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Subaru B9 Tribeca (B9X)

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Comments

  • corvettegregcorvettegreg Member Posts: 11
    I just picked up my Tribeca and am trying to figure out the mp3 player. I have the standard display (no navigation). In the book it says the folder and file names will scroll up to so many characters (64 if I remember right) Are they supposed to scroll like a marque? I can hit the info button and switch from screen to screen to see all the info, but if I leave on the file (title) screen, when the next song starts it goes back to the FILE: (part of the title) and will only return to the full title if I hit info. Am I expecting something to happen that doesn't or could my mp3 format be incorrect? Thanks
  • jeffmcjeffmc Member Posts: 1,742
    Surprising to me. No women I know who've seen it have complained about B9 Tribeca's looks, but several guys have.
  • jeffmcjeffmc Member Posts: 1,742
    Hmm... if you try to find the JD Power Buyer Profile for the Tribeca, you're outta luck! I wanted to see how many responses their info was based on, but the profile for the Tribeca's buyers doesn't exist anywhere that I can see. It's interesting they had enough responses to come to some publishable conclusion about the vehicle, but not enough to create a buyer profile.
    Also, if you try to look up 2006 vehicles, you'll only get about six manufacturers to choose from... Subaru's not included there.
  • cluelesspacluelesspa Member Posts: 648
    the radiator for the trans oil cooler looks to be on the passenger side of the car. it sits in front of the main radiator on the left side (looking at the car). you can see it if you look in from the front grill.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    It just might not be published, that's all.

    -juice
  • x5killerx5killer Member Posts: 368
    yeah I ended up just getting the Vector version of the Kitchen Aid elec. cooler/warmer. the Vector version just has an adjustable cool and warm where as the kitchen aid has just either cool or warm with no dial for how cool/warm.

    Its got a cushioned top as a seat, built in cup holder nad zip pouch. got an adapter to plug in normal outlet free. It fits underneath the cargo cover unlike the subaru igloo one and the coleman walmart had but didn't seem as nice as the vector and same height problem as the igloo.
  • x5killerx5killer Member Posts: 368
    "Then SOA could test the high market with less risk and have a better chance of success since they would not be selling to their price oriented core market, but a more sophisticated & eclectic buyer they is tied to performance and quality - not brand loyalty.

    Done right that vehicle though not a high volume product would open the door for SOA to begin to recognized as a supplier of high quality, high enf performance vehicles that still maintain all basics that Subaru have come to be known for."

    I like your thinking. And after all I was a Nissan/Infiniti loyalist who came over to Subaru because I liked the B9 better then the competition in almost every aspect including surprisingly style and esthetic features(ie. puddle lights, signal mirrors). So scooping up more new customers in any way is great.

    I am excited about Toyota buying the interest in Subaru from GM and hope this will improve Subaru models including in the the performance and hybrid depts. as well as more models hopefully. For Toyota it can't hurt their AWD technology.
  • x5killerx5killer Member Posts: 368
    I've heard this battery disposal pollution mentioned before. I have yet to see/read any proof on that and it seems like just something that sounds good to ppl who are anti-hybrid/ hybrid envy.

    The main thing that all the articles copied was that the price you were paying extra for the hybrid you wouldn't make up on gas until 10 yrs of normal use. Of course this was before the high gas prices so I'm sure that time frame went down significantly plus for ppl that may put more miles on their car then the avg person especially in a city like philadelphia measured to have residents with one of the longest avg. commutes.

    Plus you would drive more when you have a hybrid. We have 2 in my fam so when we travel together of course we always take the hybrid. Also you are helping the environment with less emissions. And the biggest thing that ppl still seem to be unaware of is the higher performance, hp, tourque, speed etc. Toyota/Lexus is getting with their hybrids. This would definately be the way to go for the B9 Tribeca. Imagine V8 power with a V6, higher performance, more hp, and higher gas mileage on our Tribecas. Its an improvement in every way and would be amazing.

    Also look at the bottom line. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the Lexus RX 400h are the #1 and 2 highest overall scoring recommended mid-size SUV's above even their non hybrid versions Rx 330 and regular Highlander so more expensive or not they are the best. Of course the non hybrid versions of both are still in the top 5 so it doesnt' hurt to start with a good model.

    Believe me, if I like the redesign of the highlander in 2007 and the Tribeca doesnt' have a hybrid iteration, I will be ditching it for a hybrid version of the new highlander early.
  • x5killerx5killer Member Posts: 368
    yeah though its the same old tired dust in the wind commercial that seems to just cause other suv drivers to go out of their way to pass me and not let me get by them just to prove the commercial wrong and not be left in my dust. The commercial now touts the 5 star government crash test rating.

