Subaru B9 Tribeca (B9X)

subearu · June 2005

Edmunds use to have a link for http://www.LeaseCompare.com that basically provided lease quotes from various banks. At least it'll help you get an idea for the going rates. Might also want to check your local credit union or bank. Subaru typically deals with Chase, you could try them as well.

-Brian

subienewbie2 · June 2005

What is the residual value at end of lease for both (with & without nav) if you know.

tidester · June 2005

You may be interested in Lease Questions - Ask Here and which has a lot of good information.

tidester, host

jeffmc · June 2005

subienewbie2 - I've got a 1991 Legacy sedan with 234K miles. My wife steered me toward Subaru (I had been a Honda fan prior) after seeing how well they held up as rental cars at a rental agency she worked at briefly while going through college.

It needed a new AT around 140k and A/C around 200K, otherwise no serious problems. (Yes, I spent $1000 to fix the A/C in a vehicle worth $2000... I just look at that $1000 as 3 car payments). I've owned this car for 13 of its 14 years, and it lived its first year as a loaner car at my dealership, so it wasn't a babied at the beginning.

The first half of its life was pretty rough, but it nicely handled my hard-driving 20s, when I tormented it with stupid things like getting airborne over a railroad crossing (the General Lee has got nothin' on my Subie) and taking it to its maximum speed (somewhere around 115-120 if I remember correctly) on a very straight local highway.

The Legacy also did well in a low-speed close encounter with a city bus... probably a 10-15mph impact into the passenger door, after which even the window could still roll down. The finish has remained in pretty good shape, despite never being garaged here in the rainy PacNW. By comparison, the area that was repaired after the bus incident has turned dull and faded.

The interior has held up reasonably well, although I just had to put a seatcovers on, since the fabric had finally worn off of the lumbar area you rub against when getting in and out of the seat. The foam under the rear headrest area has started to break down where it's been exposed to a lot of UV rays.

It's been up and down the West Coast and lived a mix of city and highway miles. Once I reached my thirties, I started maintaining it much better (I could finally afford to!). I don't rack up the miles on it like I used to, but it still gets driven at least 5x/week and I still don't hesitate to take it on Forest Service roads in the middle of nowhere or on long trips over mountain passes.

This car has worn well and feels like part of the family. It has never stranded me in its 14 years and I can't imagine the amount of money it has saved me in car payments over this time. It has made me a Subie loyalist and has led to my repeat purchase ('04 Outback) as well as at least four other friends/relatives purchasing Subarus.

I hope to replace the Outback with a B9 Tribeca in a year or two (for more passenger room), and then after a few more years it'll be time to finally retire the Legacy. I almost hope it dies before then 'cause I don't know if I can bear selling/trading it. It should be replaced by a commuter car, something Subaru doesn't sell in the U.S. (c'mon Subaru, I want to give you my money for something nice but small w/high MPG!), but deep down I'd love to replace it with another Legacy sedan (this time a GT Limited).

Many of us Subaru folks have similar stories. It's what makes us loyal buyers and what gives Subaru vehicles a personality or "soul", transcending their role as mere transportation. Wow, that's like, deep, man.

To answer your question "Are subies that good or are their owners just exceptionally loving owners?", I'd say it's the fact that Subies are so good that makes us loving owners.

subienewbie2 · June 2005

Great story - Thanks a lot.

I feel very good about my decision to buy a Tribeca and I am now even more anxious to take delivery in the next 7 to 10 days.

photoguy2 · June 2005

Very Normal as that is the design. Did you notice that on High Beam they are more traditional with a wide dispersed patteren? I find them to be nice and not a bother at all.

photoguy2 · June 2005

I just got back from my first short Highway trip today. With 420 total miles on the B9 I reset the tripodometer and over an 80 mile drive the onboard computer said I averaged 21 MPG. I'd say not bad considering 17 of those 80 miles were in the town I had business in and was stop and go... I'm encouraged that 23-24 highway is really possible after break in.

c_hunter · June 2005

Wow, I love Maine! Cool deal with the lobsters too -- that would seal the deal for me! Let us know how you like the new Tribeca.

