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Comments
It's snowing again today. Yesterday we dodged the heavy snow fall about 15 miles away (10+"). Only received about 2" at our place. Weird weather pattern.
Yes, a telescoping steering wheel would be really great. I've had to adjust the seat a tad further forward to be more comfortable in relationship to the steering wheel.
The door armrest several inches higher would be nice. But I end up resting my arm by the window.
Yes, a slightly higher armrest would be nice.
The steering wheel is not quite as thick as my '98 OBW Ltd. Plus the OBW leather feels softer.
I'm OK with the RPM's at speed . Heck, at 78mph the OBW is turning about 3600 RPM. The attendant noise slides into the background after a while. But then on the OBW I'm always trying to shift into 6th gear. :P
But so far we're really happy with the Tribeca (gold metallic, 7 pass. LTD). One thing I've noticed is that a back up camera would be totally useless in snowy country. The snow accumulation from driving down the road would cover the camera lens.
MNSteve
Your probably right, maybe in time I'll quick looking for the 6th gear, but the extra mileage would be nice. We have the Harvest Gold also. Love the color. I never thought about the issue of snow and the backup camera but your probably right. Though I'll never experience it since I don't have that option.
One positive comment I have is that I like the low end grunt that this engine has. Some of the competion we looked at, like the highlander for example, seem to start off the line unipressivly and then pull hard once wound up. I like the fact that if I want it the Tribeca just blasts off. It's a "nice to have".
Cheers,
HD
I too just leased a 2008 5P Ltd Tribeca this past weekend.
I agree with your points 1-4, however , I have been able to find my sweet spot for the seat. I also had 2 years to do this as this is my 2nd Tribeca. Initially, I too was concerned about the visibility of the instrument cluster.
The seats in my 08 are softer yet more supportive. I find the lumbar has a longer range of adjustment.
The motor and tranny have been improved. Based on your observations I don't think you would have liked the '06 or '07.
The handeling is excellent and you should find this vehicle a pleasure to drive.
For me - I need to get used to the large side mirrors.
Good luck and enjoy
David.
Does anyone else think it's crazy that Subaru's biggest car has the same size gas tank as its smallest car (Impreza 2.5i)?
Both are 16.9. The Tribeca should be at least 20 gallons.
I think I am satisfied with the choice I've made and I'm sure my wife will be too when I surprise her with it this evening. She does not know I've picked it up yet.
Shhh...it's a surprise.
I like those big mirrors, too.
Buyer Beware!
The post I am replying to is a spam to get you to call a leasing broker -
mrdavidoff,
If your legitimate, please give us a total breakdown of your lease -money factor, residual, fees, etc.? I have asked you for this info over a month ago on another of your posts but you have not responded.
Again, be very cautious of post # 471
How many Tribecas are you leasing???
You have 3 repetitive posts (#345, 407, & 471)
This is not a forum to advertize your business!!!!!!
Caliberchik - is there away to remove this guy from the forums?
-mike
WIth a diesel engine they could keep the 16 gal tank, Maybe in 2011 model year, after they introduce Forester diesel? Well, I can dream of that at least
Regretfully, still haven't found the "sweet spot" with the seat/steering wheel. Close, but no banana.
I bought it loaded, NAV, DVD, plus other options @ $4k under MRSP (like the Fitzmall price, $34.5). Plus they received my OB under the KBB excellent tier.
Deciding factor: Everybody praises the handling but whine about space, and I found this is just my size (5'9" short legged). I like the fact that it handles like a smaller wagon (like it doesn't want to be an SUV). It has a feeling like every other Subaru I've had that it is indestructible.
My Sienna has a great engine, but this one feels stronger at mid revs, plus the handling is way better, I just came from a curvy road that is a definite that I'd never take that fast in the minivan.
Dislikes: The seatbelt whine, like in my old OB (when you don't use it), and of course, I noticed how fast the tank dropped from full to 4/5 in only 60 miles (small tank).
I'd put my official review in Edmunds after at least 3 weeks. But anyway, I think the Consumer Report is fair, but nit-pick a lot on the fact that some buttons in the stereo somehow "look" at the passenger, and while it's true is not uncomfortable or critical. I'd say that if you like it, take the test drive.
Put the car in "acc" and clip/unclip your belt 20x and it will not give you that nagging warning. It still warns you but it's the "normal" reminder (like 2x)
-mike
If you're interested in winter tires, Tire Rack now has 17" or 18" packages. I'm going to try the Goodyear's this year to see how they work up here in the northland. Plus my wife is saying I've spent enough (just bought an ATV with plow for the driveway).
MNSteve
The drivers side wiper arm is a bit wider. The arm would fit through attachment point, but the plastic piece that connects and locks to the arm won't fit. Plus it seems that the wind deflector is attached to blade assembly. If it wasn't so cold, I'd take a digital picture to show you'all. If one was really motivated you could fabricate mountings to move the deflector to winter blades.
