Subaru B9 Tribeca (B9X)

kmartin

Congrats, ~A! Let us know when you get it and what your impressions are. We know you will enjoy yours as much as the rest of us. Glad you found our chit-chat useful :-)

-Karen in AZ-

robr2

Amazing - here in the Subaru loving, earthy-crunchy country of MA, it's the first one I saw.

It was that light green color (I'm not partial to it). It looks HUGE. The nose took me a second to adjust to it as I was trying to determine what made it look different. It finally hit me - the front plate. It mounts way down low and looked very out of place amongst all the curves.

dell128

All, to use sports radio jargon, first time, long time. I have 2800 miles on my blue B9 in New Jersey. My last car was a 97 Accord wagon with 160,000 miles that seems to ride better than the B9. Is this the difference between a "truck" and a car that I am experiencing? Let the road become a little unsmooth and there is entirely too much yeehaw in the ride for my taste. Would ditching the Goodyears help here? Minor grades cause the transmission to downshift after having lost momentum. Since I have not owned a car in this century is this merely the difference between 4 speed and 5 speed transmissions? Love the room, and interior appointments and am otherwise satisfied except for the 20mpg/premium vs 26mpg/regular but I figure I've got to give up something to get more room for me and my family of four. My yearly 1000 mile round trip to southwestern PA heard none of the usual complaints from the rear about who's touching who and "Dad, could you move your seat up". Dad is 6'1" with a 34" inseam.

aka1

The Accord Wagon has a more supple ride than the Tribeca, and that can possibly be changed the next time you get tire's for it. The Tribeca also has a frame that is very stiff, with the sporty suspension and the big 18" Tires all that harshness finds its way into the cabin (with nary a squeek nor rattle). You are absolutely right about the transmission, when you leave it in drive, the computer is on its "economy" mode, it'll shift gears with out revving too much and take forever to downshift, or as you said, wait till it loses momentum; you can try to leave the transmission in sport mode by sliding the lever to the left and leaving it there without manually shifting gears. The Tribeca five speed is similar to many five speed auto's out there, they pretty much install a gear between the first and the second gears- helps with acceleration(sp).

I haven't had the opportunity to take a long trip yet in our new B9- but I am sure that I'll only have smiles for miles!

AKA

kmartin

I've noticed that tire pressure has a great deal to do with the ride in the 'beca. Even if there's just a couple too many PSI in 'em you can feel a big difference in the quality of the ride. You might want to check them (33 front and 32 back, if I remember the plate on the driver's door frame correctly).

As an aside note, I have been running mine purposefully a couple of pounds high (35 and 34) and putting regular octane in the tank for the past couple of weeks. I can definitely feel a difference in the ride (a negative), but I am also not seeing any worse MPG or HP in town (a positive). At $3.05 for regular (vs. $3.25 for premium recently), is has been worth the experiment so far. I'll keep you posted...

-Karen in AZ-

tyyeh0

hmm...I think the chronicle did the right thing (used to be a SF chronicle reader). That article seemed very unprofessional in content and style of writing. I can't believe he's actually been writing for 2 decades on the automotive industry. The whole thing about pearl harbor and the nose description just seems downright crude and inflamatory.

Now he's written an angry essay? I hope no one on this board wastes their time reading that piece.

aka1

I got ~245miles out of my first tank of gas, averaging about 14.1mpg on city driving (Charlotte NC). As I was filling gas the other day, I checked my oil dipstick and it looked like it was about 1/2quart low on oil- I checked when we picked up the car at the dealership at delivery and the oil was spot on. I'll attribute it to the break in.... I also got my auto dimming mirror installed yesterday morning- the B9 that we bought didn't have it installed, so they threw it in for free (because the competing dealer had that installed). Its nice, but the Audi A6 2.7T my mom drives all the mirrors dim the same, with the B9 its just the big rear view mirror.

