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Again. nice job, looks great.
Since i like to tinker, sat i decided to dive into the radio/nav screen and GPS all in one...
TV screen is Kenwoord
Radio is Panasonic
Navigation Unit is an older kenwood model
Big bonus for the folks with the same setup...
*Nav Unit where the dvd goes, on the back has an optional connector for an IR remote and driver voice commands. I dont know if the software that is installed in our units supports voice.. the MIc cost 99, i think i will give it a try
*TV/LCD here is the bonus, it has an additional RCA video input, thats right i connected my archos mpeg 4 player there and got video, after pressing aux multiple times, no sound. The no sound makes it interesting, since it leads me to think that some where there is an undiscovered Aux in that Subaru just did not connect.
*Radio, i found the connecter where the audio from RSE/Aux feed audio into the radio...one could easily tap into the rear aux here.. i think, need to test. the subaru wiring diagram just is not up to par. if anyone has the complete manual on pdf please let me know. i did the 72hour thing and just got frustrated downloading all the bits and pieces.
hey if you know what you are doing with schematics, please ping me.
All this to fix some missing features that i think such an expensive car should have..
Rearview Camera with reverse sensor
Aux audio input where it can be used
etc..."
exciting info. have you tried the mic yet connected to back of the nav unit where dvd goes in? I wonder how it would detect the infrared as you thought it was being under the seat? This would be great to have voice command NAV and then all the Acura TL owners wouldn't have something over us. The 2006 bmw 5 series lets you use the nav while driving and i hate how it disables it, sometimes i just need a quick info on a diff way or something and the time it takes to pull over and stop to use it is more then what I'll save by finding a diff route. Even a redlight is usually not enough time to work the nav, it sucks.
so there is a video input on the lcd screen for dvd? i never noticed it. not much use if there isn't sound.
you found the aux inputs on the radio? This would be useful to many ppl that dont have the dvd option and are looking for ext. input to connect mp3 player etc. Personally I just run a cord to the back but considering i used that every day and the dvd rarely if never it sucks i had to pay 1800 for aux inputs essentially and that they are in the back.
Not to mention the fact of having to get the 7 seater just for nav that they now offer with a 5 seater screwing us early adopters.
any luck on this? I'd also be interested in disabling that so that the dvd plays on the front screen while driving as well if you wanted it to for front seat passenger etc.
You are still able to switch to nav if you need to though right?
Watch, next year Subaru will add an aux input in the dash.
-juice
it will work just like you have when parked. you can toggle between the video or the audio screen. or hit MAP and go to the NAV screen
subienewbie2> and as far as the part of PA to stay away from is Pittsburgh ... :P
After driving on them for about 5k miles. I absolute recommend going to 20" if you like to get more handling out of the B9! the handling is about 50% better... and at cornering if feels a lot more solid. there is no downside, if you like a more sporty drive.
I just put on the OEM wheels for winter. dont want to get salt on the new wheels, plus the tires are summer tires.
driving on the OEMS again, I would say that the tire noise is the same between the 20" wheels and the OEM Goodyears. after the 20" tires wore in they quieted down :shades: other then the warning light for the Tire Pressure Sensor all is good with the 20" wheels.
Here is a picture:
<img src="C:\Documents and Settings\sfischer\My Documents\My Pictures\mbmyum.c.ang.jpg"
-juice
I stand by my assessment of the Tribeca. No other small SUV can match it. They all fall short in some critical area and you simply can't take the Subaru AWD system for granted. It's best in class and a match for the Audi at a lower cost. The car has been amazing in heavy rain and standing water, stays planted and sure. Handling is great, but the weight takes some getting used to. The rear middle seat works fine for our baby seat, but make sure yours fits. Subaru admits that not all will.
Handling remains entertaining, even more so when you consider the weight. But this is NO SPORTS car. A lot of folks with poor reading skills think this SUV should be a big WRX. That's not what it designed for. Still, I agree she could use 20 more HP/more torque. On the highway and 90% of the time the power is very good, but there are some holes in the power band. Flip to sport mode and things improve greatly, but you'll drink more gas. We're getting 18-19 MPG around town and 23-25 on the highway...really good!