The rear wiper arm is different. It does not end in shepard's crook. It ends in a shaped "blob" of plastic that the blade assembly rotates into. Gotta read the manual (p.11-35) to find the correct removal/replacement sequence.
Bummer! Now I'll have to return the two blades that don't work. I had made a rash assumption, after glancing at the wiper arm/blades, that the "standard" mounting assembly would work
After being out in a heavy snowfall recently, the windshield wiper blade heating is inadequate if you're moving in stop and go traffic. All three blades became ice coated and would not clean the windshield or rear window worth beans. :sick:
I hope someone from Subaru is monitoring this forum. Winter blades are needed YESTERDAY!
I just purchased a 2008 Tribeca. While it's a very nice vehicle it seems to have a lot of vibration between 45 and 75 mph. I took it to the dealer and asked them to re-balance the tires which they did but the vibration was still there. Took it back and at first they said it may be a bad tire and they would replace all four of them but they just called and said Subaru told them not to. According to them, Subaru said they have been getting a lot of calls about this and that if driven a couple thousand miles the vibration will go away as everything loosens up from sitting so long. I suspect the only thing they hope will go away is me, but maybe this is standard for Subaru. I've never had a Subaru or a vehicle this big so I guess I'm a little out of my element here. Anyone have any thoughts on whether or not the vibration may go away on it's own given some miles. Thanks for any help.
The auto setting on the temperature control will use the A/C when it has to, to dispel any excess moisture etc from the interior of the vehicle (fogging). When you turn the A/C off, you are, in essence, manually controlling the temperature. Thus, the auto light goes off.
Hope that helps.
David
I just got the 2008 tribeca for almost 2 weeks now with 400 miles on it so far. Its handling is excellent for the car that size and is very quiet. People riding with me were surprise how good the ride was being not familiar with Subaru.
However, I have a problem with the new smell that really bother me since it is very strong whenever I turn on the fan initially at the start. The smell is similar to a petroleum product or close to a gas smell. When the car is running for a little while and with fresh air circulate, it was much better. I now open all the windows when I park the car in my garage hoping to air out all the smell. But at soon as I get in the car and turn on the climate control, the smell comes back w/ or w/o starting the engine.
I wonder if any of the new Tribeca owner experienced this, and how long does the new smell subside. My last new Outback's new smell wasn't this bad as far as I remember.
My car has exactly 0 concerns so far. The only problem is my wife, who took it yesterday and now doesn't want to give it back.
I would say that is a very big concern, my friend.
David
-mike
The most annoying thing so far is that I already had to fill the tank this morning in less than 350 miles. But my 14 miles commute from Woodbury to St. Paul showed 19mpg, better than I thought, even pushing it hard (going down on the highway). Today I have to do a longer commute at peak hours, so I'll be monitoring the trip. It's not about filling the tank sooner, but having to do it at 14F.
I have no problems with the A/C, but in the Outback I had the same odor that you're reporting. I think that has been documented in the OB forums. Nothing otherworldly because it was coming and going at least 2 times a month, so I didn't bother trying to fix it. But I'd recommend you to check the OB forums, definitely.
So far everybody's happy with the car. My 5 years old daughter is happy with the TV, the wife happy with the NAV, and me, well, it really handles well. It's the perfect car for my family.
MNSteve
Hilarious!
-mike
What works: Solid feeling while driving, very good passing acceleration, excellent AWD, interior space works for my wife and daughter. Dealer service.
What needs work: 16.2 mpg (85% in hwy). Outdated navigation (have you seen Acura?). Tank size. Reputation.
It has been common for me to find myself as the fastest one in the highway, so easy is to speed on this. While in the Buck Hill ski area, I took one of the service roads, and everything was like in a TV ad: snow and ice on a steep hill, Tribeca meant no problem. Didn't want to be in other brand in that road. But that fuel economy with that tank is a pain, especially if you live in the suburbs, and have to drive 20 miles daily to work, plus all your errands. Common thing from my neighbors, they never heard before of this car, even if they like it.
Perhaps this is why your fuel economy is so low? Gotta pay to play.
-mike
Coming up on 1000kms since I got it, but it has primarily been city driving. Have not had a chance to let her run loose on the highway much (we've been hit by a number of bad snowstorms).
David
The small tank in the Tribeca, though, sure does make the low economy pronounced!
-mike
I guess I'm a 'feather' foot. I often pop the gear into neutral for coasting to save fuel. Is that a bad thing to do?
'07 Tribeca with the 'old' engine. Sipping premium however.
In Neutral, the engine burns fuel just to stay idling.
Coasting in gear, the ECU can cut off fuel, because your momentum is making the engine spin, actually the engine helps you slow down with engine braking, without using fuel.
My guess is the ECU is smart enough to use less fuel that you would use idling while coasting to a stop.