Opinions on Subaru Tribeca?

[nothermark]

Do you "really" know that these things that you mention apply to the
Tribeca? Are you just basing your comments on the fact that you just don't
like the looks? I personally don't haul things on the roof, but the Tribeca
is capable of doing it and it will tow more than 1000 lbs. It has a lower
rollover potential than most SUVs on the market, if only based on the H6
engine. I haven't as yet put it through its paces, but it seems very stable
and the huge tires alone will add to its stability. (I don't look foward to
having to replace them though! ) I believe that many of the comments
about the car are only based on the fact that some people don't like the
looks and really aren't based on facts.

As I said, some people will dislike any new vehicle that comes out. You
can't provide "ANY" vehicle with features that will appeal to "ALL" buyers.
Impossible!! The Tribeca is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination,
but no vehicle qualifies in that respect. I like mine and that is all that
really matters to me. I don't plan to drive it in extreme off-road
conditions, but 99 percent of the SUV owners fall into this category. I
like it better than my previous Legacy because of the stated support that it
offers my legs.

As I said before, I understand why you like the vehicle. It's a great
car. That is the point. It's a car dressed up. My Hyundai Accent is
rated at 1000 lb tow. Look up the real SUV's and you see tow numbers
like original jeep CJ 2000 lbs, Chevy Blazer 5000 lbs, Dodge Ram or
Chevy Suburban more than 8000 lbs. These are vehicles that you can
haul a load of stuff somewhere with, ie utility. They have payload
and towing capacity in tons not lbs.

The Tribecca and several other vehicles like it are really overdressed
sedans rather than truck based so a lot of folks are not happy with
calling them SUV's. The Subaru ad campaign of redefining the SUV
makes out blood boil. it's not that we don't see why people like them
it's just that they don't fit the utility class. Amaybe they are
sporty but I wouldn't take one seriusly off road. On the other hand
they might do the beach and will definitly handle rain. I really am
glad you like it, I just wish Subaru would shut up about it being an
SUV. ;-)

with higher rollover potential. "But it looks sexy" barf.

I'm glad it works for you. It shows why there is a market. A '57
Chevy would do the same and haul more with about the same fuel
economy. Not so many safety features though. ;-)

nothermark

Safety features are important. I live in Florida, so I don't drive in snow
very often! I found that the Legacy was outstanding on wet roads though.
I tried to spin it out under pretty controlled conditions and was unable to
do so. My previous Mercedes was actually unsafe under certain wet
conditions and I wouldn't go back to a standard 2 wheel drive. I expect the
Tribeca to be similar, even though I haven't had a chance to try it in heavy
rain yet.

Don D.

 

[nothermark]

No, higher rollover compared to the Sedan it really is. And that is
higher, not high, if you understand the difference. ;-)

High roll over potential compared to other SUVs? I think not.

It's political. The basic issue is that it is not a utility
vehicle.
A lot of us look at the original sport utlity lineup - a truck that
held more than 2 folks, towed a load and handled roof racks for
skis/boats/bikes/gear. The new generation is too round and often
too
weak to load the roof or tow more than 1000 lbs. It is just a
sedan

Do you "really" know that these things that you mention apply to the
Tribeca? Are you just basing your comments on the fact that you
just don't like the looks? I personally don't haul things on the
roof, but the Tribeca is capable of doing it and it will tow more
than 1000 lbs. It has a lower rollover potential than most SUVs on
the market, if only based on the H6 engine. I haven't as yet put it
through its paces, but it seems very stable and the huge tires alone
will add to its stability. (I don't look foward to having to
replace them though! ) I believe that many of the comments about
the car are only based on the fact that some people don't like the
looks and really aren't based on facts.

As I said, some people will dislike any new vehicle that comes out.
You can't provide "ANY" vehicle with features that will appeal to
"ALL" buyers. Impossible!! The Tribeca is not perfect by any
stretch of the imagination, but no vehicle qualifies in that
respect. I like mine and that is all that really matters to me. I
don't plan to drive it in extreme off-road conditions, but 99
percent of the SUV owners fall into this category. I like it better
than my previous Legacy because of the stated support that it offers
my legs.

with higher rollover potential. "But it looks sexy" barf.

I'm glad it works for you. It shows why there is a market. A '57
Chevy would do the same and haul more with about the same fuel
economy. Not so many safety features though. ;-)

nothermark

Safety features are important. I live in Florida, so I don't drive
in snow very often! I found that the Legacy was outstanding on
wet roads though. I tried to spin it out under pretty controlled
conditions and was unable to do so. My previous Mercedes was
actually unsafe under certain wet conditions and I wouldn't go back
to a standard 2 wheel drive. I expect the Tribeca to be similar,
even though I haven't had a chance to try it in heavy rain yet.

