Used 2008 Subaru Impreza Sedan Consumer Reviews

3rd Subie

Bought a used 2008 with high miles to replace an aging Mazda B truck. I also compared a few 2006-2007 models, but no WRX's in the same price range. The 06-07's were much more fun to drive- more connected to the road. The 08 is much quieter and smoother like a "grown-up" car as my wife put it ( she drives an Outback, which we LOVE) I'm a sporty driver with a heavy foot, and the gas mileage is OK- about 23 for urban- suburban commuting, quite often in bumper to bumper. If you want a gas sipper, look elsewhere. If you want AWD security, your're in the right place. 35 MPG is useless if you can't get out of the driveway.

Not a WRX, but still love it

This car has never given me any major problems in the short time that I’ve owned it. Already have some good memories with it. I’m 19 years old now, and was in the market for a used Subaru in the spring of 2017 as I have always admired subies. Couldn’t afford a newer Subaru, let alone an older WRX so I settled for the 08 impreza which was the best deal I found in the area at the time. Exterior is nothing amazing, but better looking than any American sedan of that year. Basic interior as it is a base model, but that doesn’t matter to me (cuz it has aux w/ good speakers!) as it seems cars w/ lots of technology are always breaking (my moms new 2018 Legacy limited had several interior electrical issues in the first couple months of ownership). None of the dreaded head gasket issues that seemed to plague Subaru for many years had affected my car, I think they solved that problem years ago. Boxer engine has a nice little growl to it which I plan to make louder and throatier with some mods. Although it is nowhere near fast, it has decent acceleration and can be pretty quick in sport mode. The winter is a breeze to drive in deep snow w/ subaru’s AWD as I live in Chicago area. Deep snow arrived last winter, first couple hours I saw 5+ cars stuck in the several inches of snow in my neighborhood. this car goes right thru the snow like a champ. Very fun to play with in the snow, will never get stuck. Planning to keep this car for awhile, already began to modify it a little bit. Only thing I had to do so far was replace brake pads, rotors, calipers, brake line flush, etc. because the brakes began to feel very soft and squishy. it was a bit costly (full brake service over $900) but that was the very first time any of those had been replaced on this car. Other than that, cost of maintenance has been minimal, w/ $30 oil changes and such. MPG could be better (average of about 21 city miles isn’t that good for a 4 banger) but gets better on the highway of course. Also, the front left tire keeps losing air, I’ll fill it up and then the TPMS light will come back on within 1-2 weeks which shouldn’t happen. Hasn’t been a major issue, im just gonna swap the boring stock rims for black aftermarkets w/ new tires once i have more money, and voilà. Change oil every 3,000 miles and inspect the engine bay and undercarriage a few times a month and this car will not let you down. Overall, a very reliable car that is fun and easy to drive, especially in heavy snow, and I would highly recommend over any American sedans of around the same age.

Pleasant car to drive

This car is very quiet, nothing like the rattle box my wife's Focus is. Engine is very quiet, that my wife can't hear it well, and try to restart it twice. I don't like the abs at times as it kick in prematurely, but most time it is quiet. The interesting "safety" feature about the car is that if you forget to tighten your gas cap well, or if any glitches occur in the engine or drive train - the Cruise control light flashes, check engine light goes on, and the traction control light goes on. This scared the jeepers out of me at first - but it is an important safety feature to protect the engine. You can buy a code reader for $20 or take to action auto for the code to be read.

10 Years of Ownership

I hit a deer today, ending my 10 years and 1 month of ownership of my metallic gray 2.5i Subaru Impreza, and I am very sad. It was a basic vehicle, but I really liked it that way as nothing really broke. I upgraded my stereo on my own this last year so I could have bluetooth connectivity, but other than that, I liked the manual heating selectors and lights as I feel like the electronic gadgets tend to break very easily. I replaced the clutch around 100k and had a weird issue with the ignition coils that resurfaced later, but was likely due to a bad patch-job by the first mechanic. Outside of that, it got me through more than 155k miles, countless rain and snowstorms, and some very long drives between New England and the Southeastern US. This car was safe and reliable, and I'll miss it especially for that. The AWD was extremely reliable: I never, ever worried when it rained. I drove my wife through a heavy snowstorm when we had just started dating, something she still brings up as a wonderful memory to this day. I didn't love the two interactions I had with the dealership, but if I had to do this again, I absolutely would.

Slow Love Affair

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.

