subaru outback or crosstek

[cookiedough]

anyone own one of these and good/bad of them?

all time AWD, good mpg say 31-32 hwy. mpg tops and fairly roomy hatchbacks for say 23K for crosstek and 27K outback out the door price. 

I sat in crosstek thought too small but had a stupid sunroof taking up valuable headroom.  drove outback and although fairly wimpy 175hp 2.5L boxer engine, was adequate, but not super fast and sort of loud, but most 4 cylinders are coming from 290hp V6 engine and big V8 engines.  Road nice though as they all do when new right?

NO experience in them just testing the waters inquiring on them.  Heard reliability and resale is very good, or not??

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

The wife bought a new Outback a few months ago. She got all the bells and whistles and chose the 4 cylinder motor. Everything about this car has been top rate so far. Country roads, show and ice, it doesn't matter it just keeps going, drama free. The stereo is excellent as are the seats and comfort. The engine noise seemed to quiet down after a few hundred miles. I assume it's a learning engine management system and the motor just smoothed up as it learned.

She has the collision avoidance system and it works well. Even deer in the dark will trigger it. If someone moves into your lane right in front of you, the brakes apply faster than you can get to the peddle. The cruse control will maintain a safe user adjustable distance between you and the car in front of you. Absolutely stellar vehicle.

[Mr Whiskey]

While I love boxer engines... I think they're better suited to motorcycle applications than automobile, simply due to the increased ease of access in a motorcycle frame.
This vid sums it up nicely!
Best of on whatever you choose
https://youtu.be/mgpDTVBeHOw

[Rams]

anyone own one of these and good/bad of them?

all time AWD, good mpg say 31-32 hwy. mpg tops and fairly roomy hatchbacks for say 23K for crosstek and 27K outback out the door price. 

I sat in crosstek thought too small but had a stupid sunroof taking up valuable headroom.  drove outback and although fairly wimpy 175hp 2.5L boxer engine, was adequate, but not super fast and sort of loud, but most 4 cylinders are coming from 290hp V6 engine and big V8 engines.  Road nice though as they all do when new right?

NO experience in them just testing the waters inquiring on them.  Heard reliability and resale is very good, or not??

I don't know squat about the Crosstek but, wouldn't bring home a Subaru with a CVT transmission if you gave it to me.   Draw your own conclusions from that.   Talk to a few transmission shops about that transmission before you buy.

Rams

[RDKLL]

We are on our 2nd Crosstrek. We had a 2014 and then after we got out to AZ we ordered a 2016. Both were very high content vehicles. The '16 has the EyeSight accident avoidance system. It is the wife's vehicle and I am only in it on Sundays when we shop. We will look at the new ones, I think there will be an update for the 2019 but not positive. Does not have a lot of power but with the CVT it gets the job done. And with the STi kit (no horsepower increase) with the black wheels it does not blend in to all of the white vehicles out here in AZ. No issues with the CVT. I didnt think I would like it but I do and my wife really likes it

[Robert]

Best of on whatever you choose
https://youtu.be/mgpDTVBeHOw[/size]

Thanks for the video it was interesting I would love to have one of those printed engines. But I dont agree with the motorcycle best suited for the Pancake engines. Its just another design consideration that companies like Porsche have used very successfully through the years.

If the Subaru has the CVT that would be a deal killer for me. Many problems and just a general lousy driving experience from vehicles that have these not to mention increased cost of maintenance. Just took a fast look and there are many owners complaining about it and talking recall.

Many love their Subaru's by the way.

If your looking for a 4 wheel drive there is a new system out there that is installed on some vehicles that is very good. The system is a bit different that it doesn't have a true transfer case but has a gear that transmits power to an electronically controlled front and rear differential. The system is extremely good at keeping power to all 4 wheels. I tried acceleration on a gravel road and couldn't believe I could just about floor it and have the same sure footed acceleration as if I was on dry pavement.