I'm surprised that the B9 doesn't have RBDS (sp) that feature on the radio that tells you the musician and the title of the song- probably something the new ones will have down the road.

cluelesspa

anyone have a picture of the rear without the Subaru letters? I saw some took off the Subaru and some the Tribeca B9 lettering... anyone have a pic of what it looks like closer and viewing the whole rear? thanks

robotb9

I got an email reminder about the survey, which I had left uncompleted because I couldn't indicate that I own a 2006 Tribeca (options were 2003, 2004, 2005). The problem was fixed, and I was able to complete the survey. There were a lot of weird marketing-type questions. The most amusing point was when they asked my reaction to some pictures of a new model that would be introduced soon. It was ... wait for it ... the B9 Tribeca.

jandj94

My first road trip was 'down the shore' (NJ obviously), unfortunately on a Saturday afternoon, bumper to bumper: 14.5 MPG. Car was fully loaded: wife and 2 kiddies and full of luggage/food, and AC on entire trip. The way back was cooler, lighter and almost no traffic and the mileage was 18.5 or so. I find that the trip computer mileage is about a 1/2- 1 1/2 MPG more than actual MPG. Beware.
My around-town mileage was around 16.5-17.

Since then, I've gotten a bit more used to the touchy gas pedal and use cruise control, even for short hops. My around-town mileage is now 18.5 or so.

Even better, was a recent trip to Great Adventure (6 Flags for you non-Jerseyans) in which I got almost 23 mpg. I kept the cruise ctrl locked on 68 and the AC to cool, but not 'ice box' setting. It was just myself and my son without luggage.

I haven't used the sport shift yet. Dunno why. Have to spend time learning how. The mags say it will drink gas a bit faster. However, given how the tranny sounds like it's winding out between gears while accellerating, I figure I'd save gas by upshifting sooner. Any thoughts?

I've been out of the loop here for a couple of weeks, so forgive me if I'm covering the same ground: This month's Consumer Reports tells of how they are challenging the gov't to make the EPA mileage ratings more real-world. Apparently, if a hand-made prototype of the model gets better mileage than a production model, you can put that on the sticker. CU is trying to get that changed. 'Bout time.

ateixeira

I see Tribecas regularly now. There was one parked outside our building yesterday, and I usually see one on the way home.

tyyeh0: not only crude and inflammatory, but also inaccurate. I think that's where he really crossed the line. Can you imagine how people would react if you accused President Bush of having sexual relations with Miss Lewinsky? People would throw a fit!

I'm surprised Subaru didn't react more strongly, to be honest.

In fact, I'm going to write a letter to the Editor, commenting on how it was also his incompetence that got him fired, not just his tone.

-juice

ateixeira

Read your story in Editor & Publisher, entitled "'SF Chron' Writer Claims He Was Dropped For Panning Subaru", and wanted to comment on a couple of things.

Robert Farago calls it a "very harsh, negative review", but forgets to mention it's also inaccurate.

Go to his web site, and you'll see he also wrote "Someone should have reminded Subaru that Fuji’s planes bombed Pearl Harbor ".

Mr. Farago needs a history lesson, because the well known Zero planes were actually the Mitsubishi A6M Type 0 fighters.

Mitsubishi, not Subaru.

Mr. Farago was dropped from the 'SF Chron' for his imcompetence, not just a harsh review. A from the tone of his review, the manner in which he was released seems well deserved.

ateixeira

I also wrote a similar letter to his Editor. I doubt they'll fix their mistake, but I felt better after sending it. LOL

-juice

c_hunter

If you check the oil right after shutting the engine off (like when you stop for gas) it will read low because the oil has been circulating in the engine. It takes a while for it to drip back into the pan where the dipstick reads. Hopefully you didn't add oil on top of your false-low reading, otherwise the engine could be overfilled which is bad!

I'm sure it gives more details in the owner's manual about checking oil, but basically you should wait until the engine cools off to allow proper time for oil to drip back into the pan for an accurate read. Checking the oil level on a hot engine is going to give you the wrong information.

Craig

aka1

Craig,

Thanks for the advice, I will make sure I check the oil before I leave for work, I checked the oil as I was getting gas- I've never thought the oil would stay within the engine like that- but as I am new to horizontally opposed engines this may explain it. Thanks again!

