The 2008 Subaru Impreza is an interesting little car. It’s built like a typical compact, but it’s all wheel drive standard, making it an excellent option for people who live rural but would rather not drive a gas-chugging pickup or SUV everywhere they go. The 2.5i model is priced to move, in the low $6,000 range, but the WRX is a bit steep at around $10,000.
Is the 2008 Subaru Impreza a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – The Subaru Impreza excels as an all-terrain compact.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Comfortable and spacious, the Impreza’s off-road-capable suspension makes for a smooth ride wherever you go.
- Reliability 8/10 – Expect to hit at least 200,000 on the original transmission with adequate maintenance.
- Safety 8/10 – The car earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS, and standard safety equipment is generous.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – 20/27 miles to the gallon, city/highway, is good for an AWD vehicle, but mediocre for a compact.
- Value 8/10 – The 2.5i model is a solid value at around $6,000. The WRX costs nearly twice that much for little more than an extra 54 horsepower.
What Do Critics Say About the 2008 Subaru Impreza?
Consumer Reports found the 2008 Impreza to be one of the most comfortable small cars they’d ever reviewed. They liked the spacious back seats, the quiet cabin, and the high-end fit and finish. They note that, while agile, it’s not the sportiest thing Subaru have ever produced.
Kelley Blue Book called the Impreza a great all-arounder, with all wheel drive offering sound handling no matter the road conditions. The bland visual design was the only issue they really had with the car.
Edmunds liked the standard all wheel drive and the turbocharged engines in the WRX and WRX STI models. Roomy seating earned some points, too. Outdated transmission, mediocre fuel economy, and bland styling were listed in the minuses column.
What Common Problems Does the 2008 Subaru Impreza Have?
The 2008 Subaru Impreza has generated 206 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 41 of these are for the airbags, with drivers reporting being put on long waiting lists for replacement parts after being alerted of one of 8 different airbag recalls.
Powertrain complaints take the lead, at 69 reports. Drivers state that the clutch pedal may become wobbly as a result of a blown crank shaft. Some drivers suggest that this may owe to a bad factory weld.
A handful of drivers have reported bad welding in the service brakes, as well, with the pedal assembly cracking and breaking when they press down on the brakes.
The 2008 Impreza has been recalled 15 times in total. That’s around three times the average for a vehicle of this age. But, the relatively low number of complaints would seem to suggest that this owes to Subaru’s proactive approach to handling mechanical problems.
How Long Will the 2008 Subaru Impreza Last?
Subaru drivers report the Impreza hitting 200,000, even 250,000 miles before the first major repair. Just to be safe you’ll want to bet on the lower end of that scale when deciding if it’s worth your hard earned money, but even a used model in fair condition should have no trouble passing 200k.
Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $654, which is a bit high for a vehicle in this class, but by a fairly thin margin. Individually, most of the common repairs are pretty cheap, with the most expensive being a drive axle assembly drain and refill at around $92 to $112.
I have only owned the car about a year. So far so good--even with the mileage above 150,000. When I purchased it, the brakes had been replaced and new tires installed.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment features are decent for a 2008 sedan. The entry-level model packs an MP3 player, and upgrades include premium speaker setups, navigation systems, and satellite radio.
Safety features are good. Anti-lock brakes come standard, as does electronic brake force distribution and electronic throttle control. It comes with everything you need to effectively manage an all wheel drive system on unpredictable terrain.
Is the 2008 Subaru Impreza a Good Value?
The 2008 Subaru Impreza is priced fairly at the lower end, and a bit overpriced at the higher end. A base model typically lists for around $6,050, while a WRX may go for around $10,158. You’re spending nearly twice as much for 54 extra horsepower, at which point you might as well buy something sportier.
It’s hard to argue that any 2008 model vehicle is worth ten grand, and if you are going to spend that much on a vehicle this old, it’s probably not going to be an Impreza. But, the base model boasts all wheel drive and a generous suite of safety features at a fair price.
What are the Different Models of the 2008 Subaru Impreza?
The 2008 Subaru Impreza is offered in two body types, sedan or wagon, and two engines, being the 2.5i and the WRX. The standard feature list is mostly the same whichever one you go with:
- Cloth sport bucket seats
- Leather wrapped shifter
- Cruise control
- Automatic air conditioning
- Anti-lock brakes
- CD/MP3 player with 4 speakers
What Engines Come In the 2008 Subaru Impreza?
- The 2.5i Impreza is named for the 2.5L flat-four engine under the hood, delivering 170 horsepower and 170 lb.-ft. of torque at an average fuel economy of 20/27 miles to the gallon, city/highway. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission, and all models are all wheel drive.
- In the WRX you’ll find a turbocharged version of the 2.5L H4, delivering 224 horsepower and 226 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 5-speed manual and it averages 19/24 miles to the gallon, city/highway.
What Colors Does the 2008 Subaru Impreza Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2008 Subaru Impreza?
The 2008 Impreza is pretty comfortable. The back seat stretches 52 inches across, you’ve got ample head and leg room in both the sedan and the wagon, the ride is smooth no matter the weather, and the cabin is well-appointed.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2008 Subaru Impreza Have?
The 2008 Impreza packs 11 cubic feet of cargo in the trunk of the sedan, or 19 in the back of the wagon, and 44 with the seats folded down.
With the sedan you’re getting as much trunk space as you do in some mid-size cars, and the hatchback offers enough room to haul small furniture items, so storage space will likely never be an issue here.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The 2008 model Impreza is the second year in the car’s 3rd Generation. The 3rd Gen ran from 2007 to 2011 for the sedan, with the wagon model running until 2014. The 4th Gen launched with a hatchback model rather than a wagon, while with the previous-generation wagon stayed on the market for a few more years.
2006: The 2006 Impreza saw a moderate horsepower increase over the 2005 edition, from 165hp up to 173.
2007: For the 3rd Gen, the Impreza relaunched with a sunroof in the sedan, a new 240 watt audio system, and automatic climate control.
2008: There were no major changes for the 2008 model year.
2009: New standard features for 2009 include rear lip spoilers and power mirrors.
2010: The grille was redesigned for 2010, and optional packages have been rearranged. The WRX was offered in a Limited trim level for this model year.
How Does the 2008 Subaru Impreza Compare to the Competition?
The 2008 Subaru Impreza is fairly unique as far as compact sedans go. You don’t see a lot of small cars at this price range with all wheel drive as a standard feature. The Cadillac CTS is all wheel drive-optional, and lists for around the same price, but can’t match the Subaru for reliability or fuel economy.
You’ve no doubt considered a Honda Civic if you’re shopping for a compact, but you might want to avoid the 2008 model, as it’s known for some pretty major mechanical issues including cracked engine blocks.
The 2008 Subaru Impreza is a neat little compact that can march over rough terrain as well as some pickups, and the 2.5i model is priced to move. If you want the convenience of a compact, but you live somewhere with rough weather and broken roads, it’s an excellent choice.
Do Owners Recommend the 2008 Subaru Impreza?
It has provided me with effective transportation and reliability thus far, although I have owned it only about a year.