[RDKLL]

I guess nothing is perfect but:
https://www.torquenews.com/1084/how-subaru-scores-top-5-automakers-reliability
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jensen/2017/07/07/facing-complaints-subaru-offers-extended-warranties-on-1-5-million-vehicles/#671165b479dc

[Gavin_Sons]

anyone own one of these and good/bad of them?

all time AWD, good mpg say 31-32 hwy. mpg tops and fairly roomy hatchbacks for say 23K for crosstek and 27K outback out the door price. 

I sat in crosstek thought too small but had a stupid sunroof taking up valuable headroom.  drove outback and although fairly wimpy 175hp 2.5L boxer engine, was adequate, but not super fast and sort of loud, but most 4 cylinders are coming from 290hp V6 engine and big V8 engines.  Road nice though as they all do when new right?

NO experience in them just testing the waters inquiring on them.  Heard reliability and resale is very good, or not??

I don't know squat about the Crosstek but, wouldn't bring home a Subaru with a CVT transmission if you gave it to me.   Draw your own conclusions from that.   Talk to a few transmission shops about that transmission before you buy.

Rams

What's wrong with the CVT? The people i know that have them love them. A guy here at work has a crosstek with the CVT and said it was a little noisy for the first 5-600 miles and is now quiet. Like Frye said, maybe it is a learning curve. He also said it was a little weird not seeing the rpms peak then go back down after a shift because it does not shift like a normal transmission. I like the idea of it.

[hubcapsc]

He also said it was a little weird not seeing the rpms peak then go back down after a shift because it does not shift like a normal transmission. I like the idea of it.

There's nothing I hate more than how an automatic transmission, especially one hooked to
a gutless motor, shifts. This CVT idea sounds like it could potentially be a good thing.

The new Ford Ranger next year will have a 10-speed automatic transmission... that seems
reasonable too...

Either idea seems like it might have you "in the right gear" all the time instead
of only occasionally...

-Mike "six speed manual for me ... "

[3fan4life]

We've had 2 Subaru Legacys both with the 2.5 l boxer engine.

Neither had the CVT trans but they were both good cars.

In 2015 the wife decided that she wanted a new Legacy.

We looked at several but wound up with a new Camry instead.

While I liked the Legacy, I love the Camry.


But, Camrys don't come in AWD.

My solution was to hold onto the 07 Legacy to use in bad weather.


The Crosstrek is at the top of my short list to replace my 09 Toyota Matrix in a few years (unless Toyota adds a simililar AWD to their lineup).

The 2018 Crosstrek has been revamped and in my oppinion is much nicer than the previous models.

I have a friend that traded his Nissan for a Crosstrek because the CVT in the Nissan was crap.

Most manufacturers have had some trouble with their CVT transmissions.

Subaru was later going to them than others, I presume that was to let some kinks get worked out first.

If they're now putting a 10yr/ 100,000 mi warranty on their CVT's I wouldn't be too worried about it.   

Toyota probably has the best reputation for their CVTs, but if you want AWD you either have to get the RAV 4 or dish out the extra $$$$$ for a Lexus.

[Rams]

anyone own one of these and good/bad of them?

all time AWD, good mpg say 31-32 hwy. mpg tops and fairly roomy hatchbacks for say 23K for crosstek and 27K outback out the door price.  

I sat in crosstek thought too small but had a stupid sunroof taking up valuable headroom.  drove outback and although fairly wimpy 175hp 2.5L boxer engine, was adequate, but not super fast and sort of loud, but most 4 cylinders are coming from 290hp V6 engine and big V8 engines.  Road nice though as they all do when new right?

NO experience in them just testing the waters inquiring on them.  Heard reliability and resale is very good, or not??

I don't know squat about the Crosstek but, wouldn't bring home a Subaru with a CVT transmission if you gave it to me.   Draw your own conclusions from that.   Talk to a few transmission shops about that transmission before you buy.

Rams

What's wrong with the CVT? The people i know that have them love them. A guy here at work has a crosstek with the CVT and said it was a little noisy for the first 5-600 miles and is now quiet. Like Frye said, maybe it is a learning curve. He also said it was a little weird not seeing the rpms peak then go back down after a shift because it does not shift like a normal transmission. I like the idea of it.

