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Invoice: $31,829 + dest $625 = $32,454
MSRP $34,295 + dest $625 = $34,920
NAVI is basically $1800 option is at invoice price.
and 4th most expensive was "replace L fender" @ 255.95 which was also the 2nd most labor hours.
Total damage was $2,219 and some change. I am finally reunited with Beca though and while mostly everything seems to be perfect and like new again as most of it like the bumper was replaced the hood doesn't line up with fender of the car as well as the other side that was not involved in the collision. As well as its not as seamless with the headlamp.
Even though only I notice if you look closely you see a slight more gap between the left side of the hood and the fender and when you feel it with your hand its not as flush at the seam and sticks up a little and its not as flush with the headlamp as the other undamaged side. The hood was the one thing they didn't replace as it just had the slightest little bend in it. And while it looks perfect you can feel the difference from the other side. I might complain and especially once it goes through with the other drivers insurance paying I should try to get a new hood then I'm sure it will be as good as new exactly.
My brother was hit in his Z and got a carbon fibre hood out of it. I think he was getting the new factory hood paid for and just figured if replacing it mine as well add the difference for a carbon fibre hood. He also got a whole Nismo aero and ground kit all the way around and hooked it all up with meshing in front and back and it looks really nice so he turned a negative into a positive but he was without his 350 Z for quite a few months and had an even crappier rental then the Ford suv I had in a Dodge neon or ford escort or something.
Anyway I was wondering if you can even get a carbon fibre Tribeca hood? I guess that usually comes in greyish black (carbon fibre color?) but that would be cool to get it in the dark blue like the carbon fibre in the front and rear badge. I don't know how great that would look with the satin white pearl though and i'd be happy with the standard greyish black to get with the other grey/silver and black trimings and it would still go with the carbon fibre badges. I guess it would have to be custom made so maybe just a new factory hood is in order at some point.
That isn't good news as I have progressive too and just left Nationwide to join my wifes to make it cheaper and she is going to kill me if my car let alone the accident drives up her insurance. I think I will have to shop around and see if we can find better auto insurance like State Farm who we have dealt with before through work.
I am unimpressed to say the least with Progressive. First while the other drivers insurance called me the day after the accident on a saturday and then repeatedly and getting me to tell them what happened even when I said I would have to call them back as I was busy and then proceded to harass me and try to tell me how I might have been at fault too and how it will be my word against her word as I didn't get a police report even though she was begging and pleading in her foreign accent that I didn't call the police because she didn't want points or to get the police for other reasons and her son was crying that she had ruined another car and been in accidents before. So there I wa sa nice guy and figured it no harm as I had all the important information well it turns out it would have helped me and now they will try to lie and fight it and coached their driver and which parts to lie about and change to get out of it while a police officer would have got her first uncoached story.
Anyway my insurance company was just like yeah we tried to call them a few times but they didnt' answer or return our calls. Then after having 3 weeks to send the auto body shop the check for the repairs they waited till the last day when i was picking up the car and only after I called them to say ok we sent it out today (prob right after i talked to them) and the shop almost didn't let me take the car as they had no payment but my deductible I paid until I told Progressive I would drop them and they called the shop to give them proof that payment was sent.
I couldn't handle another day in a ford and without my beca. Seeing her there all done and not being able to take her home I would have flipped, camped out and sued Progressive.
I'll have to find out how many miles I had on my B9 before it went into the shop as even though I know it had to go back and forth between 2 different shops a few different times I remember being over 2,000 but nowhere close to 3,000 and now i'm at 3,200 something so I need to get the 3,000 mile oil change anyway so I will just have them do the bulbs then and get my first oil change professionaly done instead of by amateur me.
Question is which oil should I use if I buy my own and give them to use which hopefully might make it cheaper. Mobil 1? Castrol Syntec ? or other? I am going to try to get it tomorrow, otherwise on Monday.
Also about the bulbs, I remember the whole post about the blue bulbs being junk. I got the Sylvania silver star which are decent and since pepboys doesnt' even carry any H9s at all for the high beam I may just order 2 from that vmod website and i'm sure they will be fine.
...not that we have much fog in the desert this time of the year :-)
-Karen in AZ-
Hoen H9 xenonmatch plus bulb pair $36.00 USD
Shipping $3.89 USD
Handling $5.00 USD
Total $44.89 USD
http://www.hitechimportlighting.com/piaa.htm
has:
Extreme White 4150k for 116.85/ pair
and
Extreme Force 4700k for 123.80/pair
Your http://www.autothing.com/Products/PIAABulbs/products-bulbs-PIAA-intro.htm. link does not work.
I would just order them from http://www.v-mod.com/shop/viewProductGroupDetails.asp?CID=64&PID=2490
for 11.95 each. Thats what I did and got shipping for 5.50 so less then $30 for the pair which beats the $44.89 USD after shipping & handling @ http://www.hoen-usa.com/plus.htm and even the $36 before s&h.
