The 2008 Dodge Avenger is almost the budget priced muscle car you’ve been daydreaming about, with typical listing prices starting at under $5,000. But, it’s uncomfortable, it comes with a lot of mechanical issues to worry about, and an Acura TL costs just a little more and might last twice as long.
Is the 2008 Dodge Avenger a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 7/10 – Probably the most accessible muscle car in its model year, but it’ll have you wishing you’d saved up a little extra for something better.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – It’s smaller than it looks from outside.
- Reliability 7/10 – The really expensive repairs probably won’t start piling up until you’ve passed 200,000 miles, but they pile up quick.
- Safety 7/10 – Crash test scores are good, but anti-lock brakes are missing as a standard feature.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – The V6 model gets around 15/24 miles to the gallon, city/highway. Not terrible, but not that impressive, either.
- Value 7/10 – It’s cheaper than an Acura TL, but if you’re willing to spend the extra money to refuel a muscle car, you should be willing to spend a little extra to buy one.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2008 Dodge Avenger?
Consumer Reports considered the 2008 Dodge Avenger to be the worst car in its class. They found it to be “cheap and underdeveloped,” with stiff, squeaky suspension, an uncomfortable, cramped cabin, and a generally shoddy feel from top to bottom. They concede that the car accelerates quickly and the transmission is adequate.
Kelley Blue Book were a bit kinder to the 2008 Dodge Avenger, praising the car as an affordably-priced muscle sedan, calling it the “most NASCAR-esque” in its price range. They note that the powertrain hardly feels like the finely-tuned machine you want a muscle car to be.
Edmunds liked the quiet highway ride and the good-for-its-class fuel economy. They didn’t like the wimpy four-cylinder engine, the limited choices of transmission, the weak brakes, the tiny trunk, or the cheap feeling interior trim.
What Common Problems Does the 2008 Dodge Avenger Have?
The 2008 Dodge Avenger has generated 836 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 240 of these are for the powertrain, with drivers reporting gear shifts locking in park.
218 electrical system complaints point to a range of glitches including low voltage readings after installing a brand new battery, sudden power loss, and lights popping on and off at random. A recall for power loss was issued in 2008, but complaints persist as late as 2023.
There are 115 engine complaints on file, with drivers reporting overheating and engine shudder while driving at highway speeds. Mileage has been reported as low as 100,000. A recall for a bad cooling fan motor was issued in 2007, but the most recent complaint was in 2020.
The 2008 Dodge Avenger has been recalled 6 times in total. This is within the median range for a vehicle of this age, but 836 complaints is a bit high.
How Long Will the 2008 Dodge Avenger Last?
The 2008 Dodge Avenger is estimated to last around 200,000 miles before the expensive repairs start to pile up. You might be able to squeeze a few extra road trips out of the car past that point, but you really want to be shopping for a replacement as you approach that 200k mark.
Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $436, which isn’t bad for a muscle car. The most expensive common repairs include new exhaust mufflers starting at around $772, and replacement brake boosters at $563.
Currently I have no problems. My last major issue was about a year ago and prior to that was possible over 5 years ago. So long that I do not remember clearly. It has lasted me personally 9 years and been driven from Texas to Ohio to Florida to Virginia many times throughout the last 9 years. I have been extremely pleased with its reliability and will be sad to see it go as my next vehicle will need more passenger space due to my expanding family.
Yes, although it requires some maintenance, it has held up and lasted for an extensive amount of time.
It is reliable and only has minor problems that any car would have. After 7 years of driving it, my engine light has come on to replace the manifold but the car still works perfectly.
The only problem I have with y dodge is the fact that it eats gas up. Quickly, sometimes $20 will take me to a half tank.
Yes it's reliable no issues with it besides a tune up or brakes. I have had this car for two years and so far I have not had any really serious issues with the vehicle.
If all of its parts are in good condition, or even just kind of good condition its reliable. I have some parts I need to change out but it still continues to run and get me where I need to go.
It is pretty reliable. I have had minor repair issues which I would chop up to wear and tear. I am the second owner of mind.
No it does not have any problems. I had mine for two years and didn't acquire significant problems until it reached 200,000 miles but majority was wear and tear with driving it throughout the years and just sensors that are not working properly
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology in the 2008 Dodge Avenger is good for the model year. CD/MP3 players with 6 speakers come standard, and you can upgrade that to a 6-disc CD changer and a DVD player.
