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Comments
bummer on the outside temp not showing up on the map screen. oh well....
-juice
Thx! -Karen-
I guess I was just hoping that there wouldn't be a Saab version of the B9 just so it would stay original. And I was annoyed by the Saab fanboys in some forums when the Tribeca first came out saying it was ugly and the Saab version will look better on the exterior. I'm a little bummed about it using same interior which doesn't really fit the Saab look and while everyone loves the interior some Saab enthusiasts even say the same thing that is is very unsaab like and therefore they dont like it (kind of like oldschool porsche fans not liking the cayenne or considering it a real porsche) which is probably true consdering it has an Audi/VW engine and not the symmetrical boxer type engine that the Tribeca has which cause some ppl to say the B9 is more like a porsche suv then the cayenne.
Regardless sounds like the Saab will have the same engine as well. I will really be pissed if they get a 3.5L or faster version. I'm just hoping I wont really like the Saab version and from what it sounds so far the only difference will be the exterior which looks like it will just be much more boring looking for the Highlander and Pilot type ppl (ie. bland looks) and not have the cool Alfa Romeo inspired Tribeca ( yes the rear and sides especially not just the grille see Alfa Romeo 147)
Saab used to be known more as a semi luxury car but now everyone knows its just a GM. I hope this doesn't happen to Subaru as I think they are better off competing with Toyota, Honda, and especially Nissan as a moderate japanese auto maker with some very near luxury models. Or like VW with more economic models liek the passat but then also luxury with the Touareg and Phaeton.
I wouldn't be surprised though if they price the Saab 9-6x higher then the Tribeca trying to pass it off as more luxury then the B9 just based on the badge.
Has anyone else had experience with synthetic oil boosting gas mileage? By 10%
-Karen in AZ-
-Karen-
Maybe it is the 7 passenger factor? options I have? I just have front bumper underguard, splash guards, hood protector , moonroof wind deflector, rear bumper cover. these aren't heavy stuff. anything i have in the car? my briefcase is a little heavy but isn't always in there. and then just the usual car fare so nothing heavy cargo wise inside.
I'm about to hit 2k miles so hopefully it will get better.
Also in an unrelated note, I remember talk about the subwoofer in the rear cargo area side wall/panel and then that the optional underseat subwoofer mostly as an accessory for ppl with the non premium sound system with no subwoofer. And then someone here saying they had the 7 pass with premium sound with subwoofer in rear but some type of box under their seat and someone saying to take a picture because they are the only 7 pass with something under the driver seat. But there is definately a metal box under my driver seat as well just as the other person described raised up off the floor an inch or so. What is that? Did we get an additional subwoofer? The bass is pretty good especially when i turn it up on the sound system and then adjust on the players I am using through the line out cord i have to rear audio inputs.
And a pic of our B9 in the best color!
Yup, it's BLUUUUUUUUUE!
-Karen-
These are some of the nice little things that Subaru added to make this a world-class ride. Just my $.02's worth...
-Karen-
Is there a 2nd row legroom issue with the 7 passenger? Is there less 2nd row legroom in the 7 passenger because of the third row?
On my 7 Ltd w/ NAV, the Nav DVD unit is what's under the driver's seat. If you have Nav in your Tribeca, your dealers should have pointed it out for you for it is where you need to put in a different DVD if you travel to other side of US.
BTW, say my first "other" 'beca in my neighborhood yesterday evening! I was about three miles from home, sitting w/ mom-dad-grandma in at our local IHOP (can't afford more expensive food with these car payments...just kidding), when a Mahogany Red one pulled through the parking lot. I was in mid-sentence (normal for me), stopped talking suddenly (unusual), and stood up and stared out the window, and said, "hey, there goes another Tribeca!". My dad caught a glimpse of it, so I wasn't imagining it. They headed west, back toward my end of town. I'm on the lookout for it today. The only other one I've seen was a white one in the opposite part of Phoenix from where I live, within about 8-10 miles of three different dealers.
-Karen-
As I mentioned you can also adjust the bass etc. from the player itself which is nice and i got to the point where it was too much base but the B9's premium system handled it nicely with no distortion.
Did anyone else get their Delphi portable XM as pre order gift?