    Also as far as the CR recommended mid size suvs performance in snow that is a good point and maybe the one thing CR doesn't take into consideration (hard to believe considering they are so thorough). anyway I know for a fact that the Infiniti FX35 does not perform well in teh snow and that has a higher overall score then the Tribeca in CR as far as the recommended models. So good point, but i doubt its much better then the others or top 5. AWD is AWD right? I know Subaru was first but is it really better then Toyota/Lexus's, Honda's, Nissan's BMW's?

    I have heard that only Audis quattro awd rivals Subarus though, is this true?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Subaru surely wants to do one, question is can they fund it? And what model should they apply it to?

    I'd argue the Outback, simple because that is where the highest volume would be.

    According to CR, you'd save about a grand a year on gas with one of those two hybrids over any of the other SUVs tested in that issue.

    -juice
  • x5killerx5killer Member Posts: 368
    what is NCIS? Sounds like a live show, so the Tribeca was happenstance and not placed there I'm assuming. Great in advertent publicity for the vehicle though. I agree it is good looking. Its funny even when i'm in mine, I saw this black one and it looks good and pretty significant and high ride height even though i'm at the same height, its weird where as usually the front end looks a little low.
    '
    Though I love my satin pearl white, I admitt looks very luxury on the road in black surprisingly and I''ve seen this black one coming the other way when leaving work a couple times now and for some reason the front end (especially in black i guess) coming at you on the road, looks like or gives you the feeling of a locomotive. I know they were going for airplane so its kind of funny it ends up looking like a train. I guess its because its on wheels and gain in black and maybe the front grille is reminding me of he "cattle pusher?" or whatever that wedged piece is on the front of old locomotives that were used to push stuff out of the way on the tracks I dunno.

    Also, I parked next to an FX 35 at a concert (both backed in) as I like to compare and contrast and have done so with the Murano. The main thing about the FX is that it is the same height in the front and the back so it has a very straight line. Basically the B9 looks more significant and "higher up" more suv like so to speak in the back while the FX being the most sporty and car like mid size suv is actually higher up in the front (something I didn't originally like about the B9 but have gottent used to though I think what I didn't like is that it reminded me of a minivan as I noticed many have a sloping front end but its all how you look at it)

    Bottom line was I was liking how the B9 stacked up against the FX side by side and though i do like the front end of the B9 and never had a problem with the grill, the Fx didn't have a higher up and wider look from the front.
  • x5killerx5killer Member Posts: 368
    wait really? Subaru rentals. I haven't seen that. though it is kind of cool and might expose more ppl to be pleaseantlyh surprised to Subaru's and especially the Tribeca. It kind of cheapens the brand and/or model as usually rentals are american cars, are the lowest end model and get kind of beat up by people which wont survey as nice as if someone went to a dealer to testdrive a higher trim and newer/less used model.
  • x5killerx5killer Member Posts: 368
    I don't put much stock into J.D. Power. Though they have a name I have found them to be useless for the most part and am not a big fan. This stuff is interesting but means almost nothing.

    I can't believe the SRX receives high marks for overall styling.
    Murano:
    " It also scores well among women, who are likely to view it as a vehicle
    that can be "shown off," and is perceived to be high tech, modern and
    flashy."

    Tribeca:
    "However, men react much more favorably to the model than do women,
    perceiving it as an exciting, sporty and trendsetting new design."

    That does seem off because they are very similiar but I thought the Tribeca was actually a tad more feminine then the Murano and thought it would be opposite with women liking the Tribeca more. I know most girls/women I have asked love the styling and more then the Murano including my wife.

    the brand recognition part doesn't bother me because if anything I think that is a good thing. It means ppl dont' associate it with Subaru at first right? or know what it is (prob doens't help that a lot of us took off the Subaru lettering) not that Subaru isn't a brand to be proud of, though I used to be a Nissan loyalist I would say its along the same lines as Nissan and among its Japanese coutnerparts (Toyota, Honda) like Nissan but even more so Subaru has more character and is smaller with less models (and more unique) which can sometimes be a good thing.

    I'll take the "exciting, sporty, and trendsetting new design" any day though.
  • foxbat121foxbat121 Member Posts: 211
    The main thing that all the articles copied was that the price you were paying extra for the hybrid you wouldn't make up on gas until 10 yrs of normal use. Of course this was before the high gas prices so I'm sure that time frame went down significantly plus for ppl that may put more miles on their car then the avg person especially in a city like philadelphia measured to have residents with one of the longest avg. commutes.

