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See if your dealer will trade for another very-slightly-used Subaru, perhaps a Forester or something.
because the car was new, they couldn't do a swap, for an outback, or a forester,which were my first choice.
I'm not in a panic to change the car, but hybrids are becoming non-existent on dealer lots. the camry hybrid will only be available as a special order,with a 3-6 month wait. wish subaru had a hybrid,read that they have one in japan, but it's not awd.Nissan coupled the toyota system to their 4 cylinder engine, to get a hybrid out, I thought subaru was doing the same.the escape hybrid doesn'y offer stability control with 4wd, and the highlander hybrid is too expensive.
Under the Guaranteed Trade-in Program, people were getting close to new prices on 1 and 2 year old used Imprezas when the 2008 Impreza came out.
It's not worth taking an $8000 depreciation hit to save maybe $20 a week on fuel. It would take 33 months to make up that amount.
-mike
That's if you tick off every option - just like most vehicles, you can add plenty of extra coin to the base price.
-mike
I actually took a look at a Mercury Mariner hybrid. It was well equipped, and the price with discounts was set at a no-haggle $30k or so.
Not too bad, but the thing is, at $30k that interior falls short. There are lots of hard and shiny surfaces and the leather seats look like vinyl to me.
It would be a deal at $25k, maybe a bit more, but for $30,000 I expect a much nicer interior.
Plus, at about $5000 more than a Forester LL Bean (or Limited), I'm not sure that you'll ever break even on gas savings. By the time you do, you'll need to replace the battery pack, which ain't cheap.
Per the EPA, you save $579 per year.
So it would take about 9 years to break even, and recover that $5000 up front investment, even if we ignore the interest you may pay on a loan, or the opportunity cost of not having that $5000 available to invest. When you account for that, it's probably more like 10-11 years.
By then you'll need new batteries, if you even keep your Mariner (or Escape) for that long.
Financially, it doesn't make sense. Buy the Forester, it's got a much nicer interior.
For many buyers, it doesn't have to. It's about image, doing what they feel is right and perhaps getting other benefits like tax breaks, use of carpool lanes with only one passenger, et al. For many companies, using hybrids is about showing corporate responsibility and being do-gooders.
Paisan - I know you hate hybrids. Heck Subaru could offer one for $5K that got 90 mpg and spewed hundred dollar bills from the tailpipe and you're still bound find something wrong with it!!
Around here I think the car pool lane access in VA expired already. MD and DC never had those perks.
Tax breaks can offset some of the extra cost, I suppose it depends on your tax bracket. I don't pay income taxes, though. :P
As for doing good, get the PZEV Forester. That's what we did.
We also got special tags that not only will match the color of the car (Newport Blue Pearl) but also raises funds to help preserve the Chesapeake Bay. :shades:
Yeah, it wouldn't pull his gigantic cigarette boat as well as the Armada would. :P (Just givin' ya a hard time, Mike. )
The 2nd row in the Outback (Legacy) is adequate, just adequate for a 5'8" person. Check well.
For many buyers, it doesn't have to. It's about image, doing what they feel is right and perhaps getting other benefits like tax breaks, use of carpool lanes with only one passenger, et al. For many companies, using hybrids is about showing corporate responsibility and being do-gooders.
Paisan - I know you hate hybrids. Heck Subaru could offer one for $5K that got 90 mpg and spewed hundred dollar bills from the tailpipe and you're still bound find something wrong with it!!
That's exactly why we have an Escape Hybrid in our group, our company (an Electric Power Utility) is "going green" so all the new vehicles are supposed to be hybrids. Our group of course inspects power lines on Right of Ways, so we'll see how well the Escape does on those, or we'll just skip those inspections....
But yup that's why they forked out $30k for an Escape Hybrid to show the public that they care. Of course we just raised their rates 12% so they make out in the end.
As for me and a hybrid, I would actually consider one if it were the same price as a non hybrid and/or got some kind of crazy milage. I may look into an all-electric plug-in Electric commuter car when/if they ever arrive here.
-mike
I think I'd pick the turbo for a Legacy, it just fits the car's character more.
- 21.9 mpg on highway, mostly @ 65 mph
- 20.3 mpg total. showing how much the slow pace of the city affected fuel economy.
$192 in fuel. In the Twin Cities gas is $.50 cheaper than in Chicago!!!
- Great utility from the Nav and the DVD.
- The seats are just enough to withstand the 6.5 hours trip. Subaru definitely will have to work on it (preferably partnering with Volvo on that regard).
My biggest surprise came when I opened the 2 back seats (3rd row) for my daughter and an adult. She is at least 4 years away of having any concerns seating in the 3rd row, and the adult was ok for the not so short trips we took in the city. So now is when I started seeing the utility of the vehicle, what gives me some room to talk my wife in 1 or 2 years about changing the minivan for a sports car.
The other surprise came when I sat for 2 hours in the second row (3rd row folded). Space is more than enough for anyone this side of Shaquille.
But, if you like the fun part, plus the reliability, try the Forester XT. Don't buy the Mazda without trying it. For sure a better price/reliability/performance index.
Good luck
The Tribeca is bigger and more comfy, so it's easier to justify, IMO. In fact the Tribeca competes probably more with the Mazda CX9.