It comes with a lot of stuff for home setup and car use and as a portable player as well. The first night i had some trouble with it because though its supposed to come pre activated mine somehow wasn't getting the channels and when I called the one # and the guy verified the id of my player he sent a refresh which never took. Later when I called what i didn't realize was a diff # they said my account didn't exist and activated a new one and then said for me to contact Metron who handled those accounts to make sure I wasn't charged for what was supposed to be a complimentary 12 month subscription. When i called the other # (Metron, not that it says that on the paper, the other was listener care though and was the wrong # to call) they said it was them who they must have called earlier to get the refresh and the reason Listener care didn't have record of my account is because they dont handle those or something so i wasn't crazy. Was frustrating at first though the girl telling me it doesn't exist and I said well i just called earlier and the other guy verified it fine and sent a refresh. Either way they got it working and supposedly they would contact listener care to verify the account and make sure I didn't get billed for my free 12 month.
What I did the first night was just set record on one station and let it fill the 4-5 hr? recording max, so i could listen to it in car for the rest of the work week on my commute and wouldn't have to deal with the antenna. I think you can schedule recording on diff stations at diff times though. I put the player in the car cradle (have another cradle for in house) and connect my audio cord from the rear tha I use for mp3 player as well into the line out in the cradle. At first i had to plug in the antenna as well just to get it past a screen that said no signal but I think you can just go right to my xm to play recorded content and dont need the antenna plugged in. I did get signal with the car antenna just plugged in, cord still wound, and sitting on seat instead of mounted on the outside of the car. Also it comes with a car charger and port for that on the cradle (again dont think there is a port for this on the actual player) for that which is nice as I never got a car charger for my mp3 player and just charge in house at night every few days.
My dealer already promised me free professional installation of the portable XM and this definately starts to make up for the Tribeca not have sat radio. I think the portable one may actually be better for taking it in the house, other cars , and on the go with you. Speaking of the installation though, for one thing I wonder if the cradle is mounted permanently somewhere in which case I wouldn't be able to take it in another car and I dont think the player has a line in our car charge port without the cradle. It does seem to have antenna port though on the player for using the portable antenna when on the go with it.
I think there is another permanent mount that the cradle will be able to snap on and off from I hope as its nice to be able to take it in someone else's car. I even brought the antenna and used that in my wifes car and at one point with low signal had to put the strong magnetic antenna base on the roof just outside the window (like a siren) and it worked great but a little ghetto rigged with the thin wire going through top of window with it closed on it. I imagine for the professional installation they install it permanently and well hidden but from the manuals pictures it will will be a visible thing on the roof but its a small little square and the B9 doesn't have an ext. wire antenna so its fine.
So I would just have to get another car antenna accessory which I'm assuming you can to be able to get live signal in others cars. No line in in hers and many cars so I tried out both the tape player (which I leave in her car since the B9 doesn't have tape deck) and the built in wireless fm transmitter and both sounded great but I'm sure the direct connection to rear audio inputs i use in my Beca is better.
Thats my other question though. How will the dealer install it using my direction connection to rear audio inputs? and will I then be easily able to switch it to my mp3 player or other device when needed. Maybe there is a left and right audio to a dual line in splitter cord so i dont have to switch but you can only listen to one at a time anyway so its no big deal to switch.
The dealers are prob installing them just using the built in wireless fm transmitter but I will want my with the direct connection and I worry about where on the dash they will mount it? Anyone know or get theirs installed? Also then where will the line in cord come in if its mounted on the dash somewhere? I really don't mind it on seat next to me sitting snuggly between the seatbealt connector and dash. I do this for both my mp3 and xm player and its fine. can even put it in center or cup holder compartment to hide if dont need to change anything on player. I mostly just need the antenna professionaly installed for live content as its a little much to have that sitting on seat, on dash or out window and then like i said if its perm, just get another car antenna for bringing in others cars.
Dash mount would be nice for the passenger to be able to use the remote to operate it though thats prob more for in house use and were used to leaning forward for the nav anyway (can't be lazy).
One thing was nice using it in wifes car listening to "my xm" recorded content and using the built in wireless fm transmitter and enough battery so no use for car charger was that it was a completely wireless player in my hands that I could adjust/change stuff, pass it around to other passengers and then sit in cupholder or wherever so I could just glance at it now and then to see the artist and track name all playing over her car stereo nicely in which case you dont even need the cradle for that.
An example of how I drive my B9
.
Left home with 210 miles to empty of the display screen in the car.
Always used manual mode and start in 2nd gear rather than 1st at every light.
Went thru two towns to get to the highway.
Cruise control set to 75 on the highway. Half way to destination, the miles to empty jumped to 220 miles to empty (from 210!!!).
Crossed thru one town getting off highway (again in manual mode and 2nd gear start).
Reached destination with display screen reading 230 miles to empty.
Went back home the same way I arrived.
Conclusion: I drove a total of 62 miles round trip and upon parking the car in the driveway, the display screen read 210 miles to empty. It's like I didn't use any gas at all (according to the on board display). LOL.....
