2014 Crosstrek reliable for college kid?

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Not sure how the CVT's hold up and if the head gaskets are okay on these years.
 
If they don't need AWD, I would get something simpler. IMO every car should have snow tires, but if they are driving in snow often at times when the roads may not be cleared yet, its a good small vehicle for that, but it does have a couple of expensive possible problems!
It would be a good risk/reward ratio at maybe $4-5k? Not worth it at $8k

For a car just to sit mostly for 3-4 years and get the odd run home, or go somewhere on the weekends, something like $8k fwd Matrix hatchback is probably a better bet(if you avoid the few problem years they had). Or a fwd CX-5.
 
2014-2016

Mazda3 hatchback

Ultra, ultra, ultra, ultra reliable and super easy to work on. Parts very cheap.
 
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Used Mazdas get NO love compared to used Hondas and Toyotas.

3rd Gen Mazda3 are some of the best cars in the history of automotive manufacturing……. no joke.
They are that good. Not that fuel efficient but super reliable.
Don't get me wrong, I get why Toyota and Honda get the praise they do.
I think the Mazda 3 is more driver's car than utilitarian grocery getter. Good performance and ergonomics. The manual cars in higher performance trim levels are an especially rewarding place to spend seat time🚘
 
What's it look like underneath? Has it been a rust belt car for it's whole 12-13 years? I'd imagine the sub frames are about shot.

I had a 2013 in that same color, back when they were called the XV Crosstrek. Mine was a base model with the 5MT. I didn't care for it.
 
Wasn't the 2.0 the turbo? For lower potential repair costs I'd lean toward the 2.5 NA
 
Both the 2.0 and the 2.5 are non-turbo. The 2.0 is painfully slow, and the 2.5 is only slightly better.
Thank you! I've never done much with the Nike shoes -- er I mean Crosstreks -- (obviously) so I learned something there!

In the SJ Foresters I can't help but feel like the CVT really neuters the 2.5, so I can only imagine how bad a 2.0 NA would be. The CVT sure feels like it's slipping power away, but maybe that's just me
 
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