Used 2008 Subaru Outback Consumer Reviews
Solid choice
You'll be hard-pressed to find a family-sized wagon in this price range that has a decent reliability record. I opted for the Outback because of its very smooth ride and generous cargo space compared to similarly-priced SUVs. I have not been disappointed. Enjoyable to drive. City mileage for me (~17) is a little disappointing, but highway mileage (~29) has been a pleasant surprise. I wish at times it had a little more power, but in most cases it is more than adequate.
Do Everything
Have a 2002 WRX, wanted a vehicle with power and handling that had more room, more ground clearance and more comfort. The Outback XT fit the bill. The WRX is fun and to this point bullet proof. The Outback does not corner as well, but is a fast and much more comfortable. So far so good.
- 3.0 R L.L.Bean Edition Wagon w/VDCMSRP: $6,990256 mi away
- 2.5I Limited WagonMSRP: $6,900491 mi away
- 2.5I WagonMSRP: $6,99990 mi away
Lovin the Outback
We just purchased an 08' Outback 2.5i Limited with the LL Bean package, navi, and VDC. We really like this car. The 2.5 base motor is plenty powerful around town where it sees most of it's activity, and after it's first fill up we can proudly report 28 mpg. The seats are outstanding, the build quality is as good as a Lexus and the huge panoramic roof is awesome! Also, Subaru safety along with the excellent AWD system should help us weather the New England winters with ease. Seriously, if you are looking to buy something like a RAV4, CRV, or Forester, give the Outback a try. It is well worth your time.
Replacement for 2001 L.L. Bean
Many improvements over the 2001 L.L. Bean we drove for 160,000 miles. Has more than adequate power on the road. Find traveling to be very comfortable.
Outback rattles!
This car has way too many rattles, ticks and squeaks. It's driving me crazy and this is unacceptable for such a new car. The rattles started one week after my purchase. I've been a big fan of Subaru for years but not sure I'd buy another one after this experience. If you're thinking of buying one, definitely rent one for a couple days first. A new car should be quiet for the first few years. The car looks good but kind of too small for a family. Black leather interior is hot hot hot in the summer months. The huge sunroof is cool. The fat leather wrapped wheel feels nice in the hands.
Great Utility Vehicle
This is a comfortable and well performing car. I use it to tow my pop-up camper and kayaks and it's one of the few 4 cylinder cars with a high enough tow rating to do this. The AWD comes in handy in some state parks when trying to maneuver in campsites and gives a solid feeling while driving in heavy rain and snow. My gas mileage is higher than the EPA numbers which makes me happy. The load floor is long enough to swallow a lot of cargo for our family visits.
2008 Subaru Outback 3.0l LL Bean
I am probably going to retire my beloved 2008 Subaru Outback 3.0l LL Bean edition within the next year. It now has 235K miles on it and it's been a great car. The only semi-major work I had done was a front engine seal and I did the timing chain at the same time. The engine is still very strong. Never needed head gaskets or transmission work. Exhaust system required patching a number of times, but my local muffler guy always was able to take care of it. I love the heated seats, mirrors, and windshield. Good sound and 6 changer CD still works great. The SI Drive transmission adjustment is very useful and intuitive. I've towed (1800 lb total) my motorcycle a number of times with the car several hundred miles each way.on trips. No problems. A/C and heat always worked great. Only the side of my front seat has a wear spot. The rest of the interior including the steering wheel has held up great. There is an aire of luxury to the car, and certainly quality. I only wish I can find another one with low miles. Oh, the gas mileage is not good. Pure highway I can eke out maybe 22 or 23 mpg, but my long term average is about 17.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Satisfied
We are a two car family and use the Outback for around town as well as much freeway driving. The car performs beautifully in all conditions. Good feeling of security and reliability. The car is a basic 4 and we got 28 mpg on regular gas. This is our fifth Subaru and so far it is the best.
The vehicle I was looking for
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 Michigans 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.
2008 Subaru
Third Subaru. First was an 86' GL station wagon= 279,000 miles till it rusted away aroung the engine. Second was a 96' outback=120,000 sold to a friend who took it to Baja to be a surf wagon. Bought this one used with 20k I'm now at 30k. So far, nice car, no mechanical issues, drives great, still smaller than the new ones (I wanted that) drives through almost anything (snow, sand, mud) very comfortable on the highway on long drives. Finish is solid all the plastic lines up (AHEM chrysler...) and the fuel econonmy is good 23/28. Biggest complaint, the automatic is slow, and chunky, it seems to rob the engine of power. Look for a manual. Subarus are the offical car of the Mountain West!