u/kbups53

Haven’t seen the fellas since Thunderbird in Pittsburgh last year, thought that show was pretty mind blowing but last night was on another level. The jams were deep, wildly experimental, and really varied. Not a moment of spinning wheels, their communication on stage for where to go next is getting so good. I can’t even remember which song but there was a point where they locked into a dance groove and Jake was wailing on this really high pitched distorted tone and I completely lost myself in it the same way I do when Phish is at their best. Plus the fireworks unexpectedly blasting off in the ocean near the end, with the band taking in the moment while they played, and then the super jam with Dogs? Cmon! What a show. Can’t wait for tonight down in Wilmington!

Basically the title, before taxes and fees and all that a base '26 Crosstrek is listed at $26,995, the Hybrid base is $33,995.

As I've been searching for a new car, I've heard from not just various car circles online but also from my personal mechanic, whom I've trusted for years and who has done great work on my past vehicles, that as long as I have the option to buy any number of available cars, I should avoid a belt CVT transmission at all costs.

Now, of course the guy selling me the Crosstrek says their CVT is nothing to worry about (as long as I service it correctly, which I would). He, of course, also doesn't mind that I'm considering buying the more expensive Hybrid.

I know one thing enthusiasts hate about CVTs is how it 'removes the fun of driving', which I understand, but that's less of a factor for me and I'm asking here strictly for reliability's sake. If I buy a '26 Crosstrek with a normal CVT, is the maintenance cost on the transmission over a lifetime of (hopefully) 15 years going to exceed the difference in cost just upgrading to the Hybrid?

(And I know the Hybrids still have eCVTs, but it's my understanding that those gear-driven eCVTs from Toyota are pretty bulletproof compared to traditional CVTs. Please correct me if that sentiment is incorrect.)

Thanks!