Subaru B9 Tribeca (B9X)

14950525455163

Comments

  • bigelmbigelm Member Posts: 995
    Nice little read... I can't wait to drive this thing :-D
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    John: I believe once a diesel is warm, it can handle the shut down cycles. We'll see if and when they finally make production.

    The interesting thing is that the US market, so far, has only received some of the more primitive diesels out there.

    Charlie: the "green" sort of isn't. It's nearly gray, with a hint of green in it. Dunno if you've seen it in person but I had a hard time calling it green at all. Maybe "Wintergreen light" if you've seen that Subaru color.

    Nice review, still no EPA numbers. :mad:

    8.0-second 0-to-60-mph estimate as at least a half-second conservative

    That's more than quick enough, with gas prices today maybe they should offer a base model with the new 173hp 2.5l engine. Just kidding. Kinda. ;)

    -juice
  • cpp788xcpp788x Member Posts: 47
    The green is one of those funky colors that appear differently in in various types of light. I typically don't like light metallic paints - Dark ones are ok - they look richer and deeper. Except for some pearl whites which are sharp.

    What do you think about the wheels??

    Charlie
  • teamjdteamjd Member Posts: 40
    :) I'm hoping that this will be the auto I've been waiting for. Dealer here in Wantagh, NY is having a showing/test drive today 4-9 pm. Any word on pricing deals, or should I not hold my breath for a discount? Anybody want any specific questions asked? Post here today, and I'll do my best to ask them.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I like them, 7 spokes, not too fancy, just modern looking.

    -juice
  • bigelmbigelm Member Posts: 995
    Look alittle too plain (modern) to me... not much thought put into designing a nice pack of rims to go with the contraversial look ;-)

    Either way, they'll be the first to go, after the tints and HID's of course :-D
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    You want an airplane fuselage and wings on the rims too? LOL

    You're gonna swap out the 18"s? Replacements will cost a pretty penny.

    -juice
  • newsubunewsubu Member Posts: 39
    I've arranged a test drive with a preproduction model in early May. It sounds like there will be a couple Tribecas per region available for test drives, if there are enough requests at a particular dealship to justify bringing one out.

    We saw a Tribeca last week for the first time. Impressed; not too big like others in class, made good use of space with an attractive & functional interior, loved the dash & NAV, which was fully explained. Exterior was unique, "cool" my wife said ...(YES!!!). All this front end / back end talk is just that; yes, it's different and it works for me. Plus my kid is into airplanes.

    We're considering the Red/Rust color with grey interior, with tow package. Will decide before mid May. Would love to hear about anyone's color choices, options added, negotiations and final price; are these pre-orders available near invoice or am I dreaming?

    Found it interesting their sales brochure was directly camparing the B9 to the Volvo X90 and Acura MDX. Motor Trend's article pits it against the X5, and my wife thinks it looks like a Cayenne, (especially in red)! If Subaru is hoping to go upscale here, they're hangin' with the right crowd. I thought this would be more comparable to the Murano, Pilot and Highlander, but after seeing it the B9 might just have a shot at this upscale market. (just as long as I can buy one at invoice first!). The proof with be in the drive.

    Also hear from the SOA rep there's a 300hp turbo version running around the plant. I asked alot of questions... but forgot one....

    Did anyone ever determine if premium fuel is "required" or "recommended?" Might be a good question to ask tonight, teamjd. Let us know exactly what they say.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Probably recommended, but we're not sure yet. We don't even have the final EPA numbers yet, they're still TBD.

    I think it falls between the mainstream and luxury SUVs, but it'll be interesting to see how that strategy works. Consumers often like to group things in, but isn't it so like Subaru to find a niche where there wasn't one before?

    -juice
  • bigelmbigelm Member Posts: 995
    You think that now that the B9 is hitting showrooms this coming month, SOA would stop procrastinating this and announce it already.

    Two things make me uncomfortable (well, actually one):
    They haven't announced it because it won't be competitive
    or
    They haven't announced it because they're waiting to smack the competition (I'm hoping for this one).

    So, maybe our good lost friend (with juice or Bob's help) can find out and tell us..? ;-)
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I wonder if they are already printing the Monroney stickers at the plant.

    At what point to they stick those on the window? Last step in the assembly line? Or later?