I think vmod.com is for motorcycles but the bulbs seem/sound just as good if not better tthen the ones @ hoen-usa and at least have a picture. I'm sure they will be better then the factory highbeams and will go along better with teh Sylvania silver star low beams and fog lights. Like I said before, I don't use the high beams that much anyway and last car I upgraded bulbs I didn't even bother with the high beams.
Anyway as I asked before ...Mobil 1? Castrol Syntec? or other?
Also, does anyone know the invoice price on the Cooler/Warmer accessory?
subaruparts.com has it for more then subaru.com lists it and subaru parts is supposed to be cheaper
It has 113.95 crossed out as if that was the original and higher price but then sells it for $126.68. Subaru.com lists it as 114 so that might explain the 113.95 but it seems to be the one accesory subaruparts.com actually sells for higher then msrp and they are supposed to be lower. Edmunds nor kbb.com list that accesory so its hard to get the invoice price on it.
Also, Subaruparts.com sells separately for use with it an ac/dc adapter, I guess for plugging into a normal wall outlet which is extra while it comes with the cord to plug into 12v outlet in cargo area of the Tribeca. And the official Subaru B9 Tribeca accessory guide list separately what they more clearly state but probably the same thing a 120v ac/dc converter which I'm wondering if it could be used also to power other electronic devices that have a regular plug like an Xbox though we've gotten into that discussion before and someone already recommended something that worked for them for xbox (I'll have to search it as I may still get that) though it was questionable if anything was actaully enough voltage to power the xbox which uses more power then any other game system as its more like a pc and especially if you modded it with a larger hdd.
Anyway the subaru accessory guide also lists a batter adapter and a battery guard available separately as well with the cooler/warmer but don't know what those are for.
Was thinking about getting it for travel/tailgating to a college football game next weekend (Ohio State vs. Penn State 7:45 p.m. on ESPN ....Go Lions!) and wanted to get a good price/deal on it.
As for oil, i wont put any syn oil in the engine until it is completely broken in, like 10K. you want the engine to worn out the 'rough' spots so i can run smoothly..
there are a few really good articles on how 90% of the bulbs out there are JUNK! they will actually give you LESS lumens then OEM factory bulbs or standard Sylvania bulbs from Wal-mart.
or they give you more lumens *measure of light* but the light is non-useable (ie . the extra light is on the top and doesn't get to the road in front.
Headlights & Bulbs (halogen, xenon, etc.)
Steve, Host
Not likely, unless it's custom. There's just not enough volume of demand, it's not even the type of vehicle that gets this treatment (WRX is, though).
I had Hella H4+30s, marketed as "Xenons", and while they worked well, my issue what the durability. I had 4 and none of them lasted much more than a year. So I had to carry spare bulbs in the vehicle, you never knew when they would blow out. Then you could barely see.
I went back to the OE bulbs. 8+ years and they still have not burned out.
-juice
They also list the battery protector, battery guard and 8-foot power cord, I guess for if you wanted to set the cooler up on a picnic table or something but still keep it plugged in.
Also, just so you're aware before you purchase, I'm pretty sure the Subaru cooler has a small "Outback" logo on it. I don't think there's a special B9 Tribeca version.
Any how, I would use Subaru Bucks to buy one. It's a bit pricey for a small cooler.
-juice
Well it's in the manual, so don't tell the dealer you skipped the 1000 mile break-in if you ever want warranty work done! In fact, most new cars still call for a break-in period. Whether you agree or not, it should be something to consider.
On my Honda S2K, they are very specific about the 600 mile break-in. The engine uses ceramic coatings (either the piston rings or the bore, can't remember, maybe both) and you have to wear it in carefully. People who ignore that generally end up with an engine that consumes oil.
The other aspect of break-in involves going easy on the brakes. That is very important. Not sure if 100 miles is sufficient to bed everything in nicely.
Craig
Caddy
Craig
Highs: Ride, Handling, Quietness, Fit and Finish
Lows: Acceleration, Transmission, Cramped Second- and Third-Row Seats, Child-Seat Placement.
CR states: "Expect 16 mpg overall on premium fuel. The five-speed automatic transmission is smooth, but it's slow to respond and has to shift often to maintain speed. The Tribeca pulled our test trailer with 3,500 pounds--its limit--to 60 mph in 20.8 seconds."
Bill
Well, it can't be (all) bad if it's recommended.
I haven't seen the article yet, but from what you've mentioned, it's much the same that we've been saying all along. There's nothing really new there, other than the 20.8 seconds 0 – 60 with a trailer. As far as I know this is the first "actual" road "test" of this vehicle. I'm surprised the other car rags haven't tested it yet with stop watches, etc.
