I'm with you there. I drove in a buddy's for a week and hated how far out the front bumper sticks when trying to peek out onto a busy road from a stop sign. Add the suspension traction issues, and they're just not even close to as good as the 2000-2004 Outbacks, which are some of the most solid and best handling Outbacks ever made. Besides HG issues of course. LOL I see those model years EVERYWHERE in my area (near Seattle).
I like the generation before this and the generation after this.
The long snout seems to be a Subaru thing. My Forester definitely has a long snout. But the engine is located entirely infront of the front axle; the front of the transmission (behind bellhousing) is where the front differential is located so there's a lot going on up front!