Subaru B9 Tribeca (B9X)

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Comments

  • riverhawkriverhawk Member Posts: 9
    I've got a Mahogany 5-Seater LTD with Nav on order. SOA accepted the order from the dealer, they even had a factory assigned SKU for it. I ordered it on Sept 1 with an estimated 6 week delivery time. The dealer couldn't give me a MSRP but I don't think it matters 'cause I ordered it on a $ above factory invoice basis. We'll see if I really get it and if the deal works out. I'll let you know. Have your dealer insist if you want one. I think you'll get it.
  • cptpltcptplt Member Posts: 1,075
    Got an Integrated Electronics system put in for $375 installed. $140 for parts and 3hrs labor. Subaru dealer wanted 700 for their aftermarket system. The guys I went to do them for $400 for the local Caddy (and Porsche/Lexus/MB/BMW/Infiniti/Honda dealer ) up the road (wonder how much the customer gets charged!) They did a very nice job, the 4 sensors seem a little smaller than many others I have seen. They put it quite low on the bumper and they are not an eyesore, in fact I won't even bother about getting them painted (I have a silver Tribeca).Probably helps the aesthetics by having that black corner bumper guard there already. As I have those corner bumper guards, they couldn't get the lateral ones out as far into the corners as they really wanted but playing around on the driveway it still seems to detect things at the corners quite well.They put the "speaker" in the top of the 3rd row window. Will see how effective it is, the in law usually manages to crease a bumper about every 3 years!
  • megreyhairmegreyhair Member Posts: 154
    Has anyone try checking the air presure in their B9 spare tire? It's a pain because the tire is stored with the valve point up. So you will need to lower the tire to check the presure. :(
    Wish there is a essier way...
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Good point, and another reason why under-the-car spares are a bad idea.

    Bob
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    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.

    Saw that one this morning. Too bad it's for the Outback and not the Tribeca.
  • movedormovedor Member Posts: 65
    Pictures? please?
  • cluelesspacluelesspa Member Posts: 648
    just click the IMG button on the bottom of the message input box then paste your link and then click the IMG button again.

    image

    looks nice... may do the B9 look as well, I see that Subaru uses the same "Subaru" text on all their cars. saves money I guess.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    That looks very clean, love that color, too.

    Did you just leave the "B9" badge?

    Yeah, I'm curious about that backup sensor, too. Is there a display inside?

    Photobucket is a good place to host pics.

    -juice
  • sscssc Member Posts: 7
    I installed an Echomaster this past Sunday. Took me 4 hours. For $147.00 it comes with two sensors and an pizoelectric(spell??) speaker, which will beep once every 2 seconds when an object is detected within 6 feet and three beeps per second when within 3 feet. Once the object is within 2 feet, it emitts a constant tone. You can buy two more sensors to expand its field -- I don't see a need to do that. But with four sensors, you can connect a led display to show the location of the object behind the car either as left, right, or center.
  • x5killerx5killer Member Posts: 368
    does look ok but then it is really copying an X5 and there are too many models that have just a letter # combo as the model name which is in personal and harder to differentiate (think Lexus RX, GX, GS, LX, LS... the ones with X being suvs and the S a sedan but still)

    also with just the B9 then they know the make is whatever the badge is. A "blank" B9 like a BMW X5. I like the idea of it being a make: B9 model: Tribeca which is what I even told some clueless ppl in the beginning (that and that it was an Alfa Romeo).

    Personally I like the Tribeca part of the name just as much as the B9 even though I live in Phildadelphia not in NYC anywhere near the Triangle Below Canal St. In a time when they are running out of names for cars and have nothing more then the aforementioned leter # combo I think it is a decent enough name that invokes urbanness and creativity (ie. Tribeca film Festival) speaking of which anyone seen the American Express commercial with Robert DeNiro and it shows the Tribeca Film Fest?

