The 2008 Outback is a 4-door, 5-passenger sport-utility, available in 7 trims, ranging from the Basic to the 3.0 R L.L.Bean Edition.
Upon introduction, the Basic is equipped with a standard 2.5-liter, H4, 170-horsepower engine that achieves 19-mpg in the city and 26-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and a 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional. The 3.0 R L.L.Bean Edition is equipped with a standard 3.0-liter, H6, 245-horsepower engine that achieves 17-mpg in the city and 24-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard.
The 2008 Outback is reskinned for 2008.
Read our editor review of the 2008 Subaru Outback HERE.
Photos of the Subaru Outback posted in the photo gallery.
Summary: This has been a good car but needs good tires and brakes to really make it handle and stop. Goes through the snow good and gets good gas mileage because the manual transmission. Owned a 1997 legacy gt with an automatic transmission was going out after 135,000 miles.
Strengths: AWD, manual transmission, looks nice, handles better than you think it would and faster than you think too.
Weaknesses: Brakes are terrible with semi metallic suggest upgrading to better rotors and brake pads preferrably ceramic or kelvan fiber.
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Rating Reviewed by: dd(Unregistered User)
Review Date June 2, 2007
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Value Rating 5 of 5
Used product for Less than 1 month
Visitors rate this review 3.14 of 5,
7.00 votes
Review 2 of 128
Price Paid:
$28000.00
from northtown
Year / Model Reviewed: 2007 Subaru Outback L L Bean 3.0 Sedan
Summary: I bought the Subaru Outback LL Bean 3.0 edition after driving every possible AWD sports sedan on the market. I traded in my 3 season luxury vehicle (2005 Cadillac CTS) for a 4 season AWD Subaru that is a safe fun practical luxurious sedan. The Caddy was absolutely terrible in the snow--Drove the AWD BMW...did nothing for me...drove the Audi...liked the A6 but price was a factor plus reliablility questions...almost bought the Infiniti G35X--but did not like how adjustable dash reflected in glass, too low, hood bulge distracting, but this was the next best thing but it was 12000 more--try the Subaru LL Bean-- has all the right features with an engine that is silky smooth--it's the best.
Similar Products Used: first awd drive car--wife has olds bravada--traded in my 05 caddy cts rear wheel drive because I needed awd
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Rating Reviewed by: ttaylor(Unregistered User)
Review Date November 27, 2006
Overall Rating 2 of 5
Value Rating 2 of 5
Used product for More than 1 year
Visitors rate this review 3.86 of 5,
7.00 votes
Review 3 of 128
Price Paid:
$25000.00
from J&P
Year / Model Reviewed: 2002 Subaru Outback Limited
Summary: I take exceptional care of my vehicles, because I travel a lot and want reliable transportation. However, since owning this car I have come across minor and major issues that leave me perplexed about just how well this car is made. The short list: 1. Rear hatch leaked, entering into light assembliy; replaced under warranty. 2. Distorted door window gussets caused excessive wind noise; also replaced under warranty. 3. Subaru upgraded stereo system sounded scratchy when bass setting>2 and vol.>5. Dealer replaced a few speakers and bass unit, then said the upgraded speakers simply cannot tolerate the power of the bass and I should get aftermarket speakers. 4. Brakes squeaked; they found the shim clearance was excessive and replaced the front shims. 5. Right headlight would intermittently go out; dealer would not do anything until I noticed it was out and drove it right over. They found faulty wiring; replaced the wiring harness. 6. Car alarm did not go off when someone backed into the front of my parked car; had to readjust sensor several times. 7. Timing belt tensioner was loose and rattled on idle; >$350 to replace tensioner. 8. Brakes squeaked, had front brakes replaced ($350). Still squeaked. They re-surfaced the rotors. Still screech and grind a little, first thing in morning and after being parked for several hours. Service Dept. says this is "normal". Contacted Subaru Customer Service today. 9. Now I have oil leaks at rear access cover, axel seals and headgaskets!! Cost to repair >$600 not including headgaskets! I've had this car five years and 65k miles. It's falling apart!
Strengths: Feels secure and stable in snow (but you can't put chains on the tires, not enough clearance--spoke with Customer Service and their response: "Put on studded or snow tires in the winter.") Good sound insulation and feels solid all around. Peace of mind in the winter with AWD. Can reach my bike rack on top of car. Long enough in back (barely) to sleep while camping. Service dept. willing to help with issues under warranty. Subaru Customer Service gave me a small rebate for dealership issues (see below).
Weaknesses: Things seem to be going wrong, even after all regular scheduled maintenance was done, and I baby my car. Also this is a dealership issue, but I pre-ordered another Subaru, waited four months, then after much inquiry that they had sold it to someone else. The salesman had orginally told me, "We don't know what happened to your car, we think it was damaged during transport." After much persistence I finally got to the truth. I truly wish car salesmen (they are all men here) would get it together and start to show some integrity.
Similar Products Used: Toyota 4WD pickup (purchased new) 1994; Honda Civic (new) 1999; currrent Subaru Outback (new) 2002.
