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Comments
I would have also disagreed about the mileage but not now. Some of you have probably read my posts grousing about getting 14 or 15 mpg here in Chicago. Since I broke the 5K mileage mark and with cooler weather - AKA no A/C - I am now getting approximately 17 to 18 mpg in the Chicago area which breaks down as about 60% city and 40% urban highway.
I have also found the following after experimenting with fuel grades. It is definetly more cost effective to run the recommended Premium grade. It costs about 10% more but with it I am getting about 20% better MPG.
Rear sonar park assist
Steering Wheel button will move through pre-sets not next station.
Maybe memory seats
He also said there is test mule B9 at the Indiana plant with a 6 cyl turbo. He said he knows it is a turbo but it might be a twin turbo. Wouldn't a twin turbo be sweet? No info on if or when it might be available.
After spending $35K, now they have the goodies I want...
oh well....
Why didn't they do it for 06 and had to wait for 07
I mean sonar backup assist or memory seats or turbo are not 'latest' technology or something..... Now I m pissed...
To be honest I'm not sure that will help sales volumes a whole lot, as that would push a loaded one up over $40k.
I hope they can keep the price down, so a complex twin-turbo might be too much to succeed at the price it would have to cost.
Nice review by Texarkana, though I don't think Formula 1 cars use boxer engines (V10 IIRC).
Probably the review with the fewest mistakes so far!
-juice
"Thank you for taking the time to contact us and for your message.
Updated maps/discs for the Navigation System in your 2006 B9 Tribeca should be available for purchase next Summer. At this time, we are unsure if these discs will be available directly from the Navigation supplier or through authorized Subaru dealerships. Please contact us late next Spring for this information."
-Karen in AZ-
"Probably this time next year. We are always looking to expand our products to be compatible with all vehicles."
-Karen in AZ-
SOA needs to draw new blood into the family and they can not do that with price. They can only do it with features, performance and good old sizzle.
There are many would be subie buyers who are not turned off by the price if the car is sexy enough.
So why would it bother you if there were subies at a price point acceptable to you and other models that are in 45 to 60K range that meet that demographics expectations.
It would be silly not.
It is not a problem of bothering present Subaru buyers. It is a problem to try what failed miserably at VW.....adding high priced models to a brand not considered to be premium by the public. A turbo six 'Becca might make sense as a Lexus model if the styling were sufficiently differentiated. There is also the major problem of CAFE requirements; the normally aspirated six is thirsty enough without a turbo that it is not offered in the Legacy (auto, not light truck category) just because of the CAFE problem!
Of course, I would personally be interested in one (But I fell for the VW Passat W8 so my judgment is suspect.)
45 grand for a Subaru?
No matter how good. Look at the Phaeton - bombed. Even the Passat W8 was too pricey, $40k for a VW? Didn't matter that it had AWD, a V8, came in a wagon, so what? It's a VW. You can't do that. Cachet is a major factor.
You can't leap up in price/prestige suddenly, you creep up slowly and earn it.
Would it bother me if they made a twin turbo? Well, not as long as I got to sample one! LOL
But to be honest, I think that is a risky business decision, and I want to see Subaru turn a profit, not go down in flames.
I'd rather see them change the engine in all models to a 3.3-3.5l or so, and maybe offer a light-boost turbo on a Limited Sport model that kept prices under $40k loaded, which is possible.
-juice
Too bad I already spend my money on new 06 Outback this year. I won't be seeing a 2007 Tribeca in my garage next year, or even in the next 4 years.
But now a twin turbo? Turbo will certainly make it less fuel efficient. A official 15 MPG would make it look as bad as the Toureg.
IMHO, instead adding a turbo Subaru should make the Tribeca lighter (more alum parts, like the rear hatch in the Outback) and put a 7 speed auto transmission (like the Mercedes R-class). It would improve fuel economy, acceleration from standstill and get some more towing load.
The one upgrade that is woefully needed is an improved air conditioner. Any word on that? It's a pretty much unusable vehicle here in Arizona for that reason alone.
Oh- I'd like the roof rack to slide as well.
This, of course, creates the problem of a _name_ for that brand. OK, here goes; "Capella" (the name of a star).
