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I’ve finally decided to trade in my Kia for a Subaru. I’m tired of the anxiety of coming out to an empty parking spot in the morning. Really stupid decision by them to not install immobilizers as standard on all vehicles, and very poor and slow response to the issue. Never buying a Hyundai/Kia again, which is too bad because their cars look great.
Are you going to have to sell at a discount because of these issues? Couldn’t you get an after market immobilizer installed?
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.
What would you recommend? I’m looking into the subcompact suv category. I’ve been choosing between the Crosstrek, HRV, Corolla Cross, and CX30. Based on research and watching/reading reviews, the Crosstrek is the best bang for buck in terms of combined performance, reliability, cabin space, and aesthetics for the price.
The HRV, while its interior is refined, is too underpowered for its size and only has 2WD for the same price as the Crosstrek which has AWD as standard. Also, there have been reports of the back glass spontaneously shattering.
The Corolla Cross has a tight cabin despite being a big vehicle. Very basic in design as well, and a little underpowered, unless you go for the hybrid which is more expensive.
The CX30 is too small inside and the most expensive of the bunch. I think it’s a solid vehicle, but I can get more car for my money with a Crosstrek.
The Crosstrek on the other hand has a pretty good reputation, AWD as a standard, a huge 11in infotainment screen, lots of safety features, and better performance over the HRV and Corolla based on review comparisons. The interior is pretty basic and not as pretty as the HRV and CX30, but I think the 11in screen makes up for it. I test drove it this week and I liked how it drove. Note that I’m coming from a small and underpowered Kia Soul so it doesn’t take much to wow me.
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.
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
I hear ya. I’m looking into the newest model (2024) where so far I haven’t seen any drivetrain/engine issues. Obviously it’s still a very new model, but AFAIK the new boxer engines are better than the previous generations. I know the Mazda CX models are great, but just in the subcompact crossover category, I think the Crosstrek beats the CX30 by a slim margin. More car for money as I mentioned.
Basically what the the other guy said. The idiots stealing these cars won’t know that you installed one and will break your window and steering column anyway to try. Using a steering wheel lock is actually more effective because it’s a visual deterrent, and most of these thieves are out for a joyride only and won’t bother wasting time trying to break a steering wheel lock.
Yeah my buddy and his wife just had a kid and then 2 days later someone stole her Kia. Quite a rollercoaster of a week for them.
This is what happens when there is not regulation for this shit: some dumbshit MBA confess up with a bright idea to save $5/car by removing an “unnecessary” part that very other manufacturer has. The people higher up okay it because it increases short term profit and their payout. By the time things shit the bed, the executives that signed off on it already sold large shares when the stock price went up and the MBA dude is already a VP at another company. Rinse and repeat.
Had my Hyundai stolen two weeks ago. Had my Kia, which does not have the “Kia Boys” vulnerability vandalized two weeks before that.
Feels like I have a giant sign above each car that says “please steal me”. Just don’t buy these cars. Even if it’s impossible to steal a particular model, people will still fuck with it.
It’s kind of amazing to be honest. Kia and Hyundai went from being “cheap reliable car” to “great value for the money” to “driving this car invites crime” within like 5 years.
