Is a cheap old Legacy Estate a sensible workhorse?

[PATTERNPART]

Hi I've always liked Japanese cars and my first company car was a Subaru pick up which I was very happy with. A lady neighbour has just blown up her banger of an Audi estate and deperately needs a roomy reliable work horse for family life. She doesn't do huge mileages. I wonder if a Legacy would be a source of constant large bills if I get one with plenty of history. Also, I heard that the boxer engines aren't famous for lasting for high mileages or is that just the high performance ones.

My friend needs and auto box and lots of luggage space.

The roads round here are full of potholes and speed bumps and she lives on a steep hill so something robust and with 4WD seems to make sense.

Any thoughts much appreciated. Thank you.
PS £2,000 budget.