CRaig

newsubu · June 2005

To go with the flow...shared my honeymoon with my bride 5 years ago along the coast of Maine. A truely incredible drive. After spending too much money in Boston and Martha's Vinyard, we headed North with a tent. Portland, Olgunquit (sp?), Boothbay Harbor, Acadia Nat. Park...all magnificent.. and don't be surprised if you're enjoying Lobster for breakfast with cranberry cocktails...we did.
Head a little west to the White Mntns and climb Mt. Washington, (once your Tribeca is well broken in!) Prepare for wind and views to the ocean! We saw the Audi race there; crazy people in fast cars on cliffs tempting fate.

I now, proudly, have a new Subaru in my driveway, waxed. Mahogany Red, "Just a Touch of Grey" Interior, Nav, and oh so nice. Ordered it May 9, hours after my last final exam for a masters, my personalized grad gift after too many years of hard studying. 2nd Tribeca delivered from the dealer, for 800 over. NW Indiana.

Positive Impressions? I've seen all the technical stuff posted recently; here's the aesthetic view...Rides like a hovercraft, corners like a mortorcycle, tight feel & sure handling, interior is thouroughly engaging and a pleasure to ride within, leather is exceptional, seats are easily adjusted comfortably (even when coming from an Avalon), Sound system has got a better work out than the engine, and I'm satisfied, and maybe a little more deaf. Radio frequencies come in better that my last car. Exterior has garnered only admiration! Have had several inquiries about the car around town, with most gasping. Still breaking in at a relaxed pace. Will report on true MPG and performance once I've got it going.

Mahogany Red color is amazing. We were uncertain at first look, but after seeing it in different lights, it goes from cinnimon to brown to "root beer" to plum in the course of a day. My 2 1/2 yr old calls it the "purpo ca", providing the most uninfluenced view.

Negatives? I have a hard time finding a comfortable place for my left foot, I'm 5'10". If I pull the seat too far back to stretch my leg I can't comfortably reach the steering. If I move the seat forward to reach the steering properly, my leg is bent...uncomfortably, especially if driving for hours. The need for a telescoping wheel in future models is apparent. Dash is awesome, with an informative, over-the-top NAV/Info system, and dash lights that change with the time of day. (Red back-lighting at night!) Headlights have a narrow feild of "lightedness", with anything roughly hood-level down lit, and anything roughly above the mid-widsheild level dark. Minor head lamps stay on all the time (is this a drawback, or saftey, or just kinda Tribeca cool?). You have to push a little blue button on the NAV that says "AGREE" every Fing time you turn the car on, and seatbelts are mandatory, unless you don't mind R2D2 yapping at you incesantly.

Space is plenty for everyday use, with the 3rd row seat down, but not enough for a trip with kids and a dog. I've already ordered the new Thule Nomad carrier for camping gear, etc., proving an additional 14 sq.ft. Also ordered a Yakima car hitch for bikes, compatible with the 1 1/4" Subrau Trailer Hitch.

Oh... How could I forget...Just after the first wax, with McGuires Gold, I carefully placed one very small, very cool, gold, Grateful Dead "Steal Your Face" sticker in the lower right of the back window. This new ride of mine is "Just Bound To Cover Jsut A Little More Ground!"

njswamplands · June 2005

rblnr · June 2005

Hopefully they'll have a firmware update that will take care of the 'agree' all the time issue.

nhsteve · June 2005

I still own and drive my 96OB 2.5L with 216K miles on it to work every day. I am outside sales and have been since before I purchased this car new. I have worked her hard on every road surface and would probably get a C+ for the care I have given her... not too good. I will do better with my new B9. The OB has had no major service problems at all and has served me very well. It is my 5th SUbaru, the B9 my 6th.

Subaru's are definately just that good and this is why they enjoy such previous owner loyalty, at least in my case. I cannot say the same for any other car manufacturer that I have owned with the exception of Toyota, another quality product.

Good luck with yours.

Steve

subienewbie2 · June 2005

Don't hold your breath.

That requirement had nothing to do with the engineers - it comes from the dim wits in the legal dept. It is a CYA thing.

I could accept it if you could use the touch functions like entering a destination etc while driving. But since the car must be stopped - it just idiotic and annoying.

Using lawyers logic they should require the same thing before you can operate the radio or the climate contols.

God bless the lawyers - no one else will.:)

wvroads · June 2005

My wife and I will be picking up our new Silver 5 pass Ltd next Saturday. The dealership here in the Western Md/ WV area has been great to deal with so far. I got the car at invoice because the company I work for (a railroad) participates in the Subaru VIP program.
Anyway, on to my question. The dealership will add a free stripe on the cars they sell. Since they haven't done any on the B9 yet, has anyone had one added? If so, where on the side was it placed? Above the door handles? My 2000 OB that I just sold to a private individual (put me about $2k ahead of a trade-in) had the striping and it looked good on it but not sure about the B9.

