Matrix, you may be on to something fundamental there - a kind of "car Karma" principle! ;D
I should mention that we still have our '97 Impreza, and since it has only 260K miles on it, I expect it will be a part of our household for years to come. It does have the "single flaw" that you mentioned, which manifests itself as a problem with catalytic converters and/or O2 sensors. No combination of replacements thereof has completely abated the dreaded "check engine" light... but we continue to hope that one day, we will find a cure....
I should mention that we still have our '97 Impreza, and since it has only 260K miles on it, I expect it will be a part of our household for years to come. It does have the "single flaw" that you mentioned, which manifests itself as a problem with catalytic converters and/or O2 sensors. No combination of replacements thereof has completely abated the dreaded "check engine" light... but we continue to hope that one day, we will find a cure....