Subaru B9 Tribeca (B9X)

tsyganok

Hi!Ordered 4 cars at end of april, and got them week ago, placed order 5th or may for another and will have it in one week
Regards

ateixeira

Pretty cool, almost completely concealed.

-juice

bat1161

Very nice. Pretty neat, and does not take up too much space.

Mark

jeffmc

B9 Tribeca review by Dan Jedlicka at the Chicago Sun-Times. Good review, but not a lot of substance to it, and he calls the SVX the SVT. Oops. Here's another reviewer that seems to find Tribeca's exterior kinda sexy.

http://www.suntimes.com/output/auto/car-news-car20.html

jeffmc

Mark and Juice, thanks for your thoughts on acceleration vs Outback.

bman33

We pre-ordered our Tribeca on May 20 (right before the end of the promo) and got a phone call yesterday that it had arrived at the dealership!

This would be awesome, except we have two payments remaining on our Pathfinder lease and weren't scheduled to pick up the Tribeca until the end of August.

So our brand new, pre-ordered Tribeca sits on the dealer's lot with a sold sticker until our lease expires.

Sorry to hear about others who haven't received their pre-ordered Tribeca's yet! I wonder if we received ours more quickly because we are about 175 miles from the factory?

sweet_subie

that's nice. he is usually very critical of subarus.

photoguy2

For those interested. Juice was kind enough to post two images of my iPod set up see post #3791. Be aware that you have to have a DVD player to get the RCA outlet behind the second row of seats on the Drive side.

Here is what I did and it sounds GREAT!

1. Run a set of RCA cables from the AUX port behind the driver side second row down the door molding route. (much like you would do if installing a sub woofer in the back and running the wire to the stereo.

2. I would run a “Y” cable from the AUX unit that connects to a single mini Stereo plug so you only need to run one wire versus two. Monster or Belkin both have such a cable.

3. Route the cable under the dash and then tuck in the side of the center console and then up under where the back seat drawer is.

4. Pull out the back seat drawer and you can then punch out the center AUX plug cap between the two power outlets in the center console storage area between the two front seats.

5. Notch a small “V” in that plug so you can pull the wire and the larger plug through the hole and then press the plug back around that wire. This helps in not having to make a bigger hole to fit the plug through.

6. Purchase the Belkin F8E467-BLK TuneDok cup holder and the F8V7058-APL-BLK Auto Kit for iPod w/Dock connector. You can get these items in either Black or Beige. If I had not already had them I would have gotten Black. I still might spend the money as it would look even cleaner.

7. Plug in the Auto Kit which has a connection for the mini phono plug on the side. It also has a volume control so be sure it is turned up all the way.

8. Press your RSE/AUX button and listen away!!

9. Last but not least. If you screw the Belkin Cup holder down far enough you can turn the ipod in the cradle a bit and close the doors of the cup holder so no one can see you have an iPod in the car!!

By using the remote you can switch the source for the RSE/AUX so should someone want to listen to the iPod through the wireless headphone they can and you could listen to a CD/FM/AM thought the car stereo.

I need to check if you can listen to the iPod over the stereo while someone else is watching a DVD, I don't think that combo is possible but I'll check.

I have more jpeg pictures, emial if your interested.

photoguy2

You do know you can typically get out of your lease early right? Are you just handing over the keys and walking away? If so work a deal with the dealer so you can get your B9 now! It's just another negotiation...

ateixeira

Jedlicka is usually brutal on Subies so he must have really *loved* it.

I don't think a Nissan dealer is gonna be too helpful given he's getting a Subaru this time around.

-juice

bman33

Yes, I am aware that a lease can be traded in. However, the Subie dealership has not expressed an interest in taking it on trade. They know our situation and are willing to sit on the sold Tribeca for two months. Nissan Finance basically wants their final two payments, and will not let us out of the lease early. We are going to try to sell it private party, but if we can't, we'll just have to wait.

We went over to the dealership last night and checked out our new baby - it looks awesome! It is a blue 5 passenger limited. We can't wait to drive it home.

ateixeira

Ask the dealer not to allow test drives, check the mileage even.

