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Comments
Nice price, though.
-juice
As juice said, this info is only as good as the source it comes from; but again, this is sure to improve with time.
Bob
But Garmins work perfectly. Their points of interest is amazing comparing to others. this has 6 million of them
Point is, you have to start somewhere. Better units will be found on less expensive cars in due time.
Bob
I honestly don't understand why people are so against premium fuel -- the added cost is around $120-150 a year for vehicles in the 20mpg range doing 15K miles a year. If the engine is truly optimized to run on premium, you are likely to recover a chunk of that with better gas mileage on premium gas. For $10-12 a month or less, I will stick to premium. We're talking about $30K-40K vehicles here; if you can afford payments on that, the monthly gas cost penalty for premium ought to be peanuts.
Craig
Steve, Host
-Karen in AZ-
Actually, my second best advice would be for you to go back a few months in this very forum and start reading as much of our comments as you can stand. You'll get lots of varied opinions and ideas to give you an idea of what you are looking at.
My first advice would be to go to your local dealer and take the 24-hour test drive...you won't want to give it back
-Karen in AZ-
About reliability of Infinity vs Subaru, Infinity had 11 complaints per 100 vehicles vs Subaru which had 8 complaints per 100 vehicles for the yr 2004. Subaru topped the table beating rivals Honda, Acura, Toyota and Lexus
Actually it is Subaru that decided to categorize OB as truck to get away with government's CAFE requirement. OB never has good approch/departure angles. What Subaru did is simply raised ground clearence to 8.7" and called it a 'truck'.
As for a skidplate - I beleive Paisan may have some sources for that. Subaru never offered it, you had to go private for that. It comes in handy on the streets of NY
Mark
Personally I think that "B9" exterior is one of the ugliest I've ever seen. I put it in the same category as that Pontiac "Asstec". If I'm going to drive a vehicle, yes - it must be reliable and dependable, but it needs to have some style. If you absolutely "must have it", then I suggest you wait a year for them to work out any "bugs"; plus you will see tremendous rebates since nobody in their right mind will be buying that ugly piece of sheet metal. I like cars/SUVs to be unique and creative too. However, I think Suburu missed the "boat" on this one; or should I say, made the front end look like a boat.
-juice
Bob
cars101.com lists these 2 new "features" for 2006 Forester models:
1. "new underfloor cargo cover storage (because of temp duty tire)"
2. "new temporary spare tire replaces full size"
Because this info is so specific, it seems accurate to me. Edmunds & KBB both say full size, however. I'll pose the question to 2006 owners in the Forester forum.
http://www.cars101.com/subaru/forester/forester2006photos.html
Accura has done probably the best job yet at intergrating sophisticated software and inlectronics into an automobile.
There is virtually nothing you can not do with through voice command in that car. It virually does it all.
I did not accept mine and lucked out finding what I had ordered at a dealer
Power, per se, is not a relevant issue with respect to octane number. The energy content of a gallon of gasoline is pretty much the same regardless of octane rating (see e.g. octane number at answers.com).
I could take issue with Steve's laser printer analogy since he has grossly overestimated the cost of ink cartridges and ignored the quite significantly greater cost of laser printers over ink jet printers. I won't do that, however, since it would set a bad example for hosts to engage in off topic debate!
tidester, host
That's too simplistic of an approach. That's like saying a carton of yogurt has the same calories whether I slowly eat and digest it or just rub it all over my face. One method will obviously convert more of the calories into useful energy for my body. Same goes for octane -- it affects the combustion process and (when properly used) results in more efficient combustion and more output power. Colin can jump in and give us a real treatise on the topic.
In the case of the last generation H6, it lost 4HP off the peak of 212HP with regular gas, and had other unknown power losses throughout the rpm range (that generally took the zing out of the engine). I suspect the power loss is even greater on the new H6, which is outputting more HP per displacement than before (up to 250HP now) and has more high-tech features.
I would love to see good MPG data on the effect of regular gas in vehicles optimized for premium. I mean, what would bother people more -- that their vehicle requires premium or that they give up 3mpg by using regular? Personally, I'd be bothered more by a gas mileage penalty or the thought that I was limiting the efficiency of the engine.
Craig
Note quite, as stated on Garmin's website:
"Traffic alerts with optional GTM 10 FM TMC traffic receiver"
No idea how much that will cost.
Bob
My '97 Outback has a donut spare (with my mounted snows, that makes 9 shoes for that puppy). So it's not like it hasn't been done before. And my cargo tray thing doesn't fit with a full size crammed in the donut space.
It is however, almost as irritating as a face full of yogurt.
Steve, Host
Mmm... yogurt.
Doh!