Safety technology is pretty basic, even for 2008. The base model is missing anti-lock brakes, and stability control is nowhere to be found.
Is the 2008 Dodge Avenger a Good Value?
The 2008 Dodge Avenger is priced to move. The entry-level SE typically lists for around $4,293, while a high-end model goes for around $4,842. One could argue that you “get what you pay for” in this instance, but if you just want a no-frills muscle car to take out on the weekends, the price is hard to argue with.
Compared to your typical used sedan, the Dodge Avenger might not be the best value on the market. It’s something of a hidden gem as a muscle car, but… at the entry level, a 2008 Dodge Charger lists for just another thousand bucks.
What are the Different Models of the 2008 Dodge Avenger?
The 2008 Dodge Avenger is available in three trim levels, from the base SE to the high-end R/T.
With an entry-level SE you’re getting:
- Manual air conditioning
- Remote keyless entry
- Cloth seating
- CD/MP3 player with 4 speakers
The mid-range SXT adds:
- Premium cloth seating
- Anti-lock brakes
- 2 extra speakers
With a top-of-the-line R/T you’re adding:
- Heated mirrors
- Automatic air conditioning
- Fog lights
- 8-way power driver seat
- Leather wrapped steering wheel with mounted audio controls
- DVD player
What Engines Come In the 2008 Dodge Avenger?
- The SE and SXT model Dodge Avengers come packed with a 2.4L inline-four engine delivering 173 horsepower and 166 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission in front wheel drive, and it averages 21/30 miles to the gallon. The i4 does zero to sixty in about 7.2 seconds.
- In the R/T you’re getting a 3.5L V6 delivering 235 horsepower and 232 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission in front/all wheel drive, it averages 16/26 miles to the gallon, and it can hit zero to sixty in 6.7 seconds.
What Colors Does the 2008 Dodge Avenger Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2008 Dodge Avenger?
The 2008 Dodge Avenger is adequately comfortable, with seats stretching about 53 inches across and ample head and leg room, but noisy, bouncy transmission, and less room than your passengers might like in the back seat.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2008 Dodge Avenger Have?
The 2008 Dodge Avenger’s trunk is smaller than you might guess from the outside, at just under 14 cubic feet. This is enough for four or five medium suitcases, but you can forget doing any furniture runs outside of the occasional nightstand or foot stool.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The 2008 Dodge Avenger was the first model year for the nameplate’s sedan relaunch, running until the 2014 model year. An earlier coupe version of the car ran from 1995 to 2000.
2008: The 2008 Avenger debuted as a replacement for the Dodge Stratus. Based on a Chrysler/Mitsubishi JS platform, the Avenger launched with a pair of engines in three trim levels.
2009: Dodge dropped the SE trim level from the lineup for 2009.
2010: Anti-lock brakes were made standard in 2010.
How Does the 2008 Dodge Avenger Compare to the Competition?
Comparing the 2008 Dodge Avenger to the competition, it’s not nearly as good a muscle car as a Ford Mustang or a Chevy Corvette. But those cars range from two to five times as expensive as a Dodge Avenger.
An entry-level Dodge Charger costs just a thousand bucks more than an Avenger, and while it comes with a long list of potential mechanical issues, so does the Avenger.
Your best bet may be to save up a little extra and buy an Acura TL. They start out at 258 horsepower, they’re built on a Honda platform so you know they’re reliable, and entry-level prices start out at under $7,000.
Do Owners Recommend the 2008 Dodge Avenger?
Yes, mine has last for the last 11 years with only one major issue that needed work by a dealer. It has 175000 miles on it and has been driven all over the Midwest and east coast.
Yes, it's a strong car that's lasted many years and has needed very few repairs over the years. The tires hold air very well, and rarely needs filling.
Yes, I have been driving it for over 7 years and it still works great. No engine problems and good on gas since it is a 4-cylinder.
Yes it is. Spacious &! Smooth driving. Big, nice, comfortable to ride in. Only bad thing is gas, it does not hold well.
Yes a very good vehicle. Safe and very dependable. Parts easy to find and also parts are not too expensive.
It runs and gets me where I need to be. I has good pick up from a stopped position and is not too hard to handle. I would say it is a good vehicle considering it's not too hard to find parts for it.
I would consider it to be a good vehicle. It is very reasonable on gas. It is also very spacious. I have minor repair issues.
Yes it is a good vehicle it is reliable with gas and get 19 miles to a gallon. It is safe and fun to drive.