-juice

c_hunter

That's not saying much -- isn't the Eclipse classified as a 2+2 ? (it used to be). On older 2+2 Eclipses, the back seat was only there for insurance purposes and was not hospitable to anyone with legs....

Craig

bman33

I will call the sales person and specify it is not to be used for test drives. It does have a sold tag on it - which usually tells other sales people not to touch it, but it doesn't hurt to let them know I will be checking mileage. Anything more than a few miles and I'll know something is up.

c_hunter

One thing -- if you notice any sound quality issues, you can rig up the Belkin auto-kit to bypass the internal amplifier (which the volume knob controls). The Belkin amp actually adds quite a bit of distortion. The iPod's "standard" line out level is equivalent to about 3/4 volume on the Belkin scale, so it's already got enough power for most applications, and it's a heck of a lot cleaner. In my Outback, I rigged the dock connector so it passes the audio signal straight to the radio, bypassing the Belkin amp.

Craig

c_hunter

I agree -- the Subaru dealer can buy out your Nissan lease and get you into the Tribeca right now. It would cost a little extra (usually a few dollars on a monthly payment), but they can work the numbers to make it happen. I know a lot of people that have done this.

Craig

photoguy2

Thanks Craig. I too was concerned about the noise the amp could create as I've experience that in different setups. This one sounds very clean! I was surprised.
I'm hoping for a third party unit that will work directly through the CD changer connection on the back of the stereo. I know they exist already but I'm waiting for one that plays the info over the NAV screen in all it's glory! I'm sure someone will do that at some point.

subienewbie2

Where does the bleack rca audio cable go?

subienewbie2

Thanks - My dealer called me to say that my Tribeca will or should arrive July 1.

The dealer is about 70 miles from my home in Chicago - so I'll report on the drive home. I plan on taking the back roads.

Does anyone know if you can tell the navigation not to use toll roads or freeways? My Infiniti lets you do it.

new2sub

subienewbie- Which dealer outside of Chicago did you go with? I'm in the market and also in Chicago. Since this will be my first subaru, I'm figuring out which of the many dealers in the area I should start with. How was your experience?

nhsteve

What a story I have regarding the purchase of my new B9... ordered the B9 on 13th with no estimated delivery date or commitment as to when they would tell me when to expect it, very frustrating. Our trade in got totaled three days later, everyone is OK. Now I am in a rental with a pre-planned vacation in 3 weeks during which I will pull a trailer. I wanted to break in the vehicle properly and needed time to put the miles on (thank you Karen for the advice from the owners manual regarding the break-in period and sorry about your dent). Anyway, my dealer could not give me anything specific, so I did my own research and found 3 cars in New England that matched my desires, 7 pas ltd with nav, green/beige. I called two of them and negotiated a fair deal. This was yesterday, some 10 days after I signed my original deal. I called the original dealer and explained my predicament and he reluctantly released me from the deal, full refund of the deposit. I pick my B9 up on Friday with all accessories installed, including the hitch/cooler. I have to drive 4+ hours to get to the dealer but I get to drive back in my new ride! I will post a review over the weekend.

regarding the ipod install, it would seem that evfen if you do not have the DVD, as in my case, the RCA jacks should still be available behind the dash somewhere on the radio wiring harness. It makes sense that they would use the same radio. I would like to find the harness and tap in there with my MP3 player. Any suggestions as to where to look?

Fabulous forum, thank you all very much.

Steve

njswamplands

c_hunter

That would be pretty sweet to have a connector setup that also displays track info on the nav screen, and lets you pick songs with the nav controls. I'm sure it's possible -- let's hope one of the interface manufacturers takes an interest in the Tribeca!

Craig

c_hunter

Steve,

When I looked into this many months ago (when info was sketchy), the upgraded stereo was going to be a prerequisite for the line-in capability. As long as you have the 9-speaker upgraded stereo, it ought to be possible to trace the line-in to somewhere on the harness where it hits the back of the radio. Whether or not the radio can be made to switch to this "phantom" line in is another question.... I am sure other people will research this as more Tribecas hit the street (I'm still planning a direct line in on my 05 Outback a year after purchase!).