That is correct in respect to energy vs octane number. However, on a mordern engine that is highly tuned for premimum gas, using a lower octant gas will cause engine management switch to a timing that is safe for the engine which almost always resulted in power loss. On the other hand, if a egine is optimized to regular gas, using higher than recommened octane gas is waste of money in most times.
http://members.aol.com/bobsprit/images/mvideo.jpg
Front is 6 inch widescreen. Rears are 7 inchers. Each has it's own remote and headphones and the whole thing is far more versatile than the stock unit. Plus I can see out the rear window! The player is under the passenger seat and I may change this, though it's pretty easy thus far to change a disc. Sound is through their own modulator and I've yet to hear anything but clear sound. But I still want a direct hook-up and they promise that they'll handle that as soon as they get the paperwork on the radio. The photo doesn't do it justice. Looks 100% stock and quality of Icon-TV is very high. The RF headphones are amazing. You can walk away from the car and they still work! Anyway, if you didn't get the stock video, don't dispair. This is far more bang for the buck. Screens can also work off of different sources as well...video camera, games and so on.
I'll keep everyone posted on the direct hookup, which will also allow (finally) Ipod and Sat. radio. But for now...I'm a happy camper!
Robert B
NY
By the way I have Outback 2.5i Ltd, 7 months now, up to 18k miles & love the vehicle. But, I do have my eye on a Beca. Saw my first one on the road tonight. May take one of those 24 free trials. Good luck with yours!
I've been reading the forum for a few days and now I'd like to ask a question. I am reaching the end of the lease on my present vehicle and am thinking seriously about buying a Tribeca (the only thing else I'm even looking at at this point is the Chrysler Pacifica, but there's really no comparison). My dilemma is I don't really need the 7 passenger capability, and I know that the 5 passenger has additional storage under the floor where the 3rd seat would have been, but no navigation is available. There are no 5 passengers at any of the Central Florida dealers to look at right now and I'm wondering how much additional space there is and if it's worth the trade off of not being able to get the Nav on the 5 LTD (and why not, I ask rhetorically). Can anyone help me out with that info.
Thanks,
Don
With the 7 seat you can get nav but you also get rear ac vents in the rear cabin - 4 cieling vents in all, with a speed control.
Living in Florida they will well appreciated. You also a better sound system with 6CD changer
I bought the 5 Passenger model after I tried the 7 seat model. I found it just about useless. I couldn't forsee even "emergency use" out of them for the kids because they are so small and cramped. Danny Devito would kick you in the ankle if you made him sit back there.
As a sailor I've been using mapping GPS for quite a while and it's just not a gee-wiz feature for me in a car. If you're a traveling businessman who regularly explores new territory I can see some appeal, but for most folks it's a toy and that 2K will go towards the downpayment on my new boat! The DVD was something I wanted and I added a superior system aftermarket-pictured here:
http://members.aol.com/bobsprit/images/mvideo.jpg
Some folks find a use for the 7 seats and that's fine. Additional storage without them is minimal. In the end think hard. I feel I made the right choice, but you don't want buyer's remorse. Whatever you decide DO get the limited with the better stereo and the leather!
Good luck!
Robert B
NY
That is one feature I do wish I had! But even without it the AC is really excellent. More control over temp. is always a good thing. On the other hand after hearing about slower 0-60 times for the 7 pass models, I'm glad to have the 5.
In the end look at those seats. Can you use them? If not (and you decide you must have the nav) then it really comes down to paying for the seats just to get the nav. Life's tough for us B9 fans.
Robert B
NY
Actually I found out it is more than just addition vents. There is a heat changer in the right rear corner as well to serve the rear. You will actually see water drip out of the right rear bumper.
If you're never going to use the 3rd row, it's a question of whether it's worth paying ~$1600 MSRP for the 7 seat version on top of $2000 for the Nav. Subaru hopes that you will...
I find it hard to believe that the second row cannot be adequetely cooled in the 5 seat version. I believe that an owner of a 5 seat Tribeca indicated that this was so on this forum a few days ago.
What's worth it and not worth it is a matter of opinion. I, myself, would never put my children or anyone else's for that matter so close to the rear glass, but I'm sure that others have no problem with that. With two children I cannot think of an example of when I wished I had more than 5 seat capability. If I frequently did, a minivan would be the way to go.
http://www.subaru.com/common/news/article_details.jsp?file=corp_ann_archive_2004.xml&artic- leId=20040114&attrNavItemId=news_corporate_ann
-Karen-
There is very little storage space under the cargo mat in the 7, which was a negative for me, but I managed to tweak the plasticky foam insert with a few swift utility knife carvings (use caution here...there are certain to be some risks involved) and now have custom-fit some of my stuff (mini-compressor, binoculars case, etc.).
The Nav has been truly a blessing on a long trip, but as adept as I am at reading maps, I am certain I could have lived without it -- just wouldn't have been as much fun or help in finding hotels, Starbucks, etc. :-)
foxbat121: I noticed the clear water drip from the rear fender for the first time today and figured as such. With our monsoon (rainy season) upon us, the humidity is pretty high. I assumed that vent was like a return air vent in a house, and figured that's where the drip was coming from. Thx for the confirmation.