If you have kids...this is a GREAT car. It's roomy, comfortable and quiet. You'll know you've taken one of the safest routs and piece of mind is worth a lot to me. The luxury and comfort never quits and my appreciation of the comfort continues. What can I say? I just turned 43 and I'm tired of being buzzed and rattled all the time.
As to the looks....Welllllll.....It seems that people who find this car ugly stay at home and play on their computers. I get nothing but compliments and raves over the interior. Most of the compliments come from women. I can live with that!
Gripes? Yep...here they are:
Give us more power..just a bit!
Seats are a bit stiff and could use a bit more lateral support.
Give us a Ipod input, it's 2006, not 1990.
Rear cargo cover is from a Yugo, a real laugh.
Rear seat legroom is a tad short for no reason, but still better than most
DVD system is junk, can't be operated from front and blocks rear view. Do a head rest system with unit in glove box or under seat. More quality for the dollar and more veratile...though you're screwed with an Ipod!
Telescoping steering column please
Memory seats please
Additional non-hidden 12V power please
I don't love the rear view through the back window...kinda tight
My problems with the competition:
Honda Pilot and MDX.....second fiddle AWD system
Nissan Murano....Too tight inside and too many around
Hunner H3....Hey, I liked it, but is it reliable? Comfortable car and priced right.
Lexus RX330...probably the only other car to match the B9. I like it. Not a bad choice if you can handle everyone else owning one.
So, if you're able to change cars every 2-3 years, get one of these and just trade up for the next one. You'll spend a lot more to do better. A LOT more. My wife is a nurse and at her hospital it's "SUV land." The Tribeca gets a lot of positive attention. In the end YOU have to like the car though. If you have kids....dump the car and buy a Tribeca....or do what we're doing....add an STI. We're leasing one end of summer for a second car.
Robert B
NY
then use the link to the picture. cant wait to see them. the offset should be POSTIVE 40mm to 55 mm to make sure you dont stick out too far. did you check the offset? which wheels did you get? and where? how much .. all the good stuff
Toyota wants SOA Indianna plan to built Toyotas. Wonder how that would affect SOA output?
Earlier reports have suggested that Toyota might produce hybrid vehicles at the Fuji plant.
The Indiana plant produced nearly 120,000 Subaru models last year.
It wasn't immediately clear if Subaru production would be reduced or what the factory's total vehicle output would be.
the wheels I used were +40mm so they only stuck out 15mm.
I would hesitate going to +30mm or less.
popa_sez
I am a little concerned, but they guarantee if there are problems you can return the wheels and tires.
I should know in a week or two as the tire sensors should be here by then.
Shane
But I asumed thr reason is that on snow - there is no problem since the tires bite into in it. However I suspect the problem could come when you are on dry roads which is most of the time. There in an emergency, the studs might cause the automatic systems to kick in when they should not because in dry roads (especially concrete) the studded tires have less grip.
I would check with SOA to make sure that any drive train problems are not blamed on the studs thereby voiding the warranty.
-Karen in AZ-
(BTW, it's going to be 76 and sunny in Phx today...just rubbing it in :-)
BTW, wish I am at where u are, nice and warm.... :shades:
The Good:
Memory driver seat for two drives(SE standard) it sets the mirror, pedal and driver seat.. great feature really miss it.
Radio remote would allow you to tune as well as move through the six radio preset.
CVT Trans, you just dont know how quiet it is until you drive a regular tranny car.
remote tire sensor display, reads out actuall tire pressure for all four tires (NAV option only). The subie tpms is very low tech
Engine was smooth and powerful
The Bad..
fit n finish was not all that great, but i am not that picky
It was not all wheel drive all the time, always front drive until wheels slip. you can lock awd, but after 20 it shuts off. the number 1 reason for trading it in for the subaru
Handeling might be due to the SE suspension. the car had tendancy to skip the rear out, around bumpy roads were only two wheels hit a bump, same for uneven turns. #2 reason for selling.