Steve, Host
Craig
Back to my astronomy maps.....
the alpine ones were I think 2 x per year. the one we have in our B9s are probably a year old already by the time they make production and ship the car...
I am a bit disappointed in the remapping system of the NAV, I have had multiple times where it will send me off on a smaller side street out 3 miles on a long loop back to intersect with the road I am currently driving on further up. it is not shorter nor is it faster the route the computer remapped for me
Perhaps mayberryguy has a better hold on lead times.
I think those things are probably on the "wish list", but noone will know until much closer to production.
-juice
We also have a 5-speed WRX wagon and have been impressed with its simpler mechanical 50/50 torque split system.
We know that even Subarus can't overcome physics (a big danger with folks with 4WD SUVs flying down slippery roadways and then rolling right off them) but seems like the Subaru will take good care of you if you drive sanely.
I would expect VDC to keep this in check on the B9. My OB XT, however, will rotate and even let you drift through turns!
Craig
I am having more issues with the AC being on in the COLD weather right now. It seems to have a mind of it's own when you turn it on: the compressor always wants to turn on, either in AUTO or just turning the fan ON, no matter where the temp is set. I have to manually turn the AC off just to get heat. It does respond quickly, though, and heats up in a big hurry! Still, it's an annoyance...
-Karen in AZ-
:-)
-Karen in AZ-
Granted, there is much more volume in the vehicle compared to my nephews Toyota Corolla (which will get you bone chilling cold in no time) the B9 is excellent when looking at vehicles in similar size constraints.
AKA
You can turn off the VDC and hang the tail out all day long, if you get on the throttle just right, you can push the rear end out, and then lightly get on the throttle to have the front wheels pull you through the turn. Leaving the VDC on, I experience a little bit of understeer before the system activated the brakes and regained control- and nailing the throttle out of the turn will allow the tail to come out a bit before the traction control stops the wheel spin and VDC put the car back on the right path.
Didn't get too much deep snow, but I am sure it would have done exceptional. I have noticed that on the Murano and the MDX when you look at it from the side, you can see the exhaust and suspension components hanging low- while on the B9 everything is tucked away and all you see is a smooth uncluttered underbody.
AKA
Finally, I've had my Subie since Labor Day but its now time for its first oil change (3500 miles). Does anyone know if the fuel filters for the Tribeca are readily available or am I forced to go back to the dealership? Also, do the synthetic oils work better in the Tribeca than the ordinary oils? Thanks for any help guys and I'm loving my Tribeca!
-Charles from NY
I am convinced Acura did a better job avoiding confusion in this regard -- there is no AC indicator, so most people don't really know when it's on (however, it will flash an AC off light if you manually disable it on purpose).
Craig
If you still have a need to change the oil yourself, I would buy two or three filters from the dealer, this way you get OEM quality filters, and they usually give you a good price as well.
AKA
But- that's the point. You really NEED to keep it on recirc to work. Other cars will give you fresh air that is cool. Glad it's working for you- but I'm a fresh air kinda' guy.
Oh- and "snow" is that white stuff you see on TV.
Morey
-Tucson
When it warms up I'll teach him how to do it, but not if it's freezing out.
-juice
http://www.rostra.com/RearSight.htm
guess you have to call up.
-juice
new white color? How new? just new for the tribeca not newer white color then the orig Satin White Pearl it came in when the B9 first came out?
This on top of the fact that if you want audio inputs for portable xm or mp3 player etc. you had to get the $1800 dvd option and the audio inputs are all the way in the back.
At least I use the audio inputs every day though the dvd player only a few times. But with the 3rd row while I figured it was nice to have then not, I have never used it and may never and worry more that it adds to the weight and therefore takes away from performance and cause lower mpg.
The only thing I can hope is that 3rd row i was forced to get adds to the resale value when I go to sell it or trade it in for an 07 Turbo Tribeca with all the missing options and hopefully audio inputs up front (as my B9 is fully paid for and not leased which could be good or bad for me) Good in that I dont have to wait 3-4 yrs for lease to be up, but the chance that I change car sooner then that is doubtful and to really get your moneys worth on a paid for car you should keep it about 5 yrs like I usually do so thats bad.
Maybe I just wait for the hybrid Audi SUV in a few years to step up in luxury and keep with AWD that is just as good or better?