    Also, as far as taking off all the lettering then it just looks too blank and generic and nothing is stopping anyone from knowing its a subaru anyway and being that I like both names and lettering i keep both again going with the idea that it is a make:B9 model: Tribeca though they other way around might make more sense it doesnt sound as good.

    I'm still open to putting an Alfa Romeo badge on lettering on the blank side that i took my Subaru lettering off as well I'd still like to get chromed center caps whihc would white or chrome out the blue in the subaru badge in the center of those wheel caps and add a little shine and a two tone effect with the rest of the factory rim.

    Also speaking on the 5dr limited with leather? and nav, I assume you can get dvd as well? in which case you get the accompanying audio/video inputs. In which case I'm kind of pissed because that is the only reason I really got the dvd option so 1800 for audio inputs isn't really worth it, i could have at least saved however much you do by not getting the 3rd row but I guess then you don't get the rear AC vents and control which have been great plus I must add look better then then the lower center console ones that stick out in the aisle in the RX 400h (and 330 I assume). And i didn't actually inititially want the dvd but had to take it as the one I found closest to what i wanted that i could just happened to have dvd which I ended up liking (again especially for the audio inputs).

    Plus its been great enjoying it since June/July and having one of the only on the road all that time but still I really did mostly only get the 3rd row as that was the only way to get NAV so that sucks that suddenly now they offer it in the 5 seater. Because mine is a 7 seater it came with the rear cargo net instead of rear seat cargo net and the smaller cargo tray instead of the rear seat back (2nd row) cargo net and larger tray that I wanted both of which wont work with the 3rd row up but I have yet to use it and may never and its a pain pushing down the net to put stuff in the cargo area as well its going to suck when i have something larger that doens't fit in the smaller cargo tray that may dirty by beige carpeting of the cargo area.

    Might be better to have the 3rd row then not I guess and can always get the larger cargo tray and rear seat back net and just keep the small one and other cargo net to use in the rare chance that i put the 3rd row up
  • cptpltcptplt Member Posts: 1,075
    how u do dat?? and please make it simple for us computer challeged who use Mac (and OS 9 at that!)
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    Click on the help link in the left column of this page. It provides information on posting pictures. Basically, you need to find a site to host your pic (your ISP likely provides space) then create a link to it in your message.

    tidester, host
  • raybearraybear Member Posts: 1,795
    I stand corrected....there are several on my allocation.
  • megreyhairmegreyhair Member Posts: 154
    I m thinking of getting that too. Can you go in detail like where u slice the backup light wire, where u put the main unit, etc... Did u have to get a 28 mm hole cutter to cut the bumper or just a 1" cutter?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    If I did this I'd leave only "Tribeca" on the back, because that's how most people refer to it.

    I want to take the "S U B A R U" badges off the back of my Forester but I understand there are 2 holes there, so I can't.

    -juice
  • bman33bman33 Member Posts: 86
    The debadged B9 looks awesome. I think Subaru overdid the naming and badging on the car. My wife and I own an identical blue B9 and I am trying to convince her to let me de-badge it. You can tell it is a subaru from the center logo badge - it is redundant to put Subaru on the hatch! If the designers don't think their oval with stars logo has enough brand awareness, it's time to step up the brand building. I'll be happy to consult with them on marketing communications 101.

    Also, the Dust in the wind ad is way tired. I hated that song to begin with. There is nothing progressive about Kansas. I think the Lexus RX 330 ads are more successful at conveying a sense of luxury and performance that Subuaru seeks with the B9.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    This is a chop, but the Saab 9-6x might look like this. Once again we see a 2 door, oddly enough.

