Certain Hyundai and Kia models saw a 10-fold increase in thefts in just the past three years, a wildly dramatic increase in the wake of a series of social media posts showing people how to steal the vehicles.
Even if they got an immobilizer, people might still try to break into them given their reputation for being easily stolen. At the very least, they’d have to worry about broken windows and messed up steering column stuff. It’s probably a decent idea to sell and move on if they can afford to, although I’d personally go with another brand than Subaru.
I was gonna recommend a newer mazda (newer than 2014) as it is often best for the money from what I’ve seen lately, but if you are in the subcompact market, Crosstreks are pretty hard to beat. Been reviewing the market as well to maybe get a newer car in a year or so I’ve looked a reviews on a lot of drivetrains. I’ve heard of some issues with older crosstreks (mostly just issues with oil consumption, and some CVT fears), although if you are getting new/very slightly used they probably would be great choice (probably better with the 2.5l engine). I am a bit biased as my mother used to have a outback with an EJ engine (those would reliably blow a headgasket, or two in her case), which probably has tarnished my view of boxer engines for long term reliability, which is why I generally don’t recommend them.
Since you are looking at a crosstrek coming from a car with poor security, be aware that the crosstrek doors don’t have an auto lock option. If you forget to lock them, they will stay unlocked. Outbacks do have this option, so it’s missing by design.
Blew my mind when I realized this feature was missing, as my 15yr older car had it.
Also the missing power seats on the passenger side is cheap as all get out, even in the nicer trims.
Id recommend that if your heart is set on a Subaru, go for the outback. It’s the car with actual features and isn’t that much larger than a crosstrek.
Even if they got an immobilizer, people might still try to break into them given their reputation for being easily stolen. At the very least, they’d have to worry about broken windows and messed up steering column stuff. It’s probably a decent idea to sell and move on if they can afford to, although I’d personally go with another brand than Subaru.
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I was gonna recommend a newer mazda (newer than 2014) as it is often best for the money from what I’ve seen lately, but if you are in the subcompact market, Crosstreks are pretty hard to beat. Been reviewing the market as well to maybe get a newer car in a year or so I’ve looked a reviews on a lot of drivetrains. I’ve heard of some issues with older crosstreks (mostly just issues with oil consumption, and some CVT fears), although if you are getting new/very slightly used they probably would be great choice (probably better with the 2.5l engine). I am a bit biased as my mother used to have a outback with an EJ engine (those would reliably blow a headgasket, or two in her case), which probably has tarnished my view of boxer engines for long term reliability, which is why I generally don’t recommend them.
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Since you are looking at a crosstrek coming from a car with poor security, be aware that the crosstrek doors don’t have an auto lock option. If you forget to lock them, they will stay unlocked. Outbacks do have this option, so it’s missing by design.
Blew my mind when I realized this feature was missing, as my 15yr older car had it.
Also the missing power seats on the passenger side is cheap as all get out, even in the nicer trims.
Id recommend that if your heart is set on a Subaru, go for the outback. It’s the car with actual features and isn’t that much larger than a crosstrek.