"Sporty" Wagons

do you have the tools/space to fix your own car?

I personally don't at the time but I live around 20 mins from family members with garages.

As for tools I don't really know what's needed, the guys in my family are all pretty handy dudes with big tool boxes, saws, air compressors, etc. They're mostly into construction and carpentry though, not sure how those tools would really benefit mechanical stuff either than sets of wrenches and what not.

ok so yeah i'd avoid anything unreliable then, although dont thing a subaru is automatically reliable because subaru

Most of the 04-09 legacy series is very reliable besides the infamous ej25 head gaskets

Just curious what kind of tools are needed to fix your own car?

I've always been interested in mechanical stuff, not to an autistic degree or anything but I definitely want to be involved in maintaining whatever car I choose as much as I can.
They seem really cool and it's something else to do either than partying and playing video games.
My mom still insists on Christmas presents even though I'm going on 20 lol, so if the tools are a reasonable price I could always just ask her for a gift card to a hardware store or what have you.

just stop. get a civic for 3k. there's nothing sporty about any of the wagons that have been suggested outside of the e46. save your money for a cts v after college and after you have a good job.

go look up " common problems"
then look up on youtube "fix "

EJ25 head gasket problems are not a thing on the turbocharged models.

The N/A ones got cuck tier gaskets because Subaru thought it would be brilliant to use shitty gasket material that gets destroyed when idiots let their old oil and coolant get acidic and chew through it.

I won't be able to fit all my shit in a civic or take it through remote Canada. All the wagons that have been listed so far are as sporty as I need.
For me "sporty" is anything that isn't a large metal box with wheels..

What is it that makes head gaskets such a bitch/so expensive to replace? I looked them up and they just look like a rectangular piece of metal. With holes.

It's a bitch and expensive because Subaru.
Because of the boxer configuration.
First off you got 2 heads for a 4 cylinder engine.
Secondly because the blocks are at the bottom of the engine. Not easily accessible from the top like most cars. You gotta lift the car and shit outa the way first.