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Comments
Car Safety Features You're Overlooking
So, a lot of the discussion about the Tribeca and it's recent CR ranking compared to other mid-size suvs, is partly misplaced in my opinion. True about certain space limitations, (susposedly) "underpowered" engine , etc. Yet, I would think that one primary reason that Tribeca owners bought their car related to the fact of the extremely high safety of the automobile: front, side, side curtain airbags; active head restraints; tire pressure monitoring system; one of the world's best AWD systems; Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC, Subaru's version of Electronic Stability Control); Traction Control System; etc.
Of course, many other reasons to buy the Tribeca come in the form of innovative styling, proven reliability of Subaru as a brand, great engine performance, and versatility to name a few.
One should also take a look at reviews and consider what type of driving you will be doing. I am sure that many Tribeca owners like myself are in northern climates (read, Vermont snow). The CR article did not consider the performance in winter conditions, though as most Subaru owners know, many other SUVs don't perform as well in those challenging and adverse conditions. Again, for my family, that performance of safety is one of the reasons why I feel the Tribeca is one of the best choices irrespective of cost.
Just like any purchase, if you are happy with your decision and you love your car then the opinions of others really shouldn't matter that much (regardless if those opinions might hurt resale a tad). For me and my family, we would much rather know that we are in one of the absolute safest, best-performing vehicles out on the road today than to be able to accelerate (faster than we should be!) away from stop signs or to be able to have adults cross their legs in the third row seat!
btw, we recently took delivery of our Tribeca two weeks ago and have been absolutely thrilled with the quality of the car!!">link title I am not worried that subjective/objective reviews don't place the car at the top of many "Best-in-Show" lists because for all the reasons mentioned above, I feel like it was the absolute best car for my family (and especially for the money) and we look forward to several years of B-9 adventures.
~A
~A
Even over in Vans, families with kids seem more interested in getting a Rear Entertainment System than air bags or vehicle stability control.
Steve, Host
I still think a 5 door would outsell it. Maybe do both?
-juice
b9Driver, next time you stop by the dealer, buy a few oil filters... When it's time for the change, you can buy oil from any local auto supply store and do the simple oil change yourself.... There are simple directions in the owners manual as well. The vehicle uses 5W-30, unless you're considering synthetic.
If you find working on your car too involving you can find a local place to do the work for you- just supply them with the filters....
ExtraGuard PH3593A
ToughGuard TG3593A
DoubleGuard DG3593A
X2 XG3593A
This in the Fram website at http://www.fram.com. My personal preference is the ToughGuard TG3593A. I've used these in our 2002 VDC, 2001 Forester (non-turbo) and now the B9.
I know Purolator makes a one that fits too, but can't remember the filter #.
Great-looking vehicle!
Anyone?
Craig
http://wardsauto.com/ar/auto_fleet_sales_rising/
Bob
Also Ward's uses the phrase "quirky" in describing Subaru products.
For the record, I have driven these same roads many times in the past 25 years in various cars ( ‘85 Plymouth Horizon, ‘92 Legacy sedan, ‘99 Forester, ‘05 OB wagon). This vehicle was BY FAR the most comfortable and fun to drive, and all without airing down the tires. The wide front and second row windows give a more or less panoramic view much of the time. The OB and Forester would be a very close second for this trip, but for comfort and viewing height, the Tribeca was a jewel. We passed several of the local jeep tours and small-to-oversized SUVs and were glad we weren’t riding in those :-) (Some people really DO takes their Escalades on those roads! I think I counted three at one point...)
It’s also amazing to note how many sedans we passed, and how ignorant people are about passing and traveling in general on the narrow FS roads. The AWD allowed me to drive off the berm (and beyond) numerous times to give these “rookie” drivers room to stay on the graded surface. Dad was relieved we didn’t take his Park Avenue up there, even though he kept insisting beforehand...he was VERY impressed with my driving skills too, although much of it has to do with the way the 'beca handles.
-Karen (all over) in AZ-
-Karen in AZ-
<img src="http://tinypic.com/epm98p.jpg"
<img src="http://tinypic.com/epmbgm.jpg"
The home office video/photo folks have those suction cup mounts for doing the video stuff at Edmunds. I can't tell how your mount works (nor do I see the safety cable....).
Steve, Host
Love the car, love driving it. It continues to impress people who ride in it for the first time.
Yesterday we took a 120-mile journey (round trip) to a local amusement park for a 'Fright Night' sojourn. My wife and I and four teens - the first time I've had two people in the third seat since I got it. They all claimed they had enough room and they all seemed comfortable. I have to assume that was true - they all slept soundly on the trip home.
12,300 miles to date. I kept the "A" odometer at original milage and noticed that it zero's out at 10,000 and starts over. At that point my 10,000 mile MPG was 20.1. Thus far on my next 2,300 I'm at 20.4.
Don
Steve, Host
Mark
Fleet sales are good and bad - they tend to erode resale values for instance.
I'll try to rent one in Florida when I go down there in February.
TribecaCam: hilarious!
-juice
Not bad considering the EPA estimates and the various speeds involved.
However, in simple driving around Los Angeles in stop-and-go traffic (with traffic lights and freeway), I'm getting 14-17 mpg. My theory is the fact that its a 5-speed automatic that doesn't kick in to 5th gear until about 39 mph. I usually don't get faster than 35mph in typical city traffic, so I am not getting the benefit of 5th gear.
While I can't complain about getting 23-24 mpg in freeway driving, the 14-17mpg in the city stinks. I also noticed that cruising at a consistent 50mph gives me about 28-30mpg on a flat road. I wonder if that would last for an entire tank of gas....
not sure what it looks like . the factory hitch uses the smaller hitch which is a bummer. all the aftermarket accessories and receiver covers are usually larger size/class hitch.
A reputable hitch installer would not never install a class III hitch on a Subaru, because the vehicle is not rated for a hitch capacity that size. The size of the hitch determines how big/heavy a trailer it can safely pull. The B9 is maxed at a class II hitch.
Also, you can order a Subaru hitch without the cooler from the dealer, but not from the factory. Without the cooler the tow capacity is either 2,000 or 2,500 lbs
Mark
-juice
Tim
-juice
you should always know your capacity. hey look at a class 2 hitch that is on the Subaru. without the cooler you can not tow the max class 2... again the hitch Class doesn't set the rating nor should you rely on that.
If you want a stainless steel receiving bar or a stainless steel ball .. can you find one for a class 2 receiver ... NOPE :surprise: It would have been nice to have a class 3 receiver on the B9. plus a true 7 prong tow plug to use with trailers with electric brakes... I know there are adapters but not sure if it truely is the same as a 7 wire plug.
My Hitch and cooler where installed by dealer
I was trying to explain that the vehicle is limited to a tow weight and the hitch installed should not exceed the vehicles tow capacity. The B9 has a max capacity of 3,500 lbs. The weight is safety thing for pulling but more importantly stopping. So a B( with or without a cooler can safely pull and stop a 3,500 lb load. If it doesn't have the cooler it may damage the tranny but it is not necessarily unsafe.
If you try to rent say a 5000 lb trailer and as them to hook it up to a B9, I doubt they will rent you the trailer because it would unsafe and in most cases illegal.
The manual stated 5.8 qt. but that doesn't include the oil filter capacity. I might have gone over by a little like 6.2qt?
The best thing to do is check your dipstick on level ground and see.
The OCD club members fill the oil filter up with oil before installing it so that the it can pre-soak the filter element.
-juice
J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Consumers Not Convinced That Crossover SUVs Match the Functionality of Traditional SUVs (PR Newswire)
Steve, Host
-juice