So its not to say it can't work. But if convincing or tricking the public is neccessary, then why doesnt' Subaru create a luxury line the way Toyota/Lexus, Honda/Acura, Nissan/Infiniti did?
I mean Audi is basically a luxury VW yet VW made those 3 more luxury high performance models mentioned. But a new Subaru luxury line would allow them to persue those types of cars and their customers and separate and not alienate the loyal economic subaru customers.
I'm sure Toyota after buying and now owning a large share in Subaru they recently acquired from GM could help make a new Subaru brand happen.
And speaking help from Toyota, they could easily make a hybrid Tribeca happen with improved performance and HP like toyota does in its other hybrid models (see RX400h Horse power compared to rx330 etc.) killing 2 birds with one stone (improved fuel econ and improved HP) at the same time and negating the need for a fuel thirsty turbo.
The body shop gladly took it back to remedy free of charge as part of the original repairs but said they saw nothing wrong and that they heard it and it just needed some lubrication somewhere.
Well it still does it and seems slightly worse in cold or rain and I'm not looking forward to calling them back up and taking it back and possibly being without my beca for another day or more as last time I had a Kia rental car that was no fun.
Maybe this is more for problems and solutions forum, where is that again? and while it should be on them to figure out whats causing it and remedy it, I thought maybe anyone here would have an idea so i can help clue the bod shop in on the 2nd attempt to fix.
Again its a squeaking or creaking that happens when I say brake at a stop sign and again when i accelerate. At first i almost though it was the plasticky part of the bumper or wheel well moving but it seems to be brake related, although it also happens i think with no braking and just a slight bump making me think it was something with the shock absorber/suspension as well in that wheel creaking.
IMHO, I think that Piech's plan was to have Audi compete against BMW and have VW move upmarket and compete against MB. They see them as 2 distinct markets - sport sedans and luxury sedans.
VW is seeing it's domestic (European) market share starting to be challenged by Toyota, Honda, and Hyundai. Just like Subaru, it needs to move upmarket because it knows that in the near future, it'll be overtaken by new competition. It could do it just like Subaru could but it tried to go too fast.
I finally got my ABS ECU replaced in my WRX after Subaru admitted what they called "a delayed response feel" which actually was a MORE than disconcerting response of the ABS prematurely activating when moderately hard braking while simultaneously going over a bump/pothole causing the brake pedal to sink to the floor and feeling like you lost 80% of your braking ability-only happened 7 or 8 times in four years but scared the crap out of me while that bumper of the car ahead rushed towards you. I hope its nothing like that-the brakes in the Tribeca feel very powerful to me if a bit mushy feeling in the pedal.
Thanks others about comments on driving in the snow. I wish I could find a snow covered parking lot to ascertain the limits of the vehicle better-(and have some fun!-I do like to drift in the WRX!) I used to when living in the mountains and do exactly that in all the cars I would drive. Alas I am like Karen in Arizona having a vehicle whose true capabilities will rarely be utilized. Still like to know they are there.
-Karen-
Still, it gets cold (and hot, too) in a big hurry. I also have the rear AC, which helps a lot, and my mom and grandma (frequent back seat passengers) really appreciate it! The heater vents under the front seats also put out a decent amount of hot air to the back seat folks fairly quickly, too.
It's been chilly enough here at night that I have already enjoyed the front seat derriere warmers, too
I live in a condo complex, and I have a hard time just washing the car here, they would probably want to fine me for changing my oil here.
AKA
AKA
3rd row does help resale. Terry helps appraise used vehicles and he always asks if it has a 3rd row. Not only does it add resale value, but also it's easier to resell.
Touarge did well early on, but sales have plunged lately. VW could not sustain a high priced SUV, so now they have deep, deep discounts. Even so, sales are way down.
I've been Piech's #1 critic, starting a long time ago (ask Bob). Dumb names, wrong segment, wrong price, cannibalizing Audi. VW is bleeding red ink badly. I nailed it.
Luxurious SUVs were booming a couple of years ago, but the segment seems to be cooling off significantly. Subaru might have just had bad timing.
Now that Toyota is a partner, I doubt Subaru will create an upscale brand; that would compete with Lexus.
-juice