    -juice
  • cptpltcptplt Member Posts: 1,075
    so is the TPMS an integral part of the valve??? according to the dealer if I changed tires but kept the same size, the TPMS should be ok and not need resetting. But can I use the same valve again whenever I get new tires??
    Trying to decide on winter tires. Tirerack has a selection now along with 17in sizes(235/65-17). Does that mess up the VDC if tire circumference is substantially different and what is a substantial difference, more than an inch?????
    Probably get Nokian WRs (about 220 each ) and run them all year. They have worked quite well on my minivan.
    OT - getting usually about 19+mg, has been as high as 20.7 and down to 18.5 in burbs.
  • foxbat121foxbat121 Member Posts: 211
    Not sure where the TPMS monitor resides. Probably somewhere in the rim itself. I'll bet tire size have nothing to do with it. If you change all tires to a smaller size, you may screw up the accuracy of speedometer and trip computer but unlikely to affect VDC. However, how to transplant the TPMS monitor to the new rim is a question.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I heard rims also, and that it might affect tire rotations. We should confirm that, though.

    -juice
  • cptpltcptplt Member Posts: 1,075
    found an article in SOAs Drive from earlier this year on TPMS, looks like the sensor is an integral part of the valve itself and sits inside the rim. Wonder if you can just remove it and slip it into any other rim.
  • cluelesspacluelesspa Member Posts: 648
    here is a link to a similar system on the Chryslers:

    click here

    And yes you can mount snow tires on the SAME rims and not mess up the sensor. but if you change the size of the tire diameter you will affect the accuracy of both your speedo and your odometer. smaller tire will read faster and bigger tires read slower then you are actually driving. smaller will put more miles on your odometer then actual.
  • sscssc Member Posts: 7
    OK,
    The backup light wire is colored brown with two yellow stripes.
    I used a 25 mm hole cutter.
    I placed the control unit in the styrofoam tool box.

    Mine is a seven seater. There is a cover in the lugage compartment floor and underneath is a sepated tool box where the jack is stored. It is made of styrofaom.

    You need to enter the space behind the bool box and the rear bumper. It is covered by a plastic panel held down by two black plastic screws. Remove the screws. Pull straight up. A little force is needed as the pannel is held down by I think six blue plastic pegs.
    The structure you will see that are important are these: a bundle of wire running across in front of the bumper. A small hole covered by a grommet on the right side bottom of the space.
    Locate the bundle of wire, pull out the wire described above. This is your power source.
    Drill two holes in the bumper using a 25mm cutter. The provided sleeves will fit but very tight. Widen the hole at 12:00, 3:00, 6:00, 9:00, by about 1mm with a file at angle parallel to the ground(or level), not perpendicular to the plane the hole is drilled. It is very important that the sensors are installed level and not face down.

    After the sensors are installed, route the wires into the space described above through the hole described above.

    Finishing up, I stuffed the excess length of wire in the space and cut a small hole through the styrofoam and placed the control unit there. Hope this helps
  • sscssc Member Posts: 7
    You need to enter the space behind the bool box and anterior to the rear bumper.....
  • megreyhairmegreyhair Member Posts: 154
    thank you.
    thank you..
    You save me at least 1 hour of work...I don't need to open up the rear lights, panels, hunt for the backup light wire, etc.......
    I never thought of putting that in the little 'storage' area under the panel.. I was thinking of putting it behind the left side real panel. Which sleeves did you used? I think there are like 4 different ones.

    I m thinking of putting in 4 sensors. Found a place that sells the extra ones for $50 a pair.

    Thanks again...!!!!!
  • megreyhairmegreyhair Member Posts: 154
    Does anyone know if Subaru is making a better cargo cover then the current one? All their other cars have retractable ones.... A friend of mine told me to goto Home Depot and get a retractable window shade. :P
  • foxbat121foxbat121 Member Posts: 211
    The problem with retractable cargo cover used in other Subarus is that it won't work with the way 2nd and 3rd row seats work in B9. They have to design a storage place for the cover when 3rd row is used (my WRX wagon has a special storage bin for the retractable cover in the back). There is barely any storage space in the back already. And since 2nd row can move further back when 3rd row is not used, where to put the retractable cover is a big issue. Leave it far back will leave a big gap when you're not slide all the way back.
    It's a big engineering chanllenge. And I don't remember see other 7-seaters like MDX or Pilot has such covers either.
  • cluelesspacluelesspa Member Posts: 648
    they can make one like the Toyota Highlanders that has a retractable section that goes BOTH directions. they have two screens. one that attaches to the back of the seat and pulls forward and one that pulls backward to cover the cargo space.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Bob pointed out one of those that extended from the side instead of fore/aft.