Bob
Here's the list of recommended cars from the evaluation:
1 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited
2 Lexus RX400h
3 Lexus RX330
4 Honda Pilot EX-L
5 BMW X5 3.0i
6 Toyota Highlander Limited (V6)
7 Nissan Murano SL
10 Acura MDX Touring
11 Infiniti FX35 (V6)
13 BMW X3 2.5i
14 Lexus GX470
15 mitsubishi Endeavor XLS
16 Toyota 4Runner SR5 (V6)
19 Subaru B9 Tribeca Limited
20 Nissan Pathfinder LE
24 Buick Rendezvous CXL
Bill
Jerry
Jerry
Bob
"Midsized SUVs make up the core of the sport utility market. Like others in this class, the five vehicles we tested for this issue (Mercedes Benz ML350, Subaru B9 Tribeca, Nissan Pathfinder, Land Rover LR3, and Jeep Grand Cherokee) provide more interior room and better engine performance than smaller models, and the best provide better handling and fuel economy than larger SUVs. These vehicles, however, finished mid pack or lower among the 29 midsized SUVs we've recently tested, despite sticker prices that range from $34,000 to more than $50,000."
Hardly a glowing recommendation. A bigger problem is that CR's ranking didn't place the Tribeca on their list in any of their listed subcategories:
If you don't need more than five seats:
Toyota Highlander Hybrid & V6
Lexus RX400h/RX330
BMW X5
Nissan Murano
Infinit FX35
BMW X3
Mitsubishi Endeavor
If a third-row seat is important:
Toyota Highlander Hybrid & V6
Honda Pilot
Acura MDX
Lexus GX470
If off-roading or towing is important:
Lexus GX470
Toyota 4Runner
While CR doesn't hate the vehicle, they also don't see much value (performance or function to $$$) in it either.
Bill
I suspect the power issue will addressed first. There's not much you can do about the seating room without offering a longer wheelbase, and making the vehicle longer. You gotta remember that Subaru is a small company and doesn't have the resources to do "clean-sheet" designs, like the larger car companies do. If you look at Subaru's new model launchs over the years, they've all been like that. The body changes first with few if any mechanical upgrades. Then in a year or two, the mechanical upgrades come.
Should it have come with a large more powerful engine? Absolutely, but we'll likely see that in a year or so. Should it have been roomier? Yes, but it's built off a modified Outback platform, which can only be stretched so far. They just don't have the money to do all these things in one big step. Unfortunately they have to do "baby steps."
Bob
Craig
Bob
In the last 2100 miles, I've averaged 21.3 mpg. I guess those experts at CR must know something I don't.
In the last 2100 miles, I've averaged 21.3 mpg. I guess those experts at CR must know something I don't.
Their numbers are about what my VDC gets in Chicago........but only when I drive to distant suburbs. 11.5 mpg in traffic is usual. The 3 liter flat six is a lot better than my previous W8 Passat which got more like 9 mpg with the same traffic!
If Subaru is to be competitive in a world of $3-5 fuel, a large improvement will be necessary. I personally put on so few miles that fuel economy is not relevant for my car purchases, but those who commute or are on the road covering a sales or service territory do care.
I think part of the problem with B9 is its engine struggles too much during initial accerelation that contributes mosty to this 16 mpg in local or stop and go traffic. A larger engine with more torque down low will help this a little bit. My boss' 500HP Corvet can get 18-26 mpg with its supercharged V8 (granted RWD and light weight does help).
What the Subaru does do is this: provide adequate acceleration, superior handling, and phenomenal braking, coupled to an all wheel drive powerhouse that can get you through the elements in style. You can rest assure that when you drive the B9, people do look at you (don't know if they like it or not), you stand apart from the crowd of wannabe sport utes.
Subaru also provides a very modern interior with ergonomics that work, switch gear that's smooth and solid- and provide a very comprehensive list of standard features. In fact it reminds me of how Acura started gaining market share in 2000 with their new TL- only option was a Navigation system.
At the end of it all, if you like a car enough, you'll still do whatever you need to own it... I look at magazines for their objective criticism, the rest is my own choice.
All the post about really good MPG must be from rural or suburban drivers - not urban dwellers like me. If I get better than 16 MPG in the Chicago area I consider my self lucky. My 340 HP Infiniti did almost as well - or bad depending on your point of view.
Craig
CR can say what they want about the Tribeca and I don't really care. I own it and plan to keep it for 100K. It's not perfect but at least after 2,000 miles, I can confidently say that I'm more than satisfied. It met my criteria for curb appeal, quality, driveability and crash worthiness. The reliability is an unknown but who can attest to reliability with most brands.
www.nhtsa.dot.gov
the #'s look decent, 5 stars
Jerry
This also was a purchase to remedy the rising gas prices. They had a GMC Yukon and a Dodge Dakota.
-Brian
If they were smart (and still wanted to spend that type of money to save fuel) they should've gone with the Lexus hybrid. Though not as sporting as the FX35, it'd still beat the Yukon & Dakota.
2005 Tokyo Motor Show Preview
Steve, Host
Back to the B9, I finally saw a silver one in town, probably a 5 seater (just a guess). Also saw a Lexus hybrid on the highway.
-Brian