    Shouldn't be much longer before we find out.

    -juice
  • bigelmbigelm Member Posts: 995
    ???
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    MSRP Sticker. Named after Rep/Sen Almer Stillwell "Mike" Monroney of OK who introduced legislation in the early 1950's requiring auto makers to place them on the vehicles.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    That's the window sticker, with the MSRP and the EPA mileage printed on it. For short they call it the Monroney.

    Edit: beat me to it.

    -juice
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    juice - we're both full of useless little tidbits. One of these days, we'll have to have a cocktail party fodder throw down!!
  • bigelmbigelm Member Posts: 995
    Window sticker :-p

    At first, I thought you spelled Mahogany wrong... then it didn't make sense to have the paint on the window. Well, um.. unless you were planning on pimpin' the B9... lol!
  • x5killerx5killer Member Posts: 368
    In the pre order form on the website there was no option for either XM or Sirius satellite radio yet one of the 3 gifts and the one which I selected was the portable xm player. Is XM satellite radio going to be an official option?

    Also, is there any way to get Navigation with the 5 passenger limited with leather? or do you have to get the 7 limited (highest priced model) just to have navi as an option?

    Also, I thought it was due out in May, now people wont get pre orders even until June?

    Last thing, I was hoping it would have more like 280 HP like the Infiniti FX35 (thats the 3.5L V6) model but 250 is still 10 better then the 240 I currently have with my pathfinder.

    But still is the 300hp turbo version worth waiting for or is it just talk right now and a long way off? I imagine they might come out with an sti version some time later like with the WRX?
  • bigelmbigelm Member Posts: 995
    As of now, there has been no announcement or rumor that the B9 will get XM radio. I think the freebie will be able to plug into the radio unit as far as I can tell (AUX input).

    I thought the NAV was going to be an option for the 5? Maybe on the preorders it's not available but supposely for full production, it was going to be available.

    Where did you hear about preorders arriving in June? My dealer told me mid-late May.
  • x5killerx5killer Member Posts: 368
    I hope its an option on the 5 passenger but as far as on the site with preorder you can't so hopefully the dealer can do it if i choose.
    I think the portable XM can be used in car so that would be good but built in is better but i'll settle.

    I heard June for pre-orders earlier in this thread i think.
  • jeffmcjeffmc Member Posts: 1,742
    Newsubu - Members of the following Subaru partners can purchase a Tribeca at invoice: American Canoe Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, National Ski Patrol, Professional Ski Instructors of America, American Association of Snowboard Instructors, International Mountain Biking Assoc, The Geological Society of America, Leave No Trace, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Mt. Washington Observatory, Rainbow Credit Card Endowment Sponsor. There may be restrictions based on length of membership or other things... check w/your dealer for details & to obtain proper paperwork if you're a member. If you're not a member of any of these organizations, you may at least be able to use this info to negotiate a better price w/the dealer, depending on demand and the particular dealership, of course.

    From what I've seen, no DVD or Nav available as an option on 5-pass. Just buy the 7-pass, fold the rear seat down and... voila!... a 5-seater! :)

    Also, for those thinking of additional aftermarket tint (though Tribeca's is supposed to be reasonably dark), I've read that the antenna is on the inside of the glass and that applying aftermarket tint can seriously reduce radio reception.
  • x5killerx5killer Member Posts: 368
    Do you mean if you darken the tint on the back and rear windows which are already tinted Or do you mean if you tint the front windows this would reduce radio reception?

    Because I would just want to tint the front windows the same to match the factory tinted back windows like I did on my current SUV. It just makes for a more flowing symetrical matching look and would hope that doing this wouldn't reduce radio reception.

    Also while I'm here and this may have been discussed earlier in the thread and though is more a topic when the first pictures were revealed, but about the styling. Though I do seem to mostly like it, the front is a little iffy and i never did like the Alfa romeo small like front grill and the bump in the hood i can' t decide if I like it or not. As far as the rear it starts to remind me of the Buick Rendevous with the high back and smaller window which is not a good thing. Though I guess the new Lexus RX have the taillights highup like that too.

