This is my 1998 Outback 5-speed, still stock. The only option I ordered was the factory skid plates. I take it off road frequently, but most of the time it just looks like any other grocery-getter in the store parking lot. I love to be invisible - that's why I got it in dark green! Police don't notice it. Street racers don't notice it. Stereo theives don't notice it. It has a bling-bling factor of 0.0 and when I drive it I look like John Q. Domestic.
EVIL GRIN
I got this car to take me to remote campsites. It's smaller than a truck or SUV, so it fits in tighter places. It's lighter, too, so it doesn't damage the ground as much. It handles great in snow, mud, and loose sand. No levers to pull or buttons to push, it is AWD all the time. Gravel roads are a blast! It easily carries enough gear with room to spare.
I'm going to have to find a picture of it on pavement *G* - yeah, but I have too much fun slipping it through the bushes...