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Used 2008 Subaru Outback Consumer Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
127 reviews

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5 out of 5 stars

Great value, fun!

cdb9000, 09/27/2007
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I L.L.Bean Edition 4dr Wagon AWD w/Nav (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Bought this car 4 months ago, replaced 2001 Toyota Landcruiser. Tired of paying $75 premium, now I pay $35 regular to fill it! Owned 2 Volvo wagons (new) before my LC, and the Subaru compared to those in comfort and luxury. I looked at the Honda CRV and Rav4, too. CRV had good safety, but so cheap inside I couldn't stand it. Rav4 has very poor rear crash test, and I don't like when Mac trucks come up on my rear when I'm stopped and sitting in a car with no bumper. Acceleration is fine, it's no BMW or 8cyl, but gets me from here to there safely and in comfort! The Subaru has 5 star safety ratings all around - very important to me (and kids). Check out IIHS website for crash ratings.

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5 out of 5 stars

Best yet

Third timer, 07/01/2008
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I Limited 4dr Wagon AWD w/VDC (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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.

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5 out of 5 stars

Love driving this vehicle!

MarcusinPitt, 01/09/2008
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I L.L.Bean Edition 4dr Wagon AWD w/Nav (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

A lot of friends questioned why I would purchase a wagon rather than a sports sedan such as the BMW 325xi, but I was looking for a vehicle with some utility, and this vehicle is a great alternative to an SUV/Crossover with much better gas mileage and handling. With only 1500 miles, the car is getting 23mpg (city/hwy combined). It rides 10x better than my 2006 Honda Accord and much quieter I must say. This Subaru is surprisingly elegant with a great interior layout, quiet, smooth ride, good handling all the while maintaining nice attention to luxury and durability. Despite the lack of a few accessories/options that are standard in most cars in it's class, the car is a great buy!

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5 out of 5 stars

Nice Change For Us

Andy S, 10/09/2007
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

This is our first Subaru and we're very favorably impressed. The car is quiet and handles very well both on the road and in the field when we're taking feed to the run-in sheds. Fuel mileage is great for a full time all wheel drive vehicle. Safety and reliability were key factors in selecting a Subaru. These cars are legendary in both areas and their strong, cult like customer loyalty reflects it.

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4.63 out of 5 stars

Excellent in snow/ice

Joe, 01/09/2008
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I got this car during my second winter in the Northwest. Was driving a FWD Lexus RX 330 and a RWD Ford Explorer. Worlds different! I felt very unsteady with the Explorer, better with the Lexus. I haven't had any problems at all with the Subaru with regards to traction, control in the snow, etc. It works well for what I got it for. On snow days, I've taken it with no problems up and down hills which had given the other cars trouble.

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4.38 out of 5 stars

Engine Racing

Carol, 12/22/2007
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Had a 2000 Outback, liked it so well, I bought a 2008 Outback Wagon 5 spd man trans. It has 1,522 miles and just started this engine racing thing. When you shift thru from 1st to 5th gear it seems as though the gas is sticking causing RPMs to go up when you let off the accelerator. Sometimes when you downshift, the engine races like the accelerator is sticking. Took it to the dealer, he called Subaru Techline but before he could finish telling them what was wrong they said it was normal operation. We find that hard to believe. Racing past 2000rpms when the clutch is pressed and no foot on the accelerator doesn't seem normal to us.

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4.63 out of 5 stars

Basis model beats Rav4 in smackdown

Lk Superior north sh, 08/19/2007
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Had great Mazda3 but couldn't sleep with winter coming, spent two weeks checking out Rav4 options. Then drove the Suby, game over. Rav4 has +7ft cargo, +800lbs towing, and losses on at least a dozen other comps. This is a classy ride, I don't need speed. It's got all the winter things Toyota charges extra for. Better ride than either Base Rav or Rav Sport. 4AT has 3 modes, what else could I need? The basic climate and audio systems are a good trade off for heated 8 way power seats and true AWD.

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5 out of 5 stars

Subaru Outback Limited with VDC

TODD SIGLER, 09/27/2007
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I Limited 4dr Wagon AWD w/VDC (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I just bought my outback limited w/VDC about 3 weeks ago. At first, my vehicle was hesitating very badly and I took it back to the dealership where they said it was a loose #3 spark plug wire. I was not happy at this, to say the least. However, since the spark plug has been adjusted 2 weeks ago, my vehicle has been performing very well. My ride is much smoother than most vehicles I've been in; I don't feel bumps in the road as much as other vehicles. The AWD is wonderful in handling a lot of turns as I live in West Virginia.

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4.38 out of 5 stars

Computer, oh my!

handimandi, 01/16/2008
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5I 4dr Wagon AWD (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

This is my first Subaru and perhaps my last. After having a fun and wonderful drive home to Michigan from Virginia my Outback gave me a full "light show." Most of the warning lights came on, the most interesting being the "check engine" light. Computer problems. It has been back to the dealer service department 3 times now. It has been in the shop for more then 2 weeks. I bought it on 12/12/07, it has approx. 3100 miles on it, and I just made my first payment. The service department has been great, but my first Subaru experience has been a headache and a heartache. Will be using the lemon law if the car returns to the shop for a 4th time. Otherwise, a great and fun car.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

Best Outback yet

Andrew, 10/02/2007
2008 Subaru Outback 2.5 XT Limited 4dr Wagon AWD w/VDC (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

My third Outback and by far the best. Wanted a fun mid-life car, needed a practical car for the fam and the mountains. Subaru hits the mark with the XT turbo! Far more fun to drive than my H6 2002 LL Bean! It drives very tight and solid, very smooth and quiet, turbo kicks in nicely and pulls you along beautifully. I love wagons and the XT is the best combination of any brand/model. Steering wheel feels good in my large hands. Still trying to find the best seat position for my tall self. Skip the nav and add your own portable, upgradeable Garmin or other. Looked at SUVs (Tribeca, Highlander, RAV4, CR-V, RDX) and prefer XT. Great car for my wants and needs!

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