So, Don, it's just a matter of taste, priorities, and, oh, of course, budget! Good luck with all the choices.
-Karen in AZ-
Obviously, but my comments were in reference to an unqualified suggestion that high octane alone determines energy content or power output.
But thanks for the clarification!
Also, I advise against applying yogurt to the face particularly during the summer months - commercial yogurt contains sugar which attracts bees!
tidester, host
The price you gave for the DVD sys, did that include installation.
It appears they did a great job on the install. The must have had to disassemble a lot of the interior.
Looks great
john - chicago
PS Can you get me some Sabretts?-)
The price you gave for the DVD sys, did that include installation.
It appears they did a great job on the install. The must have had to disassemble a lot of the interior. >>>
John, yes it did. After a nice tip I still spent less than the stock system and the warranty from Icon-TV is 3 years, unlike many others. The overhead unit is a cheap way to go for the manufacturer of course, which is why they are offered. The front screen is really slick and all I lost was the mirror. I also looked at the Icon overhead unit, which can be loaded from the front seats and had superior picture quality to the stock model for 1100.00 installed...but the rearward obstruction for the mirror is really a concern. I know others say it's not too bad, but I bought the B9 partly for the safety factor and any reduction in your vision is an added risk. Yes, you CUT into the the visor and headrests, but these are easily replaceable components.
The only advantage to the stock unit is that you get the direct connection and a way to connect an Ipod from the get-go, while I'll have to wait a bit for that. The point is...is that if you didn't get the DVD CHEER UP. You can can a much nicer system for less or you can go crazy and put something really amazing in. Next I'll be putting in a subwoofer. The limited stereo is pretty good, but the included sub is way tiny!
Robert B
NY
I am prettty much in agreement with you about the rear seat being basically useless, and I guess the only reason I am concerned about the nav system is for the additional screens that comes along with it. On the 5 what does the info screen show, is there only a single 'page', and can it be turned off? The installation of your aftermarket DVD looks great, and it shows me a little of the info screen and I see only 2 buttons as opposed to the 6 with nav. Do you sequence through different options, or are all there all the time.
Thanks,
Don
Don, the info screen supplies full status of the audio system, trip computer, outside temp, MPG computer and I think there are three different displays when you hit the info button, plus holding it down turns it off.
When you get nav. with the DVD system stock, the DVD player will send a signal to the front screen while you are PARKED only. The video quality is not great. There should be a way to defeat this PARK only setting. Don't get me wrong, the Nav system is cool, but I couldn't get it without the 7 seats and I didn't want a weight penalty for something that just never gets used.
As far as the AC goes, we've had terrible heat and humidty in NY this past week. RF temps have been 110 on a couple of days. I rarely have the AC above the #2 setting mark because it turns the whole car into an icebox. The AC is THAT good!
My DVD system is much better than the stock system and less cumbersom and the front monitor works at speed and so on. If they offered me Nav. with the 5 passenger model, I might have gone for it just for kicks.
Interesting note: My service guy at Port Subaru thinks he can add the Nav. system if I ever wanted it down the road. But with a new boat on the way, I'll probably opt for a superior Garmin unit that can do double duty. And to be honest, when I had my last mapping GPS I only used it a couple of times in the car. You have to decide on what you want vs. what you really need.
Robert B
NY
Karen, that is correct. I am sure Subaru knew ahead of time which classification they were going to get, but ultimately NHSTA makes the call. In my opinion, Subaru added features we have been requesting and it just happened to bump the vehicle into the truck category.
Craig
How long did the install take?
Craig
Craig, there is no wiring visible anywhere. Looks 100% factory. Install took a full day..dropped off at 9 am, picked up at 5:30. No problems with active headrests...one of my worries. Used it with my son today...worth every penny. I can't stress enough how much better this is than the stock unit. I checked another one out today while looking at a Forester for my father and the stock display not only blocks the rear view mirror, but your over-the-shoulder to rear quarter view as well. Anyone who's considering the B9 should take a pass on that DVD system and put in something better/safer.
Robert B
NY
How does it compare to other mid-sized SUVs?
--------------------------------------
'06 Tribeca:
Minimum ground clearance 8.4 in. Location of minimum ground clearance: exhaust pipe
Angle of approach 18.0 deg.
Angle of departure 21.1 deg.
Ramp breakover angle 18.5 deg.
--------------------------------------
'05 Outback Wagon:
Minimum ground clearance 8.4 in. Location of minimum ground clearance: exhaust pipe
Angle of approach 18.7 deg.
Angle of departure 22.0 deg.
Ramp breakover angle 19.7 deg.
-Karen in AZ-
Enjoy!
http://members.cox.net/kamartin/2006b9tribeca.html
-Karen in AZ-