    Bottom line is , it has fog lights, big plus that beleive it or not some vehicles leave out (Acura TL) and it has dual exhaust in the rear and it has 18" wheels bigger then most competing SUV's especially the Pilots small looking car like wheels and not mounted close to the large body look horrible.

    I guess the only other suv i know of that comes with 18" is the Infiniti FX. I do wish they had put a 3.5L in the B9 and got 280hp out of it like the FX though. I may have mentioned this before but i guess waiting for an STI or Turbo version of the B9 isnt worth it?
  • bat1161bat1161 Member Posts: 1,784
    Just as a note- Edmunds is saying:

    EPA Mileage Estimates: (City/Highway)
    Automatic: : 18 mpg / 24 mpg
    Range in Miles: (City/Highway)
    Automatic: 304.2 mi. / 405.6 mi.

    I liked the Motor Trend review. Also noticed the Tribeca is # 10 on their top 47 cars for up and coming models to look for.

    Mark
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Rob: we'd need more than one party to cover all that useless trivia. ;)

    x5killer: I imagine they will wait to see how popular the Tribeca proves to be. If it exceeds forecasts, I bet we'll see a hotted up model in a couple of years. If it sells like the Baja, expect to see a de-contented model like the Baja Sport.

    18/24 was the number on the info display at the auto show, but Dave from Product Planning told us that figure was not final and would likely be revised. To be honest I'd find that a little disappointing.

    -juice
  • teamjdteamjd Member Posts: 40
    Went to my local dealer in Wantagh, NY to see the Tribeca yesterday. There is one vehicle that is driven by the Subaru factory rep around to all the north east dealers to show. He told me that after all the showings this B9 goes back to the factory to be dismantled and not for sale. They are pushing to have the pre-orders delivered up here in late May. It was exactly as I expected awesome! It was the loaded 7- passenger model, dvd, navigation. Sitting in the drivers seat, gave a nice open feeling. While sitting in the car with my sales rep, I said can we go for a ride. She says "sure" while everyone is looking at the car we drive off. I found out after the test drive that customers are not allowed to test drive yet only the sales rep because it's a prototype, insurance liability...blah blah blah. So, I guess I'm one of the few people who actually got to drive it. They weren't to happy with her letting me drive, especially before the dealership owner did, but she said, "Ops... sorry" and they let it go at. Bear in mind these are my personal untechnical oppinions.
    Impressions:
    Smooth ride, softer than the Murano SL AWD I drove, but not as smooth as the Lexus RX330 I drove. It had plenty of power on the highway, passing gear puts the revs up there fast. Fast response at the wheel, very car like ride. Took the NY side streets (pothole hell) back to the dealer. Barely felt a bump. Folding side view mirrors with directional lights was a nice look, but there seemed to be confusion as to whether or not they would be on the production models. The rep seems to think not to keep the B9 cost down.

    They tried to convince me that you wouldn't need an on staff chiropractor after riding in the third row, but I don't believe them. I took the whole family for the ride. Even though I was looking for 5 passenger as a work commuter, I'm also in need of a 7 passenger car. Not this one though. It's just too cramped. This being compared to the Honda Pilot I looked at last week. If you have two small kids for the third row, and three young adults for the second maybe. Wife and son had adequate room in the rear seat but not much else. My other son couldn't wait to get out of the third row. Short around town trips yeah, long distance...even the dvd player might not keep them quiet. This is with the second row seat moved all the way back. In the 5 passenger version, the rear seat moves back more to give you alot more legroom they told me. All else considered, it was all luxury. I pre-orderd one, and I told the wife to keep looking for the 7 pass family car. Price was $32,440 included $500 off MSRP from Subaru for pre-orders and upgraded to the towing package for the transmissiom cooler for free. They have already over sold and all other orders after this will be at MSRP I'm told.
    :)
    Sorry for the long rant...Dan
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Sounds good, the Lexus RX is way too soft anyway.

    How'd you like the steering? Tight? Light? Feedback?

    -juice
  • bkaiser1bkaiser1 Member Posts: 464
    I saw that on Joe Spitz's Subaru website he specifically mentioned that tint would reduce the radio reception since the antenna is imbedded in the glass...I really don't think this will be the case at all. I've had imbedded antenna's on my last 4 cars, and all of them had aftermarket metallic film on all the windows, and I've never had any problems with radio reception. I think it's a misconception that somehow the tint will interfere, but in the case of the Tribeca, I have to believe that it will not be any different than any other car I've owned.