Sounds like a hectic few weeks with cars, but hopefully you will settle in to your new tribeca just fine.

Craig

photoguy2

Are you asking about the cable that connects to the Belkin Car Kit adapter? If so it goes down underneath the center console between the front seats and then it is routed forward under the dash and then to the floor and back to the outlet behind the 2nd row seat on the driver side. It is hidden just as you would hide any wire you were running for any accesory. I hope that answered the question...

photoguy2

Yes you can. Tell it to NOT or To use toll roads.

photoguy2

I am not connecting to any RCA connector in the radio... If you read carefully I am using the AUX jact supplied only on the vehicle with the DVD behind the 2nd row of seats.

That said I'm not saying you can't connect directly to the radio... You might be able to I just have not checked.

subienewbie2

Thanks for nav info and I-pod. I was hoping that you meant the cable going under the dash went direct to an input on the radio head.

Thanks again
john

kmartin

Anyone have the knowledge of the radio unit and whether or not a direct iPod connection might be possible? I have an FM transmitter that's OK, but I still crave a direct connection. Anyone tinkered with the radio yet?

-Karen in AZ-
Reviews Links: http://members.cox.net/kamartin/2006b9tribeca.html

rsholland

now on Subaru of Chile's web site.

http://www.subaru.cl/index.htm

Bob

jon_in_ct

Jedlicka is usually brutal on Subies so he must have really *loved* it.

Which Jedicka are you talking about? If it's the one who contributes to MSN Autos, I don't see any "brutality."

http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/jedlicka.aspx?modelid=11273&src=GBT
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/jedlicka.aspx?modelid=11212&src=GBT
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/expertreviews.aspx?make=Subaru&model=Impreza&src=GBT

sweet_subie

in the past, he was. these days he likes subes after 2005

irishwheat

I am using a similar connection for my ipod, just not making such a big deal about how it comes under the console..I just run the line under the front seat and plug it in. I will use the same set up for my xm radio...again wishing i could listen to it while the kids watched a movie.

photoguy2

I did that too to start but when I went to the Accesories shop and found out how simple it was for them to do it neatly in less than a 1/2 hour I figured it was worth it.

kmartin

Yay, Steve! Congrats! Hmmm...if you are driving 4 hours, that should translate into some miles toward your break-in :-)

Hope everything works out for you...enjoy your vacation.

-Karen in AZ-

ateixeira

Note that his scores are always well below the ratings by users/owners, in the case of the Forester 2.3 (out of 10) below them.

So even now, in his friendlier days, he's still a little brutal. ;-)

-juice

nhsteve

photoguy... I did read carefully... all I said was that I would like to connect directly to the inputs on the radio. I will bet my hat (I don't wear one) that the connection is there... it has to be the same system, assuming it is the 9 channel 160W premier system, which mine is (will be tomorrow... whohoo) Thanks for the pics and the ideas. Nice job too, wish you were more local to me so you couild help me find those jacks!

Thanks Karen... part of the plan for the ride back. This dealer also told me that the break-in is not necessary but I would rather follow the written specs for break-in given the investment. The dealer is going to throw in some fresh lobsters in a cooler for me to bring home and a 6pcak of home brew Thunder Hole Ale, the best brown ale in Maine (are we allowed to make a plug like that)

Any way... off to Maine tomorrw.

Steve

stever

Subaru Crew Chat starts in a few minutes - link is on the left.

Steve, Host

photoguy2

Hey Steve, I did not mean to sound rude, sorry if I came across that way. Surely one of the drawbacks of the written word... I'm glad I could be of some help. Please advise if you find the direct connection to the radio.

Envy, envy that you are going to Maine! God's Country for sure! I have a few pages of Maine images at my web site... www.barclayphoto.com Hummm can I make a plug like that?

Regarding the break in... absolutly do it the right way like the manual says. I'm convinced they say it's not necessary because it might bring more service work down the road.

Enjoy the ride!! I've had mine a week tomorrow and like it better each day!! She got a bath today and looks great!

nhsteve

photoguy, absolutely no offense taken. Don't you just hate that whole thing about the written word and the interpretations. You site is great, nice work, way better than you car pics! The shots of the Nubble Light are great. I knew a guy who lived in that lighthouse years ago. he told me they had to come across in a basket to go to school.