A/C is a big factor is gas mileage. Dont use it if you dont have too.
anyone try it?
Also, in speaking of up to date traffic report missing from NAV in previous posts, you can get a prog like that for the Treo 650 pda phone to get up to the minute traffic so you know ahead if you need to take an alternate route etc. as well you can get yoru local traffic report on XM sat. radio.
And additional info back on the (Saabaru) Saab 9-6X Midsize SUV
Available: Summer 2006
Preview
What Edmunds.com Says: Saab is trying to broaden its lineup with this crossover, but it's going to need the right styling to make customers believe it's a true Saab.
What We Know: Saab will be building a seven-passenger SUV that is essentially identical beneath the surface to the Subaru B9 Tribeca, which recently debuted at NAIAS. The 9-6X will share its platform as well as its 3.0-liter, 250-horsepower, six-cylinder engine and accompanying five-speed manual transmission with its Subaru cousin. Additionally, the two vehicles will both be built on the same assembly line at Subaru's Indiana plant.
still not sure what the red light is for above the shifter area? :confuse: I can tell my lights are on by always having the fog lights on and the green icon for the foglights come on when my lights are on
you really think its the Acura badge keeping ppl from tailgating you? I think its more the fact that its an SUV in which case you will have the same effect with the Tribeca.
If you just want an intimidating vehicle on the road that you can scare others with and have noone bigger/taller then you able to tailgate you etc. then just get an ugly horrible squarel Hummer with horrendous gas mileage and have everyone despise you and think you are an idiot for driving something like that just for status but really just looking stupid and killing the environment. For that matter any other big truck or pick up with after market larger off road wheels raised up well on its shocks.
The SUV market got out of control for awhile and was all about being bigger and higher up then anyone else on the road. It has since changed and now it is all about lower sportier car like suvs that handle better like the Infiniti FX and Subaru B9 Tribeca!
Even if it is just the fact that its a smaller tank. It then gives the negative illusion of having poorer gas mileage and with gas prices so high its painful to have to fill up so that on top of just the usual pain of stopping for gas especially on way to or from work at a now increased interval kind of sucks
Plus I imagine on a longer trip having to stop so much more often because of smaller tanks sucks. Especially with some of the new hybrid suvs like the Highlander and RX 400h, I know owners of those who only have to fill up like once a month or something which is nice on top of getting 30mpg.
I remember when i went on a road trip with a RX 400h, I was going much faster and got good amount ahead of them but then had to stop for gas and they passed and it took me awhile to catch up even just from filling in gas. it was like the slow steady turtle beating the faster rabbit who then had to stop.
Between the avg gas mileage ( maybe below avg?) small tank and it not being a hybrid may be ultimately why I get out of my fully paid for Tribeca early and I just hope it retains its value. For this reason I'm glad I got it early and no waiting for the Saab crap. As much as i dont like Toyota (even though i like lexus) and prefer Nissan/Infiniti even over Honda/Acura, I may be interested in the 2007 Toyota Highlander hybrid if the new styliing redesign pans out nicely and really is more modern/rounded etc. liek the Murano and Tribeca.
Yes I said this awhile back as well.
If they can sense a passenger is there for the airbag to notification to say on then can't they let that passenger operate the NAV? I guess they wouldn't know from which seat the hand is coming from and then they would have ppl weighing the seat with just enough (75-60 lbs?) just so they can operate nav while driving.
as someone said though, if you already agreed to hold harmless then can't you use your $2,000 option as you please even if at your own risk.
and yeah, why didn't Subaru make the NAV voice activated. Just one more thing Acura owners like TL's can brag they have that the Tribeca doesnt.
Breakfast places are fun at dinner time, can't beat the prices, either.
just use a bt headset which you prob have anyway
Yup, I have a BlackBerry 7100T with an M2500 headset, works like a charm. We're actually about to test out the better Motorola HS820 model, which has active noise cancellation.
I love it when people think I'm talking to them and look at me like I'm crazy. I call it "cell crazy".
Not sure I'd ever dial the points of interest, I just want to know where they are, i.e. nearest gas station or fast food joint. Can't imagine I'd ever need to call first.
Then again just like Karen it's IHOP or McDonald's for me, not a restaurant that needs reservations. I'm not thinking like a luxury SUV owner. LOL
Gas tank should be bigger, that's something they could improve as a running change.
-juice
This reminds me. On a recent road trip we brought an xbox with a 300gb hard drive in it fiilled with games, movies etc. Only to realize duh we didn't have a way to get it power. We figured we could find something at a local store where we were going for the way home. But when we went to radio shack they guy told us that the xbox needs more voltage then any car provides as its more like a computer and all this stuff. I think maybe he was just trying to sell the $100 car powersource thing and we didn't get it or try any other stores.
