2008 Subaru Impreza Consumer Reviews

One of many VeeDubbers to Subaru

Written by: DW on 11/09/2009

Vehicle

2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5i 4dr Sedan AWD w/Premium Package, VDC (2.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I recently traded in my '07 VW GTI on a used (17,000 miles)-'08 Impreza 2.5i. So I lose 30 hp, gain awd, lose handling, but gain a more grown up, and comfortable car. I wanted something I would be somewhat happy with along with reliability. With the reliability of Subaru, I had my choice. If you want something that will be a 6-7 on the fun scale, that looks good, will drive through anything, and that will be as reliable as a rock... buy one of these.

Favorite Features

AWD, boxer sound, highway MPGs, interior design, dials, stereo, dual exhaust, heats up very quickly in cold weather, 5 speed manual, steering wheel controls on premium, leather steering wheel/shifter/parking brake, and it's a SUBARU, it will be as reliable as the sun.

Suggested Improvements

Stronger anti-roll bars, stock exhaust tips (although the bare 2" pipes allow you to put on any tips you like), little nicer cloth interior, otherwise if you keep in mind what car you're buying, there is not much to complain about.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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The Good and The Bad

Written by: John on 11/07/2009

Vehicle

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX 4dr Hatchback AWD w/Premium Package, VDC (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

Being that it has turbo, the WRX is a blast to drive in a straight line. Add corners to the equation and you'd better hang on to the handles if you have the 08. Don't worry, they added sway bars to the 09 WRX because of the problem. They also added significantly more horsepower to the 09 WRX. I feel ripped off that these fixes didn't come with the original 08 WRX model.

Favorite Features

Heated seats, hatchback trunk makes it easy to see out of and to load big items with the seats folded down. AWD makes being in the snow fun. Safety ratings are great! Better go with the better speakers from what others have said about the base speakers. My upgraded dealership speakers sound great!

Suggested Improvements

Sunroof, improved gas mileage, interior noise dampening, fix the shifter, passenger side airbag has a difficult time picking up people around 107 pounds which makes the girlfriend a little nervous it won't go off in an accident. Maybe a button to keep it on if you want?

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Slow Love Affair

Written by: Chicabags on 11/05/2009

Vehicle

2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5i 4dr Sedan AWD w/Sat Radio, Nav, VDC (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

This is my first brand new car and Subaru. My first driving an AWD as well. At first I didn't like it much. It took me a year to appreciate it. In time I experienced how safe it kept in challenging weather, bumping terrain sudden braking. I love how safe it keeps me on the road. This is important to me since I drive quite a bit on a daily basis, street and highway. However, there are a lot of things I would like changed. Appreciate anti-theft features standard with the model.

Favorite Features

New exterior design. Really LOVE the Newport Blue. The upgraded stereo sound system is great for my taste. Don't need to blast it to enjoy it. I love the surrounded system feature.

Suggested Improvements

REPLACE NAVIGATION PROGRAM. Very inaccurate and unclear mapping directions. Unreliable. Too difficult to figure out. Side view visibility poor. Front seats too low. Back window view difficult to gauge closeness of car behind. Need to use side view mirrors for clarity.

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Not worth the money

Written by: Carmen on 10/31/2009

Vehicle

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI 4dr Hatchback AWD w/VDC (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M)

Review

Way too much money for what you get. I paid $34,000 for my 2008 STI and it started to wear, rattle, and the is so cheaply done that it scratches easily and flakes off. The car is fast but is very hard to get it to drive smoothly. It jerks with the smallest of gas and throttle inputs. The utility of the hatch is great and its very fast. I averaged about 17 mpg and that should be against the law in a 4 cylinder car. The seats are cheap and offer no support. I have been in $18,000 cars with better sport seats.

Favorite Features

1. Speed the car is fast. 2. Utility of a hatch 3. Styling

Suggested Improvements

Subaru needs to use better paint. The interior ages quickly and the shiny parts scratch and flake. The seats need to be bolstered and of a higher quality. Get rid of the rattles it rattles in the front, sides, and back. Use direct injection for better gas mileage.

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My 5th Subaru--And Not My Last

Written by: ccarbone22 on 09/09/2009

Vehicle

2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5i 4dr Hatchback AWD w/Premium Package, VDC (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I bought the Impreza in March 2008. This is my 5th Subaru, and I'm a big fan. So far over 15,000 miles, not one single problem. The 2.5L engine is great, and the car handles quiet well. Lots of cargo room with the rear seats down, and the optional roof rails and cargo carrier are helpful too. AWD is great, and over the 15K miles, I've gotten 26 MPG overall-- which I think is really good considering the AWD and larger 4-cyl engine. The wagon (yes, it's a wagon, not a hatchback!) looks great-the sedan is kinda boring. Interior design is nice, and the materials are an improvement over past Imprezas. Looking forward to many years and miles with this car!