AKA

x5killer

oh so you were the one to post the first accident report in a Tribeca. Your dealer has a body shop and did the repairs? Not mine they use someone down the street. The insurance company didn't have the info for the B9 in their software and had to call the software manufac to get the up to the minute info.
You were in a caddie? nice. I'm in a Ford Explorer adn besides being high up it sucks especially compared to beca. I will never complain again including gas mileage as the Explorer only seems to get 11mpg.

Accident wasn't my fault but the other person is trying to lie. What is a depreciation payment?

found out its just over 2,000 in exterior damage and will be done by 1 week but that is before they see what additional damage and cost is underneath which is usually the case so may be more and another week. Wasn't too too bad though even though the other car was going faster then they should have in an illegal lane and I was coming from a stopped lane so had no speed going.

Getting a new front bumper though which is nice even though it was only the one corner, it made an unrepairable whole.

Seemed much worse when it happend, the situation is starting to come around but I still have another week at the very least if not 2 and who knows what will pan out as far as the liability etc.

I just can't wait to get her back.... I love and miss you my Satin Whie Pearl with desert beige leather, puddle lights, nav, dvd etc. BECA! Come back home to me. I will never take you for granted again.

dell128

AKA,

Thanks for the reply. I have learned to use sport mode and using the cruise seems to help as well in managing road conditions. I use sport mode when I leave work and have to access the Garden State Parkway where the entrance ramp seems to be a 15% grade. In the 4cyl Accord, the car would run out of juice before hitting the crest so I would have to be very aware of right hand laners who are not going to yield. With the B9 in sport mode I seem to be able to out accelerate the right hand laners.

Karen,

The dealer delivered the car with ~36psi and I dropped the pressure down to placard values but I have a prejudice against Goodyear tires as they were always problematic for me. The $200 dollar a tire Costco price for Michelins will likely keep me in the Goodyears for another 30,000 miles.

Dell128

jim76

Juice, I think Farago's criticism was over the top, offensive and unfair on the B9, and that he has an overblown sense of his importance. However he is right about Pearl Harbor. FHI came from Nakajima, who produced the torpedo bomber B5N (Kate), 144 of which attacked Pearl Harbor.

http://www.shanaberger.com/nakajima.htm
http://www.shanaberger.com/B5N.htm

I say this only for historical interest. Of course it bears no relevance on the B9, or on the general rant that was the Farago article.

robr2

...and that he has an overblown sense of his importance.

It seems that the majority of automotive scribes suffer from that malady.

ateixeira

Interesting, but that still seems like a bit of a stretch.

FHI is what they became after WWII, and with permission. I guess you can trace the heritage that far back but saying Subaru is responsible for that is whack. :P

This recalls the bogus claims about FujiFilm that went around after 9/11.

-juice

jeffmc

First it was a fleet of B5Ns sent to Honolulu from Japan. Now it's a fleet of B9s sent to Honolulu from Indiana.

cluelesspa

AIX do you have any pictures of your Debadged Tribeca? thinking of removing the Subaru side of the rear lettering. just wanted to see pics first.

owens2

cann you do an aftermaRKET REAR SENSOR INSTALLATION ON A B9?

owens2

will this be available later in model year? if not what is best aftermarket option?

ssc

Echomaster back up navigation system, a sonar. $147.00 from subarupartsforyou.com. Easy enough to install by yourself.

newtosubie

Owens2,
Welcome aboard. There was a post in this forum fairly recently by someone who claims they ordered the first 5 seater with NAV, so it may be something they are just starting to offer. Probably worth checking out further.

c_hunter

Yeah, it's available now.

Craig

delewis

I'm just learning this picture attachment thing, so I hope you can see the results of my debadging (just removed the "Subaru") of my Tribeca.

Also hope the picture is not too big.



Don

x5killer

yeah for the guy wanting to see what it looked like without there you have it though it isn't hard to picture you could just look at yours and hold something over the Subaru lettering to imagine it.