2008 Subaru 2.5i

375 miles, and so far, the car has been great! I commute over a 9,500 ft twisty mountain pass every day, this car handles the road great and even without the turbo has plenty of power. I, a die hard manual trans fan, purchased the automatic, VERY happy with the tiptronic auto-stick. First tank of gas averaged 25.7 mpg. Looking to be much better for second tank. Can't wait for the snow to fly so I can test the AWD system :)

Worst car I ever owned

Owned since new, First radiator broke, then the A/C compressor went out. Those were fixed under warranty. Then valve cover / spark plug seals started leaking, then the power steering pump started leaking, then replaced rack and pinion and P/S pump twice, then the radio quit working, and finally it spun a rod bearing all under 80,000 miles.

Mostly satisfied

After 1000 miles, pretty content. Comfy, good head room, fun2drive! Smooth pickup, good ride. The 'hum' from the engine is AWESOME. Good sized trunk. Car is perfect for a single person - quick and fun, 4 door versatility, adaptable to add luggage racks. Sporty and stylish enough, but kinda flies under the police radar cuz it isn't TOO flashy. I did have a cooling hose issue (factory didn't tighten it), and it does 'rattle' a bit which is scary considering I traded in a 1997 Ford Probe that didn't rattle at all, but overall a very great car in my opinion if it holds up over time. Other Subaru owners near me all are happy with theirs. I have high expectations for this car.

At 22 years old, my dream car

I purchased this vehicle because of its style, consumer reports of reliability, and all-wheel drive. I got the premium package which was mostly worth it. This car is very fun to drive, it is my primary vehicle. It is more enjoyable and more agile than a police cruiser... and faster. If I could buy one and donate it to the police department for me to drive, I would. It is very reliable and the AWD kicks when I visit family in Michigan where snow is a problem for cars without it. I spent 2 weeks researching cars in the 20K-30K range and this was the best one overall. Ratings were better, looks were better, and I couldn't find any serious negative reviews.

Impreza1

We got the 2008 hatchback and have 1700 miles on it. Handling and comfort are excellent, it's really fun to drive. Performance getting better every day as the engine gets broken in. Used it in some deep snow, traction is great, it climbs steep snow covered roads with ease. So far the mileage is the only gripe. Getting about 20 around town and 26 - 27 on the highway. Hope it gets better when it fully broken in and the weather warms up. Excellent car, we had 2 Legacys before but the new Impreza is roomier than the old model. I'd buy another.

LOVE my WRX

I bought my 2008 brand new when I graduated college. I'd been in a few older ones and knew how fun they were, but the 2008+ model years really add a touch of comfort and practicality whereas the previous models just felt slightly cheap. It is a blast to drive and anyone who I've let behind the wheel has fallen in love with it. The AWD has exceeded my expectations in the our tough Utah winters. My only complaints are the interior could be a bit more exciting (esp dash), but I think they did address that in later models. Stock wheels are a joke (mine BENT the first year on small potholes) but just replaced them w/better looking one. Overall, a great car with far more pep than you'd think

Everything I Expected

Bought my Impreza in 2/08. I have put 4000 miles on it and am getting 30.9 mpg consistantly. Have experienced everything a Maine winter has to offer and this car handled great. Bought it for AWD, safety features and price. Fun to drive.

2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5i

I just purchased this car yesterday. I have already put 100 miles on it, and have been very impressed. The VDC has kept me going straight even on very snowy and icy roads. I originally wanted a 5 speed manual, but the throttle response was terrible. with the car in gear it took about a full second to even feel the engine try to accelerate after pressing the gas pedal. However, the throttle response on my auto is immediate.

Go Elsewhere

I've had this car now for a little over a year and I can honestly say that it ranks quite high on the list of worst cars I've ever driven. Horrible visibility, especially at night, you can't see anything because of the position of the pillars and the size of the mirrors. Painfully weak and horrendously thirsty engine, you'll be lucky to get 22/23mpg on the highway, driving in cruise control at 65. Quality of materials inside is absolutely appalling, cheap plastics all around! Clutch pedal has no precision making it difficult to drive smoothly. The Navigation system is overpriced for what you get, and no built-in blue tooth. The seats though, make me cringe every time I have to drive.

Nice car but...

