I tend to respectfully disagree with the "boxer engines are tough on oil" thing.
I have two other boxer 6 engines that basically don't burn any oil at all. Both are OLDER boxers, so maybe there's a difference, but if anything you'd think Subaru would have improved leak issues with each generation of engine... then again...
My ER27, 2.7 liter six developed leaks over time, but it's a 23 year old car so that WILL happen eventually. With the leaks sealed it's perfectly fine, and even when it was leaking it didn't use too much oil (half liter/quart a month maybe).
My EG33, 3.3 liter six doesn't burn oil at all, but I've only had the car for a year. The car does have OTHER leaks (power steering, brake fluid
, etc.,) most likely due to it's being in an accident before I owned it, but the oil is fine.
Now - I HAVE noticed my wife's '06 EZ30, 3.0 liter six does seem to burn oil. This has always troubled me. I'm very new to this forum so I'm just now learning that this is "normal" for Tribecas apparently. So I'll have to keep my eye on it.
Bottom line:
from my own personal experience, I think ANY older engine could burn/use a lot of oil, but I don't think boxer engines are any more prone to it than any other configuration of cylinders. NEWER boxer engines, however, might be more prone for some reason.
"your results may vary,
sorry Tennessee"
EDIT: I have no idea how/why the hyperlink for "power st33ring" got in there - I'm new to this forum so maybe it's some feature I need to disable?