I assume there is an adapter that plugs the ps2 or xbox into the 12 volt? plug right next to the audio/video inputs in the rear? What do you use for ps2? is it same for xbox and what stores carry it?
didn't look at the link yet. but is it something that is suppose to show track info (artist/song name) from mp3 or portable sat. radio player on the nav display.
Of course that would be amazing as it just says rear entertainment system (or whatever) and shows the drop down dvd screen on the display and you have to look at your portable mp3 player or portable sat. radio player to see info.
Also, Chrysler's batteries are known as the only car manufacturer whose batteries only last 2-3 yrs while all other cars batteries last the standard 5 yrs.
also as much as that may be a convenience to load dvds up front and 6 of them, but its nice to have cd and dvd sepearate. if you have all dvds in there then how can you listen to cd and if you mix then you dont know what is in which. Everyone complains about the rear dvd load but I dont mind it and prefer it.
All the talk on not being able to change preset on the wheel. its easy to hit the presets on the dash as thats a quick push. If given the choice I'd much rather have the scan button on the wheel then preset if you can't have both. scanning is better anyway and you will get to your presets and maybe hear some other stations or music you wouldn't have relegating yourself to your presets. also it requires one push after another as you are scanning whre presets is just one push.
and yeah all the talk on poor rear visibility. well there you go Pacifica is worse. and I know Murano and Infiniti FX is worse. was eveyroe coming from some old car with a huge square back window?
Also, want to add that with all the talk on the 3rd row being useless and blah blah, that its bigger then the Highlanders 3rd row and equal to most other comparible mid size suvs with 3rd row so its really a non issue and actually adds to its value for resale or trade in. The 2nd row has a ton of leg room (prob best in class) with the seat moved all the way back when not using the 3rd row so can't say 2nd row leg room is a con at all when its in fact a major pro.
Also going against the myth that increased power means decreased mpg is what Toyota/Lexus has done with their hybrid cars. Like in the case of the Highlander hybrid and Lexus RX 400h they are V6's getting much better gas mpg but actually increased speed, hp and overall performance then the non hybrid version of the same exact car let alone other makes/models from other manufac.
So, no I think Subaru can and should have and should make a higher performance engine then the current only choice in the Tribeca along with making it get better mpg.
Radio shack has a slick adapter to convert any 12V powersource into a standard plug. I believe it was $69, but it works well and can be used anywhere, not just in the car. The PS2 does not draw an abnormally high voltage, but I cannot say whether the XBOX is the same. My thought would be to get the simple $69 adapter and try it. Like I said, it is useful, in and of itself. If it doesn't fire-up the XBOX, then get the more expensive gizmo.
Randy
Since this passenger is my 65 year old father, I've chosen not to yell at him and tell him to put his seatbelt on - basically I'm not looking for a 30 minute lecture about how the government shouldn't be mandating that he wear his seatbelt - however that's another story.
Thanks, David
Stock DVD system pros:
1) Allows for connection of Ipod or Sat. radio easily.
2) Nice 9 inch screen for rear.
3) Superior audio via direct stock connection until aftermarket direct connect is available.
Negatives compared to my aftermarket system:
1) Stock system partially blocks rear view mirror and over the shoulder views aft. A big deal folks. Downplay it if you like, but this is serious.
2) Stock system impossible to control from the front seat while driving. My system has Visor screen and accessable player for parental control. You'd have to add this if you have little kids.
3) Stock system is only one screen. My system allows one person to watch one show while another plays a game.
4) Stock system does not allow for the best viewing angles for second row compared to the headrest monitors.
5) My screens are both brighter and have have better black levels.
6) My screens simply do more and cost less and are built into the car rather than being bolted onto the headliner. The stock system is not very integrated looking compared to this.
http://members.aol.com/bobsprit/images/mvideo.jpg
There's just no comparing stock stuff to the better aftermarket. There never is. Soon there will be ways to make the audio system better as well. I do like the Nav system, though I just would never use it. The stock DVD system is pretty low-end.
Robert B
NY
I know i'd like to believe this too to make myself feel better for not having an hybrid but not only is also helping preserver the environment a little but I'm sorry I'd much rather pay more for my car at the time that I own, then more on gas that I just burn away.
Also, I know they say, yeah it will take you 10 yrs to save enough on gas to equal what you paid extra for the hybrid but some ppl do keep their cars that long and with gas prices still rising I bet that amount of years has come down and will continue to. I bet its more like 5 yrs now to equal what you paid extra to what you saved in gas in that time.