This is what I did to mine as well and though its a diff color its not going to be much different on diff color and mine is in the shop still anyway and I don't have an existing pick of the back with the lettering off.

cluelesspa

thanks delewis... just what I was looking for... I wanted to get a feel on how it would look. I think removing the Subaru looks good because its a different FONT and size and both lettering kind of clash. Thinking of as other suggested removing the "Tribeca" as well and leaving just the B9. but the B9 would be kind of hanging there not quite centered ...

X5Killer>> Sure I could hold a piece of paper over it but WHY? if someone already did it and can post a picture... you get a much better idea of how it looks and if it looks like balanced ect... you cant get that from just blocking it out...

again thanks delewis for sharing

raybear

Doesn't show up in my info, and I work for a dealer.

c_hunter

You can call the Subaru 1-800 number, they will confirm it.

aix

Sorry Cluelesspa, I was away for a couple days. I hope Delewis' pic was helpful. Removal of lettering was relatively easy to do. For myself, I actually removed all lettering on both sides, because I felt it was cleaner looking. Also now no one seems to know what I'm driving either, as the Subaru star symbol is quite subtle. Let us know what you decide to do...

cluelesspa

removed the SUBARU lettering this AM. took about 10 mins. just used the dental floss trick. used a large length of dental floss put it behind the letters and kind of sawed it back and forth and pulled it across the back of the letters. then used fingers to roll the left over sticky tape off and a little bug tar remover. then waxed over and its now looks better. The subaru just did not fit because the font was smaller and also a different font that in my opinion it clashed.

Not yet sure about the Tribeca removing ... next mod I think that would look good would be 19" rims with lower profile tires!

ateixeira

Looks clean, I like it. I bet Subaru does this eventually.

-juice

rsholland

about the B9's stability control, both on and off.

http://www.slate.com/id/2126291/

Bob

stever

Some interesting comments

Yeah, like erinaceous -- like or pertaining to a hedgehog. Had to go look that one up!

Steve, Host

robotb9

The reviewer loses some credibility by linking to the now infamous Robert Farago review.

ateixeira

the tragic Mazda 3

contemporary Eurotrash fashion

not expressionist tumors (like a BMW X-5)

He seems to randomely "diss" everything, mostly class leaders.

Wonder what he drives?

-juice

jgunter2004

This is by far the most extreme attempt to pass a 4x4 minivan off as an SUV. This car is disgusting in every way, and for Subaru to make commercials implying that this is what a real SUV is supposed to be like, I find them untrustworthy and a bit crude. I have test drove a B9 myself, and this is in no way a Sport Utility Vehicle. I currently own a 2004 Toyota 4Runner, and am planning on purchasing a New Range Rover Sport Supper-charged model in the next month or so. These are real SUV's: Rugged, good looking, street worthy, capable off-road, and utilitarian. No matter whether price was a competing factor-or-not, Subaru could not lower their prises enough to ever convince me that this is an true "SUV" worth buying :mad: :lemon: :sick:

I'm no expert but I cant imagine that Subaru will sell to many of these. I think the B9 will sell about as good as the Pontiac Aztec, or Lincoln Black-wood pickup did did. (dis-continued)

c_hunter

Geez dude, relax! First of all, it is selling well so don't worry about that. And don't take it so personally, I don't think Subaru is really trying to insult all the tough-guy SUVs out there. I really doubt they intended their TV commercial to anger owners of traditional SUVs. Face it, of all the SUVs out there, the B9 is but one of many crossover SUVs. There are body on frame trucks like you cite, there are mainstream SUVs, and there are crossovers. It just goes to prove that there are sub-markets within the general SUV group. Different strokes for different folks.

I would argue with you that the B9 is one of the more sophisticated crossovers out there. Unlike it's transerse-engine FWD-based competitors like the Toyota Highlander, the Honda Pilot, the Ford FreeStyle, the Nissan Murano, and the list goes on........, the B9 is based on a real AWD platform with a symmetrical AWD system and longitudinal drivetrain. Along with Audi, this is one of the most sophistcated AWD systems out there. This endows the B9 with excellent on-road handling, not common in an SUV. This is really important to many people.

