bjwirth

actual B9 Tribeca owners here... http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX?13@29.mDVcdeXcKZC.1@.ef3c1fb/9!make=Subaru&model=B9%20Tribeca&ed_makeindex=.ef3c1fb

What's wrong with going after an upmarket crowd? Who do you think subaru was targeting when they were selling outback LL bean's for the past few years? Here's a better way to look at it...if subaru succeeds in penetrating the "upmarket" demographic, then more profits will roll in and insure that they provide a complete line of cars for their core constituents. Companies like GM, FOrd, Toyota, Honda, etc all sell high-end cars, but also sell the entry level economy cars. When Honda started Acura, they didn't suddenly drop the civic. If subaru only sold Brat's and GL's for the past 30 years, do you think they would still be in business today? Having a niche market is great. But unless you have growth, the company is doomed. The car I'm shopping for today is different than the car I was shopping for 5 years ago, vs that of 10 and 15 years ago.

Normally I disagree with a lot of folks here about how strict you have to be with the .25" spec. (do a search with the words: 'Tires & Xmission Damage Myth or Fact') BUt in this case, I'd probably agree with everyone here in light of the fact you plan to put on michelin harmonies, which I think are supposed to last 80k miles. WHile the remaining yoko's probably only have 20k miles left in them. The "savings" in terms of extending the life of the harmonies is not that significant. Besides, it sounds like you don't like these tires, so this would be a good excuse to get rid of them (if they're in ok shape, maybe the tire place will give you some credit).

Really?? I'm a little skeptical. I'm not trying to sound advesarial here, it's just that I've heard stories that cars that only require 87 don't see any benefit (performance or fuel efficiancy) in using premium. I've tried 89 octane gas for our forester and didn't notice any difference. I've also tried 87 octane for our bmw which specifies 91 octane, and there was no MPG penalty. (I did notice slightly sluggish performance when I tried to stomp on the pedal). BTW, we recently hit 26 mpg on the forester on one of our legs of a recent trip (cruise set around 70, w/AC, 2 adults, 2 kids, and stuff). THis is a record!! (we never broke the elusive 25 mpg on our 00 forester) although recently our 50/50 hiway/city mix has been hovering about 20-22 despite winter being over. I guess its sad that I'm excited about getting 26 mpg which in all honesty is probably statistical outlier.

I don't like using any tire dressing on my cars anymore. As Commuter posted, some of these products can "damage" the surface of the tires- if anything products like armour all can make the tire look worse (brown and hazy) once the sheen wears off. I used to use a Meguires tire product (the name escapes me. I have no idea if it contained petroleum or siloxanes either, but it looked like it was waterbased). It worked ok- seemed to last longer than regular tire dressings. The only thing I didn't like was that the "goo" would splatter off onto the car even if you wiped off the excess. I think there were a lot of "nooks and crannies" for excess dressing to accumulate, where the towel couldn't reach. Now the only time I use the stuff is if I'm selling a car.

I agree 100%. As far as the price, I've heard people complain that the $38k price tag is too high. You have to realize that for that price you get 3 rows, NAV, DVD, side curtain airbags, on and on..... THe only Highlander that has those features is the hybrid limited costing around $43 (granted it comes with a hybrid engine). You can't get a Pilot with all those features. If you look at minivans, the Sienna XLE limited AWD is in the low 40's. THe Odyssey touring W/O AWD is in the upper 30's. Now you start looking at the Lexus and Infinitis and BMW's. Granted those cars are in another class, but they also cost more too. Don;t forget you can get a well equiped car in the low 30's making them competive with some of these other suv's. And hearing the reports that the B9 is not selling well means you might get some leverage when bargaining on this car.

well, if not being able to see how the subaru commercial is reminiscent to car bombings in Iraq and as well as the commercial is targeting scorned women, means that I'm narrow minded- then so be it. Lots of people don't like the tribeca for a variety of reasons. And as I've said before, to each their own. I never had a problem with you or anyone else disliking the tribeca. You're welcome to your own interpretation of things. I guess I thought you were trying to be absurd and incite a reaction with your "off the wall" comparisons. But I see that I WAS mistaken thinking you were intentionally being a wongleflute- It looks like you truely believe what you are saying and I'm sorry for doubting your intentions.

Have any of you heard about the 24 hr test drive for any new subaru? The email was for a tribeca test drive, but you could test drive other cars too (for whatever reason, imprezas and outback sports are excluded). I kinda want to take the tribeca out and see what it's like beyond a 10 minute test drive. But I feel guilty becuase I'm not in a position to buy this car at this point- but it would be nice for a day trip.

