2018 Subaru Crosstrek - Thoughts?

[Number_35]

Friends are looking at a 2018 Subaru Crosstrek. They have two little ones in car seats.

This one checks all the boxes - AWD, heated seats, good safety rating, etc.

My biggest concern would be the CVT, although I haven't heard much bad about Subaru's version. Is it the same JATCO as Nissan's?

I also wonder whether Subaru had solved the leaking head-gasket problem by 2018.

I know the boxer engines are quirky, but I don't know much about them.

I have no idea whether the price is fair - used car prices remain high here.

The seller is a VW dealership, so it's perhaps not a good sign that the previous owner didn't replace it with same, but that may mean nothing.

Any thoughts appreciated!

- used- car prices remain high here.

 

[FZ1]

Friends are looking at a 2018 Subaru Crosstrek. They have two little ones in car seats.

This one checks all the boxes - AWD, heated seats, good safety rating, etc.

My biggest concern would be the CVT, although I haven't heard much bad about Subaru's version. Is it the same JATCO as Nissan's?

I also wonder whether Subaru had solved the leaking head-gasket problem by 2018.

I know the boxer engines are quirky, but I don't know much about them.

I have no idea whether the price is fair - used car prices remain high here.

The seller is a VW dealership, so it's perhaps not a good sign that the previous owner didn't replace it with same, but that may mean nothing.

Any thoughts appreciated!

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- used- car prices remain high here.

Seems too high. They could, almost, buy a new Corolla for that .

 

[ClutchDisc]

The Subaru CVT is nothing like the Nissan CVTs. As much as I don’t like a CVT and would rather not have one, its actually quite reliable. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.

The Subaru head gasket issues were solved with the introduction of the FB series engine. That is long since a thing of the past.

I am not sure I would really call the boxer engine quirky, but rather different. Subarus are quite reliable - but maintenance is important. They don’t do well with neglect. Another thing I have found with owning mine - they don’t always play nice with aftermarket parts. OEM is generally a better bet for most things on a Subaru.

 

[JayhawkRoy]

Our 2011 Outback CVT failed at 152K miles. I would factor that into any calculations you do. 2018 models should have any head gasket issues resolved. We have owned three older Subarus (1999, 2003, 2011)and none of them had head gasket issues. The CVT failure was our only issue.

 

[Number_35]

Seems too high. They could, almost, buy a new Corolla for that .

I looked online at several dealerships. A new base 2026 Corolla starts at C$28K, but most of them seem to be more like C$33K, with the hybrid and cross versions > C$40K.

12% sales taxes would be on top of that. Looking at new cars with different friends a few months ago, it looks like Toyotas here sell for MSRP.

I think the extra C$10K for a new Corolla would be out of their reach.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

You're better off with a Honda HR-V. While the HRV also has a CVT, Honda's CVT is MUCH better than any Subaru or Nissan. Here is a good one

There's also the Mercedes B250 AWD. While the US only got the electric B-Class, Canada got gas and electric, and the gas engine was available with AWD. This one is 1-owner dealer maintained.

The Mitsubishi RVR is also a solid choice. In the US, it's called Outlander Sport

Nissan's CVT isn't too bad as long as the fluid is changed regularly, while the Subaru will need a valve body every so often regardless of maintenance

I might even trust an Ecosport over a Crosstrek, as the Ecosport has a regular automatic.

 

[skyactiv]

That is like 2/3 the cost for a new one and the car is 8-1/2 model years old. I'd buy new or find a cheaper used car.

 

[andrew_j]

That is like 2/3 the cost for a new one and the car is 8-1/2 model years old. I'd buy new or find a cheaper used car.

The price is in CAD not USD.

 

[skyactiv]

The price is in CAD not USD.

I looked. If it was a U.S. model price scenario you'd be dumb as the spread is even less.

 

[Number_35]

It looks like a new 2026 Crosstrek Touring runs around C$36,405 (plus taxes) here, so the seller is asking about 60% of the replacement cost for an 8-year-old vehicle. That is very low depreciation. And yet, I guess that's what the market will bear.