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Rating Reviewed by: ttaylor(Unregistered User)
Review Date November 27, 2006
Overall Rating 2 of 5
Value Rating 2 of 5
Used product for More than 1 year
Visitors rate this review 1.00 of 5,
3.00 votes
Review 4 of 128
Price Paid:
$25000.00
from J&P
Year / Model Reviewed: 2002 Subaru Outback Limited
Summary: I take exceptional care of my vehicles, because I travel a lot and want reliable transportation. However, since owning this car I have come across minor and major issues that leave me perplexed about just how well this car is made. The short list: 1. Rear hatch leaked, entering into light assembliy; replaced under warranty. 2. Distorted door window gussets caused excessive wind noise; also replaced under warranty. 3. Subaru upgraded stereo system sounded scratchy when bass setting>2 and vol.>5. Dealer replaced a few speakers and bass unit, then said the upgraded speakers simply cannot tolerate the power of the bass and I should get aftermarket speakers. 4. Brakes squeaked; they found the shim clearance was excessive and replaced the front shims. 5. Right headlight would intermittently go out; dealer would not do anything until I noticed it was out and drove it right over. They found faulty wiring; replaced the wiring harness. 6. Car alarm did not go off when someone backed into the front of my parked car; had to readjust sensor several times. 7. Timing belt tensioner was loose and rattled on idle; >$350 to replace tensioner. 8. Brakes squeaked, had front brakes replaced ($350). Still squeaked. They re-surfaced the rotors. Still screech and grind a little, first thing in morning and after being parked for several hours. Service Dept. says this is "normal". Contacted Subaru Customer Service today. 9. Now I have oil leaks at rear access cover, axel seals and headgaskets!! Cost to repair >$600 not including headgaskets! I've had this car five years and 65k miles. It's falling apart!
Strengths: Feels secure and stable in snow (but you can't put chains on the tires, not enough clearance--spoke with Customer Service and their response: "Put on studded or snow tires in the winter.") Good sound insulation and feels solid all around. Peace of mind in the winter with AWD. Can reach my bike rack on top of car. Long enough in back (barely) to sleep while camping. Service dept. willing to help with issues under warranty. Subaru Customer Service gave me a small rebate for dealership issues (see below).
Weaknesses: Things seem to be going wrong, even after all regular scheduled maintenance was done, and I baby my car. Also this is a dealership issue, but I pre-ordered another Subaru, waited four months, then after much inquiry that they had sold it to someone else. The salesman had orginally told me, "We don't know what happened to your car, we think it was damaged during transport." After much persistence I finally got to the truth. I truly wish car salesmen (they are all men here) would get it together and start to show some integrity.
Similar Products Used: Toyota 4WD pickup (purchased new) 1994; Honda Civic (new) 1999; currrent Subaru Outback (new) 2002.
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Rating Reviewed by: ttaylor(Unregistered User)
Review Date November 27, 2006
Overall Rating 2 of 5
Value Rating 2 of 5
Used product for More than 1 year
Visitors rate this review 1.00 of 5,
1.00 votes
Review 5 of 128
Price Paid:
$25000.00
from J&P
Year / Model Reviewed: 2002 Subaru Outback Limited
Summary: I take exceptional care of my vehicles, because I travel a lot and want reliable transportation. However, since owning this car I have come across minor and major issues that leave me perplexed about just how well this car is made. The short list: 1. Rear hatch leaked, entering into light assembliy; replaced under warranty. 2. Distorted door window gussets caused excessive wind noise; also replaced under warranty. 3. Subaru upgraded stereo system sounded scratchy when bass setting>2 and vol.>5. Dealer replaced a few speakers and bass unit, then said the upgraded speakers simply cannot tolerate the power of the bass and I should get aftermarket speakers. 4. Brakes squeaked; they found the shim clearance was excessive and replaced the front shims. 5. Right headlight would intermittently go out; dealer would not do anything until I noticed it was out and drove it right over. They found faulty wiring; replaced the wiring harness. 6. Car alarm did not go off when someone backed into the front of my parked car; had to readjust sensor several times. 7. Timing belt tensioner was loose and rattled on idle; >$350 to replace tensioner. 8. Brakes squeaked, had front brakes replaced ($350). Still squeaked. They re-surfaced the rotors. Still screech and grind a little, first thing in morning and after being parked for several hours. Service Dept. says this is "normal". Contacted Subaru Customer Service today. 9. Now I have oil leaks at rear access cover, axel seals and headgaskets!! Cost to repair >$600 not including headgaskets! I've had this car five years and 65k miles. It's falling apart!
Strengths: Feels secure and stable in snow (but you can't put chains on the tires, not enough clearance--spoke with Customer Service and their response: "Put on studded or snow tires in the winter.") Good sound insulation and feels solid all around. Peace of mind in the winter with AWD. Can reach my bike rack on top of car. Long enough in back (barely) to sleep while camping. Service dept. willing to help with issues under warranty. Subaru Customer Service gave me a small rebate for dealership issues (see below).
Weaknesses: Things seem to be going wrong, even after all regular scheduled maintenance was done, and I baby my car. Also this is a dealership issue, but I pre-ordered another Subaru, waited four months, then after much inquiry that they had sold it to someone else. The salesman had orginally told me, "We don't know what happened to your car, we think it was damaged during transport." After much persistence I finally got to the truth. I truly wish car salesmen (they are all men here) would get it together and start to show some integrity.
Similar Products Used: Toyota 4WD pickup (purchased new) 1994; Honda Civic (new) 1999; currrent Subaru Outback (new) 2002.
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