Any thoughts or ideas?

stever · June 2005

Per the Rules of the Road (see link at the top),

When posting about your experience with a dealership, you may post ONLY the dealership name, city, and state. You may not post a salesperson's name, phone numbers, email addresses, links to dealer web sites, etc.

The intent is to keep phony shill posts and ads to a minimum on the forum.

Is it about time for a Tribeca Prices Paid and Buying Experiences discussion? Or maybe the Subaru Crew - Dealers & Pricing one is sufficient?

thanks,
Steve, Host

kmartin · June 2005

You can use the same instructions for the B9 as in last years' 05 OB to disable the incessant chiming...but you didn't hear it from me :-) Email me offline (from my web site) and I'll fill you in...

-Karen in AZ-
Reviews Links: http://members.cox.net/kamartin/2006b9tribeca.html

jerrys2 · June 2005

Edmunds indicates base invoice for 5 pass is $29988, dealer says his invoice for Ltd (we are in New England) is $31186. I haven't seen his invoice but he is willing to show it to me. Can anyone verify base invoice for the Ltd?

Prices Paid and Buying Experience would be helpful IMHO.

Jerry

wvroads · June 2005

The invoice for the 5 pass ltd that I am buying which included the dest charge as well as the puddle lights and the bumper cover is $30,780. This is in W Md.

nhsteve · June 2005

Well... a good night sleep after a long 10 hour drive and I am happy to provide some feedback on my trip to get the B9, while she sits in the dvwy out my window. I was able to get away yesterday to pick her up and freed up my Sat for rest and learning more about the new rig.

The dealership was great, nice people who did what they said they would do, Stanley Subaru in Trenton, ME. I recommend them highly.

After spending some time going over the features they sent me on my way, Nav system all programmed up to guide me home on the scenic route. The ride was as expected and mentioned in other reviews, solid, well handling, felt very secure and stuck to the road. Handling was sweet, responsive and no complaint about power. The transmission capability and performance was great, in all three capabilities (drive, sport and manual), a very advanced system which has me impressed.

Some minor glitches with the nav system on the way, not sure if it was me though. It also did not have the updated exit numbers for Rt 95 in ME, they changed exits numbers to match the mile marker over a year ago. It also has the wrong name for the street I live on in rural NH, this is disappointing. However, I am still very impressed with the Nav system and its capabilities. I put in my work phone number and it returned my company and showed it on the map, pretty cool! Still learning this system. My son wants to change the voice to that of Yoda (Hmm, wrong turn you have made,,,) and he is renaming the B9 the "Millennium Falcon". The info displays were great, lots of cool feedback, setup was easy.

The interior is very cool. Everything was pretty easy to figure out and worked well. I was a little concerned about reach to the Nav system from the drivers seat, but no problem. No problem with visibility or readability of the Nav either.

The sound system performed very well. I expected a little more umph and power, advertised at 160W. I suspect that that is total power split between separate amps per channel. I was expecting to be like one of those kids who you can hear coming from a mile away (I live very near a University). However, power aside, sound quality was great and i am more in to the quality than the power, a sign of age I think!

I would not have made all those center console buttons back lit in red, I did know this going in though. I would have used blue, more modern and futuristic to keep in style with the car, also easier on the eyes. Maybe a future model will allow you to change the backlight colors, red, blue, green, yellow, etc. The center console is lit inside with a neat blue light, too bad they did not take this further on the car.

I did not purchase any of the maintenance agreements. I felt the prices was too high and I have such great experience with Subaru anyway. However, I did purchase an optional R2000 teflon coating that is rubbed on like wax. I am told it will prevent damage from acid rain, water spots, bug juice, etc and provides a 5Y warranty on the paint finish. There was a car on the lot that was done almost 3Ys ago that looked beautiful. Hope I did not get taken on this $270 add-on. Anyone else ever use or heard of R2000?

I did average better than 23 mpg over the 200 mile trip, very pleased about that.

I did get the lobster dinner but not the 6pack of micro brew Thunder Hole Ale as promised, but that's OK, I did get the car!