Just returned this car off lease at 30k. The deal was too good to pass up: $199/mo. Reliability was excellent: no issues. I went through 3 Syracuse winters on M+S tires with no driving problems. That said, I was happy to be rid of the car. Engine noise is excessive and there is annoying vibration at over 2500rpm. Highway speed in 5th gear is about 2700rpm; get the picture? I test drove other Subes and all had the same issue. The boxers in the engine really go at it at high rpm. This car will accelerate briskly but that means high rpm. Who needs the beating. Great car at 200rpm which means 45mph. Homely. 27-30mpg (70% highway) duration of my ownership

My First Subaru

I purchased a Subaru Impreza WRX 5pd about six months ago. I must say it has been one of the most fun cars I have ever driven. Acceleration is good with the exception of a little turbo lag and the handling is great. The AWD take a bit getting use to being that you need to use a little more clutch than a FWD or RWD vehicle. I can wait to see how it does in the snow this winter. This is my first Subaru, but certainly not the last.

'08 WRX SEDAN

This is my second Subaru. I owned a 2005 WRX sedan before, which was a terrific little car. As for the '08, I initially didn't think that an extra half liter in engine size would make much difference, but I was wrong. This car revs so smooth and effortless, if you're not careful you can touch 100mph on the freeway without even realizing it. The handling in this car is superb, with some minor body roll, but it's not noticeable in everyday driving. Fuel economy could probably be better, I used to average 20mpg on the stock tires (tires = awful), switched to lighter, performance tires and am getting 22-23mpg in mixed driving, up to 30mpg at non-freeway speeds if I set cruise and stay off turbo.

First car I loved long after buying it

Wanted AWD and comfort without a 3 series price. Found it in the Impreza. 130 mph without the turbo. 65 mph = 34.5 mpg. 80 mph = 27 mpg. Feels pinned to the road in the rain. Snow is manageable with the stock tires; rather have some snow tires. Premium sound system is ok. Audiophiles won't live with it for long. Durable interior. I'm hoping for 200,000 miles and I think I'll get it.

Traded My Legacy for an Impreza

This is my third Subaru and I traded in a 2001 Legacy Sedan Limited Edition for it two weeks ago. I selected the 2008 Impreza because of its looks, performance, price and safety features. I test drove a 2007 Impreza Outback Wagon (the dealer was trying to give it away) and was not happy with its performance or appearance. The re-designed 2008 has an upgraded appearance and performance with a sport car attitude. While it may not look like a traditional Impreza, I think the exterior is sharper than the 2008 Legacy Sedans (looks like a VW Jetta). I am very happy with my selection, its driveability and (of course) its AWD and great handling (better than the Legacy).

Great Car Great Price

Lots to love about this car. For the low price, you get AWD, tight suspension, pretty good MPG, fun, and room. The base stereo (4 speakers) is actually OK and doesn't distort at high volume. I will be adding the Subaru subwoofer soon. The ride is great and the car feels like it has claws that attack the road. 5 spd is fun since you have more control. Trunk loses some space as it raises toward the back because of the new double wishbone suspension. Interior is good for the price. Plastic used on the door and dash, but for $16k I don't mind. I like the looks of the 2007 better, but oh well. The 08 is more "grown up" looking.

2.5i sedan!

Very fun, safe, and reliable. I installed new rims, exhaust, and aux jack. Great in snow

2008 WRX Premium

I was in the market for a daily driver that was reliable, had excellent crash test ratings, affordable, and was fun to drive. The Subaru WRX was the answer. My wife and two kids fit comfortably in the car and the trunk has just the right amount of cargo space for our gear for our weekend getaway trips. This includes luggage, a stroller, and other miscellaneous things for the kids.

Great car!

I've been wanting one of these for a long time and am thrilled to finally own a Subaru!

One of many VeeDubbers to Subaru

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.

129,000 miles and I enjoyed every one.

Do not purchase this car!

I bought this car for my wife new in 2008. We test drove the car and liked it. It is a good driving car, and thats all. We have had back to the dealer several times. Everything from the struts, sway bar bushings. Had to replace the brakes a little over a year of driving it. We live in an area with alot of snow, and the AWD is not very good. Only two wheels will spin at a time, one front and one opposite rear. There is no traction control what so ever. Save your money!

Worst Car I've Ever Purchased

Words cannot explain how bad my Subaru Impreza has been. The dealership sold me the car with a dirty interior, and damage to paint on the doors. I was told this was to be fixed by a painter, but even he agreed that the paint was too far beyond repair for a minor touch-up. Needless to say I'm going to have to sue the dealership and have them investigated for fraud if this isn't fixed. Thanks for Subaru for not standing behind your cars at all. I feel bad for anyone who is going through the same problems with this company since there is a known paint problem with the 2008 Imprezas.