As I said, talk to any transmission shop.    In general, I think Subaru produces a pretty good vehicle but, every Subaru I've hauled (and there have been quite a few) has had a bad CVT transmission.   They work well until they don't.    Every owner I know of has told me that every CVT transmission had to be sent back to a authorized Subaru rebuild shop.   IOWs, very few transmissions shops can work on them.  I personally know three owners with this transmission that has failed on them, two were not in warranty because they bought their Subaru second hand.   The cost of repairing or replacing the CVT was greater than replacing the vehicle.

As I said previously, I don't want anything with a CVT transmission even if it's a gift.    When it quits, you might as well sell the car for scrap or part it out.

Rams

[3fan4life]

As I said previously, I don't want anything with a CVT transmission even if it's a gift.    When it quits, you might as well sell the car for scrap or part it out.

Rams

I'm not a huge fan of the CVTs.

But that is where the automotive industry is going.

Even manual transmissions are falling victim to the better MPGs of the CVTs.

They're like everything else new, there's a learning curve.

When automatic transmissions first hit the market they weren't very reliable.

My father never owned anything but manual transmissions because he had such a bad impression of automatics.

Given time the CVTs will be just as reliable as automatics. 

[Robert]

Generally there is a learning curve to the CVT in that you accelerate and the engine goes to a rpm then based on power, load and such will constantly vary the gear. So when you accelerate you don't really hear the engine rpm correlate to MPH its the transmission that varies the gear to give you the desired speed. Its a bit unnerving to me personally and the newest CVT's are better at a preset gear to make it sound more like a real transmission and so that you try to have firm correlation. Hence the paddle shift but its still a rubber band between two points so your not really changing a gear.

[Rams]

As I said previously, I don't want anything with a CVT transmission even if it's a gift.    When it quits, you might as well sell the car for scrap or part it out.

Rams

I'm not a huge fan of the CVTs.

But that is where the automotive industry is going.

Even manual transmissions are falling victim to the better MPGs of the CVTs.

They're like everything else new, there's a learning curve.

When automatic transmissions first hit the market they weren't very reliable.

My father never owned anything but manual transmissions because he had such a bad impression of automatics.

Given time the CVTs will be just as reliable as automatics. 

That may in fact be true but based on what I've seen, they are no where near that point at this point in time.   

[Robert]

My thinking is yes some design may one day be good that is poor now. But why do I want to fund someones research and repair for imperfect parts. Thats money and time and reliability out of my life that I didn't want and paid for a good working vehicle. That is what many manufactures are doing to people now is making us the research and development dummies. It may not be as bad if they would stand behind the products but more and more I see they do not and the customer is out the repair.

[3fan4life]

My thinking is yes some design may one day be good that is poor now. But why do I want to fund someones research and repair for imperfect parts. Thats money and time and reliability out of my life that I didn't want and paid for a good working vehicle. That is what many manufactures are doing to people now is making us the research and development dummies. It may not be as bad if they would stand behind the products but more and more I see they do not and the customer is out the repair.

That is pretty much the way that it has always been.

[big d]

Make sure to let the engine warm up apon all starts, as the head gasket has tiny shards of glass that must melt to seal each time. And expect to be replacing it about 80 thousand miles. The allwheel drive system is only second best to Audi. Subaru are good cars. Don't get the wax and expect to race when shifting is needed as the clutch will overheat and you will not be able to shift.

[cookiedough]

Make sure to let the engine warm up apon all starts, as the head gasket has tiny shards of glass that must melt to seal each time. And expect to be replacing it about 80 thousand miles. The allwheel drive system is only second best to Audi. Subaru are good cars. Don't get the wax and expect to race when shifting is needed as the clutch will overheat and you will not be able to shift.

huh??  not liking that news.  will test drive them both but reviews state crosstek good car but tad bit underpowered, just barely adequate.  I guess that is tradeoff for near 33 mpg on hwy.? 

my guess is trade in will be low balled so will not pull the trigger on either one.  If trade in is too low, then will maybe try selling suv outright for 2 grand more than trade in pricing since pretty sure no matter what dealer go to will come down to trade in price since can buy at invoice pricing on new vehicle all day long and even lower than that with the right dealer willing to move inventory. 