    There's still an issue with that - the 3rd row reclines, so they'd have to guess at which angle to use before they came up with a size.

    Yet another solution - build it in to the 3rd row seat itself.

    Not simple or cheap, but it would be an elegant solution.

    -juice
  • megreyhairmegreyhair Member Posts: 154
    Wow that's nice!!!!!
  • megreyhairmegreyhair Member Posts: 154
    or get a window cover and cover up the cargo area windows .
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Or better still, build the retractable cargo shade into the hatch door! That way it could work for when the 3rd-row is up or down. The problem here is that some sort of safety device would need to be included so that it doesn't snap back towards the person using it, by the rear bumper.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yeah, the tint is dark enough that I would not bother.

    At least it has hidden storage compartments that'll fit some of the smaller items.

    FWIW I no longer use the cargo cover on my Forester. Though we usually come right home after shopping excursions.

    -juice
  • cluelesspacluelesspa Member Posts: 648
    I love covers, it keeps the their guessing and I would guess that they would move onto a car in the mall lot they KNOW has stuff vs a cargo covered vehicle. I leave mine on my past SUVs always covered. and just slid stuff under the cover most of the time.

    Also why do some mfg make retractable covers with NO handle holes in the shade to grip it when pulling it ? (hint - Chrysler covers)...

    but the one Toyota made was nice and it could work with both the 7 or 5 passenger B9s. the mounting would be at the back of the 3rd row area. when the 3rd row is up you only use the backward cover and when the 3rd is folded flat you pull the front ward cover as well that clips onto the rear of the 2nd row seats. they could even use the child seat clip locations.
  • sscssc Member Posts: 7
    You are welcome.
    I used the sleeves with the greatest angle.
    The angled sleeves are designed to accomodate the vertical angle of the bumper. Depending on the location of the bumper you choose to place the sensors, you choose the appropriate sleeve to achieve a leveled angle for the sensors. I am sure you know that.
    I installed my sensor on the lower part of the bump. Well actually on the black plastic part of it where I call 'skirt'. I chose that spot it because there is no styrofoam behind it, and also the black blends in with the color of the sensors. The one problem was that it was slanted at a fairly wide angle inward, around 30 degrees. But the sleeves worked.
  • cptpltcptplt Member Posts: 1,075
    looks like these Eagle LS2s are as much a piece of junk as the RE92s Subaru likes to put on everything else. the 6 reviews in Tirerack from Quest owners are pretty bad. they aren't cheap either, 156 each.
    I called Tirerack about their snow packages. Seems they have the TPMS monitors too for Subarus, @100 a piece! So i'm going to forget about getting seperate wheels/tires for winter for the Tribeca, Its time to ditch the goodyears and get some Nokian WRs (about 220 each) before the white stuff hits the roads! Unfortunately the bolt pattern on the Tribeca is 5 x 114, otherwise I would try use my 17in wheels from my WRX as winter wheels and get 235/65-17s for winter.
  • saedavesaedave Member Posts: 694
    Seems they have the TPMS monitors too for Subarus, 100 a piece! So i'm going to forget about getting seperate wheels/tires for winter for the Tribeca

    Why not just forget about the low pressure warnings for the winter? My VDC has the monitors, but I would never have chosen them given a choice. I check my tires regularly anyway! The TPMS system is mainly a sop to the product liability folks.
  • cptpltcptplt Member Posts: 1,075
    >Why not just forget about the low pressure warnings for the winter?

