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Comments
Toyota snob then saw the Tribeca in a Dunkin Donuts lot and went nuts over it. Now she's snagged my brochure. Just wait until she sees one up close :P
CRaig
Craig
I've seen other posts regarding the Subaru VIP program, but none involving the Tribeca. Does anyone have any info for me?
TIA!
Lori
do you mean one of those things you stick on the outside mirror or one of those things you stick on the back window???? i can't figure how a wide angle lens on the outside mirrors would help.
Maybe it does what Craig's OB does, I don't think anyone has had a Tribeca in freezing temps yet since they came out when it was almost summer.
Quick, someone drive in to a giant freezer and let us know. :P
-juice
I did that once years ago and unhappily discovered a parking stop hidden under the snow! I haven't tried it since.
Thanks!
Lets not rationalize why things are okay the way they are.
I love my B9 - but with all the technology in that car SOA missed a lot of opportunities to deliver a better vehicle. A vehicle whose added features they would get for free by just thinking through the design.
Maybe they already plan to add the improvements in the next model year when they raise the price and then offer these added features that cost nothing to begin with. That is just business strategy.
Without constructive criticism, things do not get better.
I get the sense that among long time Subie owners there are some that are overly defensive of the brand. I believe SOA makes a quality car, but it could be better.
Please understand that some of us subie newbies are coming to SOA from much more high end vehicles - so we have a different expectation of what is or should be possible when designing a car. As I stated earlier some very nice features could have been designed in with raising their manufacturing costs.
If you have the NAV (possibly without it?) you can go to the first info screen and watch your gas mileage in real time or awful close to it. And it gives you your running figure too. It's been within .2 MPG when filling up. I need to recheck my tire pressures again to see if they are in spec. I also will be changing to synthetic oil at 3,000 miles, which should help too.
Let me tell you if you watch the display - you will do better at managing your lead foot, if you have one.
In general, Subarus sell for close to invoice on a regular basis, and some dealers (like fitzmall) have the low prices with no haggling required. So, while VIP helps, it's not needed. I have gotten good deals and "VIP" treatement when buying every single car I own, without enrolling in any programs!
Craig
newbie: sure things could improve, but I think they took a pretty good first shot.
I think our criticism should indeed be constructive. That's how you get a captive audience - they know we like the product and will likely remain loyal if they incorporate the changes we tend to agree on (like backup assistance, for instance).
Subaru does incorporate steady improvement, just look at their first SUV, the Forester. It debuted in 1998. In '99 it got power mirrors standard and more torque. In '00 it got a rear LSD. In '01 it got a face-lift and a moonroof option. In '03 it got approximately 8 items we asked for in our Edmunds Subaru Crew wish list (really). In '04 they added a turbo. In '05 they bumped up fuel efficiency. For '06 they added turn signals in the mirrors and more power, plus a few other things.
Today the Forester has a whole lot more content than it did in '98, I should know because I own a '98! Yet look at the prices - they're not any more than I paid 8 years ago. Impressive when you factor the content and inflation.
I'd love to see the Tribeca incorporate a couple of improvements each year without price increases, just like the Forester did.
-juice
Grr.
mom2boys2: I'll add to the other voices here by saying I've seen Tribeca available under the VIP program. Unfortunately, as you can see from the paragraph above, I no longer have a webpage to send you to where you could've gotten more information for help with your purchase of a Tribeca.
Just be sure to follow your organization's Subaru VIP rules carefully... i.e. you must be a member of the organization for a certain amount of time; you must obtain a VIP letter from your organization beforehand, and must present that letter immediately upon entering the dealership; nothing is retroactive, etc. etc.
American Assoc of Snowboard Instructors
American Cross Country Skiers (AXCS)
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
The Geological Society of America
International Mountain Bike Assoc
Leave No Trace foundation
Masters Rowing Association
MBNA Rainbow Card
National Association for Home Care (NAHC)
National Ski Patrol
Professional Ski Instructors of America
Specialized Bicyles
Sports Car Club of America
Best wishes on the purchase of your new B9 Tribeca and happy driving!
It will be entertaining when the weather gets cooler and people start writing in to the forum complaining that something's wrong with their temp sensor 'cuz it keeps flashing!
-Karen in AZ- where we DO have an icicle's chance, even in Phoenix, eventually :-)
Either that or Subaru is going to have to start giving away 100-200 gallons of gas with each purchase. Our super is 93 octane and plus is 89 octane, so I'm going to do half and half to get 91 octane at today's price of $2.749. Yes you can do it as most pumps now blend regular and super to get plus.