    Brian
  • teamjdteamjd Member Posts: 40
    The steering was tight and responsive like a sports car, but not too much that I had to over respond when changing lanes fast. I think I scared the sales rep a few times though. :)
  • bigelmbigelm Member Posts: 995
    Thanks for the review... Now I wait with MORE anticipation.

    Between this and waiting what the '06 Legacy will bring... I think my wife will soon register me in a nut house!
  • grdh20grdh20 Member Posts: 46
    All the dealers in Maryland have updated their first pre-order arrival eta to June. It had started as mid May. Other states may be different.
  • bigelmbigelm Member Posts: 995
    Depending how SOA allocates it, yes, there will be a difference in arrival time.
  • grdh20grdh20 Member Posts: 46
    They better not nix the folding side mirrors and turn signals. They start cutting corners and I'm out. :mad:
  • bigelmbigelm Member Posts: 995
    Are these auto folding? If it is, I can understand cutting cost there.

    I'm sure they won't ditch the manual folding and signal lights on them... heck it's on the Legacy.
  • teamjdteamjd Member Posts: 40
    They were manual folding mirrors. I agree that they'll probably keep them. I called the dealer about them and believe me when I say that they know less than we do about what does or doesn't come with the Tribeca at this point. They do know that it will sell for MSRP. :)
  • bigelmbigelm Member Posts: 995
    Maybe they will sell for MSRP over there but not where I ordered mine. I even know of another dealer who will sell at invoice ;-)
  • teamjdteamjd Member Posts: 40
    What city/state are you in? Are you allowed to say what dealer? I'm not opposed to driving a few hundred miles to save another $1000.
  • bigelmbigelm Member Posts: 995
    Northern NJ. I can email you the name(s) if you wish.
  • teamjdteamjd Member Posts: 40
    Yes, Thank you. "focus@dwbrown.com". It's the address that I'm using for replies to my ad at carsdirect.com where I'm selling my 2001 Ford Focus.
  • grdh20grdh20 Member Posts: 46
    Today the dealers I spoke to in Maryland are saying last week in May for pre-order deliveries. One says $500 over invoice plus the $500 gift and another says they will match that. So that's not too bad.
  • bigelmbigelm Member Posts: 995
  • grdh20grdh20 Member Posts: 46
    Speaking of auto folding mirrors, that is just about the only thing I will really miss on my gas guzzling Toureg. Once you get used to pulling into the garage and having the mirrors get out of the way with a touch of a button, it is really a great feature.
  • bigelmbigelm Member Posts: 995
    My mom's 93 Trooper has them. Cool feature it is...
  • teamjdteamjd Member Posts: 40
    Got it thanks
  • manammanam Member Posts: 8
    How do I find the invoice price?
  • bigelmbigelm Member Posts: 995
    www.cars101.com
  • snowbeltersnowbelter Member Posts: 288
    Take a look at the prices posted on their website, as they seem to be pretty close to or at invoice. They are near Rochester, NY.
  • stiguystiguy Member Posts: 2
    Can I ask, are you considered a Subaru VIP by your dealership? Meaning you've done enough business to garner special deals on vehicles?
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    I'm a member of IMBA, which gets you VIP pricing on Subaru's. I used it last year when I purchased my F-XT. Completely painless, was treated like royalty, got to see all the numbers and invoice prices, got to priority order my F-XT since they didn't have what I wanted on the lot or in the surrounding area. I've dealt with this dealership before w/o the IMBA membership and it was good as well. But, the VIP treatment was a noticeable step above.

    You need to be a member of IMBA for 6 months prior to activating VIP pricing.

    -Brian
  • bigelmbigelm Member Posts: 995
    No Subaru VIP. Just good, honest business relationship ;-)

    I have dealt with them in the past. But there are dealers that are willing to earn your business and trust.
  • sweet_subiesweet_subie Member Posts: 1,394
    they are very high these days. subaru of wakefield's starting price(before negotiating) with me was below the vanbortel subaru.

    fitzmall.com is a better proxy
Sign In or Register to comment.

Your Privacy

By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our Visitor Agreement.