wjkirkpatrick

Hi, I'm new to this forum. I own a 97 Legacy Outback manual with the dreaded 2.5L engine. It had the head gasket replaced in 02 at 116,000 miles. It was not driven much after that. I foolishly bought the car this year without looking at the design issue problems. I knew that there was a head gasket problem with this model. Needless to say, I thought that all 2.5L engines were the same (or could be swapped out for newer ones.) I also own a 2004 Forester Turbo, and I had previously owned a 2001 Forester. So, because I have been totally satisfied with what I have, I thought that getting an older Legacy/Outback for my daughter would be good. Now I not so sure I made the right decision. It has 125,000 miles and one cylinder is down to 70 psi compression. My mechanic says to buy an engine and replace this one. Can the engine be replaced with some thing other than another of the dreaded engines with the same design issues? Thanks