Car financing: 2008 Subaru Forester

None for sale by us right now: rent one for a week first, or ask us to find one. Rated 10.7 to 11.8 L/100 km combined (EPA). 1 NHTSA recall campaign. CarmaCars is not a lender, dealer or lessor, and does not arrange financing or leases. We rent cars, and sell one only when it is listed for sale on this page with its price.

For sale by us
0
Combined
10.7 to 11.8 L/100 km
Recalls
1

Ask about it

Subaru Forester of the 2003 to 2008 generation
Photo: OSX, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo, not one of our cars

For sale

We do not have a 2008 Subaru Forester for sale right now. We are a rental company: rent one for a week to try it, or tell us what you want and we look for one for you.

CarmaCars is not a lender, dealer or lessor, and does not arrange financing or leases. We rent cars, and sell one only when it is listed for sale on this page with its price.

2008 Subaru Forester specs

2008 Subaru Forester powertrains
SpecPowertrain 1Powertrain 2Powertrain 3Powertrain 4
Engine2.5L 4-cylinder2.5L 4-cylinder2.5L 4-cylinder turbo2.5L 4-cylinder turbo
DriveAll-wheel driveAll-wheel driveAll-wheel driveAll-wheel drive
Transmission4-speed automatic5-speed manual5-speed manual4-speed automatic
FuelRegular gasRegular gasPremium gasPremium gas
City11.8 L/100 km11.8 L/100 km12.4 L/100 km13.1 L/100 km
Highway9.0 L/100 km8.7 L/100 km9.4 L/100 km10.2 L/100 km
Combined10.7 L/100 km10.7 L/100 km11.2 L/100 km11.8 L/100 km
CO₂251 g/km251 g/km263 g/km276 g/km
Cost to drive 100 km$16.59$16.59$19.60$20.65

2008 Subaru Forester: every figure

2008 Subaru Forester figures by powertrain
FigurePowertrain 1Powertrain 2Powertrain 3Powertrain 4
Displacement2.5 L2.5 L2.5 L2.5 L
Cylinders4444
MPG city (US)20201918
MPG highway (US)26272523
MPG combined (US)22222120
MPG combined (Imperial) (converted from the US figure)26262524
Luggage volume (litres converted from EPA's cubic feet)878 L (31 cu ft)878 L (31 cu ft)878 L (31 cu ft)878 L (31 cu ft)
Fuel cost a year (EPA) (EPA: 15,000 miles at its fuel prices)US$3,050US$3,050US$3,900US$4,100
Fuel cost for 20,000 km (at $1.55 a litre)$3,318$3,318$3,920$4,130

Sources: fuel use, MPG, CO2, electric range, battery, charge time, luggage volume and the annual fuel cost are the US EPA's (fueleconomy.gov). Imperial MPG, litres, inches and pounds are converted from those figures. Figures no free source publishes for this car (power, torque, acceleration, top speed, fuel tank, towing) are left out.

What to check when buying the 2008 Subaru Forester

  • NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. Ask the seller for proof each one was fixed; a dealer can check it by the VIN.
  • Owners filed 50 complaints with NHTSA, most often about suspension (11), engine (7) and air bags (6). Have those parts checked before you buy.
2008 Subaru Forester recall campaigns
CampaignDateComponentSummary
11V4640002011-09-06suspension:front:control arm:lower armSUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2007 IMPREZA, MODEL YEAR 2003-2008 FORESTER, AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 SAAB 9-2X VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 2000 THROUGH NOVEMBER 26, 2007 ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, MASSACHUSETTS, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, PENNSYLVANIA,...

Source: NHTSA (US) recall campaigns and owner complaints for this model year.

The 2008 Subaru Forester for buyers

We rent cars and sell one only now and then. There is no 2008 Subaru Forester for sale by us right now. We are not a lender and do not arrange loans. A monthly rental can cover the time while you arrange financing with your bank. The 2008 Subaru Forester for buyers: what the numbers say, what to check, how to try it.

What to check on the Forester

Check whether every recall was done, by the VIN, before you pay. Ask for the service records and check open recalls by the VIN. In Ontario, a used car needs a Safety Standards Certificate to be registered. A private seller in Ontario must give you a Used Vehicle Information Package.

The figures, translated

The 2.5L 4-cylinder with all-wheel drive is the powertrain to look at. It runs on regular gas. All-wheel drive helps when pulling away on snow; braking and steering still depend on the tires.

A combined rating of 10.7 L/100 km works out to about 32 litres per 300 km. Driving 300 km costs roughly $49.77 at our price setting. The EPA estimates US$3,050 a year in fuel for 15,000 miles.

What the Forester is like

The higher seat of an SUV gives a good view of the road in traffic. Its 878 litres of luggage space fit bulky luggage, a stroller or sports gear.

When the Forester makes sense

It suits winter trips and weekends with more gear than people. It suits a stretch of weeks between selling one car and buying the next.

A longer test drive

A test week in the Forester tells you more than any review. Try the Forester on your commute, then decide. Rent it, live with it for a week, and decide with real experience.

The cost of driving it

A pre-purchase inspection is a small cost next to the price of the car. Get an insurance quote for this exact model before you buy; rates differ a lot between models. Tires, brakes and batteries are the regular costs to budget for beyond fuel.

Choosing the right one

If you are unsure between two options, rent one of them for a week first. Write down the VIN of any car you consider; it unlocks the recall and service history. A newer year is not always better; check what changed before paying more for it.

Send a request

Tell us the model and the dates, and we reply with an offer.

Rent it for a week before you buy

A week of your own driving tells you more than a test drive: the commute, the parking, the fuel. Rent a 2008 Subaru Forester from us first.

Rent the 2008 Subaru ForesterRequest a rental

Ask us about the 2008 Subaru Forester

Tell us your budget and when you want to buy; we look for a 2008 Subaru Forester for you and reply within one business day.

CarmaCars is not a lender, dealer or lessor, and does not arrange financing or leases. We rent cars, and sell one only when it is listed for sale on this page with its price.

Buying the 2008 Subaru Forester

Does CarmaCars sell the 2008 Subaru Forester?

Not right now. CarmaCars rents cars; it sells one only now and then. Tell us what you want and we look for one, or rent one for a week first.

Can I rent a 2008 Subaru Forester before I buy one?

Yes. Request it for a week (or longer, up to 365 days) and drive it as your own; nothing is charged until we confirm and you approve.

Does the 2008 Subaru Forester have recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for it, in the table on this page. Ask for proof each was fixed.

What does the 2008 Subaru Forester cost in fuel a year?

EPA puts it at US$3,050 a year for 15,000 miles at its fuel prices; at our price setting, 20,000 km cost about $3318.00.

Where do the figures come from?

Fuel use and fuel cost from the US EPA (fueleconomy.gov), dimensions and weight from NHTSA vPIC Canadian specifications, recalls and complaints from NHTSA. We leave out any figure no free source publishes.