    Yes, gas price went up since but so is the premium you have to pay for the Hybrid if you want one now because of high demand. Besides, the batteries need to be replaced after a few years (just like another rechargeable battery). And I heard it is very expensive. One figure I read from a car mag is $8,000 for Ford Escape Hybrid battery.
  • deminindeminin Member Posts: 214
    Modern, Flashy, Exciting, Trend Setting....these sound like words a magazine reviewer might use when he is afraid of losing advertising revenue for his publication. I don't have to be so tactful. The only two words that come to my mind when I see a Murano or B9 are...BUTT UGLY! Both of these things look like a reincarnation of an old Edsel station wagon on steriods.
  • kmartinkmartin Member Posts: 427
    Ah, shucks, I'm flattered :blush:

    On the trip to Flagstaff last weekend (BIG Subie market up there, lots of snow and skiing), we were stopped numerous times (maybe five or six?) by a variety of folks wanting to know "what is that?". My mom even asked the question, do you get more male inquiries or more female ones? I would guestimate that about half were probably women, half were men. This has happened to me several times this summer as well, especially when I was up in the Northern Rockies. Not a very scientific poll, but an interesting observation, FWIW.

    -Karen in AZ-
  • cluelesspacluelesspa Member Posts: 648
    I just did a quick burn of about 20 or 30 MP3s onto a CD and closed the cd.

    popped it into the B9. the base was dramatically stronger for MP3 version vs when I convert the MP3s to standard Music CDs. or even comparing to the Store bought Music CDs. the songs played back in MP3 format has much more base punch. I wonder if there is a problem in the way they designed the reader for standard music CDs.

    I thought the stereo system on the Limited sucked at first. I had the BASE turned up and it still lacked punch. until I played MP3s :surprise:
  • cluelesspacluelesspa Member Posts: 648
    the first upgrade for my B9 is in the UPS ground system ...

    ...

    :confuse: :confuse: :confuse:

    ...

    I ordered 20" wheels for the Tribeca :shades: in a grey metal finish (should match the titanium silver on my suv hopefully)... Pics to come once they arrive next week...
  • njswamplandsnjswamplands Member Posts: 1,760
  • bat1161bat1161 Member Posts: 1,784
    NCIS is a show on Tuesday nights on CBS at 8 PM(EST). (http://www.cbs.com/primetime/ncis/index.shtml) It's originally a spin off of JAG. And keeping this on topic- I saw the episode mentioned but missed the B9.

    Mark
  • martyjmartyj Member Posts: 1
    Got my new Tribeca Silver on Monday. My daughter looked at it and loves it. I had a 2005 outback sedan. Unfortunately, I had a major problem with the engine with only 12,600 miles. Subaru was prepared to put in new engine but I really wanted something larger. Subaru headquarters in New Jersey really helped me out. They gave me an additional allowance (customer loyalty). I've owned and leased a few others and I didn't really lose too much on my 2005. Had it for a year. I am so happy with Tribeca. I was using 87 in my 2005(same engine) but using 89 now. Any suggestions on fuel grade?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    20"s should look sweet, definitely take pics!

    -juice
  • cluelesspacluelesspa Member Posts: 648
    recommended is Premium (I suppose prem used to mean 91 or higher octane) but pumps around here only have 89 then jump to 93 octane.

    I have been using 87 regular since day one due to fuel prices but found I get 1 more mpg with plus 89 octane. since it is 10 cents more then 87 octane it actually works out better to run 89 octane. Its cheaper to run 89 octane plus it has better pickup with 89 octane. but not sure if thats due to the temp getting colder... plus I picked up about 1/2 mpg without the AC running. so almost just short of 20 mpg with 50/50 mix of highway and city.

    During the summer I was 18 mpg
  • subienewbie2subienewbie2 Member Posts: 458
    Can anyone help me out?

    I am looking to purchase a in car hands-free bluetooth unit for my cell phone.

    Some units are capable of muting the stereo automatically when an incoming call arrives.

    I am happy to pay the higher price for such a unit but only if I know I can use the muting feature.

    Anyone know how and where the muting circuit has to be attached to the head unit?

    Failing that do you know where I could get the info.

    Thanks in advance

    John - Chicago
  • saedavesaedave Member Posts: 694
    I don't know which Subaru model you have, but the VDC has a mute button on the steering wheel which mutes THAT model's stereo. Tracing the wiring might give a hint, but note that if the Bluetooth device uses an electronic switch instead of a relay for muting damage could ensue. (The issue is whether the electronic switch needs to switch to ground or plus.)