Gotta go do some chores and teach the family about all the whistles and bells. Overall, extremely satisfied with the purchase of my 6th Subaru and am probably locked in for life now!

Steve

subienewbie2 · June 2005

According to Kelly Blue Book dealer invoice cost is:
$29,988.00 and MSRP is $32,295.00 for the base 5 pass Ltd.

Keep in mind these are national prices on vehicles direct from SOA to dealers.

In New England there is a surcharge.

It is rare that a dealer orders a completely base unit - so his higher invoice may be do to having options. Have him show you the invoice.

jerrys2 · June 2005

I would ask if they would be willing to postpone for several months while you deceide . Wait untill you see some . I don't think I will do it. Thanks for LTD base invoice price info. Don't know why there is such a difference. Local dealer claims his price with mirror,bumper cover, cargo net and tray,and crossbar is $31688.

Jerry

kfl · June 2005

The dent should be dealt with by the dealer who did the installation. If they can't pop it out, then I would ask for their insurance information and make a claim. Don't you dare pay for anything. The first new 'big girl' car I bought was a Prizm. When I got it home, my salesperson called (and was subsequently yelled at) for telling me that the porter who was cleaning my car, banged the bottom of it. My entire passenger side, under the doors was dented in and scratched. That vehicle made it's way right back to Chevy and I put up enough of a snit that they had to give me a whole new vehicle.

HOLD YOUR GROUND....ouch, that must have hurt!

kfl · June 2005

I visited two dealers, one in Elmhurst and one in Schaumburg. The one in Elmhurst was very knowledgeable and the one in Schaumburg was just plain pushy!!

subienewbie2 · June 2005

Try Harms Subaru (Harms Motors) in Lake Geneva. Good prices and nice people.

They called with VIN today - my B9 should be there 7-1

jerrys2 · June 2005

Help ! Where do I get the correct invoice price on the Trebeca LTD? Should I go to Fitz Mall? Send me an E mail with contact. GO RED SOX!11

photoguy2 · June 2005

Okay you got me with the Red Sox deal! I'm a die Haa(r)d Sox fan. Grew up in MA. I would use the Edmunds number and work from there. I did and asked for a $500 over invoice and got the deal. There was a $300 advertising deal that was actually on the real invoice the dealer showed me and I decided to not quibble anymore. I say work out a deal that you feel is fair from the Edmunds numbers and drive one home. You'll be glad you did. Go Sox!

bigelm · June 2005

Don't overstep your bounderies here.... Forget the Sox and focus on the B9!!! Go Sox... :rolleyes: The season is long from over; just watch out for NYY.

Ok... focus on the thread

photoguy2 · June 2005

The who? The NYY who are the only team in the history of baseball to BLOW a 3-0 lead in a series? Yeah, yeah, yeah... I know it took us 86 years.... but 3-0? :P
Gosh I love saying that! Truth be know I'm struggling to know what to do this year... what do you say? This is the year again? Weird! It really was more fun being stabbed in the heart each year and then hoping for the next year. GO SOX!

nhsteve · June 2005

From what I understand, New England subaru dealers do not buy from Subaru of America directly, they buy through a middle company. I suspect that the lower invoice price is SoA and the higher invoice is the middle guy.

Steve

bigelm · June 2005

It's ok...that's all you'll get!

But at least it won't take us 86 years to get ours

lol!

jerrys2 · June 2005

Steve

Understand the NE thing but the difference between Edmunds $29998 and Dealers claim of invoice ($31186 ... this does not include options) is $1886. I understand NE dealer cost is about $250 ( if we consider this a Red Sox and Pats sur charge doesn't feel so bad ) more ... so do I conclude that that the Ltd. base is $1638 more? The Ltd has leather seating and that is about it. I will check out dealer invoice tomorrow. Thanks for the update on your Tribeca.

Jerry

njswamplands · June 2005

nhsteve · June 2005

now that is the funniest thing I have read on this site....

toast · June 2005

Sunday's Arizona Republic advertised Employee pricing available on all Subarus. This could be a nice break on price. Not exactly sure about the pricing as it relates to the Tribeca. Has anyone else heard of this offer and can you share pricing info?

kmartin · June 2005

I've been busy again...I have added 10 or so new and updated links this morning. Please feel free to send me other new ones and/or edit any I may have posted incorrectly. Enjoy!