I don't own a B9 and don't plan to. I also don't think I would ever find myself in the market for a traditional SUV like a 4Runner or a Range Rover. As far as I am concerned, if you're not offroading at least 20-25% of the time, these vehicles are wasted on the road.

I am kind of shocked you joined today just to come bash the B9 -- why did it touch such a nerve with you? Certainly it could not be the advertising; we all know advertising is always so true ;-)

Craig

jeffmc

Can we just call it a crossover and make everyone happy? I didn't realize Subaru was portraying this as a rugged off-road vehicle. All of the images I've seen have been on roads in the city and suburbs, with an occasional dirt road... you know, kinda like the settings most people drive in. I think when they said it's what people really want in an SUV, they meant that it is suited to be used in the way most people really use their SUVs.

You became a member today and made this your first and only post? You must feel very strongly, but you've got a lot of work still to do... Now you need to go post the same complaint on the boards for the Highlander, RAV-4, CRV, Pilot, MDX, RX330, Murano, Escape, Element, X3, Forester, Freelander, Rendezvous, SRX, Equinox, Tribute, FX35, Mariner, Torrent, Outlander, VUE, and more.

Plus all the luxury utes that aren't practical to take off-road, like Touareg, Cayenne, Escalade, Navigator, X5, M-Class, and even your upcoming purchase, the Range Rover Sport, to name a few. I can see taking the 4Runner, maybe, but you're really going to take a $65,000 vehicle off-road?

Not sure about your criteria for SUVs, though. There are plenty of vehicles I think of as "true" SUVs that are neither good-looking nor utilitarian. Jeep Wrangler comes to mind first.

aka1

Childish attempt to relay feelings ineffectively- seems to me someone wasn't given enough hugs when they were growing up. We forgive you... just this once though. There is no advertising anywhere that portrays or says this vehicle as a capable off road rock crawler. Owners of B9's decided to purchase the vehicle due to factors that you probably wouldn't understand: innovation, ingenuity, passion,practicality- just to name a few.

Since you're looking at acquiring a Range Rover Sport what were you doing test driving a Subaru?

tidester

You may be interested in the Range Rover Sport (2006+) and Toyota 4Runner discussions.

tidester, host

ateixeira

First off, it's not a 4x4, Subaru never called it that and neither did anyone else but you. I wouldn't even call it 4WD, it's AWD.

Second, did you know that Toyota calls your vehicle the Hilux SW4 in latino markets, that stands for Station Wagon with 4WD, by the way. Whoop-de-doo. Station wagon, van, who cares?

Third, you made a Freudian slip, and called it the Supper-charged. Maybe you can't get your minds off of fuel prices and how your new ride will suck down gas for Supper.

You should realize not everyone wants a gas guzzling behemoth that they will NOT take off road and drive to the mall and the kid's soccer practice instead. I say your vehicle capabilities will be completely wasted, while most Tribeca owners will use theirs precisely as they are designed to be used.

At least it's more honest.

-juice

PS Be nice to Subarus, you never know when you'll need one to save you (see below)

robr2

Now now folks. Perhaps he's just heard "Dust in the Wind" one (or fifty) too many times and rather than throw the remote against the plasma he came here to vent.

BTW juice and Bob - you guys have the ears of folks at Subaru. Tell them to stop with that one ad and spend a couple of bucks on a new one.

ateixeira

I liked it at first, but even I'm tired of that one.

I like the one with the legs sticking out of the bottom of competitors' SUVs, especially when you see one upside down with the legs sticking up. That might not make sense to you if you haven't seen it, but they poke fun at the possibility of taller SUVs rolling over.

-juice

robr2

I have not seen that one.

onestar

Simply, anyone have one in their B9? If so, which one? Dealer installed or aftermarket?

subienewbie2

Thanks to whoever said they debadged but left the B9 - ala the X5.

I did it to my Blue Pearl & it looks very clean & Very cool.

Here a picture. I wish I knew how to past the pic to the message. Any help?

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b4/subienewbie2/IMG_0219.jpg