First year with first Subaru

I've had my Impreza for a year. Its been through rural blizzard-prone Minnesota winter and has performed well. Very fun to drive in snow and has good grip on snow and ice. Seems to be able to go through deeper snow as well, but clutch starts to smell hot. I get about 31-33 MPG in the summer on the highway (haven't driven much in metro traffic.) Winter MPG drops off sharply to 17 in town/short trips and 25 on the highway. Only problems are a faulty tire pressure sensor (covered by warranty) and about 1 out of every 3 times when anti-lock brakes kick in on ice in below 0 temps, vehicle dynamics control and ABS goes out and won't work. Shutting car off and re-starting seems to fix it.

Always looking forward to driving

So far at 5k miles I am happy. This car has exceptional power and still gets ~23mpg with spirited driving. I have not driven much in the snow with the car, but so far the AWD has been great at keeping me gripping all the time. Transmission is smooth although the clutch makes odd noises occasionally. Seats are comfy. The tires should be upgraded at some point, however so far they are evenly wearing. Trunk in sedan is short where it meets the back seats. The brakes don't seem quite as "grippy" as one would assume. Also road noise is loud in this car, but I can deal with that. The stereo is somewhat weak but the engine is wonderful to listen to. Overall very satisfied with purchase.

New to Subaru and Happy

So far I have really enjoyed my new Impreza (3000k miles/two months). I opted for the simplified and economical 2.5i auto 5-door in dark grey with a center armrest ext. I've already added on the aux jack, rear seat net, and rear bumper cover. It's definitely a joy to drive around. It makes you hate city traffic, bored with open highway, and eager for some empty country roads. It would be nice if it were a bit quieter, but then it would be a Saab. I originally wanted a Saab 9-2 a few years ago, but it was discontinued and this car substitues perfectly, with the added bonus of AWD. I'm getting 25 mpg on mixed travel. Measuring highway trips gets me 28-32 mpg. Had absolutely no problems.

My first Subaru

This is my first Subaru and I am very happy with it. I traded in a 2006 Civic that went nowhere in the snow and during Minnesota winters that's not a good thing. I decided on this because of the AWD, the looks and the price. I am impressed with the ride, and quality of the car and it has great pick up, it's pretty quick! Not much road noise either. Feels like a nice solid ride. Cant wait for some snow to test it out. It gets a pretty solid 26 mpg city and when I drove a 200 mile trip all highway it got a solid 32 mpg which I think is great for this car and it isn't even broken in yet. Overall happy with my purchase and will buy a Subaru again, maybe a Legacy next time :)

Can't go wrong with a Subaru

We have only had this car for a week or two and love it. The ride is great and we are very happy with the purchase. What other cars can you buy with AWD standard and great mileage. The EPA mileage estimates are all low for every car starting this model year. We went on a short highway trip about 100 miles at 70 mph and got 33 mpgs. Bought car for wife as a grocery getter and trip car. We actually test drove the legacy because that was the car I wanted but felt the new Impreza had more leg room and a better ride than the Legacy.

Impressive Impreza

I leased a 08 Impreza in early august. I test drove the wrx and then decided to go with the 2.5i 4-door as the lease deal seemed to too sweet to ignore. The car has been fun to drive - it is a real dynamo for its size. The engine is responsive, smooth and has ample juice on the highway. Long-drives have been at about 30.5 mpg and city at 23 on average. Not bad for a 3200 pound car with awd. I am really glad I got a subie!

Excellent car

I recently purchased this car and have been very happy with it. The performance is excellent: the tight steering, acceleration, and the way the car sticks to the road. This is my third Subaru as I can't seem to part with the AWD. Definitely go with the premium package, it's worth it and adds pizzazz to the car.

Great car!

This is a great car. I have owned a Legacy and Outback Wagon, and the 2008 Impreza WRX is a different car - but still a Subaru in all respects. The WRX is fast, fun, and AWD. Pics do not do the new body style any justice. Lots of reviews slam Subaru for making the WRX more "mainstream" to appeal to a larger audience. So what. It's a blast to drive!

Get a radar detector

Fun to drive, plenty of torque, manual trans a little clunky, needs to be easier to shift, headliner seems to be made of cardboard, plastics on dash are not top notch. Instrument cluster is good, reminds me of Audi. Test drove Civic Si, Subaru is quieter, better ride and don't have to shift as often, also get more torque at lower rpm, seats are more comfy and easier to clean, more back seat room. I picked WRX even though it cost several thousand more for its driving character and I like the looks of the sedan.

2008 Impreza

Overall the car has been great. The gas mileage has been better than the EPA rating. I've been getting between 25-26 highway/town and 31-32 on the highway. Haven't had a single problem yet.

