My 2008 Subaru Outback

I like to drive my Subaru. It feels more controlled. However, I had a recent unfortunate event. I just started my new teaching job and it doesn't pay me well. The housing cost where I live is so high. 

I bought my car used, 2008 Subaru Outback (Legacy), in April 2015. I liked it. I enjoyed it. The manual transmission was a plus. Long story short, I did contact Subaru of America for the 2016 damaged catalytic converter because the mileage was not even over 80,000 miles. Thankfully, they covered the repair cost 100%. But at the same time, I still had to replace the head gasket which cost me $2,000 (at a Subaru shop in Oregon). 

I assumed that my head gasket repair would fix the seeping oil leak. About two years later, I had to have the short block rebuilt (Aug 2017) at about 86,000 miles. Basically, it was burning oil inside. Just now, last week (October 2018), I lost my car to the damaged catalytic converter...again. The mileage was 96,000 miles. I contacted Subaru of America again and they only would cover half of the repair. The total repair cost in Santa Fe, NM Subaru (I moved for a new job) was over $3,000. The 2016 catalytic converter replacement that recently broke was damaging the inside components that looked like honeycomb ashes. Something is not right there. 

So, I am disappointed. I am disappointed that I no longer can trust Subaru's cars. It seems to me that it keeps on breaking down. It seems that the repair costs are so high. It seems like there's no understanding behind chemistry concepts of why there were build ups in the catalytic converter. It seems to me there is a lack of engineering concept in the engine in my car. My previous cars (I bought them all used) before my first Subaru ('08 Outback) could last more than 100,000 miles with least problems. I haven't spent this much of money on a car before. I have never spent over $3,000 on a car repair. I am so disappointed that $8,000 altogether (head gasket and short block) I have paid to fix '08 Outback is gone and my car still isn't running properly.  I was a graduate student for the last two years and now I just started my new teaching job which doesn't pay me that good. I am still paying for my college loan which I used to fix my '08 Outback engine. Now, I need a car! I could have used $8,000 for a different car! 

With such disappointment, I decided to take my car elsewhere for 5 times less of the total repair quoted at Santa Fe Subaru (three times less than Subaru of America 50% coverage). I am not sure if I want to keep this car. 

I find it crazy how people like me could suffer and trying to fix the car they love. They might have to give up their car painfully. I find it frustrating trying to decide what the next car would be for me. After my car gets fixed, I will have to save up a little, sell my car, and hope I find another car with least car payment. I do not have any car payment. I loathe car payment. I really cannot afford it. There isn't any public transportation by my place. I live 20 minutes from my work.

What to do?