I actually think you are right about the service work. I am replacing an 02 Jeep GC Ltd with the B9. The dealer just failed my inspection saying I need new front brakes and rotors. He did not know I had them replaced last Sept. The car has 51000 miles and they want me to replace the brakes again. I took it to my mechanic and we measured the rotors and the were nowhere near ready to be replaced, well beyond the min. I called the dealer and he made excuses about safety. I reminded him that he failed me instead of making a recommendation and promptly got rid of the Jeep. This was the second Jeep dealer to pull that !@#$% on me (my wife). My mechanic said he felt that they engineer maintenance to occur sooner on some cars.

This will be my 6th Subaru and I have loved them all, wish I could say the same for all the Subaru dealers but I cannot. Still driving my 96 OB with 216K on it... the little car that could. IthinkIcanIthinkIcanIthinkIcanIthinkIcan

Steve

subienewbie2

Those of you with subies that have a 150K miles or more on them. What kind of miles are they. Did you baby them or were they driven hard and to bed wet:)

I don't think I have ever heard of so many people with extremely high mileage like yours driving other makes.

Are subie that good or are their owner just exceptionally loving owners?

bigelm

in Flemington, NJ.

It was our pre-order and it just got in. It's Mahogany Red w/ Grey Interior. Unfortunately my wife is frustrated with Subaru and doesn't want to know about them now... so, I'll continue to look elsewhere.

If you're interested in the vehicle, send me an email and I'll provide any additional info.

I'll still be around here.. you guys are family.

(sorry about the plug Steve...)

stever

No biggie. Too bad about the B9, but that's the wrong color combo for Atlanta anyway - it'd have to be blue and gray.

Steve, Host

mikejl

My first Subaru (a 1988 Loyale GL10 turbo) had 162,000 miles on it when I traded it in on a 1995 Legacy. The car was driven hard from day 1. The majority of the miles were put on commuting to Pittsburgh from 40+ miles northeast of the city. That's 30 miles at highway speeds and 10 miles of stop-and-go each way.

That car made a believer out of me. We had some major winter storms in 1993-1994 around here. I drove home after 17 inches had fallen around noon one Friday. The last eight miles had not yet even been plowed, but that Sube just kept on moving.

I traded it in because I was tired of driving it. I did get the oil and filter changed every four-five thousand miles and had other service items performed per the maintenance schedule, but I never had any other maintenance issues with it. Not even any rust. A mechanic from the dealership bought the car and drove it for several more years before he retired it.

wvroads

My wife and I just took our final test drive in the Silver 5 pass Ltd that we have a deposit on. This was the first night time drive and we noticed that the low beam headlights seem to have a definite sharp cutoff at the top on the vertical axis (a well defined line running from left to right). Not a problem except on a rolling back road when going down hill....it leaves an unlit area not far in front of the vechicle. Is this normal? The lights are bright where they do illuminate, it just seems they do not go high enough. The high beams are fine.

rsholland

We have the same problem with our '01 Forester's headlights—and yes it is a "problem" on those back roads you mentioned, as it's in that type of area in which we live.

Bob

sweet_subie

No, they are that good !!! they don;t look as good so most don;t understand. now they are starting to look good.

my 1993 legacy was driven to 80k miles (not much), with 0 problems. not even battery change.

the most important difference i foudn between subaru & other japanese models at high miles is that Subaru still felt srtong & in-tact. the others felt fragile, rattling & like it would fall apart any time.

rblnr

Best numbers I'm getting putting 2K down is $489 w/12K miles/yr. for 36 mo. on a 7 pass ltd w/DVD, NAV and a few options. 469 w/o NAV. Anyone getting better terms? thanks

sweet_subie

http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/expertreviews.aspx?year=2006&make=Subaru&model=B9%20Trib- eca&trimid=-1&src=vip

ateixeira

Not much substance there, it almost reads more like a preview test than a full road test.

Two mistakes I picked up - SVX not SVT, which is Ford's, and premium is not required.

-juice