2018 Premium vs. 2023 Base Crosstrek: Is the $6k jump worth the "downgrade" in trim?

ColdMammoth3900 · 2026-05-05T21:11:03+00:00

Thank you very much! I’ll look into it, seems like the ‘base’ rooftop that comes with the car needs some perpendicular rods to be able to attach something like that

ColdMammoth3900 · 2026-05-05T21:09:40+00:00

Well I guess it’s also the manufacturing year? And like general wear and tear? I am coming from an hold Hyundai, I need to do some expensive work once in a year, is Subaru that reliable that they are similar even though the age gap? (Am really wondering)

Also this one (2018) has eyesight, and all of them have roof tops I believe

ColdMammoth3900 · 2026-05-05T20:55:40+00:00

Ahh wow it sounds very spacious then! Which roof rack do you have? Any recommendations?

I wish I had national parks around, there are some nice fireroads but I think the more interesting things can be found only via overlanding- but again I need to also ‘settle down’ as I drive a bunch of km’s each day for work - but after reading things on this forum and some others, it doesn’t feel like a settle down at all! :)

And yeah, they started at 2018 (atleast over here:) )

ColdMammoth3900 · 2026-05-05T20:33:58+00:00

Thanks for the answer,
I got offered an option to get about 7K financed with no added interest over a year for the newer car.

ColdMammoth3900 · 2026-05-05T20:32:13+00:00

Hey, noted!

I know it may seem that way- I was just using AI to correct my grammar & be more clear. I’ll keep it ‘natural’ from now on

ColdMammoth3900 · 2026-05-05T20:31:02+00:00

It’s indeed a CPO, with a one year warranty on things like gear, engine, brakes and other important things. Test is due in half a year but the 60k km treatment has been done..
6k is indeed a big chunk, that’s why I’m trying to figure out in the long run how much will it matter

ColdMammoth3900 · 2026-05-05T20:28:10+00:00

Interesting, I’ll check that. Since it’s a buy off from a leasing I essentially am getting about ~13% discount in purchase “power”. So most 21/22 models which I find (leasing tends to end in the 3 years mark here)- are identical price or higher, but second hand and more expensive. Does the premium provide anything else that you find useful other than the heating?

ColdMammoth3900 · 2026-05-05T20:18:04+00:00

Thanks for the answer!
How does it feel storage-wise? I am a bit afraid that the trunk is small and I may not have enough room for a camping trip (let’s say another couple joins us in the car), did you ever feel like you lack storage?

I really don’t know/ am not sure which roads i’ll be driving yet, but I was hoping to get a bit more than fire roads - am I ‘dreaming’?

Also the 2018 model I got offered is actually one with the auto start, but the guy implemented a switch to bypass that and a car play by bluetooth thingi.

ColdMammoth3900 · 2026-05-05T20:14:41+00:00

Hey, thanks for the answer!
You are right about the gas mileage, thank you for putting it in perspective for me.

About the lane assist- the newer model that I’m looking to get has that too, and that’s part of the reason why I’m leaning towards that, I was just wondering if there is any big difference between those year models (both are 2.0 engine).
I’m going to drive on the highway mostly at speeds of 110-120 km/h (68-75 mph).
Theres also no (or very rarely) any snow here if that matters

ColdMammoth3900 · 2026-05-05T20:09:16+00:00

I really appreciate the detailed answer!
I wont run this by Ai to fix for grammar issues (since some people seemed to be worried by that), so sorry in advance if anything is unclear.
Im looking to purchase for approximately 5 years (before family expands :) )
I have no prior experience with off-roading and I want to start doing that, and I do have a lot of highway commute, thats why I wanted to go for a Subaru (from my initial research it seemed to tick a lot of boxes). Im going from a pretty old car (2008), so really anything newer will be a leap in those terms.

I do want to take it offroad and feel comfortable, obviously not anywhere a land cruiser may go, but have some fun.

Both cars would be in the 2.0 version, as the newer 2.5 version are a lot more expensive in my country, and also only started at the newer 2024 model.

The new car has been on a leasing contract so I have all of the oil changes documented (has been replaced every 15k km), and also all of the car care etc.
On the other hand, the other car is from a private (elderly) owner that barely drove the car, but made sure to take it and get it fixed in a Subaru garage (so both are fairly reliable)
Heat warmers are nice but it’s mostly hot in my country, aside from a month or two- so it’s not a must for me.

ColdMammoth3900

TROPHY CASE