We will probably see $3.009 regular by Labor Day.
Hope everyone gets a big raise this year , we're going to need it.
Lots of stations going to pre-pay to offset increase chances of drive offs.
Today premium fuel costs $3.059, so we already broke that barrier.
Hurry and buy a left over 2005 Forester or Legacy, 22/30 for the auto and 23/30 for the manuals, both on regular.
Karen: thanks for looking that up. So when the info is useful, you'll know, basicaly.
jeff: I think they're trying to avoid people joining just to get a discount. That's happened here, it was pretty funny actually. Someone joined the ACA and after getting a VIP car wondered aloud if he should get a canoe. LOL
-juice
Craig
Bob
But I have been using other people's gas - like Pf_flyer's. We had a host confab last week and he gave me a ride from the airport and back and forth to the office and dinner etc. in his rental Focus (that's another story, lol). I guess I should have slipped him a twenty (esp. since gas in SoCal is $2.87 for unleaded).
And yeah, we had just sat down for dinner when Sylvia and Bob remembered about the Crew Chat... ooops.
Steve, Host
I can vouch for that! I've actually seen snow in Tucson - and, of course, Mt. Lemmon (just outside Tucson) is the southernmost ski resort in the country, afik.
tidester, host
I don't see how that's a bad thing. You can essentially get VIP pricing anyway, if you shop/bargain hard enough, and the people who join these clubs will be exposed to the "propaganda" of that particular organization, maybe enough to get some to join who otherwise wouldn't. Like in your example, perhaps they'll see how much fun canoeing can be and decide to take it up.
Nobody wants to pay more bucks for something just because they're not affiliated with an organization. (This reminds me of the cards for grocery store "membership" so that you can "save money". It's not like the cost of groceries throughout the store went down for everyone who signed up because somehow magically things cost less if the place you're purchasing from has your name and address... the price went UP for those who didn't "join the club".)
I just started a new forum Subaru B9 Tribeca: Problems & Solutions ... since no one has that one yet for the B9. I started the Price Paid forum as well
Subaru B9 Tribeca: Problems & Solutions
Hopefully it won't fill up with problems too quickly. :-)
Steve, Host
my subaru i get a subaru loaner. Of course I have to plan in advance to make sure there is one available. No charge at all.
Having this type of program at every Subaru dealer would certainly help in moving the brand image upscale, and it's just a friendly, convenient, customer-service-oriented thing to do. It also encourages folks to use their dealer's service dept, which brings income.
Does anyone else get free tires for life, or is this dealer specific promotion?
Just as a follow up to my previous post, I did test drive an MDX on Saturday and actually was pretty impressed. It's very easy to drive for such a large and heavy car, and has nice torque from the 3.5 liter V6. The interior quality was impressive as well, although in a more traditional way with the wood trim.
The one thing that makes me still lean towards the Tribeca is the narrower width. The smaller size of the Subaru along with its suspension tuning and overall design makes it feel more tossable and easy to drive IMO.
As a base MDX and Tribeca are about the price these days, I'd have to choose the Tribeca as the one I'd rather drive. The only question now is whether the Honda Pilot's more attractive price makes up for its boring design. My wife wants to spend as little as possible, but I don't understand why we should have to to settle for a car neither of us wants when we're going to be spending upwards of $28k anyway.
My sister in law has a Murano, and I agree it seems like a slick package. However, the only reason we're even looking at crossovers is for the ability to carry 7 people.
Robert B
Blue 5 Pass Limited
NY
Actually there is a giant difference with all these SUV's that are in the popular Midsized range not "smaller" as you called them. Thats why there is Consumer reports to test them and rate them in every aspect and not recommend them unless they passed every category with satisfactory results. And then show them in comparison by category. Small suvs is another category which contains the Toyota RAV 4 and Honda CRV etc.
You would be surprised at the vehicles that do not get a recommended check mark let alone good overall score. Also, sometimes it may have a decent overall score but was so low in some area or other that it doesnt' get recommended.
Speaking of the X5 it does not rate well and is not recommended. Talking of the Rx 330 and Murano they are #1 and # 4 respectively with the Honda Pilot scoring second highest overall under the RX of recommended vehicles in the Mid size SUV category, Then Toyota Highlander and actually there is another suv (I'll have to check) that scores 4th highest overall just above the Murano but isn't recommended making the Murano the 4th best overall recommended pick.
