after seeing my dads 98 forester, i would say they are as good as a 90-94 legacy, except for the headgaskets. In my opinion, comparing it to my brothers 99 outback it is way better. Comparing it to my parents 06 legacy, the 98 forester is way better. Comparing to my 94ss, about the same in quality
my dad says his 98 drives better than the 06.
To see if the headgaskets are currently failing, you need to test drive it for 30 minute highway drive, and then pull into a parking lot, with car running, and pop hood quick and look into the top of overflow tank. If you see BUBBLES, it is failing or has failed.
Stay with something prior to 07.......like 98-07
the new ones are HUGE.