It was not as good in the snow as our prior two outbacks.
we just love subaru's
Murano rear seat is like an old checker cab, very roomy
>>DVD system is junk, can't be operated from front and blocks rear view. Do a head rest system with unit in glove box or under seat. More quality for the dollar and more veratile...though you're screwed with an Ipod!
i agree very disapointed, i plan on fixing this with an ir repeater, doing the parking brake disable tweak to run vid to the front. Also working on a rear camera hack with the nav system, you really do need a rear cam in this car.
the readio is made in mexico, anyone have a contact that can get us the wiring digram for the stock radio in the b9?
Check my profile for my website...you can email me from there...
-Karen in AZ-
I am looking for something larger than our 2002 LLBean which has been pretty much bullet proof. Just a little small and I am tall so a bit cramped for me as well.
As a prospective purchaser of both here are my observations.
Pros Murano:
- lots of legroom front and rear
- seats seem more supportive and longer bottom cushions
- 3.5 L Nissan Motor seems more powerful
- CVT
- better mileage
Pros Tribeca
- third row
- Subaru reliability
- advanced awd
I'm a passenger in a Murano quite often and the ride is vastly inferior to my 2005 VDC wagon. BTW the Murano's mpg is considerably better than my VDC in city traffic.
The Murano's looked cheap and unimaginative, while the Tribeca's is a work of art.
Bob and I got to drive these back-to-back on an accident avoidance loop. It went hard left, then hard right.
The Murano felt lazy and rolled a lot, in fact one driver got the inside rear tire off the ground! Yikes. :surprise:
The Tribeca rolled less and felt more stable in that test.
Murano had softer leather, but other than that I much prefer the Tribeca's interior, it just feels $10,000 more expensive inside.
-juice
It is an SL (the less expensive version).
Craig
and its not only the grip of the OEM compared to the new 20 inch tires. there is a definite improvement in lane switching on the highway. going to the lower profile 20 inch tires. the diameter of the tire is the same as OEM but the lower sidewall just makes the B9 less sluggish on lane changes and it feels noticeably more sure footed. it "feels" like the car is sitting lower to the road more like a sports car feels. I know its not any lower but the handling is hands down better. add to that the increase grip due to the VR tires over the Goodyear HR OEM tires.
15mm = .59 inches that is sticking out. I doubt that it will affect wheel bearings. The other person is out 20mm = .79 inches.
I wouldn't go 22 inch wheels because the profile would be too low that I would worry about banging them on potholes. plus the cost of the tires jump up as well ... everything is pretty compact around the center hub area so most anything with the proper offset should fit.
"Generally, you should not increase the offset more than 1/2 inch (12mm) or tire width by 1 inch (25mm), or you'll create further problems. Increasing offset 1/2 inch (12mm) or tire width 1 inch (25mm) will put the entire extra tire width 1/2 inch (12mm) to the outside, where it may not clear the wheel well. Increasing the offset also has the effect of loading the front wheel bearings past their design limits and can actually "cock" the bearings causing rapid wear or premature failure."
Note that when they talk about "increasing" offset it would mean the same thing in the context of bearings.
The bottom line IMHO is that an offset change of 0.59-0.79 inches is a lot in the context of Subaru wheel bearings, which are not known to be especially robust.
Craig
Craig
Initial observations/thoughts (after 1 week)
Love the styling and interior, thats what drew me to the car. Lot's of power, sport mode is fun, seems to really hold the shift points a lot longer.
Quirks: no doubt mentioned on the forum: gas mileage could be better, needs a telescoping wheel and audio controls that go through your pre-sets, not the next channel up. Did not notice this during the test drive. Rear vision is a challenge, especially compared to the Pilot. Also wish the "accept" button on the Nav was not so far away, since you have to do this every time you start the car. Memory seats should be available as well.
No car is perfect ergonomically, Subaru needs to improve some aspects if they want a larger slice of the pie. Having said that, I still like my B9 and like the driving experience --- way better than most SUV's/Crossover vehicles.
Are there replacement bulbs available for the headlights that seem to be less than adequate per this board and consumers?
Can the rearview backup camera be wired to the NAV unit directly?
Where can I get detailed manuals for B9? (Mechanical and electrical?)
Thanks for your help. Hope to post answers rather than all these questions soon.
The wheel bearings that were fragile were the 02 and earlier Forester and the 01 and earlier Impreza. The rest have been fine.
-juice
Craig