Love the Car... Hate the Mileage

Purchased this car in January 2008. Have put about 200 miles on the car so far. Handles great in all weather. Mileage has not advance to more than 11.1 mpg; very disappointing.

New 2008 Impreza

After researching cars for under $20,000 including the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic I ended up buying the new 2008 Impreza which has a brand new body style this year. I read a few reviews that said this car lacks style but I feel the exact opposite. I got the silver 2.5i sedan premium package with a spoiler and it looks awesome, very stylish. Plus the biggest feature the Corolla and Civic does not have is the all wheel drive which makes the car extremely safe and fun to drive. If you're looking for a great car under $20,000 I highly recommend the 2008 Impreza, and this comes from a guy who never pictured himself in a Subaru!!

Very good car

Yeah, the handling isn't tight as my old 2.5 RS Impreza but its almost as much fun to drive with a much improved ride, a good tradeoff if you drive on rough roads. Also the overall interior design, room, and build quality is better too. It's almost as big as a Legacy on the inside. The fuel economy is better than the EPA figures. I get 27 mpg in mixed city/highway driving and the motor is not even broken in yet. Get the manual transmission unless you totally hate them. The four speed mutes the performance of the spunky motor a bit too much. The manual 2.5is almost make you forget about the WRX when you consider insurance and $3.25 premium gas.

WRX - Great Car!

The 2008 WRX is one fun car! I have the premium model because I wanted the heated seats. This car is fast, fun, safe and reliable. Reviews say this latest model is tame and now marketed to a larger audience. So what. For around $26K, this car delivers tons of performance for the dollar.

Awesome car

Just got the car I have about 3k worth of miles on it. I drive it about 120 miles a day on a five day week schedule and on a reg 9-5 job schedule. I have the 5M and all I can say is that I love my car. It is awesome! This is the fist year that I am actually looking forward to the winter here in New York. Can't wait for the snow! I usually hate driving in the snow but after all the you tube videos of the Impreza's in the snow I cant wait! The only thing I regret is not getting the WRX sti. I might try to trade mine back in for it but not sure. Other than that I love it!

So Far So Good

After this past winter my wife wanted all wheel drive but wanted a car not SUV or truck, factor in affordability and Subaru stands alone. This is our first Subaru and so far have been happy. We prefer the more grown up look of the 08 compared to the previous juvenile looking Imprezas. The interior is pretty roomy and comfortable and the exterior is generally pleasant even though it is mistaken for Toyota Corolla by people at first. The car has a nice ride and handles well, the back seat is roomy for a compact and the trunk isn't bad once you factor in the back seat folds down. The cloth seats have a nice look. Gas mileage has been in the 20's with 7500 miles driven.

First new car

It's a sharp looking car. Gets me a lot of complements. Not a lot of people know what it is which I like. I can't seem to find a comfortable spot to put the seat, and the clutch is the most unforgiving I've ever used. Fuel economy is pretty good I get about 25 city and 32 highway but I really baby it. There is no use trying to strangle power out of this thing. The interior is super nice, I love the blue accent light next to the shifter to put your phone or whatever. Fit and finish are exellent, interior is beautiful! Overall though I'm really impressed with the car.

2008 Subaru 2.5i

This is my second Subaru. I love them both. Great cars. This one is a good value for a base car. Lots of standard equipment compared to Honda and Toyota and with AWD it can't be beat. AWD drags fuel economy down a bit but if you ever need it, even once, that penalty is worth the price. This car is roomy, fairly quiet, and is very comfortable.

Fast, Furious & Fun

It's a love it or hate it new body style and I love it! The car is clean inside and out. The navigation package offers a streamlined interior eliminating needless gadgets/buttons. The drive is amazing, smooth and controlled! Caution, one test drive and you’ll be joining the Subaru Owner’s Club!

In Summary

I have to say - this is my first Subaru and I'm pretty impressed with it. It seems well put together and pretty solid. It's a great commuter that handles well. With all the negative hype about Subarus and fuel economy, I seem to average 26 mpg in mixed driving and during my daily commutes. Good little car - I can see myself getting another Subaru!

Excellent Buy

Solid build quality, although the some of the plastics look cheap. Will not find a better car for the price.

08 WRX

Have had this car for 6 weeks and loving every single minute of it. Been driving Subaru's since I was 16 and this is my first WRX. Amazing handling, great speed and so damn fun to drive. Gas mileage is fine but i find myself filling up often because I just want to get out and drive the car!

Very Happy

We are truly happy with this vehicle, the look, the comfort, the ride etc. I had a 6cyl and it's hard to downgrade to a 4 but the AWD does help.