I am a Jersey transplant thriving in Maine. I've owned several Legacy Outbacks. Love these cars. Perfect for Maine winters. These and 4 studded snows, and you are basically unstoppable.
Sounds like what my 98 Outback was doing when the head gaskets went. Which I replaced at about 150,000, by a guy who basically does only subie head gaskets, and she's been good as new since then. Big chunk of change, though. Good luck with the Forester.