I have just purchased a 2002 Outback with 55,000 miles and notice that the motor has a louder valve noise than I am use to. I am getting 28-30 miles to the gallon on the highway so I assume this is just inherent to the boxer engine. Should I have the valve adjustments looked at or is this normal.

Outbacks are very common here so I would just listen to a friend's engine and see if was about the same. Many of them have piston slap when cold, but that is not very scarey.

If you know a Subaru mechanic have them listen to your car. My Subaru makes twice as much noise as my BMW and it is about as healthy as a 99 Forester gets.