    Note also that the VDC that plays MP3's may have a different head unit from yours.
  • drohrerdrohrer Member Posts: 37
    Got to the Subaru dealership today to (finally) drive a Tribeca and was met by the sales manager holding an article from today's Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel. He said they loved the B9. I was a little chagrined that i had not seen it as I like to think I know as much about these vehicles as most of the salespeople I meet.

    Got home and my dad was smiling about the fact the article showed up while we were out shopping for one! See for yourself what he says.

    www.jsonline.com/wheels/test/oct05/364977.asp

    (Tried to insert link, but was unsuccessful!)
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    My guess is if you don't want to use a Mute button you'll probably need a different head unit, since Bluetooth isn't supported.

    Do what I did - get an in-ear Bluetooth Headset. Then it works with your phone on the go, regardless of what car you're in.

    -juice
  • animalsguardanimalsguard Member Posts: 3
    I just bought my new Tribeca 3 weeks ago. And I noticed that my rear hatch squeaks, and wobbles a lot while I am driving. Anyone else have this problem? Should I have my truck serviced?
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    If you can wiggle the hatch in/out while it is "latched", then it needs to be adjusted. There are a couple adjustments the dealer can make to snug up the latch. Actually, if you are handy, you could do it yourself -- just study the latch and catch, and you'll see how it works. Also look to see if there are rubber bumpers on the hatch or frame. If they are adjustable, those would also be potential adjustments.

    Do the dome light or hatch-open dash indicator ever come on?

    Craig
  • aka1aka1 Member Posts: 110
    Take your vehicle to the dealership, any wiggles or looseness in the rear hatch is unacceptable and will be covered under your new car warranty. Fortunately, I have not had this problem- could be that when the car was delivered to the dealership, the pre-delivery checklist wasn't completed to spec..

    AKA
  • kmartinkmartin Member Posts: 427
    Here's a link to a nice review on the Tribeca, albeit faulty. See if you can spot the many incorrect statements this author makes :-)

    www.portlandtribune.com/adxl8.cgi?id=F102105

    -Karen in AZ-
  • msuvetmsuvet Member Posts: 54
    Just spending a non-productive Sunday afternoon watching tv. "Sell this house" on A&E.

    Quick shot of a blue Tribeca backing up (caught it at the rear quarter panel, knew right away), then they showed the hatch area just before opening it up. (They were delivering flowers to plant.). I don't know if this is a regular vehicle on this show or not...

    Christina
  • rblnrrblnr Member Posts: 124
    Anyone have an idea how the Tribeca is selling?
  • nowakj66nowakj66 Member Posts: 709
    I am shopping Tribeca against the Nissan Murano and Honda Pilot. Two suggestions for Subaru:

    1. Add a backup camera. All 2006 SE and SL Muranos will have a standard backup camera. With Honda Pilot it is included if you buy the NAV ioption. It's not even an option on the Tribeca.

    2. Make the Atlantic Blue and graphite leather color combo available on the 5 passenger version as well as the 7 passenger. Right now the only option in the Atlantic blue 5 seater is beige leather.
  • foxbat121foxbat121 Member Posts: 211
    Spet. sales number from SOA showed Tribeca as #3 on list for most Subaru models sold. #1 was Outback. #2 Forester.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I'll bite. Let's count the errors...

    Normally a traditionalist

    Yeah, right. Ever seen a BRAT? XT? SVX? Baja? Very non-traditional. Hello, anyone home?

    vehicle draws a much larger audience than Subaru ever expected

    Not quite. They are selling about 2/3rds the amount hoped for, so the opposite is true.

    rear tailgate is nearly vertical.

    Not at all. The glass portion curves forward significantly.

    tailgate is split horizontally

    Now I'm curious. Did he actually drive a Tribeca? Or an Element?

    17-inch wheels

    Try 18.

    concept vehicle was first shown in 2003

    Way, way off. Much later than that. January 05 IIRC.

    bouncy ride quality

    He's the first to make that claim? Not surprising given the number of mistakes, plus I feel like he never actually drove it.

    rebodied Forester and Outback

    Aye, aye, aye. It's loosely based on a stretch Legacy. Completely unrelated to Forester.

    17-inch wheels

    That's twice.

    So, Karen, which mistake were you referring to? I have almost too many to choose from, but I'll guess it was the 18"s.