Here's the deal... Jaun obviously doesn't like the tribeca or the tribeca ad. He uses an absurd example such as terrorism or sexism to get a response- otherwise known as trolling. The tribeca has a polarizing effect on people- either you like it or you don't. If people think the car is really ugly, there's nothing I, or anyone, can say that will make them think otherwise. I've said it before, the tribeca has a market and subaru was late to the game introducing this car. This ad is a good way for non-subaru folks to at least say "whoa what the hell was that??" (in either a positive or negative tone) That will get people talking about the tribeca, and will get some of those folks into the dealership-- I think the ad will be successful. If you want to see a "bad" ad, you should see that Ford Ka commercial, that involves the cat.

I agree with you about the "trap" wrt rebates. This short term fix will may have long term consequences. It's kinda like if you're strapped for cash and you go to a payday loan store. You're ok today, but tomorrow (and next month, and next year) you'll be hurting if you don't address the root of your problem. I was just saying to the casual observer (me, who likes to track the values of his cars as they depreciate), cars just depreciate at a certain rate (expontial decay)- the more desirable cars depreciate slower. my point was that the rebates are in response to the low desirablity of certain cars. BUT in the case of a rebadged car like the saab or the vibe, you're probably ok. I checked edmunds and it seemed that a 2005 vibe xr awd and matrix base awd were within $500 of each other after all rebates. the 2004 equivalents were also within $500 of each other. to me, this seems like the rebates have not affected resale values.

I don't think you'll have a depreciation problem with some of these rebadged GM cars. If you spend $20k on a saab that was originally $28k or spend $20k on a sub (new or used), you'll probably lose the same amount of money. Everyone says rebates kill resale values, and that's generally true- especially for the person who bought the car the day before the rebates kicked in. I look at it another way. Manufacturers need rebates to move cars that no one wants. if nobody wants them as new cars, who's going to want them as used cars? If next year, GM does the same "mega discount" again but doesn't include saabs because they sell well, that '05 saab you picked up for $20k will hold its value pretty well. If a new 06 saab goes for $26-27k next year becasue there are no rebates, I'd bet a used 05 will be close to $20. Even if they include saabs in the rebate program, a used 05 will cost $17k ish next year, the same as any other $20k car you buy this year and hold for a year. If you want to buy a saab 9-2, go for it. Don't worry about depreciation. a good car is a good car. As a percentage of what you paid, the resale will be comparable to a subaru.

Did you see the commercial? Subaru is essentially putting all these other suvs in this overcrowded market "on notice" that they've become obsolete. well, let's just wait and see if subaru actually "takes over" the suv market;) . But I actually like this approach better than what chrysler did when they tried to "re-invent" the suv market with its pacifica. I think subaru is a little late to the game. Non-traditional looking suv's like the murano have been out for a while. So have 3 row car based suv's like the highlander and pilot. This move is similar to honda releasing the ridgeline. You won't get ford and chevy folks running to honda dealers, but at least they kept honda shoppers from jumping ship. The same is true with subaru customers. what do you do when the capacity of a forester or outback isnt enough for your expanding family? If the b9 catches on with previous subaru buyers, then maybe others will be drawn in.

I really liked that commercial. It made me want to run over to my subaru dealer and buy one . I don't think there's any GM influence in the tribeca look. Name 1 GM car that resembles the B9 in any way. I think it's 100% "oddball" subaru styling. While I really like the looks of the new legacy- I think that is more of an attempt to blend in with mainstream styling. Obviously to each their own. But if you're looking for an AWD family hauler, it would be hard not to at least consider this car.

This is the way I understand most tire warrenties work. You usually get "full coverage" in the first year or XX miles and then after that you get pro-rated credit towards another one of their tires. If the tire is warrentied to 40k, and you got 25k, then it's reasonable to offer whatever 37% of the tire cost was towards a new tire. I don't think you're being f-ed... I think they are being reasonable here. Think of the absurd example of a set of tires lasting "only" 39k miles, should that buyer get a new set of tires? if all 4 tire wore out a 9k miles, then I think it would be reasonable to cover 4 new tires for free. As far as tires wearing out before they claim they should-- I don't think I've ever had a tire last what the tire spec says. I think those numbers are like EPA gas mileage estimates, you COULD get 40K miles if you drive easy, no hard turns, hard braking, etc... I had good experiences with Big O up until I had them mount a set of tires I ordered from tirerack. All 4 rims came back with scratches.