Speaking of the the MDX, it is recommended as is the Infiniti FX but they are further down the list in overall score. This is all based on the last Annual Consumer Reports car issue which is every March/April?. The Tribeca was too new to be reviewed at that time though it is in there. They do review cars along the way in between that comprehensive auto issue and hopefully they test, rate and review the Tribeca before the auto issue but that will be the true test to see how it stacks up.
I'm assuming it will be recommended as I think every Subaru model is including the Legacy/Outback which the B9 is loosely based on but I'm hoping its overall score is up there with the top 4, again, RX 330, Pilot, Highlander, Murano in that order. Though as long as it matches or beats the MDX and FX overall I'd be happy especially for its first year.
I really am eagerly awaiting the Consumer Reports testing and rating as it is thee best thing to go by as it is thorough, completely unbiased and honest reveiw you can get. All these others including Edmunds seem to be all talk and opinion not facts or real world testing.
Keep your fingers crossed for the CR testing and rating of which I have a good feeling will be decent but its just a matter of how high up it ranks at which point we can all celebrate. Too bad we dont know when that will be and may have to wait until the 2006 annual auto issue in march? especially to see how it compares to others in the category of Midsize SUV's (not "smaller")
I don't want to test a crash rating, which is the very last line of defense. "
well said. I also have had posts deleted just for mentioning the performance at higher speeds. Also, I felt the need to agree with you/ commend you after disproving other comments you have made. :P
I agree with this. Most stations in Philadelphia do too and many if not most new car radios (at least decent ones) do show this info. Little disappointed that the B9 doesn't. I'm used to it though as I mostly listen to my mp3 player and portable XM directly connected to the rear audio inputs for optimum sound so I dont get a readout of artist/track name on the screen anyway.
Is there some device that can show on the info screen what artist and song name is playing from your mp3 player or portable XM?
Also, just want to add that I agree with the post a few up about the rear visibility. Its been fine for me and people have made too big of a deal about it. Its all relative to what you are coming from or comparing it to but it is avg. or above rear visibility for a midsize suv. Also, I prefer the high back window esthetically and only wish they had raised and beefed up the front end and not had it slow down so low.
Agree 100%. Clock is on map screen but it kind of sucks having to hit info just to see the temp. Clock and temp is something i'm used to being able to see at all times on my last suv as many cars as well.
We have to look at the Passenger Airbag Off al lthe time as some have complained they could have at least integrated clock and/or temp into that side section.
Problem with Tribeca is its pretty much the best nicest Subaru so any other subaru you get as a loaner is going to be a step down so even though my dealer already promised as part of my deal or whatever (least he acted like it was exclusive) to get a loaner car when car is in for service I can't get that excited to drive an outback or forester (sorry Subaru loyalists and fans). I never was that interested in Subarus (besides the performance of the WRX STi for its price) before the B9 Tribeca.
Still a nice thing i guess because even at my former Nissan dealership i only got free rentals for "major" service which was an american car at a typical rental place down the street so not another Nissan and most service wasn't considered major enough.
We'll see how it pans out but as long as they give me another Tribeca with same options (dvd,nav, puddle lights etc.) I'll be satisfied but i doubt it. If you even get a tribeca loaner it will be a low end barebones cloth model.
Yes I got free loaners, but you never get a top line model as the loaner. At Jaguar they would give me a cheapo Enterprise rental (free) or a basic X type, BMW it was a enterprise car and Infinti loaners were either I30 or J30.
You usually only have the loaner for a few hours - whats the big about what model it is. It a convenience to the customer nothing more nothing less.
The fact that is was not a great car only made me appreciate my car more when I got it back.
http://www.forbes.com/2005/08/12/subaru-crossover-luxurycars-cx_mf_0815test_ls.html
Bob
My local BMW dealer gives a new loaner their own lot, which is equal or greater in sticker price than the car being serviced. If a car from the lot is not available, then you get the sales managers car which is always at least a 5 series. This is even for an oil change. No questions asked. This is what premium should be.
This is my biggest complaint with Subaru right now. My wife will be buying a top of the line Tribeca in the next couple of months and the local Subaru dealer won't promise any loaner car. They said if they have a used one available at the time, they would give it to you but make no promises for availability. The salesman we have been speaking with told us that the loaner would be an Impreza, more than likely.
Subaru, this is not the way to move your product line upscale....are you listening? :mad: