No way does that Subaru have 340bhp...

Just because Escorts fetch silly money, doesnt mean they are worth it or make them a better car. A Subaru with 100k will still feel good on the road, and have no rattles, interior be in good order, unless its had an extremely hard life. can you say the same for the Fords ?

Its just the cult following they have, some people are prepared to pay over the odds for them.

Hell, over here, people have paid around £7000 for a shitty old Toyota twin cam corolla !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And they are total scrap !!

As for reliability....any car will break if abused. I assume the price you quote for a box is including fitting ?? I guess thats more expensive than a replacement MT75 4x4 then ??

If you abuse a 4wd car, the clutch and box will give bother. Very few are built to withstand bad drivers, from any manufacturer.

As for bottom ends, I know of 3 friends, who's Cossies have shit their big ends...

IMO, a well maintained Subaru, will long outlast a Cossie.