HELP! Can’t decide between two used Subarus
Hello Subaru people! I’m new to Subarus but considering buying a used one. We are stuck between two used Subarus. Both seemed fine through Carfax. If any of you have any experience, advice, or anything we should consider, please let us know!
2021 Subaru Crosstrek Sport Utility
-47,263 miles
-OTD: $26,965
-1 previous owners
Pros: acceleration, gas mileage, not as much space in back but still plenty, very smooth ride
Cons: make and model known to have cvt and transmission issues
2022 Subaru Outback Sport Utility
-49,111
-OTD: $30,247
-2 previous owners
Pros: comfortable seating, heated seats, lots of storage in back, has a hitch receiver
Cons: more complex electronic components to fix down the road, emits white/gray smoke from emission pipe, TCV known issue for this make and model (covered under warranty?) a little sluggish when driving
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u/Natural_Ad_7183 8h ago
Get a pre purchase inspection (PPI) on either, but especially the Outback. A little smoke might be nothing, or it could be a coolant leak, head gasket, etc. Lack of power compared to a Crosstrek doesn’t sound normal either.
The CVT will probably be fine if it’s serviced. I’d do that for either car if it hasn’t already been done, which is unlikely in the US.
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u/dubious455H013 8h ago
That smoke on the second one needs more explanation. Id be sus of it for sure
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u/SeaLeopard5555 8h ago
hmmmm
these are pretty different cars. If it is just for you (not for you, spouse, family), I'd lean Crosstrek. Better price, slightly less miles, you liked the throttle feel better. Single owner. (decent maintenance history on both?) It is considerably smaller for passengers and stuff tho, so if your everyday use case involves multiple people or light hauling... perhaps the Outback is better.
I would get independent input on the emissions for the Outback.
[context: spouse and I between us have had: 1 WRX wagon, 1 STI, 1 RS, 1 Legacy, and now a bought used '23 Forester, not all at same time ofc and we went from just our own to family shared car along the way]
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u/5150_Ewok 8h ago
Find an outback with 1 owner.
My rules 1 owner every 80k miles. Under that I’m not trusting that vehicle.
An outback and crosstrek are equally complex….And share pretty much every problem.
Subaru has had transmission issues since 2010 across all CVT models, and electrical issues since 2015.
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u/sveiks01 8h ago
They both seem pricey. I didnt check lbb bit .... Bought a 22 forester w 17k miles for 24k miles
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u/minizanz 06 LGT Wagon 7h ago
If you are financing more than half of it, you are in a similar price to a new one. Those are both very expensive and both will have questionable long term reliability. Normally the 1st 10 years are fairly solid and those are half way through that. It makes no sense to spend almost new money for maybe a higher trim.