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2008 Subaru Legacy

258 messages,  Last post on Jan 05, 2011 at 6:18 PM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 26 of 26

#249 of 258 Re: Electrical System Problem(s) [peaches218] by outback08

Aug 31, 2008 (11:55 am)

Replying to: peaches218 (Apr 21, 2008 9:13 am)
I owned a 2003 Forester and the radio would sometimes shut off or not turn on. I'd have to shut the car off and then the radio would turn back on. The dealer couldn't do anything about it. I lived with it until I traded the car.

#250 of 258 2008 Spec B report by nfn

Oct 24, 2008 (6:11 pm)

Hi everyone,
 
Edmunds forums have been a wealth of information for me over the years so I'd like to "give back" and provide a report on my Legacy Spec B.
 
I purchased the vehicle in May 2008 and have approx 12,000 km, (6000 mi).
Spec B are very expensive in Canada, ($45,000 Cdn). I did not intend on buying a Spec B but (due to the high Canadian $), Subaru was offering $7000 off for cash purchases. I paid $500 over invoice, minus the $7000 and I traded in my 2000 Forester.
 
Interior:
The interior rivals our Audi A4 in build quality and materials. The Sport Seats are comfortable and the Alcantara keeps you in place during spirited driving. The interior lighting is very nice at night.
Interior space is sufficient for my family.
Nav and info display are very good.
No complaints with the HVAC.
The Legacy's cabin is a nice place to be in.
 
Exterior:
The Diamond Gray color looks sharp and the 18" wheels look great. IMO it rivals any of the European and Japanese spots sedans in exterior looks.
 
Driving experience:
Handling is excellent, power is more than sufficient.
The steering is touch lighter than preferred. I attribute this to the the car only having 215 tire width. I might try a wider tire when the stocks are replaced.
The 6-spd feels smooth and the clutch light with a nice catch point.
 
Mileage:
Better than expected. Average is 10 liters/100 km (approx 24 MPG) I drive 100 kms (60 mi) per day, in a mixture of highway and downtown city driving.
 
Two complaints:
1. There is a rattle (actually more of a clicking sound) in the dash in the glove box area. Not sure if others have experienced similar noises. I plan on returning to the dealer to have it looked at, (I have been hoping it fixes itself but no luck).
2. One day it was raining and I went to a drive thru bank teller, which had a canopy. Upon rolling down the window a stream of water poured into the car, (what the...?). Well, it seems there is no channel in the roof of the Legacys, as in many cars, so the water tends to flow into the car when the roof is wet. Not a biggie, but a surprise the first time it happened.
 
At this price point I would have expected to see the following on the Spec B:
1. HIDs- The headlights are fine, but HIDs give it that 'premium' look. HIDs are standard on the base Tribeca but not the higher end Spec B, very odd.
2. Auto Up-Down for, at minimum, the driver and passenger. Currently only Auto down on the driver.
3. Trunk release handle/mechanism on the trunk, (to open trunk). Grab handle to close the trunk.
4. Stereo sounds good, but it could use a sub woofer and a couple of extra speakers.
 
As with any Subaru, I am looking forward to drivng it this winter. I have purchased 4 Toyo Garit KX winters, 215-50-17. I had to buy alloy winter rims as steelies are not available in 17".
 
This is a great car in so many respects and I do not regret the purchase. I have received several unsolicted compliments from strangers. Friends have commented, "... wow, THAT'S a Subaru.
There are so few Spec Bs on the road that I think people take a second look when they first see it.
 
Overall the Spec B is a great driver's car. Even with my minor complaints I would definitely recommend it.
 
Apologies for the long post.
 
Nick

#251 of 258 Re: 2008 Spec B report [nfn] by caliberchic

Oct 26, 2008 (6:07 am)

Replying to: nfn (Oct 24, 2008 6:11 pm)
Thanks for the great review!~

#252 of 258 Re: 2008 Spec B report [nfn] by ateixeira

Nov 05, 2008 (2:51 pm)

Replying to: nfn (Oct 24, 2008 6:11 pm)
I really like those and you reminded me why.

#253 of 258 Tint Windows by bigearz1

Nov 30, 2008 (6:17 pm)

Hey,
 
I was reading on this forum somewhere that someone tinted their windows and started to have radio signal issues awhile back as the antenna is on the back windshield. So i was just wondering is this a common issue and how do I go about avoiding this issue and still getting my windows tinted??
 
I'm thinking about 35% all around or even a little bit darker.

#254 of 258 Re: Tint Windows [bigearz1] by robsis

Dec 06, 2008 (8:38 pm)

Replying to: bigearz1 (Nov 30, 2008 6:17 pm)
I have an 09 (essentially the same as the 08) and tinted the rear and passenger windows with 3M dark-Medium and the front windows with 3M light-medium. No issues at all with the antenna and radio reception. I also have a Toyota with the antenna in the rear window and the tinting there has never been an issue with that vehicle, either....I'd say just go for it....have never heard of anyone with this problem, at least here in Arizona, and we tint a lot of windows here.
 
HTH
 
Robert

#255 of 258 Tire Rotation by bigearz1

May 28, 2009 (4:48 pm)

Hi,
 
Recently I have tried to do my own tire rotation for 2.5i limited. I jacked up the car and loosen all nuts.. Manage to pull the front tires out with ease. However when it came to the rear tires, I was unable to remove them. Is there a special way to remove rear tires or am I just not pulling hard enough? - I did not want to force the issue as the fronts were so easy to remove.
 
In addition, I have Yokohama Advan A82. From what I have read you're supposed to take the front two tires and just move them to the back on the same side. As for the rear you do a "X" like formation (ex. rear passenger side to front driver side)
 
Any help will be appreciated

#256 of 258 Re: Tire Rotation [bigearz1] by ateixeira

Jun 04, 2009 (7:47 am)

Replying to: bigearz1 (May 28, 2009 4:48 pm)
There is probably rust on the hub and the wheel seized up.
 
Try some penetrating oil and tap lightly with a hammer (with a piece of wood between to protect the wheel). Careful - make sure your jack stands are very secure and do not get under the car.
 
Before you mount them again, clean the rust off. Not sure what you could spread on there to prevent that from happening again, maybe some anti-seize or brake caliper lube (on the face only, not on the threads of the lugs).

#257 of 258 Re: 08 Legacy head gasket issue? [paisan] by calista77

Jan 05, 2011 (3:52 pm)

Replying to: paisan (Mar 16, 2008 6:08 am)
I have a 2008 Subaru Outback 2.5i that has 43000 miles on it and is just now getting the head gasket replaced. I'm happy that it is still under warranty, but upset because I thought Subaru had addressed this issue with previous model years.

#258 of 258 Re: 08 Legacy head gasket issue? [calista77] by xwesx

Jan 05, 2011 (6:18 pm)

Replying to: calista77 (Jan 05, 2011 3:52 pm)
It happens far less frequently now, but it can still happen to any EJ25 engine due to block design limitations. Only a revised gasket and the coolant additive make gasket failure less likely than in previous years.

Messages Page 26 of 26

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