    If I were the main driver I would do just that but its my in law and I don't want her to ignore lights on the dash as it has been a very expensive experience in the past!

    Anyway, anyone want some slightly used Eagle LS2 tires?? only 1900 miles and I guarantee they will fit a Tribeca!!
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    No buying and selling on the forum please.

    Funny thing about the tire pressure monitoring systems - it seems that the tire manufacturers are pushing them about the hardest, especially since the Firestone/Explorer mess. They are even suing the NHTSA because the rule making wasn't tough enough in their opinion.

    Tire Industry Association

    Steve, Host
  • subienewbie2subienewbie2 Member Posts: 458
    Does anyone know if there is a back up light wire as part of the connector on the tow hitch?

    It would be a nice easy place to tap into for those of us with the tow package.

    PS: Thanks Juice for the instruct for pasting a photo.
  • dcabdcab Member Posts: 101
    So if a set of winter tires and wheels were installed without the tire pressure monitor, would the only consequence be that the dash light would remain on all winter?
  • newsubunewsubu Member Posts: 39
    Shut the Tribeca off and the orange headlights and rear-upper taillights remained on. Checked everything and can't get them to turn off. Outside of disconnecting the battery, any suggestions?
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    Turn off the parking light switch, it's on the top of the steering column. You must have bumped it at some point.

    Craig
  • subienewbie2subienewbie2 Member Posts: 458
    Can someone explain the purpose of the parking lights?

    I know they do not flash, but if you are going to leave and lock your car and need to have it visible at night, why not just use the flashers.
  • cptpltcptplt Member Posts: 1,075
    thats my understanding, will that burn out the light???
  • cptpltcptplt Member Posts: 1,075
    its for when you have to park in unlit areas and don't want people running into your car. why not use the flashers? I guess you could, that usually implies to me that there is some sort of emergency going on.
  • jeffmcjeffmc Member Posts: 1,742
    Parking lights are great to use if you're waiting in a line of traffic (say at a drawbridge, a construction delay, etc.) and want to be visible without constantly beaming your headlights into the car ahead of you. It's always such a relief to my eyes when the car behind me in a line turns off their headlights. (Nothin' like having a truck park behind you for 20 minutes with its headlights shining in your mirrors!)

    They also don't wreck your night vision like hazard lights do flashing on and off, so they make good ambient lighting. Side of the road... use your hazards. Loading/unloading your vehicle in a dark driveway... use your parking lights.

    I use my older Legacy's parking lights as a courtesy when I'm in drive-throughs, too, but it's pointless on my newer Outback because the daytime running lights come on when the car's in drive and the parking brake's off. If it's a line with a lot of starts and stops, you just end up annoying the poor guy in front of you.
  • ejb1ejb1 Member Posts: 3
    I would like to ask Tribeca owners for some update of mileage numbers. I know that this issue has already been discussed here before but maybe the numbers changed after motors had broken in?
    I am asking since my imported Tribeca is going to arrive here in Europe (where I live) in November and I want to know what to expect. I know your speed limits but anyway - does anybody know what´s the mileage when going 100 mph? I mean steadily like on a German highway.
    I also hope that this car is really going to be reliable. With this regard do you have any comments about worse than average Subaru´s rating in J.D.Power? I am also aware about Subaru´s excellent results in Consumer Reports.
    Thanks, EJB.
  • subienewbie2subienewbie2 Member Posts: 458
    Thanks - that makes a lot of sense.

    Never had them before it seemed somewhat redundent.
  • cptpltcptplt Member Posts: 1,075
    IIRC all the cars I had in Europe would allow you to set the parking lights just on one side to come on by turning your turn signal and the parking lights depending on which side of the road you are on you can turn the near or offside lights on, I can't remember for sure but my Audi and BMW from the 80s in the US did that too.In europe they don't care which side of the road you park on whereas AFAIK its still illegal in most states in the US to be parked on the wrong side of the road.
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