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i should mention this is the only car i’ve ever owned & how i’m trying to teach myself auto mechanics.

The 4-cylinders are more common, but these are not rare. I bet they made more EZ30s in 2001 than all the SVXs over the years, not to mention the fact that the EZ platform carried on with some changes until just a few years ago. I've had zero trouble getting new parts for mine.

Great cars, great engines. I have 3 of them on the road, planning to swap another into a Baja. I much prefer the VTD AWD that comes with the VDC models. It's a shame to have the nice premium car and engine in the LL Bean, and the crappy MPT AWD. Only engine issues I've had are valve cover gaskets, oil cooler oring, coolant hoses (there are a few small ones between the water pump and oil cooler, they get oil contaminated and seep. Also metal lines in front of the oil pan and under the LH valve cover can rust through) and serpentine belt pullies (the bearings in these can seize with very little warning. Pull them off and give them a spin periodically. The bearing alone can be replaced on the factory pullies). I use plain old green EG coolant and regular fuel.....occasionally if there's oxygenated premium for a decent price, I'll use that, but not very often.

KYB for struts - anything else is going to be too soft, and yes new springs DO make a big difference.. Match the spring to year strut you are using see for yourself here: https://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/168389-strut-top-nut/?tab=comments#comment-1395227 springs on the old strut in that image were shot and not supporting things like they should have been.

I reckon you’ll find that boatiness is from sagged springs. Put a fresh set of springs in and it’ll transform your ride quality. Cheers Bennie

Well my ECM is good, everything is good actually! I found my fusible wire link corroded and hanging on by a single wire in the fuse block by the battery. And so I fixed it and BAM! He runs very well. I returned the ECM I bought too. Everything I tested proved the ECM was the culprit. Interestingly enough I measured voltage at both sides of that fusable link with my meter. However it wouldn't illuminate my test light. Anyways Yay! On to other Subaru things.