A Few Used Car Questions

[AJB0009]

My son is considering a used car purchase. He is looking at quite a few, but most recently spotted a 21 Subaru Crosstrek Limited 2.5L he likes.
Is there a significant difference between the 2.0L and 2.5L Subaru engines? Mileage, reliability, performance, etc.
Are there major known issues with this particular year or any of the late-model Crosstreks?
A while ago there seemed to be big concerns about non-Ford or Toyota direct-injection engines due to intake valve build-up (Honda, Mazda, Subaru, etc.). Is that still the case? Is the need for walnut shell blasting a common occurrence?

 

[skyactiv]

The 2.5 is EPA rated 1 MPG highway better than the 2.0 but the 2.0 is rated 1 EPA better city. The 2.5 has 30 more HP and 31 pounds more of torque, it's a no brainer which is better.

 

[Marcozi]

The 2.5 is EPA rated 1 MPG highway better than the 2.0 but the 2.0 is rated 1 EPA better city. The 2.5 has 30 more HP and 31 pounds more of torque, it's a no brainer which is better.

Which is more reliable?

 

[Quattro Pete]

Which is more reliable?

I don't think there is any difference between them when it comes to reliability.

 

[andrew_j]

The 2.0L is so so acceleration and labored while 2.5L is decent.

 

[fdcg27]

A 2.5 Subaru is slow enough.
The 2.0 would probably be unacceptable for most current buyers, which may be the reason that Subaru began offering the 2.5 in the Crosstrek.
Difference in fuel economy would be negligible and one should be as reliable and long-lived as the other since they are the same engine in different displacements.

 

[eljefino]

Believe when I bought my 4th gen Prius the only car slower from 0-60 was the 2.0 subaru.

 

[FZ1]

My son is considering a used car purchase. He is looking at quite a few, but most recently spotted a 21 Subaru Crosstrek Limited 2.5L he likes.
Is there a significant difference between the 2.0L and 2.5L Subaru engines? Mileage, reliability, performance, etc.
Are there major known issues with this particular year or any of the late-model Crosstreks?
A while ago there seemed to be big concerns about non-Ford or Toyota direct-injection engines due to intake valve build-up (Honda, Mazda, Subaru, etc.). Is that still the case? Is the need for walnut shell blasting a common occurrence?

There ain't no replacement for displacement. 2.5,

 

[altaylar]

2.5L seems to be a better engine overall, with probably on par reliability. Does not worth too much of premium over 2.0L, yet better

 

[IndyIan]

I assume both are DI? I haven't read anything about build up on the valves with DI in these engines, but do some reading. I think the main thing to do is change the CVT fluid close to the "severe" schedule, and I like to run 0W30, as the CVT will have the engine below 1500rpm a lot if you are driving for good mileage.
Also I don't really find the 2.5 feels all that slow, unless you actually floor it, then you realize its been opening the throttle a bit more than your foot/you think. But for day to day zipping around, the transmission seems to have less annoying habits than almost every geared automatic I've been in, and its more responsive. IMHO, don't floor it before it warms up with any CVT, but after that it seems to be fine with some high rpm paddle shifting, and even that responds pretty quick.
I am considering just getting another used Outback to replace my Focus, as it seems to do all the things I need pretty well, with good mileage and low repairs.

 

[zzyzzx]

Does he know about Subaru HG and CVT issues?