2008 Subaru Outback Consumer Reviews Page 2

Best yet

Written by: Third timer on 07/01/2008

Vehicle

2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I Limited 4dr Wagon AWD w/VDC (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

This is my 3rd Outback wagon and is the best so far. It rides and handles wonderfully and I actually get better mileage than the EPA sticker indicated.

Favorite Features

Handling, ride, fuel economy

Suggested Improvements

Should offer an upgrade for towing

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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PZEV & rough starts

Written by: Ed on 06/25/2008

Vehicle

2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I Limited 4dr Wagon AWD w/VDC (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

For those of you considering the PZEV option you should be aware that when started cold some Subaru's will produce excesive vibration, engine and exhaust noise. This is due to changes the ECU makes to the timing to quickly heat the exhaust catalyst to reduce emission gasses. Once warm, the car starts smoothly as you would expect. The sales rep asked us to wait in the showroom while he brought the car around for test drives so I didn't discover this characteristic until I started the car the morning after purchasing it. Otherwise the car does exactly what I expected and I'm pleased with it.

Favorite Features

Heated seats and the huge sunroof.

Suggested Improvements

I notice a slight shudder/wiggle in the steering wheel when I turn it a few degrees off center. The dealer said this is normal and caused by the operation of the AWD system. After 30+ years of making AWD vehicles I would have expected not to have any feedback in the steering wheel.

6 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Transmission is Plague

Written by: designer on 06/22/2008

Vehicle

2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I Limited 4dr Wagon AWD w/VDC (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

Replaced my 2006 Outback sport with the larger version. Nice upgrade and significant price increase. I liked the AWD and style of the 08. Car handles great. Constant problem since I have owned the car is the transmission. It has been fixed twice, the third time the shop could not "duplicate it" Going in again tomorrow. The transmission shifts hard and clunks, feels like it is slipping. It was really bad the first 2 times. Now it does it under 40 MPH in city traffic. It's driving me nuts, litterally!

Favorite Features

The car would be great if it worked properly. I would be so happy, if I didn't feel that the transmission may fall out of the vehicle in traffic.

Suggested Improvements

Put in a transmission that is better than the one you have. I leased this vehicle, and I wont lease another Subaru. I want to love it so bad, I want to be that Suby guy, I am just let down. Going back to Honda via Acura I think.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Pleased new Subie groupie

Written by: Frmr SUV ownr on 06/17/2008

Vehicle

2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I Limited 4dr Wagon AWD w/VDC (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

Previously owned a Ford Explorer so skeptical about power of 4cyl but you can't have it all and I have been pleasantly surprised with performance/gas mileage. Getting 20city/29 hwy and it's plenty zippy for that king of economy. Brakes a bit unresponsive/long braking distance, taking getting used to but drove in the Carolina mountains and handled like a dream.

Favorite Features

Overall handling, classy interior, panoramic sunroof, roomy cargo area, gas mileage, comfortable for 5'3" smaller person.

Suggested Improvements

Arm rests, upgrade stereo system, smaller key FOB or keyless entry/keypad makes sense for this type of car.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Satisfied

Written by: Ted on 06/15/2008

Vehicle

2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I've had my Outback for 6 months and have put over 8000 miles on it. Initial impression of quality is good. I bought the car due to its safety features, additional room for my family, and reputation for quality. I haven't been let down. My only real gripe about the car is the lack of horsepower. This car could really use an extra 20 hp. Not a big deal since I'm not out to win any races. However, the car is slightly under-powered in my opinion.

Favorite Features

AWD, cargo space, great handling

Suggested Improvements

Make the latch bar easier to acess in the rear seat. Britax brand car seats are hard to attach. Put the fuel door on the correct side. Give the car an extra 20hp

5 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Pleasantly Impressed

Written by: Rick Drewyour on 06/14/2008

Vehicle

2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

This is my first Subaru. For a utilitarian vehicle, it rides better than my Honda Accord. It handles great and I really like all the safety features. Easy exit/entry with the higer ground clearance. Sunroof is noisy when only wing is opened. Mileage is 25 mixed and 30 on the highway. Good looks and sporty feel.

