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Comments
Bob
I just don't get it. They must have the most optimistic forecasters in the world.
The 3.6l should just replace the 3.0l. Work on making it fuel efficient if you must, just tune it that way.
This is bad news for me, as I'm waiting to see what the '08 looks like before I make any moves. Knowing that the 3.6l may be reserved for the pricier models may just price it out of my range, so the '08 would have the same engine as it does now.
I may just buy one that is Certified Pre-Owned. Found one locally for $26k that even has NAV, 7 seater LTD. That was about $32k new, so $6 grand off and it only has less than 8k miles.
What might make me wait for an '08 is upgrades like the engine and more cargo space. I just can't win. :sick:
-juice
That 3rd row needs to be more spacious - IMHO this is why sales have been slow - not the grill.
Charlie
I've been asking for a people mover Subaru for ages, but I don't want a near-luxury price.
-juice
Agreed juice,
Toyota got much BETTER mpg when they went from 3.3 to 3.5 liters recently. Perhaps they'll provide some help to Fugi on this front.
Dave
-juice
Who says the two engines are solely for the B9 Tribeca? Putting a 3.6 in the Legacy/Outback might be overkill (unless it was some uber-STI), but it could easily end up in a larger sedan and other future vehicles. I think it's great news they're keeping both, 'cause there's no way the Tribeca alone would justify production of a 3.6, so there must be more models on the way.
Maybe we'll see the 3.0 option go away from the Tribeca lineup when a diesel is available to take its place.
If I were to buy a minivan it would be a Sienna, but of course I would really rather have a WRX wagon with the 3.0l six.
Dave
Ken
Sorry to nitpick, but it's "Fuji" (like the mountain) not "Fugi".
Ken
The only downside to the Sienna is the lack of a 4-wheel independent suspension. Even competitors like Honda's Odyssey and Nissan's Quest have provided that for years.
The big plus in a Sienna is the availability of AWD, albeit a rudimentary FWD biased system.
One thing I like is that Subaru hasn't jumped on the "run-flat" tire bandwagon. They are still improving.
The Sienna AWD doesn't have room for a spare tire (unless you stick it in the cargo area). So it comes with run-flat tires. There are a LOT of complaints about them in Sienna forums. Premature wear, expensive to replace, waits for replacements, etc.
With a (much smaller) Tribeca, its AWD system is better than the Sienna's, and you can put winter tires on the Tribeca with a spare. With a Sienna, you can put on winter tires, but you either have no spare or mount one in the cargo area.
Maybe they do have a new model in mind, a large sedan perhaps?
-juice
Bob
Also this morning, there's a long article in the NY Times about small cars and safety. Pictures of Toyotas, Hondas, etc., everything else. Only at the end of the article is there mention that only the Subaru Impreza, it's twin the Saab 9-2X, and the Honda Civic are Gold Safety PIcks. Where's the PR/marketing dept.?
As the best politician usually wins, people more or less buy what they're sold. Is there a better safety and reliability story to tell than Subaru? Does 'Think. Feel. Drive' mean anything to anyone? They've got to get they're marketing act together.
Yesterday, I caught on in my rearview mirror. IMHO, the nose is Cayenne-esque. To me, that's not a bad thing. Redo the grill and it might be able to pass for the Porsche.
-juice
1. less cargo
2. 3rd seat entry is akward
3. 3rd row has no leg room
4. 3rd row, kids can't see outside.
5. engine is noisy at low speeds.
6. visibility
7.premium fuel
even Cx-9 will fare better than tribeca.
Either they improve tribeca or else it will be another Baja.
The Tribeca has plenty of advantages over the MPV as well... AWD, much nicer interior, better fit & finish, better safety ratings, better handling, better ride.
That said, yes, they do need to improve B9 Tribeca.
The CX9 looks nice, but there's a lot of Ford DNA there, including the Duratec engine. Probably Haldex AWD since that's what's in the parts bin, so that means FWD by default. Plus it's unproven, a new Ford engine.
I've driven a CX7 and it disappointed me. Small inside, big outside, lots of turbo lag. An Outback XT is better in every way, it only sits lower. I do find the CX7's styling simply gorgeous.
Test drove a Hyundai Sonata yesterday, wifey had one of those test drive offers for who knows what. Competent sedan, quick even, but bored me to tears. Seats too flat. Quiet and roomy, though. Middle of rear seat is a penalty area.
Then I sat in a Santa Fe. It's not nearly as nice as the Tribeca inside, and more narrow. The 2nd row's middle seat is also uncomfy, stiff as a board.
I checked because the kids sit outboard and the nanny squeezes in the middle. Neither the Sonata nor the Santa Fe passed that comfort test.
Tribeca does. The 40/20/40 seat means that middle "20" seat is actually comfortable.
Toyota Sienna is another vehicle on my short list that gets it right. Explorer does too but it's not on my list, fails to meet several criteria I have actually.
Even most vans fail that 2nd row test.
-juice
-juice
i will take if it comes for free !
It's completely different than the outgoing model, in terms of size and market segment.
It's also based on the Caliber platform, which is odd, but makes sense when you consider that the Jeep Compass and Patriot are as well.
-juice
-juice
http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/31/sema-subaru-unveils-updated-forester-in-2-5-x- t-sports-form/
Was hoping for suspension upgrades on the Sports!
25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0
-juice
Even micro-compacts like Honda's Fit, their compact Civic and every other car in their lineup, comes with a 5-speed EAT. It is a shame that Subarus retailing for nearly $30K, come with a 4-spd EAT.
Ken
subearu, "Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II" #15553, 18 Jul 2003 1:15 pm
ohmy2, "Subaru Crew - Meet The Members II" #15587, 22 Jul 2003 3:48 am
-Brian
a CVT really should not emulate any, but people expect a car to shift.
however, on the original point, I totally agree that Subaru is way behind on automatic transmission technology-- or at least implementation.
~Colin
http://www.gizmag.com/go/1957/
~Colin
B
But the VW Passat has a six speed ordinary JAPANESE automatic. I don't recall whether it is from the same manufacturer that makes the guts of the Subaru tranmission. Subaru uses outside-made automatic transmissions and puts them in it's own case for AWD.
The problem is probably tooling costs for the special Subaru transmission case with AWD. This suggests that the five speed EAT is the best we'll see for a long time. Subaru production volume is limiting, unless augmented by Toyota use of the same parts changes the situation. By the way, is the new Camry auto trans six speed?
I think V6 is, but it's probably a FWD transaxle, inapplicable to "symmetrical" AWD.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
A shift to the Toyota/Ford 6 speed auto trans guts might be very expensive, but Toyota might help Fugi with the costs to produce future mutual cost reductions if Toyota intends to use Subaru AWD eventually.