2008 Subaru Legacy Review, issues, reliability, value, life expectancy, MPG (2023)

Sporty, comfortable, fun to drive and, at a base level, priced to move.

It's not likely to last as long as a comparable Lexus, higher trim levels don't all offer enough value for the price increase and the rear seats are too cramped to make this a great family car.

Is the 2008 Subaru Legacy a Good Used Car?

• Overall rating 8/10– A very, very good car in more ways than not.
• Interior, comfort and cargo 8/10– The only real complaint here is that the rear seats are a bit cramped. Furthermore, the interior trim is first class through and through and the suspension drives nice and smooth.
• Reliability 8/10– It probably won't last as long as a Lexus, but the Legacy attracts buyers who are known to take good care of their cars, so it won't be hard to find one in good condition.
• Safety 8/10– The crash test results are good and the standard safety equipment is satisfactory.
• Fuel consumption 8/10–20/27 miles per gallon is pretty good for an all wheel drive sedan.
• Value 8/10– The entry-level model is hard to beat for price, but higher trim levels are outclassed by comparable Toyotas and Pontiacs.

Positive reviews from owners

What are critics saying about the 2008 Subaru Legacy?

Consumer Reportsfound the 2008 Subaru Legacy nimble, affordable and economical. They note that it may not be the best family car on the market given its "snug" cabin, and they point out that it's not the best at dealing with emergencies, despite its standard four-wheel drive configuration.

Kelley blue bookrecommended the 2008 Legacy as a decent compromise between a family sedan and a premium sports car. They note that the four-wheel drive may not be as strong a selling point in places without rough roads or inclement weather.

Edmundsliked the cab design and premium trim materials of the 2008 Legacy. They were very impressed with the performance of the GT trims, praising the car's "athletic" handling and comfortable highway handling. Small rear seats and trunks and expensive top trim gave the car a few red spots.

What common problems does the 2008 Subaru Legacy have?

The 2008 Subaru Legacy has only garnered 64 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.Airbag issues lead the charge in 25 complaints, with drivers reporting airbag lights coming on, despite four recalls.

10 brake complaints indicate leaking brake fluid due to excessive corrosion.One driver reports that the brake lines are leaking despite a coat of anti-rust spray.

A handful of electrical complaints point to a parasitic battery drain.Drivers report that they have repeatedly replaced the alternator and battery and the car still won't hold a charge. There have been a few electrical recalls, but neither seems to directly address this issue.

The 2008 Subaru Legacy has beenCalled back 9 timesoverall that's a bit on the high side for a sedan of this age, but given the low number of complaints they seem to be doing something right.

How long will the 2008 Subaru Legacy last?

Drivers typically report that the 2008 Subaru Legacy will last at least 200,000 miles, with 250,000 being a reasonable expectation for total life. The Legacy tends to attract an older user base that is more prone to finicky maintenance, so it shouldn't be hard to find one in good working order.

Repair friendestimate annual maintenance costs at about $618, which is slightly higher than average for a 2008 sedan. Most common repairs tend to be quite inexpensive, with the most expensive being a wheel alignment, starting at about $122.

How's the technology?

The entertainment tech in the Subaru Legacy is pretty good for 2008.CD/MP3 players are standard and the car is available with a touchscreen GPS navigation system.

Security technology in 2008 is good.Anti-lock brakes and stability control are standard, and the car received a Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Is the 2008 Subaru Legacy a Good Value?

The 2008 Subaru Legacy is a very good value.The entry-level model typically costs about $4,750, which is well below average for a 2008 mid-size sedan. A high-end 2.5 GT usually costs about $7,681 according to the Kelley Blue Book.

Combined with decent fuel economy, moderate maintenance costs and longevity, the low starting prices make the Legacy one of the better deals in its class.

What are the different models of the 2008 Subaru Legacy?

The Subaru Legacy is available in three base models, namely the 2.5i, 2.5GT and 3.0, named after their respective engines. These are available in base and limited editions, and the 2.5GT is available in a spec.B performance model, for a total of five trim levels.

The basic models include:

• Four wheel drive
• Premium cloth seats
• Keyless remote access
• Manual air conditioning

In the Limited Editions, add the following:

• Heated mirrors
• Leather seats (Alacantra leather in the 3.0R)
• Dual zone automatic air conditioning
• Heated front seats

With a 2.5GT spec.B you get all the features of a 3.0R Limited, plus:

• LCD Display
• Navigation system

What engines are in the 2008 Subaru Legacy?

• The 2.5i models are named for their 2.5-liter inline-four engine that produces 175 horsepower and 169 lb.-ft. torque at an average fuel consumption of 20/27 miles per litre, city/highway. This is mated to a four-speed automatic transmission with four-wheel drive.
• 3.0 models are named for their 3.0 liter six-cylinder engines that deliver 245 horsepower and 215 lb.-ft. of couple. The 3.0L averages 17/24 miles per liter and comes mated to a 5-speed automatic with all-wheel drive.
• The 2.5GT models feature a 2.5-liter flat-four Gran Touring engine that produces 243 horsepower and 241 lb.-ft. torque at 18/24 miles to the gallon. This is mated to a 5-speed all-wheel drive automatic transmission. The spec.B edition can go from zero to sixty in about 5.8 seconds.

How comfortable is the 2008 Subaru Legacy?

The 2008 Subaru Legacy is comfortable enough, but it's not one of the roomiest sedans in its size class.The rear seat is a whopping 52 inches wide, the suspension rides smoothly, and the interior trim is top-notch from head to toe.

How Much Storage Does the 2008 Subaru Legacy Have?

The trunk of the 2008 Subaru Legacy is smaller for a midsize sedan, holding just under 12 cubic feet.This is enough for four or five medium-sized suitcases, but not much else. There are compacts with larger cases than those of the Legacy.

What are the differences between years?

2008 was the second to last model year for the 4th generation Subaru Legacy, which ran from 2003 to 2009.

2006: Valvetrain technology brought horsepower to 175 horsepower in the 2.5i model and 250 horsepower in the 2.5GT.

2007: The GT lost seven horsepower in engine power in 2007, but was made more economical.

2008: The Wagon body styles were dropped for 2008 and the 3.0R Limited model was brand new.

2009: No major changes for 2009.

2010: The 2010 Legacy was redesigned with a new engine mount made of higher strength steel. The suspension was also overhauled and the body style was modernized for a sleek new look.

How does the 2008 Subaru Legacy compare to the competition?

Where the 2008 Subaru Legacy excels is at the entry level, where the car is surprisingly impressive, sporty and luxurious for under five thousand dollars. But moving up the trim list opens up your buying options quite a bit, andthere are better cars if you have six, seven, eight thousand dollars to spend.

For example, while a 2008 Subaru Legacymightmore than 250,000 kilometers driven with the original transmission,Lexus IS from 2008almostCertainlyshall.

Similarly, aGrand Prix of 2008offers a comfortable interior with a sporty engine that delivers up to 50 horsepower more than a Subaru Legacy, with prices starting at around $5,000.

With entry-level models costing less than $5,000, the Subaru Legacy is hard to beat in terms of price at the base level, butonlyat the basic level.