Favorite Features

Ride comfort. Safety ratings. Solid feeling and sounding car. Fuel economy.

Suggested Improvements

Not impressed with Bridgestone Potenza tires. Noisy sunroof. Auto temp control always starts in a/c mode no matter what the temp is.

3 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Best Bang For Your Buck!

Written by: GF on 06/09/2008

Vehicle

2008 Subaru Outback 3.0 R L.L.Bean Edition 4dr Wagon AWD w/VDC (3.0L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Needed a 4 door wagon due to the new addition to my family. So I test drove an Audi A4 Avant (2.0T and 3.2 versions) and the Subaru Outback 3.0R was on par with the Audi Avant 3.2. Went with Subaru and saved $14K over the Audi. Also, plan to do a lot of outdoor family stuff (biking, camping, etc) so the additional ride height with the Outback made sense. I still have yet to open it up cause it's still in the break-in period, but this an excellent overall value. This car feels like I'm still driving my BMW. Subaru got this Outback right. Can't go wrong with Japanese build quality and a German driving feel at a Japanese price tag.

Favorite Features

AWD, additional ride height, trunk space, H6 boxer engine

Suggested Improvements

Bluetooth

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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The vehicle I was looking for

Written by: Ken Myers on 05/30/2008

Vehicle

2008 Subaru Outback 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Replaced gas-guzzler 3/4-ton ’05 Chevy pickup with the ’08 Outback. My requirements; better mpg, able to pull motorcycle and its trailer, high ground clearance w/ 4-WD or AWD to traverse the 2-track to my cabin in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, handle winter snow, carry my radio-controlled planes and R/C equipment, ease of front seat access for my 85- year-old mother. Went to test drive an ’09 Forester and while waiting saw the Blue/Silver Metallic ’08 Outback and changed the test drive! The test drive, on poorly maintained paved roads, felt comfortable, and has proven so. There is a very solid feel between the car and the road. Good value. Better than a SUV for me. I like it a lot so far.

Favorite Features

Smooth, easy shifting 5-speed manual. Lots of room in back with the seats folded. Trailer hitch and Auto-Dimming Mirror/Compass w/Homelink. Excellent AWD mpg with avg. over 30 mpg in suburban area driving so far. Good all-around visibility. Standard trip calculator. It feels “just right” for me.

Suggested Improvements

Move clutch pedal a little further to the left. Put the outside temperature on the mirror, like the compass. Move fuel filler to driver side! Don’t use felt like carpet, every little thing sticks to it. Rear seats should fold flat.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Great Alaska Car

Written by: Kenny on 05/28/2008

Vehicle

2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

So far so good. Wish it had better gas mileage, but I knew what I would get before I bought it, just did not know how much gas prices would rise.

Favorite Features

AWD is great for the interior of Alaska. Like the aux jack in the console for my IPOD. Nice cargo space.

Suggested Improvements

Water drips from the drivers side window into the interior and onto the driver when only slightly cracked. Caused water stains on light brown seat.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Great all-purpose vehicle

Written by: DenverGuy on 05/21/2008

Vehicle

2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)

Review

We looked at a number of small SUVs and wagons and went with the Outback for a number of reasons: comfort, MPG, and functionality. The other small SUVs did not ride well and seemed cheaply made (including Toyota and Honda). The ride quality in a wagon is way better and does everything I need it to do. MPG (28 hwy, 22mpg city) has been better than advertised, which is rare. Great resale in Colorado and low operating costs. Only 500 miles on it so far so I can't comment on long term reliability.

Favorite Features

MPG, space, all-wheel drive, ipod connector.

Suggested Improvements

Stereo not that great, seats could be a bit more comfortable in back.

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