 

[Number_35]

You're better off with a Honda HR-V. While the HRV also has a CVT, Honda's CVT is MUCH better than any Subaru or Nissan. Here is a good one

There's also the Mercedes B250 AWD. While the US only got the electric B-Class, Canada got gas and electric, and the gas engine was available with AWD. This one is 1-owner dealer maintained.

The Mitsubishi RVR is also a solid choice. In the US, it's called Outlander Sport

Nissan's CVT isn't too bad as long as the fluid is changed regularly, while the Subaru will need a valve body every so often regardless of maintenance

I might even trust an Ecosport over a Crosstrek, as the Ecosport has a regular automatic.

I like that Mitsu - they are good vehicles, and are underrated (and therefore priced competitively) here.

A private sale is more of a hassle, but the 5% federal sales tax (GST) doesn't apply.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

I like that Mitsu - they are good vehicles, and are underrated (and therefore priced competitively) here.

A private sale is more of a hassle, but the 5% federal sales tax (GST) doesn't apply.

Wow I'm surprised you don't have pay GST on a private party sale! I thought the DMV would just charge you the tax when you register it

All the cars I listed above are from dealers

 

[Oliveoil2]

Google 2018 crosstrek reliability and see for yourself. Generally very solid cars. We have a 2022 that’s been great.

 

[Number_35]

Wow I'm surprised you don't have pay GST on a private party sale! I thought the DMV would just charge you the tax when you register it

All the cars I listed above are from dealers

I assumed they were private sales. Yes, GST would apply.

As you can imagine, the dealers do not like that they have to charge GST on a used car whereas a private seller does not.

 

[IndyIan]

It's a good awd car at like $12-16k, not $22k... Also there are manual ones available until 2023. Subaru's have a very very high resale until about 200k km, then they get quite cheap! There's nothing really bad on that Crosstrek, but all FB engine subaru's can have some silly stuff like an o-ring going inside the oil pan which mixes coolant and oil, and needs the engine to come out to replace... Not very common at all, but possible. If they don't need AWD I would just get a good year Matrix or Prius as they have a few less silly expensive repairs likely.

If that's their budget, they have lots of good options. At those prices I would just get a Forester or 2018-19 Outback(no DI, no dumb screen, no silly complicated thermostat) if they like Subarus, as the price difference is minimal. The Impreza hatchback is the same vehicle as the crosstrek, and cheaper but very low.

 

[tbm5690]

Two kids in a Crosstrek? Space would be my first concern if it is the primary family hauler. Not saying they need a Suburban but it's not hard to pack our MDX to the gills for family road trips with one child. Otherwise, they are extremely anemic in the power department but that may not matter for some buyers.

 

[buster]

I'd be a bit concerned about the CVT in a 2018. Subarus are better than most but still fail. They're not cheap either.

 

[RBT]

Car seats are very big nowadays and they effectively limit your ability to fold down the second row to make more cargo space. For a few dollars more you could have a Forester or an Outback and those will both have more storage with the second row up.

My wife rountinely gets a Crosstrek (or Ascent) when her wagon goes in for service and they are all nice cars and the Crosstrek is fun to drive and has a much nicer interior than the comparable Toyota. But I would not want a Crosstrek if we were at the car seat life stage.

 

[IndyIan]

I'd be a bit concerned about the CVT in a 2018. Subarus are better than most but still fail. They're not cheap either.

Going by carpart.com prices for used transmissions, they are about average. Interestingly there are a couple of the RAV4 transmisions that cost more.
Prius CVT's are like $400, so there's not much demand for them.
If you drive like a regular person, or at least wait until a CVT is warmed up before hustling the car around, change the fluid with the right stuff once in a while, they seem to do ok.
Also a lot of the CVT failures in the 2012 to 2016 subarus was a solenoid failing. Subaru only sold the whole valve body, but you can buy the solenoids separately for a the $50 in parts fix.

 

[Vexorg]

Apparently the EyeSight windshields are a special unit with super duper extra pricing as well. Might be worthwhile to call a glass shop for a quote just so you aren't in for a shock.