2008 Subaru Impreza consumer reviews

But I do do love my subie! Mine is an 08 hatchback with the premium package. Pros: The Symmetrical AWD (obviously), styling, versatility, and features. I love that the rear seats fold flat - it gives you a ton of cargo space. My personal favorite was the addition (to the premium package) of an Ipod interface. This connects directly into the head-unit and can be controlled by the stearing wheel volume and track channels. The interface cord is nicely hidden in the center console/arm rest. Totally wire-free (view) and direct access to my whole collection - amazing! If I were to nit-pick, I would say the auto-transmission could use some refinement. I find it drops into both 2nd and 3rd too soon, leaving you searching for a power band...making the auto stick a neccesity for freeway on-ramps etc. The front seats sit too low, which is not a problem for the driver, since it has an adjustable height lever, however the passenger is left wondering why they are riding on the road (no adjustable height lever)...especially since there is plenty of headroom. Overall, it's fun, distinct and versatile. Love, love, love.

I bought the Outback Sport. I think it's the best looking Impreza model. Loaded with features.Interior plastics are cheap and scratch easy. Engine is noisy, radio controls are small. Overall the car is just average for the price, wouldn't buy another.

I actually previously owned a 2000 Subaru Outback Sport and have to say they've tweaked a lot of things over the past 8 years. The handling feels much better with less body roll than the previous model. Fuel economy is also a big plus. Interior is very stylish and offers a bit more legroom for the rear passengers. For the money, this is one solid car.

I'm biased because this is my first new car, but 2,000 miles in and I still love it. If you're looking at the hatchback with the premium package: upgrade to the Outback Sport for the same car + heated seats, windshield defroster, and better suspension for $1,000 if you can afford it. My dealer didn't tell me about this before I ordered. Pros: Great mileage for an AWD. I've been getting 23/30/25 including starting and AC. Great in bad weather, I haven't slipped once in the Spring '08 floods in the Midwest yet. And I have no problem making sharp turns at 20-30 if I want. Premium speakers are good enough to feel them, but not to impress. Performance is more than enough for an aggressive driver to pass and get ahead first out of a green light, but nothing to race in. Cons: The trunk does rattle a lot. DON'T get the iPod option - it's very confusing to control, lags 2 seconds behind controls, the attatchment doesn't fit through most iPod protection cases, and it's very hard to reach with about 2 inches of cable at the bottom of the armrest. The line-in is good enough. Only 4/5 gears for auto/manual. Not much interior storage for the driver, I still have to throw phone/GPS cords on the floor.

Traded in a 2003 Impreza because I wanted a wagon. Took a test drive of the 2008 Impreza Outback Sport and was sold. It's modest in exterior with a roomy and comfortable interior. (My 6'4" friend said it has more head and leg room than his big Ford truck!) I chose my model for the heated seats and windshield wiper defroster, both terrific assets. There are more safety features, such as a red dash at night - no drowsy driving here - and the VRD steering. The hatch is easy to open, and cargo room is great. Lots of room for a little car. There is just a bit of noise from the roof rack but not too much. Controls on the steering wheel keep distractions to a minimum. Stereo is great, seats provide great lumbar support, the manual transmission makes me feel like a kid again - responsive and with great handling. A lot of car for the money - AND - my car insurance only increased $1.25 per month. I got my sports car in wagon drag!

So far a great car. Good balance of fun and practical. What's to Love: Good Power when needed but still gets 21 mpg (open) city and 27 highway; Handling (reactive but not jarring on unevening roads), what a blast to drive. Real backseat room for adults. Love the flexibility of the 60/40 split hatch What Needs Work: Standard "all weather" tires are bad in cold (10 degrees), ice, and hills with lots of snow, but they're good on warm/dry; No rain sensitive wipers; Rattly back hatch cover; Wind noise on roof rack; Manual Needs one more gear (to help stay out of first). Need to add 5 speed auto as an option.

A great lil car and I love the AWD aspect. Fun to drive and and great steering capacity. Plenty of trunk space, leg room. No power seats. Sensitive windshield wipers, really clean out the snow/ice or they will not work.

Well, could have gotten a Corolla-S for $16.5k, a Civic for 18.5k, or this 2.5i 5 door for $17.7k. A great decision so far. Hondas have higher insurance premiums, and the Corolla is more boring, not available in hatchback, and almost as much for not as much added value in safety features and driving pleasure. I have 4200k miles so far and absolutely no concerns. Have noticed some rattling here and there, but haven't determined if it's the car or all the various stuff I've crammed into its stow areas. If affordable to you, the premium package is a must. If not, you can still add quite a few extras later by ordering factory parts from Subaru. Don't be upset about poor mileage at the start, as it will improve as the car "gets" you and you "get" the car. I can grab 32mpg highway at peak. It's a close call with a Mazda3 unless you live in harsh weather or value Subaru higher than Mazda, in which case the Impreza is for you. I am one of the new Subaru converts thanks to the new styling.

Haven't had the car long but initial impressions are pretty good. I'll start out with the bad points. The brakes have a poor feel on them, it's like you need to be real ginger when pressing down on the pedal. I'd prefer something that provides more feedback for confidence when city driving. Though I quite like the spartan interior (I believe it is a tasteful minimalist environment that subtely helps you concentrate on driving) the detail is fairly cheap and plastic. I'm also not crazy about the auto-dim mirror- still feels bright to me when night driving. Exterior styling does feel boring to me. They really tried to appeal to a more wide range of buyers- but I think the beast aspect that surrounded the rally heritage of the WRX was a bit lost in the new design. Still, I'm happy that it isn't overtly out there- it doesn't say LOOK AT ME! I GO FAST! They probably could've redone the front grill in a more aggressive style while maintaining a contemporary look. Pros, love the acceleartion and shiftbox. The shifter is smooth and easy. It's like the car wants to go. The acceleration is inspiring to say the least and merging onto the expressway is nimble and you get off on the engine noise. Handling is alright, I could say the steering could be tighter but it is very responsive and fun when cornering. Inside, the stereo is pretty decent - I wish the iPod adaptor was closer to the middle console and not on the arm rest so I wouldn't have to worry about the wire. The climate control is very intuitive making it easy to use, but you can't close the front middle vents like you can the side ones. I also would like more storage to put change or something in. Seats are awesome, they really grip you and provide support when making those sharp turns. The back seats fold down a 60/40 split which makes it good for moving small pieces of furiture or sports equipment. I highley recommend this car- you can get a Mazda 3 for probably cheaper but I doubt it'll handle as well in the snow. Most people will point out the lack of thrills and frills in the car, but it just highlights that this is a car to be driven not to do office talk/grocery runs in.

1000km into ownership I don't have any big complaints rather just a few annoyances. No ashtray to store my change, boring style, high door sill, hard plastics used for interior and unsupportive seat bottoms. The list of pros is much longer. Nice quiet ride, torque when you need it, smooth shifting tranny, hood prop rods, better than advertised gas mileage, awd, decent price for the amount of standard features, etc. If you are in the need for a compact car and live anywhere there is snow do yourself a favor and forget about Civics and Corollas. Pick up an 08 Impreza and you won't be disappointed. Cheers