TribecaBM

We picked up my wife's B9 last week. So far she loves it. Drives very nice, not as quick as her Maxima, but on the highway, passing power is acceptable. Added to this is the better visibility afforded to an SUV. I drove it yesterday, and I find the handling actually better than her Maxima. This surprised me, but I had always found the Nissan to be too soft with a lot of body roll. The B9 is quite nimble and with quick turning response. Road Noise is Excellent! Seats are very comfortable. Pickup from a standstill is crisp, but 0-60 a bit longer than we are used to. She will get used to it. The nav system works well and is easy to use, just the stupid thing requires you to say "accept" the disclaimer each time! The Stereo is great, with DVD playable on the front screen as well as the rear with the car in park AND parking brake on. Will work around that soon. Rear seat room is very nice, unless the third row is in use. We have the dog cage in place at this time so the third row is 'turned off.' The instruments and buttons, etc, are nicely placed and easy to use. Engine noise is barely heard in the passenger cabin! Head lights are nice and bright, well focused, with very bright fog/driving lights, so visiability is great at night. It SHOULD have the auto dimming side view mirrors as well, but only the interior rear view mirror has this. Wiper De-Icer should be a nice touch, especially in the climate we live in. Now I have to wire in the XM Radio Module (fm Modulator connection, works very well by the way.) So far we like it. Mike

Wow - don't like weight reduction, cost reduction, inflow resistance, lower center of gravity... Plastic intake manifolds are on many cars. There is a LOT of plastic under the hood of many cars and guess what - none of it has melted. Agree the intake gases in a turbo would be hotter, but probably not hot enough to melt that plastic. I'd guess that if they add a turbo next year it would be with an entirely new intake manifold and the issue of plastic is a moot point. Remember, Subaru has had turbo cars for more than 30 years, I think their engineers know what they are doing. We did no experience the hesitation you spoke of, but will certainly be looking out for that on Tuesday when we pick ours up. Mike

We pick ours up next Tuesday, just waiting on Trailor Hitch, and a few other items. Nice car. I was impressed with the handling, surprising, not nearly as much body roll as the Acura MDX or Honda Pilot. Clearly head and shoulders above a Jimmy we owned a few years back. We had a Subaru Legacy Wagon (1997) Lsi which was a very nice car, but could not get out of it's own way. The Tribeca is certainly no sprinter, but after all it's an SUV, not a car. The ride quality is quite nice, quiet, comfortable. Rear seat space is excellent for second row, but as expected limitted in the third row. Seats are comfortable and supportive. The Sound System is nice, not overwelming with power, but clear and with good sound. We have not viewed the DVD yet, but the rear screen is 9 inches and if in park the video plays in front on the Nav screen as well. First Mod will be tricking that radio to think the car is in park....you drive, I'll watch the movie.... Interior design is 'different' but not overpowering. Instruments are well laid out and easy to reach from either side. The second row seats recline (common now any most SUV's) which is nice, but no heated seats in back. The outside is smartly done. The wheel wells and lower trim of the car are all lined with plastic non-painted surfaces, so the car should hold up well cosmetically - I can garrantee this Tribeca will never go 'off road' unless involved in motor vehicle collision. Nav system is ok, have not played with it extensively yet. Cross comparison in these vehicles is difficult. The less expensive Honda Pilot is certainly a nice vehicle, but no available (yet) with both Nav and DVD, although it is quicker to 60, it does not handle as tightly as the Tribeca. The Morano is smaller and does not have third row (if I recall correctly) so that was out. And the interior design of the Morano is indeed 'different.' It comes similarly equipped for a about the same price. Ford Explorer, can be had cheaper, even loaded with V8, if you find a dealer who wants to bargain, but with the specified price with all options, it is about 3 to 4 thousand more with similar equipement, but it can be had with a V8 and higher towing capacity. Nissan also has the Armada - more more money and Pathfinder - everyone has a Pathfinder, LOL.but is about 3 to 4 thousand more depending one wheeling and dealing. Toyota 4Runner requires the V8 model to get the Nav system, thus is more expensive at about 38,000 but cannot get a factory DVD entertainment system. Clearly all of these vehicles are quite different, it comes down to daily driving appeal, looks, price, etc. I'd rather have a BMW myself if I were to get an SUV as my primary car, but even at that the X5 does not come with a third row of seats! I was spoiled by driving an AMG ML 500 which was very very very nice.... We will enjoy the Tribeca, laid back long drives with the family in tow, no racing.... Mike I'll post more on this after we take delivery and start driving it.

Now that's funny.... Well, a better performing SUV is much more expensive and without the bells and whistles. Since Subaru's are tweakable and affordable, why not! It's my wife's car, but I'll surely end up driving it.....hell it has a trailor hitch LOL. But the one I'd rather have, BMW X5 4.6 is, is too much money for us at this time. I already have a beast, all wheel drive sedan with 450 hp twin turbo....you know what I am talking about, don't want to dis this forum by mentioning it by name.... Who am I kidding....I drive an RS6...LOL.... My wife wanted an SUV to have room for the kids AND the Dog.... The Tribeca is nice looking, well equipped and easy on the wallet. But that 3.0 liter 6 is begging for a little forced induction. Mike

We Pick ours up next week. Nice enough SUV (wife's car). Good value for loaded model, especially with negotiated price. My question is (for all the boxer 3.0 6's) about adding a supercharger or turbo to the engine? Any info on this? It is the same engine as the Legacy outback, etc.... Mike