[signart]

You won't get much off list on Subaru. A little more off maybe on Crosstrek, not much off Outback wagon if any.
You are right, you are better off selling you're "trade in", all dealerships have at least $3K or more mark up on all trades. 
You will get more on the other end when you go to sell your used Soobie,  but who sells theirs unless they're worn out? Go to any big 3 dealership and see if you can find a late model used Subaru. You might find one at a Toyota dealer because someone wants a Highlander or truck.

[hubcapsc]

You won't get much off list on Subaru. A little more off maybe on Crosstrek, not much off Outback wagon if any.
You are right, you are better off selling you're "trade in", all dealerships have at least $3K or more mark up on all trades. 
You will get more on the other end when you go to sell your used Soobie,  but who sells theirs unless they're worn out? Go to any big 3 dealership and see if you can find a late model used Subaru. You might find one at a Toyota dealer because someone wants a Highlander or truck.

I've been googling for a used 6 cylinder 4x4 two door Ford Ranger with low miles. I'm
not real sure but probably 2010 and 2011 are good ones, maybe a little older for smaller
(I hate how small trucks are now big). I want to be knowledgeable about what's out there
if the Mini bites the dust (almost 200K now) or starts needing too many expensive repairs
(still has the same clutch)...

Anywho, the searches that turn up results that might be worth going to look at one day
seem to me to be carmax, carfax, autotrader cargurus and even ebay (I got my red
Valkyrie on ebay).

It is real hard to find trucks like I'm looking for in real good shape with under 70K on them
and there's plenty out there with 200K or 250K, so I guess they last.

A search for low mileage (less than 70K) Subaru Outbacks seems to turn up plenty,
near by even... all of these are over in Greenville, just a few miles away, I guess they're not
uncommon...

2016 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium         $24,900         18,944 miles

2012 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited           $17,800        70,332 miles

2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium          $18,697         47,102 miles

-Mike "just some data points..."

[signart]

You won't get much off list on Subaru. A little more off maybe on Crosstrek, not much off Outback wagon if any.
You are right, you are better off selling you're "trade in", all dealerships have at least $3K or more mark up on all trades.  
You will get more on the other end when you go to sell your used Soobie,  but who sells theirs unless they're worn out? Go to any big 3 dealership and see if you can find a late model used Subaru. You might find one at a Toyota dealer because someone wants a Highlander or truck.

I've been googling for a used 6 cylinder 4x4 two door Ford Ranger with low miles. I'm
not real sure but probably 2010 and 2011 are good ones, maybe a little older for smaller
(I hate how small trucks are now big). I want to be knowledgeable about what's out there
if the Mini bites the dust (almost 200K now) or starts needing too many expensive repairs
(still has the same clutch)...

Anywho, the searches that turn up results that might be worth going to look at one day
seem to me to be carmax, carfax, autotrader cargurus and even ebay (I got my red
Valkyrie on ebay).

It is real hard to find trucks like I'm looking for in real good shape with under 70K on them
and there's plenty out there with 200K or 250K, so I guess they last.

A search for low mileage (less than 70K) Subaru Outbacks seems to turn up plenty,
near by even... all of these are over in Greenville, just a few miles away, I guess they're not
uncommon...

2016 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium         $24,900         18,944 miles

2012 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited           $17,800        70,332 miles

2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium          $18,697         47,102 miles

-Mike "just some data points..."

I know they are out there for sale for whatever reason. Their sales are through the roof.  My point is, look at the trade in lot of the "big three" dealerships (GM, Ford, Chrysler) and see how many people have traded their Subaru Outback for one of those products.

[gregk]

Buy the Outback.send gen text7155775187 and I'll send pictures of our 14 smashed up not my fault. Bought another 14. I was fine, wife had seat belt on an got big welt on stomach.  This is short cause smart phone is messing with me 3rd time.

