Is the 2008 Subaru Forester a good car?
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2008 Subaru Forester and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2008 Forester featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
All of our reviews are written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
How do people like the 2008 Subaru Forester?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2008 Subaru Forester and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2008 Forester 4.6 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2008 Forester.
Vehicle
2.5 X Premium Package 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
Review
Purchased used in September 2009.. Hard to believe it's at 175,000 miles and still runs smooth and responsive. Replaced rear brake pads one time. Most expensive repair. Right rear wheel bearing which is a common problem on Subaru. $450.00 repair. Most expensive maintenance item. Timing belt with water pump and pulleys. I paid $600.00. The dealer charges $1200 or more. Tires are an issue. Buy good ones and they will last. Yokohama seem to last longest. The seats are not good for long trips. Get a small memory foam pillow and that will take care of that. Weird stalling and idle problems started at 142,000 miles and traced to small valve on intake manifold. Remove electric hook up, remove two Phillips screws, spray valve with intake manifold cleaner and problem solved. Remove spark plug wires and inspect for oil. Valve cover gasket leaks common problem on these cars but I haven't had to replace them yet. Overall it's a good safe solid car. Nothing fancy but reliable when you work through the issues. Make sure when replacing plug wires to use spark plug grease on both ends of wires. Another issue. Headlights started leaking at 160,000 miles. Don't even try to fix them. Order new ones off Ebay for $300. You have to remove the entire front end to replace them. It's time consuming not difficult. It's 8 years old at this point and has held up well. Update February 2017. Still running well. Just replaced front and rear pads. And both oxygen sensors 184,712 miles. Update August 2017. 193,783 miles. Replaced valve cover gaskets. Surge and stalling again. Preparing to change out fuel injectors and gas pedal assembly. Most of the time it runs perfect but occasionally stalls. I also suspect it could be accumulation of bad gas.
See all consumer reviews and retings for the 2008 Subaru Forester
How can Edmunds help?
Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color
What options are available on the 2008 Subaru Forester?
Available Subaru Forester 2008 Submodel Types: SUV, Wagon
Available Trims: 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Premium PZEV, 2.5i Limited, 2.5i Touring, 2.5i, 2.5i Limited PZEV, 2.0XT Touring, 2.5i PZEV, 2.5X Premium, 2.5X, 2.5i Touring PZEV, 2.5X Limited, 2.5X Premium PZEV, 2.5 X, X, 2.5X Limited PZEV, XS, 2.5 X Premium Package, 2.0XT Premium, 2.5X PZEV, L, 2.5 X L.L.Bean Edition, S, 2.5XT Touring, Sports 2.5 X, XT, 2.5X Touring PZEV, 2.5XT Premium, 2.5XT Limited, 2.5 XT Limited, 2.5X Touring, 2.5XT, XS L.L.Bean Edition
Exterior Colors: Ice Silver Metallic, Dark Gray Metallic, Crystal White Pearl, Crystal Black Silica, Quartz Blue Pearl, Venetian Red Pearl, Jasmine Green Metallic, Satin White Pearl, Sage Green Metallic, Burnished Bronze Metallic, Camellia Red Pearl, Spark Silver Metallic, Marine Blue Pearl, Newport Blue Pearl, Obsidian Black Pearl, Steel Silver Metallic, Platinum Silver Metallic, Sepia Bronze Metallic, Aspen White, Crystal Gray Metallic, Garnet Red Pearl, Urban Gray Metallic, Platinum Silver Metallic/Textured Gray, Cayenne Red Pearl, Sky Blue Metallic, Topaz Gold Metallic, Champagne Gold Opal, Paprika Red Pearl, Regal Blue Pearl, Sierra Gold Metallic, Blue Ridge Pearl, Cayenne Red Pearl/Textured Gray, Deep Cherry Pearl, Pacifica Blue Pearl, Woodland Green Pearl/Textured Gray, Regal Blue Pearl/Steel Gray Metallic, Steel Gray Metallic, Acadia Green, Acadia Green Metallic, Crystal Gray Metallic/Textrured Gray, Evergreen Metallic/Steel Silver Metallic, Garnet Red Pearl/Steel Gray Metallic, Garnet Red Pearl/Urban Gray Metallic, Java Black Pearl, Obsidian Black Pearl/Steel Gray Metallic, Obsidian Black Pearl/Textured Gray, Platinum Silver Metallic/Steel Gray Metallic, Woodland Green Pearl, Woodland Green Pearl/Steel Gray Metallic, Aspen White/Premium Silver Metallic, Aspen White/Textured Gray, Black Diamond Pearl, Black Diamond Pearl/Slate, Canyon Red Pearl/Slate, Java Black Pearl/Steel Gray Metallic, Newport Blue Pearl/Steel Silver Metallic, Rio Red, Savanna Green Metallic, Sedona Red Pearl, Sierra Gold Metallic/Textured Gray, Silverthorn / Slate, Silverthorn Metallic
Interior Colors: Gray cloth, Black cloth, Black leather, Gray leather, Gray, Brown leather, Platinum cloth, Black, Graphite Gray cloth, Desert Beige cloth, Beige, Off Black cloth, Grey, Anthracite Black leather, Off Black, Gray Leather, Beige Cloth
Popular Features: AWD/4WD, Fold Flat Rear Seats, Rear Bench Seats, Alarm, Aux Audio Inputs, Stability Control, Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Tire Pressure Warning, Trip Computer, Bluetooth, USB Inputs, Sunroof/Moonroof, Power Driver Seat, Back-up camera, Post-collision safety system, Auto Climate Control, Heated seats, Leather Seats, Power Liftgate/Trunk, Blind Spot Monitoring, 2500lb Towing Capacity, Upgraded Headlights, Lane Departure Warning, Pre-collision safety system, Adaptive Cruise Control, Navigation, Multi-Zone Climate Control, Keyless Entry/Start, Upgraded Stereo, Remote Start, Parking sensors, Towing Hitch
Engine/Mechanics: 4 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATIC, MANUAL
Fuel Types: regular unleaded, premium unleaded (required), premium unleaded (recommended)
Drivetrains: all wheel drive