That is a good point about it really be just better for city driving, but it still looks like its 2 better in highway as well and city is really what is more important and uses more. I'm consistently getting only about 15mpg with the Tribeca, I would love to double that with 31 are you kidding me and again i dont care how much more it is then a non hybrid version and how many years it will take me to make that amount back in gas savings. I'd rather spend on the car not the gas.
Maybe it's time to update this article:
The Real Costs of Owning a Hybrid (Inside Line)
Steve, Host
its has more room for the rear passengers. right now with the seats ALL the way back the rear passengers are still sliding in. with the Pac you had two captains chairs in second row. more room in the front. and more upscale features such as the auto all windows down, auto door lock when driving, 5.1 Surround Sound, HID front lights, power rear lift gate, auto lights on, lights on auto with wipers, bluetooth integrated handsfree cell... The Pacifica a great idea for an SUV and far from a minivan and handles quite well but it could be better with a tighter suspension and more HP.
As far as the 6 cd/dvd changer you can mix and match. I just loaded the first with 3 cds and then 3 dvds... plus you still have a separate CD in top in case the kids are watching a movie you can listen to a single cd slot in the top deck. its nice to have 3 or more movies on tap. Me I used to get the DVD concerts and play them while driving. the sound quality in 5.1 surround beats any CD. and you dont need to watch the concert to enjoy it
I mean I am not trying to put one or the other up as better, just that both need improvement the B9 and the Pacificas... as far as view, the Pacifica even has a very large blind spot because of its size and rear corner panels... you either adjust your mirrors correctly to see the blind spot or install fish eye mirrors. the B9 the blind spot is not that large. at least I haven't noticed it yet. I will have to have someone stand next the B9 and walk back to check how big the blind spot is.
yeah I guess it really is more like a pc and I was afraid this might be true. the radio shack guy said something about wiring it directly to the battery. Well thats why its a great system, its not a toy but with 200gb or 300gb hd in it replacing the stock 8gb hd I wouldn't risk using less then the required wattage either.
xbox is kind of big and heavy anyway especially with that hdd in it. better off using a diff system in the Tribeca. gamecube isnt' a bad idea. thanks for clarifying. Prob not going to bother wiht the power converter wired to battery.
Not true. Under most conditions you will get better MPG with the windows up & the A/C on.
Modern A/C systems and the cars aero-dynamics with all windows closed create less drag & better milage than driving with A/C off and windows open.
I'm still 2,000 miles from first oil change, but I'll let you know when I do. It's worked on the 05 GT LTD and I see no reason why it shouldn't on the Tribeca.
BTW it's 6 quarts per oil change @$4.79 a quart plus 7% tax or $30.90 plus the Subaru filter at $6.50 plus 7% tax or $6.98 total of $37.88 doing myself. A regular oil & filter at my dealer is $21.95 plus 7% plus disposal fee $1.50 or $25.18 which is $12.70 less.
3,500 miles divided by 20 is 175 gallons at $2.65 or $463.75. If you realize the 10% better mileage 3,500 divided by 22 is 159 gallons at $2.65 or $421.35. So $463.75- 421.35 = $42.40 - $12.70 = $29.70 savings or $29.70 divided by 3,500= .0099 cents (less than a penny) per mile savings. So 100,000 miles gives you $990.00 savings.
I'm a firm believer in synthetic oil. The savings isn't much, but I have used synthetic oil since it came out and I've never had a problem with any engine.
What can make a bigger difference over 100,000 miles is the cost of gasoline (especially if it continues to go up).
I did this exercise to show yes there is some savings, but for me the type of oil is what helps keep the engine in good shape and my preference to do so.
http://www.csaa.com/global/faqdetail/0,1397,1004010401%257C220,00.html
http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/jk/at_001121.htm
http://searchwarp.com/swa7388.htm
There are many more, but here again I've been doing this since 1985 or so. It comes down to personal preference. But I've always switched to synthetic when changing the original oil.
For me 2 MPG extra is a bonus benefit from synthetic oil.
Whew, long winded........................
Finally even more importantly:
1. Keep the tires at the recommended tire pressures. Get a good tire gauge.
2. Change air filter every 15,000 miles instead of 30,000.
3. Did you know that if you press your gas pedal down about 1/3 to 1/2 way you can get a good kickdown gear that is actually better than "flooring it"? - Try it.
4. Every 7,500 miles put a can of good fuel injector cleaner in the tank before you fill the gas tank.
5. Don't "hot rod" it alot.
6. Use the stated gas not lower grade.
It all adds up NOT just the synthetic oil alone.
Can anyone comment on the insurance cost difference between the 5 & 7 seater?