Boxer vs Inline 4 (STI or Civic Type-R)?

[GNS]

I'm basically torn between the two cars (FK8 Civic Type-R, STI). Well, not this gen of STI with the outdated EJ engine in it, but for the next gen which may have a FA 2.4L from the Ascent. Anyway, I was wondering about the advantages of I4 vs the Boxer, and that (more than AWD vs FWD) is what will help me to decide between the two cars in a few years.

• boxer complexity and cost of manufacture. It has 2 heads, 2 camshafts, 2 cooling jackets, more complicated fuel rail, etc. Subaru can only spend so much money to manufacture a boxer engine without upping the cost too much, so they might have to cut more corners while building the engine. Basically, it's a more complicated design that offers only 2 advantages over the inline 4, which is packaging in the transverse layout for their symmetrical AWD, and a lower center of gravity. The inline 4 is superior in all other respects, as far as I can tell.
  
• if the boxer is so superior to other types, why don't other manufacturers really use it? Aside from Porsche.
• the boxer pistons are submerged in oil (or so I hear) upon startup, which I was told is one of the causes of excessive oil consumption

Basically it boils down to this - why isn't the boxer so widely used if it's such an awesome design (according to Subaru)? Aside from packaging in the engine bay and manufacturing costs, is the Inline 4 simply a far better design because it is less complicated, cheaper and easier to make, and has fewer potential issues than a boxer?

I'm not hating on the STI. I'm just interested, objectively speaking, in knowing whether the inline 4 is simply a better design than the H4. For reference, I read this thread http://www.subaruforester.org/vbull...336089/#/forumsite/20556/topics/336089?page=1 on a Forester forum which got me thinking about the differences between the I4 and H4.

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[xcoreflyup]

If you have time or fine with the higher maintenance, get the STI. AWD is AWD.

For me, the civic serves me better since I dont do my own wrenching anymore.

the civic is a good combination of simple and easier to maintenance,fun, styling and comfort. It puts a smile on my face when I throw it in the corner and then thing just turns.

 

[kritz]

Sick

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