The 2.5 in my '97 Outback does not sound at all like the 1.9 in my
Westy. However I think a lot of that depends on the exhaust system.
Also, my 2.5 is incredibly smooth.  When we first got it I would think
it was stalled at stop lights because there was no noticeable engine
vibration at all and it was very quiet.  I can, however ID Subies by
sound as they have a characteristic sound.

BTW I find that VW flat four sound very appealing and soothing too.
Maybe because I grew up with them and had many 9 hour trips to Montreal
sleeping on top of them in the station wagons and Buses my parent had
(nice and warm, slight vibration, and cozy with all the stuff packed
back there :o).  I later tinkered on them as a teenager, so when I got
my westy four years ago it was music to my ears...I had not realised
that it would make me feel that way but it did.  Just got it going again
last weekend out of it's winter "hibernation" and I just stared at it
for a while...waiting for the lifters to quiet down...and enjoyed the
sounds and smells that seem to be characteristic of the VW flat fours.

When I go to a Bus gathering and hear all those flat four engine in the
campground I instantly get a permagrin...maybe it's nostalgia...whatever
it is...I like it.

Pascal
84 Westy 

-----Original Message-----

This may sound like a weird question, but does the Subaru boxer have
close
to the same SOUND as the wasserboxer?... and the only thing I know I
can't do without is that VW boxer noise: "pbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb!"

Does the Subaru engine have that?

--
John Bange
'90 Vanagon - "Geldsauger"