-Karen in AZ-
Reviews Links: http://members.cox.net/kamartin/2006b9tribeca.html

kmartin · June 2005

Sounds like GM, one of their shared parent companies, has finally seen the light with their temporary employee pricing structure...dang, why couldn't they do this a month ago?

BTW, did it say which dealer? Mine said there was to be NO advertising until after July 1st, so I wonder if someone jumped the gun (I'll bet I know who it was, even without reading the ad).

-Karen in AZ-
Reviews Links: http://members.cox.net/kamartin/2006b9tribeca.html

toast · June 2005

Steven Jory advertised this.

njswamplands · June 2005

i would say subaru loves the nyy. i know i know i know about that early adopter who continues to punish the people in the part of the country who cant say a R rite :P

robr2 · June 2005

Cars direct shows invoice in New England as:

$30,713 with destination
$ 30 Northeast Destination Surchage
$ 533 New England Subaru Invoice Charge
$31,276 Total

That's about $90 more than what the dealer is telling you.

jerrys2 · June 2005

Thanks Robert. I did not know the NE Subaru Invoice Charge was that much! All other things being equal it looks as if we could save over $500 by purchasing outside of NE. I felt I was getting and excellent deal ... $150 over invoice, don't know if I can get the same elsewhere ...

subienewbie2 · June 2005

Can you post a copy of the ad or provide dealers name or details

toast · June 2005

Steven Jory Subaru 602 493-6600.
"This week only! Every Subaru offered to you at the same price our employees, family and friend receive."

subienewbie2 · June 2005

Thanks.

I sounds like what I expected. It appears to be a dealer promo and the employee price is what the dealer sells to its employees at not what SOA sells at to their workers.

Oh well.

wvroads · June 2005

I forgot to check the B9 we are picking up on Saturday but I assume that the 12V outlets are switched off when the key is removed as my OB was. Has anyone found a convenient source of NON-switched 12 volts? Such as a terminal block under the dash or on the fuse panel? I sometimes do two-way radio installs at my job with railroad communications and finding 12V is getting harder and harder in the newer vehicles without hacking into the wiring.
I want to hook up my Garmin 2610 so it will stay on when I am stopped and out of the vehicle.
Thanks for any tips.

jay_24 · June 2005

Same offer is upper here in Minneapolis too. I got a letter from WhiteBear Accura/Subaru last week and then saw a TV ad too.
It was "VIP Employee pricing". In small print it mentioned that it was invoice price. Plus subtract out any rebates that are offered.

They don't say anything on their web page about it.

Its better than trying to beat a fair price out of them.

--jay

ateixeira · June 2005

We bought our Legacy that way, it's basically invoice minus rebates, like jay said.

The catch is some cars are not eligible for the program, so they might exclude the Tribeca, the STi, and the upcoming Legacy Spec B, for instance.

Congrats to newsubu and nhsteve on the new 'becas.

-juice

ateixeira · June 2005

Swampy that was a classic.

Swampy is King of the one-liners.

-juice

subienewbie2 · June 2005

Hey all you subie owners - I need some advice.

When my B9 arrives I plan on driving down to visit my son in Biloxi Miss. They have some great beaches that go forever.

Any info on driving in beach sand. Any do's or don'ts or info would be appreciated.

Thanks

nhsteve · June 2005

So... after reading the fine print in the manual, I am left with some questions on the towing capacity of the B9 with the factory hitch/cooler option. It appears that the tow capacity (tongue/total) of the vehicle equipped with the factory hitch/cooler is increased from 200/2000 to 350/3500. However, the manual recommends that trailers over 1000lbs should have trailer brakes. My pop-up, weighing in at about 2200lbs loaded has no electric brakes. I pulled it previously with my Jeep GC with no problem. Any comment as to why to low rating before calling for trailer brakes? Is this just legal jargon or is there some issue with the vehicle? Of course, no dealer thought to discuss this with me prior to my purchase even though I said I was pulling a 2500lb pop-up.

Heavy on my mind...
Steve

stever · June 2005

You can check out SUVs for Beach Sand discussion but I've been to the Mississippi Gulf off and on for 40+ years and I don't remember ever seeing any beach access for vehicles around Biloxi.

If it's allowed now, be careful you don't run into a casino. I bet you could drive straight out into the Gulf at Biloxi for a half mile before the water would get over the axles too!

Steve, Host

Subaru B9 Tribeca (B9X)

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