If you like 'em small, what about a Forester XT? I think it's actually a tad bigger inside than the CX7, and both quicker and more fuel efficient.
We got an 09 Forester for the wife and she loves it. Not the turbo, though. From those 4 choices I think I'd go with the Forester if I wanted something small and didn't need the 3rd row.
The new diesel mb are cool engines but MB needs to deal with their reliability issues more than pumping their cars full of gimicky do-dads that apparently don't work very well.
We test drove an 08 Tribeca this past weekend - it wasn't on our list due to its mpg issues. After returning home 9hr drive doing 80-85mph in our old legacy with 150K on it - we decided the choice was pretty damn clear. In the process of shopping for a tribeca - which will replace the old legacy and our 3rd vehicle an Old land cruiser. So the Tribeca has big shoes to fill and will no doubt see abuse and use that goes beyond average use. It's a fair guess the Tribeca will be way - way better than the MB.
I like the beca's interior, exterior is okay, and I do like the fact that it is a Soob, but space is my priority, so now it is off my list altogether. Looking seriously at Highlander and Veracruz, the former likely being the winner. But coming back to original point, CX-9 is probably most spacious of all 4, but I just don't like the styling and it can get rather pricey once you add in some features.
Cheers.
As for those 3rd rows, I look at them from a minivan perspective so I'd say both are still too small to be truly useful, so again, still in the same class. My Sienna has about triple the space of the beca's 3rd row, but about double the space in a CX9 as well. Here's a pic:
Head room is not really adult-sized, plus there's just no room for my size 10 shoes. The foot well is not deep enough either, so even if the 2nd row slides way forward you still end up with your knees in your chest.
It's better than the 'beca but still for children only, and even then you have to ask the 2nd row folks to slide forward a few inches at least.
I did test drive a CX9 before I bought the Sienna, but to be honest all of the big crossovers make major sacrifices in the 3rd row, especially foot and leg room.
Rich
My GPS has no internal power source and every time I shut down the Tribeca, the GPS goes off. This resets some of the GPS information which is very annoying when on a trip that involves stops.
Thanks,
Dave M.
From the day I bought it new, to the present, I have had a hesitation in 5th gear when climbing a gentle grade of as in passing another vehicle. It feels like a misfire....but it only happens in 5th gear...so likely the transmission.
Subaru dealer and local rep have looked at the car and have not been able to find anything wrong. They have even changed the torque converter and reprogrammed the computer several times, but to no avail.
I was advised on this forum that it was likely that it was an overtightened torque converter. I provided Subaru with that information, but they showed no interest.
Any suggestions? This vehicle should really have a lemon law applied... :lemon: :lemon: :lemon: :lemon: :lemon:
Why would you want to climb a grade in overdrive? You're lugging the engine.
Floor it and get 4th or even 3rd gear for an uphill climb.
martin: I'm sure overdrive was chosen for fuel economy, not power, and there's a lot of weight to pull in these.
I just got my Tribeca 2008 back today after taking it to another dealer for service as my original dealer seemed no longer interested in helping me with the transmission problem. The mechanic at this new dealership agreed with me that the vehicle missed in 5th gear when under power, and talked to Subaru. Subaru tolk him it needed a new torque converter, as the one that was installed last time has been found to be faulty.
Now after two new torque converters, the vehicle is still having the hesitation in 5th gear, when under a bit of power, such as passing or climbing a very gentle grade.
The problem is back with Subaru. Subaru told this "new" mechanic to check the engine over!!! Wonder if the wiring problem you describe could be the cause?
I have had this problem from day one!!!! and it has never been corrected! LEMON!!
The last mechanic I took it to said he did not know how I have put up with the problem so long!
I have a hatch rattle to , but the problem pales by comparison to my "hesitation" problem.
I would love to hear from others with similar problems. :lemon: :confuse:
No improvement, and the local tech was very upset. He wanted the car back and again contacted Subaru Tech. They suggested changing the plugs.....No change!!
Subaru Tech then suggested empty the gas tank and fill it with Premium......
I will find out tomorrow.
The Subaru Dealer in Nanaimo, BC has been great! Much more helpful and knowledgeable than the dealer in Langford. :confuse:
I am, however, on the verge of trying to get Subaru to buy the vehicle back!
I am on my way back to them in a couple of days and SUBARU has now suggested that the tech access the antiknock sensors ??? About a four hour job to get at that!
I am ready to give the car back. I have had enough!
Regards. :mad:
I will post as soon as I get an answer.
If they were to take it back I might consider an outback 2010, so long as they can tow about 3000lbs.
:sick:
The dealership have been working on this since Dec 3rd. They have done everything that Subaru told them to do. I am on my third Torque converter, incl. the original one.
Knock sensors changed. an I do not know what else has been done. The mechanic advised me that the problem still persists, Bles him, at least he is honest and wants to help! Cannot fault this dealership!
They called me today and told me that Subaru has advised them that the car is normal and there is nothing wrong with it......That is just the way the Tribeca is!!
They are not going to do any more with it! Dealer was MOST apologetic!
So now what??
I am going to work on getting Subaru to take it back. Will keep you posted.
NO MORE SUBARUS FOR ME!!!!!! :mad: