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Can you look for what you want mechanically without putting yourself into a sentimental corner about your old car? Do like Imdew said and lift one if you want some extra clearance. 2” is easy bolt on anyone can do, the 4 parts are made by various people and vendors and not expensive or you can often install struts/springs from other Subaru’s for s lift. Air suspension is highly problematic with age. None of them are ever maintained at all, bags leak, there’s 2 dozen orings that can leak, solenoids that can leak, the pumps have multiple failure modes, and the tank sensors get corroded. They’re great in great condition but getting that on 30 year old used suspension is a shot in the dark. Sure, look for one, but being married to them won’t be easy.

I’m the same and very pragmatic and practical. I prefer 80s Subaru’s which I should change since they’re less practical due to space with kids That said the 91-94 legacy’s are the cream of the crop for simple, reliable, predictable in every way. They’re excellent high mileage inexpensively maintained reliable mechanical beasts.

That's a good point for sure. I probably got lucky with my last one being in such good shape given the previous owner stated never having used it because they didn't know what it did. Sentimentality aside, I'm particularly attracted to the first gens because 1) I love the interior and exterior of the vehicles along w/ so many other early 90's Japanese vans, hatches, and wagons and 2) for someone like me who is mechanically inclined but not a car guy/tinkerer, they are a breeze to work on. For my life style a vehicle is a tool to get me out and about faster but I get my thrills on the bike. I've come to love the early 90's Legacy wagons and early 90's Toyota Previas because of the AWD/4WD option respectively and their capacity to carry my bikes and others and both allow enough room for sleeping inside w/ the pup during inclement weather. Outside of those reasons, the price on both vehicles is nearly always appealing and I've never been one to take out auto loans - the best vehicle is the one that's fully paid for (and AWD).

I wonder why all the posts lately about loaded struts/shocks....very strange. These are not available from reputable sources for Subarus. Spring compressors are not scary, or hard to get (most auto parts stores will rent you a set for a completely-refundable deposit). KYB are the best for aftermarket struts/springs, but I've had mediocre luck with them (lifetime warranty. IMO worth spending extra to get from a local source to simplify that warranty process. RockAuto is good about warranty, but you'll still be paying shipping).

I assume you’ve already checked for obvious play, loss ness and front control arm bushings? The rear bushings on the front are weak.

Front CV axles (it’s the inner joint) routinely vibrate under load/acceleration/uphill. Bearings routinely make noise and those 2005s have no shortage of failed wheel bearings. They usually make noise first then vibrate as they progressively get worse and get really bad. They can be hard to diagnose with no consistent symptoms that always confirm. False negatives are common. I’ve seen some not have any obvious play until the entire assembly is off and axle is out of it. Use a stethoscope. Check temps after driving and compare drivers and passengers side. Rear diff failure is rare and usually a misdiagnosis, that’s a hard one to lean towards without compelling Subaru specific experience.

the height adjustable air suspension would have been on the LS model, not typically an L (i had a 90 LS wagon & loved it - except for the blown air struts that got converted over to standard struts)

Check http://cars101.com/

It’s a nonissue. It’s basically an extension of ones personality. If you like conspiracy theories or hedging your bets on unlikely scenarios - yes there’s a 0.000000000000000003% chance it could cause some issues. In which case those people would need to also carry a helmet for escalators and elevators and go out of the way to avoid left hand turns while driving. The more practical type will learn and ask people that have actually done it for years across more subarus than they can remember , realize nothing at all will happens, and carry on. That being said the FWD fuse isn’t ideal to be used as a cloak or to limp along to mask known, undiagnosed, symptoms - that’s not a recipe for long term success. So if you’re going to do it - it’s ideal to know why you’re doing and that it’s appropriate. It’s not a magic fuse.