    -juice
  • foxbat121foxbat121 Member Posts: 211
    concept vehicle was first shown in 2003


    There was never a concept vehicle let alone showing it. Maybe he is confused with B9 Scrambler concept which is a roadster.

    There was a artist concept drawing released by SOA in late 2004. That's all the information released before Jan 2005 debut of the vehicle in NAIAS.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yup, this one was a well-kept secret!

    -juice
  • cluelesspacluelesspa Member Posts: 648
    cant wait to get these 20" wheels on the B9 ... UPS said they arrive Thursday :shades: hope the color goes well with the Silver B9

    image

    with these Tires from Nitto (45 profile) keeps the tire diameter the same as OEM...

    image
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I think they'll look great. :shades:

    That's a nice, aggressive tread pattern, too. Both directional and asymmetrical.

    -juice
  • cluelesspacluelesspa Member Posts: 648
    actually they are designed for SUVs and designed to be non-directional so you can do the full rotation on them... I think they look directional as well but the tire website says these tires are designed to be able to fully rotated (non-directional pattern) :confuse:

    mfg tire webpage
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Wow, well that would sure look a bit strange. I'd just rotate them F <> R. To keep the pattern the same on all 4 tires.

    -juice
  • drohrerdrohrer Member Posts: 37
    Got an e-mail from the internet sales manager at the dealership today and it said that Subaru was no longer making 7 passenger Tribecas with a cloth option.

    So, does that mean that all new seven passengers are limiteds?

    This does not bode well for me as my wife has ruled out leather seats.
  • kmartinkmartin Member Posts: 427
    I caught most of the same ones you did, juice, but not all. I have a few parting shots of my own, as well (some factual, some just opinions):

    That tailgate is split horizontally so that the lower half can be used as a seating surface for tailgating.

    Don&#146;t know about the rest of you, but my derriere won&#146;t fit on that little lower bumper for any length of time :-)

    The rear seats are roomy, as well, and raised a couple of inches higher than the front seats, allowing for greater passenger visibility from the rear.

    I swear I had measured this from the first time I saw one in person. I remember the front and rear seats being exactly the same, and about an inch and a half closer to the ground than the Highlander I was considering at the time.

    As long as the standard-automatic shifts at a respectable rpm, the engine provides plenty of power. I found that leaving the automatic transmission in standard mode wasn&#146;t much fun, as it reduces the rpm shift points and the potential sporty side of the driving feel.

    Did he REALLY drive one? On any kind of angled grade at all? Wasn&#146;t much fun in Sport mode? Hmmm...

    However, it has a bouncy ride quality.

    Check the tire pressure...dealers often send them out with 40+ psi...mine did, and I went back and made them check it in the middle of the test drive. Made a huge difference (maybe he DID drive one, or just ride in it???).

    Just my $.02's worth....

    -Karen in AZ-
  • jeffmcjeffmc Member Posts: 1,742
    Doesn't sound right to me. I'd be surprised if that was the case, but if so this would be the first mention of it anywhere. Subaru currently lists the 7-passenger with cloth on their website.
  • subienewbie2subienewbie2 Member Posts: 458
    Mind telling us what the the wheels & tires cost?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Not sure, but when I last checked Fitz only had Limiteds, for both 5 and 7 passenger models. Hope that's a coincidence.

    That tailgate is split horizontally

    It's not split at all. It's one piece. They just a factual error, plain and simple.

    Good catch on the tire pressure. At 40+psi they probably feel like rocks.

    I'll take a guess at the cost of the wheels and tires - $1800 mounted, balanced, and delivered. Am I close?

    -juice
  • jeffmcjeffmc Member Posts: 1,742
    For 7-pass, my dealer has 10 w/leather and 2 w/cloth. For 5-pass, 9 w/leather and 1 w/cloth. Definitely harder to come by a base model.
  • foxbat121foxbat121 Member Posts: 211
    And how do you get by the TPMS issues?
  • cluelesspacluelesspa Member Posts: 648
    good guess, if I bought them in a store it would be that plus tax. but I paid $1500 plus shipping was free for a limited time. but normally shipping is like $85 ground. mounting and ballancing is free when you buy tire and wheels together :)

    as far as TPMS. they cost about $90 from the dealer list. I figure for the short term I will ignore the light unless the dealer has a way to turn if off. and then wait for a wrecked B9 or Baja to show up. they both have the same sensor :) if you do decide on new wheels, make sure they will accept a TPMS sensor. some wheels ... the valve area on the inside of the wheel is not flat where you mount the sensor to.
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