Favorite Features

The growl of the boxer engine, AWD, exterior design, reliability, and the fun of driving it! And the fact that it's a Subaru!

Suggested Improvements

Subaru, PLEASE get a clue and start putting better sound systems in your cars. Every Subaru I've owned has had a terrible sound system. Otherwise, no major improvements needed.

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Very fun and Reliable!

Written by: Huffman.ben on 09/06/2009

Vehicle

2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5i 4dr Sedan AWD w/Premium Package, VDC (2.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

This was my very first brand new car and I'm glad I bought a Subaru. I have had no problems to date. I went through one winter so far and it was easy with the WRX.

Favorite Features

AWD, Heated Seats,Turbo

Suggested Improvements

Better Stereo.

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Star On ICE!

Written by: Carlos on 09/01/2009

Vehicle

2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5i 4dr Hatchback AWD w/Premium Package, VDC (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

Greetings! Winter of 2009 my wife and I drove on I-40 somewhere in Oklahoma and the road was coated with snow turned to ICE... it was around midnight and we were the only ones driving on I-40 at about 40-50 mph. All Semi- Truck/cars, etc. stuck along the side of the interstate due to the road condition, but our 2008 2.5i Impreza 5door kept going. The car took control whenever it sensed a "side-way" skid. The 2008 2.5i Impreza 5 door handled perfectly well on the snow & ice coated I-40 interstate...

Favorite Features

All Wheel Drive & Stability Control.

Suggested Improvements

Design a Subaru with a 30-35miles per gallon (combined city/highway).

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My STi

Written by: CK on 08/05/2009

Vehicle

2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI 4dr Hatchback AWD w/VDC, Nav, Silver BBS (2.5L 4cyl Turbo

Review

This is my first Subaru & what I've noticed is that wrx & sti owners have some special bond when they see another. Everyone always waves or smiles. Pretty cool. Those that know what a STi is, are always wanting to race & well sometimes I have to just let her run & they get to see my tail lights. ; ) I've taken it snowboarding several times even in white out conditions & my STi has never let me down. I've taken corners like it was on rails. I don't even sweat it anymore. So... definitely fun to drive & I hope to keep for a very long time because I can't see myself in another car.

Favorite Features

SI-drive, DCCD, boxer engine sound, turbo sound, bbs rims, nav, side fender vents with the STi logo.

Suggested Improvements

I have to think really hard & so I'm nitpicking, but tano cover for my STi's trunk area seems loose & can kinda make a little noise on bumpy roads. Would like standard hid fog lights.

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Subaru: Always a Great Purchase!

Written by: Jason on 07/27/2009

Vehicle

2008 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport 4dr Hatchback AWD w/VDC (2.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

This is my 3rd Subaru: 04 WRX (wish I never sold it!), 07 Forester XS, and this car. I'm driving 45,000 miles a year (crazy!) and averaging 30 MPG at usually 70-75 MPH, which is beyond the EPA reading! Cruise control is my friend. Can't beat the AWD in any weather. I HIGHLY recommend any Subaru model to anyone looking for a vehicle. No issues whatsoever with this car. -- If you're car shopping, just take a moment to drive some Subaru's, especially in a downpour or bad weather... I bet you'll be amazed! For comparison, do the same with other brands. This is when you'll notice more about the true feel of a vehicle versus a bright, dry, sunny day.

Favorite Features

Manual transmission (auto was too weak); smooth ride (though it was too "washy" until I adjusted to the ride height) after having sports cars; Premium Pkg & lower seats (for the shifting); Body Style; AWD; Because Subaru makes awesome reliable products.

Suggested Improvements

Better paint! I've never had a car's hood chip so easily before. This is my 6th car and even the other Subies didn't chip like this one. Rear hatch rattles. Using tape on the metal ring helps. Sunroof in the Outback version? Better factory roof rails. These are noisy. Diesel? Please?!?!

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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My first Subaru

Written by: RT on 07/18/2009

Vehicle

2008 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport 4dr Hatchback AWD w/VDC (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

All the reviews about paint problems are true. I bought this car 9 months ago and can't believe how fragile the paint is. I've only got 6,000 miles on the car and it looks like there's 4 years of abrasion on the rear qtr panels. Severe chips on the hood and front of the vehicle. Hopefully Subaru officials read these reviews and do something because they're losing customers. This was my first and believe me last Subaru. Unless you want to pay for a total repaint every 3 years stay away from this car. Other Subaru models have the same problem. Oh and do something about the ridiculously low passenger seat and what's with the holes in the front bumper?? Not all states have front license plates!

Favorite Features

I like the styling, everything else is average or below.

Suggested Improvements

Put a 5 speed transmission in the car, the 4 speed is totally inadequate. Improve the quality of your paint. Do away with the clown height passenger seat. Stop putting the unsightly holes in the front bumper and do away with the red instrument lighting, it's awful!

2 out 6 people found this review helpful

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