Should you buy a used Subaru Crosstrek, Subaru Forester, or Subaru Outback? A new report says it's cheaper to buy a new model than a used one.
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Should you order a new Subaru model and wait or buy a used model now? A new affordability study from iSeeCars reveals it's better to order a new 2023 Subaru Crosstrek, 2023 Forester, and 2023 Outback and wait for it to be shipped to your Subaru retailer than to buy a used three-year-old model now.
Using its Car Affordability Index, iSeeCars calculated the pricing threshold for affordable cars. They analyzed three-year-old used vehicles that had been affordable between April and December 2019 but were no longer affordable from January to August 2022. The list includes Subaru's top three models, the Crosstrek, Forester, and Outback.
By the numbers - Subaru Forester photo credit: Schumacher Subaru
The Subaru Forester is ranked the worst used Subaru model to buy now and number seventeen on the iSeeCars list of used models that are no longer affordable. A three-year-old Forester's price in August 2019 was $19,743. In August 2022, a three-year-old Forester's price was $29,759. A used Forester compact SUV is now $10,016 more than three years ago.
What is the price of the 2023 Forester?
Even with a $550 price increase across all trim levels, including dealer fees, a new Forester is a better value than a three-year-old used model.
2023 Forester comes in six trim levels; The Base Forester starts at $27,620, Premium ($30,620), Sport ($32,190), Limited ($34,300), Wilderness ($35,245), and Touring ($37,720). Pricing includes destination and delivery fees ($1,225).
By the numbers - Subaru Outback photo credit: Schumacher Subaru
The Subaru Outback is ranked the second worst used Subaru model to buy now and number twelve on the iSeeCars list of used models that are no longer affordable. A three-year-old Outback price in August 2019 was $21,652. In August 2022, a three-year-old Outback price was $30,018. A used Outback midsize SUV is now $8,366 more than three years ago.
What is the price of the 2023 Outback?
Even with its price increases across all trim levels, including dealer fees, a new Outback is a better value than a three-year-old used model.
The 2023 Outback Base trim is priced from $29,620, Premium ($31,920), new Onyx Edition with a 2.5 liter engine ($34,720), Limited ($36,520), Touring ($41,070), Outback Wilderness ($39,670), Onyx Edition XT ($39,820), Limited XT ($40,920), and Touring XT ($43,520). Pricing includes destination and delivery fees ($1,225).
By the numbers - Subaru Crosstrek photo credit: Schumacher Subaru
The Subaru Crosstrek is ranked the third worst used Subaru model to buy now and number twelve on the iSeeCars list of used models that are no longer affordable. A three-year-old Crosstrek price in August 2019 was $20,242. In August 2022, a three-year-old Crosstrek price was $27,916. The popular Crosstrek is now $7,674 more than three years ago.
What is the price of the 2023 Crosstrek?
Even with a $600 price increase across all trim levels, including dealer fees, a new Crosstrek is a better value than a three-year-old used model.
The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek base trim is priced from $24,870, Premium, ($26,020), Special Edition ($27,970), Sport ($29,220), Limited ($30,720) and Crosstrek Hybrid ($38.070). Prices include destination and delivery fees ($1,225).
iSeeCars Executive Analyst Karl Brauer says, "Higher used car prices and the lack of used car inventory due to the decrease in new vehicle production has ultimately led to used car shoppers paying more for their desired vehicles."
Customers who are shopping for a low mileage used three-year-old Subaru Forester, Outback, or Crosstrek now find they are not a good value. Customers who can wait should order a new 2023 Subaru Crosstrek, 2023 Forester, and 2023 Outback and wait for it to be delivered to your Subaru retailer.
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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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Photo credit: Schumacher Subaru
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Subaru is having problems
Subaru is having problems getting parts in. We have been waiting since the beginning of Sept and now cold weather is here. We have no heat and many features of the car aren't working - dash is it up like a Christmas tree. Unable to get anything from dealership and Subaru Service has NOT responded after multiple phone calls. Still paying my lease, but no parts or offers for a rental. Not a happy customer at this point.
What the article failed to
What the article failed to mention that could skew some of the numbers, is that Subaru decided to discontinue the turbo 2.0 XT, and also the six-speed manual transmission specifically on the Forester in the past few years, so the value of the slightly older models has increased. The recent models have a fractional increase in power compared to the (somewhat unsatisfying) 2.5i but nowhere near the XT power and torque.
It’s mar 2023 now Has the
It’s mar 2023 now Has the market corrected at all since this was originally published. Seems like there is more inventory on the lots these days