced engine with jdm turbo ej20k.