I use vis+ eye. Good for cruising. Keeps pace with car in front. I can call an explain .

[cookiedough]

You won't get much off list on Subaru. A little more off maybe on Crosstrek, not much off Outback wagon if any.
You are right, you are better off selling you're "trade in", all dealerships have at least $3K or more mark up on all trades. 
You will get more on the other end when you go to sell your used Soobie,  but who sells theirs unless they're worn out? Go to any big 3 dealership and see if you can find a late model used Subaru. You might find one at a Toyota dealer because someone wants a Highlander or truck.

yah, guess can try looking around for a used one, but every time I go locally, say within 100 miles, and find one interested in, is like pulling teeth on a 2-3 year old vehicle where they will not budge much off their asking price which is usually ONLY 3-4K off a brand new one and most are over 36K miles and out of warranty.  If only 3-4K difference used out of warranty vs. brand new 3 year warranty,  I will pick new 99% of the time.  Now 5K or so more off, then is worth considering used.  I know most dealers LOW BALL on used vehicle trade ins for sure thinking they need to make like said 3K profit on a used vehicle.  Only time I got a great deal was trading in my 2009 Toyota Corolla with 32K miles on it paid 16.5K and got 13.2K trade in in over 2 1/2 years of driving and 32K miles.  Hard to beat that one.

[¿spoom]

You won't get much off list on Subaru. A little more off maybe on Crosstrek, not much off Outback wagon if any.
You are right, you are better off selling you're "trade in", all dealerships have at least $3K or more mark up on all trades. 
You will get more on the other end when you go to sell your used Soobie,  but who sells theirs unless they're worn out? Go to any big 3 dealership and see if you can find a late model used Subaru. You might find one at a Toyota dealer because someone wants a Highlander or truck.

yah, guess can try looking around for a used one, but every time I go locally, say within 100 miles, and find one interested in, is like pulling teeth on a 2-3 year old vehicle where they will not budge much off their asking price which is usually ONLY 3-4K off a brand new one and most are over 36K miles and out of warranty.  If only 3-4K difference used out of warranty vs. brand new 3 year warranty,  I will pick new 99% of the time.  Now 5K or so more off, then is worth considering used.  I know most dealers LOW BALL on used vehicle trade ins for sure thinking they need to make like said 3K profit on a used vehicle.  Only time I got a great deal was trading in my 2009 Toyota Corolla with 32K miles on it paid 16.5K and got 13.2K trade in in over 2 1/2 years of driving and 32K miles.  Hard to beat that one.

Something is worth what people will pay, so it looks like they can sell those cars at asking price. Cars and bikes are like pukka shells, whatever the natives value them at is what they are worth. Cars with good reliability ratings won't drop as much in the first few years, likewise lower initial priced cars. If you want something that took a huge hit after 2-3 years, maybe consider a luxo-barge with mediocre reliability like a Caddy, or an out of warranty Jaguar (assuming it still runs) 

[RDKLL]

Buy the Outback.send gen text7155775187 and I'll send pictures of our 14 smashed up not my fault. Bought another 14. I was fine, wife had seat belt on an got big welt on stomach.  This is short cause smart phone is messing with me 3rd time.

I use vis+ eye. Good for cruising. Keeps pace with car in front. I can call an explain .

We love the Eye Sight and adaptive cruise control!

[cookiedough]

Buy the Outback.send gen text7155775187 and I'll send pictures of our 14 smashed up not my fault. Bought another 14. I was fine, wife had seat belt on an got big welt on stomach.  This is short cause smart phone is messing with me 3rd time.

I use vis+ eye. Good for cruising. Keeps pace with car in front. I can call an explain .

We love the Eye Sight and adaptive cruise control!

Yah, would use the adaptive cruise control often but the lane departure assist is junk which can be turned off am sure.

Not so sure worth over 1 grand though?    Pretty soon  most vehicles 2018 on up will have that as standard eqmt.  am sure since 2018 seems to be the year tons more vehicles have it on them.