while the boost of a turbo is a nice rush, I prefer the broad power band of the bmw- no matter where you are in rpm's, you get good power. and that engine is smoooooooth. there's a pretty big price difference between the 330 and the legacy gt, but I think you get 2 different cars. I'm not saying the legacy is a slouch, but the 330 handles great- there's good feedback from the steering yet the ride is sooo comfortable. I find the interior of the bmw to be great- everything is rock solid and well laid out. If your parents are into driving and handling, then the bmw's the way to go. the bmw also gives free service, has more "convenience features" and for short term ownership, probably costs the same as a legacy. that said, the legacy gt will handle most anything you throw at it. while it's not the performer that the bmw is, most people (even bmw owners) never really push their cars that hard. Plus add the awd, better reliability, and lower price, and it's hard to beat. Why are you looking for a 330i for your parents?? are your parents horsepower junkies- or is it you

Wait, I thought of a way I can help!!! I kinda doubt it's the remote- so to test that, put your keys in the fridge on a hot summer day. then go out and open the car. if it unlocks 1 door, there's something in the car. if it unlock all 4 doors, then it's the key fob.

Maybe the car is "smart" It knows that in the winter, you may need to give rides to people because their cars cant handle the weather. but in the summer time, you won't be giving as many rides, so it only unlocks your door. sorry, I really have no idea.

I think it's more than that- people have compared the CRV and volvo xc-something- cars that have roughly similar weights, hp, and all have awd, and the sub comes up short.

Why don't you just stop by autozone? Once you have the fault code, I'm sure it will be much easier for someone here to help you get a handle on the situation. Otherwise its just going to be a bunch of speculation.

well they may be as "usefull" as a foglight (meaning they're more cool than functional) but there are lights underneath the rocker panels that glow blue when you unlock or open the door so that you don't inadvertantly step in a puddle at night getting in/out of your car.

You know the face of the tribeca is one that only a mother could love Let's face it the subaru "gene pool" has never been that great for good looking cars- somehow subaru must have hooked up with the milk man to produce the latest legacy/outback. On some other forums, owners seem to love the car (ok that's to be expected). but what other car comes with "puddle lights?" If I didn't have a deposit down on another car, I would consider this one.

I know what you mean about numbers- there's lies, damn lies, and statistics. as far as I can tell, the numbers are reported as #problems per 100 cars. so while there may not have been as many porsches as there were chevy's, I think the number was normalized. But if you meant there was a smaller sampling size for porches and therefore the confidence interval is greater, then I agree with you. as far as the jeep's concerned, maybe the liberty is the "shining star" in the jeep lineup? another thing that surprised me was that the villager ranked higher than the sienna and the odyssey wasn't even mentioned.

take this with a grain of salt, but it looks like subaru's are a little below average. http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2005-06-29-power-dependability-chart.htm JD Power isn't the definative test of a car's reliability, and this doesn't mean I'm going to trade my subaru for a ford. I'm just a little surprised that subaru would rank so low.

Goodyear may give you credit towards an equivalent tire, but you mentioned that the tire has 32k miles on it. I don't know how many miles an aquatred gets, but that sounds like at least half, so you'd still have to cough up some money to get a new tire (assuming there's a pro-rated tire warrenty, assuming goodyear agrees, blah blah blah...) And good luck finding a place that will shave a tire, and if you do, it's not that cheap. For all that work and expense, you may as well buy 4 new tires. you'll spend $100 on one tire + shaving that will last you another 20k miles maybe (assuming nothing happens to the other tires), when you could have spent $300 on 4 new tires that will last you 50k miles. why not go to a local tire store, and just get a used tire like someone else suggested? some stores may have a few to choose from, just get one that similar type (all season touring tire) and tread depth. it'll cost you $20-30. I did that, and even though the measured circumference was off, I have had no problems so far. Most places wont replace all 4 tires because one went bad just because you drive a subaru. I have heard of a couple of cases where this happened (probably to maintain good customer relations), but I really doubt Walmart will "go to bat" for you on this issue.

well if the popular consensus of this car is any indication of how well (or not well) this car will sell, then folks who WANT to buy this car may be in for a treat. I figure after the initial frenzy of folks who want the car buy this car for the first few months, dealers will start to see tribecas sitting on their lots for longer and longer periods of time. This may lead to factory incentives as well as motivated dealers trying to unload this car. I admit the grill is a little hard to overlook. but for some $$ off the sticker, I could become "blind." Besides, as the driver, I never have to look at the grill. It may turn into an advantage- just imagine me pulling up behind you on the highway and you see this monsterous grill coming at you in your rearview mirror. you might say, "whoa, what's that??? Yikes, I'd better move out of the way before that snout eats me up!!" I know I'm in the minority, but I like the car. If I wasn't already buying a different car, I'd seriously consider buying it some time next year.