Don D.

 

[Jakey]

Not a lot of luggage room for the price
Needs premium fuel
Fancy interior seats not practical for people who carry squirming
cargo-kids, dogs, etc.
Looks like a knock off of a Nissan Murano that came out ugly
You have quite a few options at $32K+. If you don't need 7 seats, you really
have a lot of choices.
It's late to market

 

[Don]

As I said before, I understand why you like the vehicle. It's a great
car. That is the point. It's a car dressed up. My Hyundai Accent is
rated at 1000 lb tow. Look up the real SUV's and you see tow numbers
like original jeep CJ 2000 lbs, Chevy Blazer 5000 lbs, Dodge Ram or
Chevy Suburban more than 8000 lbs. These are vehicles that you can
haul a load of stuff somewhere with, ie utility. They have payload
and towing capacity in tons not lbs.

The Tribecca and several other vehicles like it are really overdressed
sedans rather than truck based so a lot of folks are not happy with
calling them SUV's. The Subaru ad campaign of redefining the SUV
makes out blood boil. it's not that we don't see why people like them
it's just that they don't fit the utility class. Amaybe they are
sporty but I wouldn't take one seriusly off road. On the other hand
they might do the beach and will definitly handle rain. I really am
glad you like it, I just wish Subaru would shut up about it being an
SUV. ;-)

I'm not familiar with the official definition of "SUV". Can you please
point me to a site that has this official definition? I think that you
might need to cool down and not take things so seriously. What can be so
bad about things that it 'makes our blood boil'?

Don D.

with higher rollover potential. "But it looks sexy" barf.

I'm glad it works for you. It shows why there is a market. A '57
Chevy would do the same and haul more with about the same fuel
economy. Not so many safety features though. ;-)

nothermark

Safety features are important. I live in Florida, so I don't drive in
snow
very often! I found that the Legacy was outstanding on wet roads
though.
I tried to spin it out under pretty controlled conditions and was unable
to
do so. My previous Mercedes was actually unsafe under certain wet
conditions and I wouldn't go back to a standard 2 wheel drive. I expect
the
Tribeca to be similar, even though I haven't had a chance to try it in
heavy
rain yet.

Don D.

 

[Johnny]

SUV= sport utility vehicule. Why the Tribecca is not a SUV?

Do you "really" know that these things that you mention apply to the
Tribeca? Are you just basing your comments on the fact that you just don't
like the looks? I personally don't haul things on the roof, but the Tribeca
is capable of doing it and it will tow more than 1000 lbs. It has a lower
rollover potential than most SUVs on the market, if only based on the H6
engine. I haven't as yet put it through its paces, but it seems very stable
and the huge tires alone will add to its stability. (I don't look foward to
having to replace them though! ) I believe that many of the comments
about the car are only based on the fact that some people don't like the
looks and really aren't based on facts.

As I said, some people will dislike any new vehicle that comes out. You
can't provide "ANY" vehicle with features that will appeal to "ALL" buyers.
Impossible!! The Tribeca is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination,
but no vehicle qualifies in that respect. I like mine and that is all that
really matters to me. I don't plan to drive it in extreme off-road
conditions, but 99 percent of the SUV owners fall into this category. I
like it better than my previous Legacy because of the stated support that it
offers my legs.

As I said before, I understand why you like the vehicle. It's a great
car. That is the point. It's a car dressed up. My Hyundai Accent is
rated at 1000 lb tow. Look up the real SUV's and you see tow numbers
like original jeep CJ 2000 lbs, Chevy Blazer 5000 lbs, Dodge Ram or
Chevy Suburban more than 8000 lbs. These are vehicles that you can
haul a load of stuff somewhere with, ie utility. They have payload
and towing capacity in tons not lbs.

The Tribecca and several other vehicles like it are really overdressed
sedans rather than truck based so a lot of folks are not happy with
calling them SUV's. The Subaru ad campaign of redefining the SUV
makes out blood boil. it's not that we don't see why people like them
it's just that they don't fit the utility class. Amaybe they are
sporty but I wouldn't take one seriusly off road. On the other hand
they might do the beach and will definitly handle rain. I really am
glad you like it, I just wish Subaru would shut up about it being an
SUV. ;-)

with higher rollover potential. "But it looks sexy" barf.

I'm glad it works for you. It shows why there is a market. A '57
Chevy would do the same and haul more with about the same fuel
economy. Not so many safety features though. ;-)

nothermark

Safety features are important. I live in Florida, so I don't drive in snow
very often! I found that the Legacy was outstanding on wet roads though.
I tried to spin it out under pretty controlled conditions and was unable to
do so. My previous Mercedes was actually unsafe under certain wet
conditions and I wouldn't go back to a standard 2 wheel drive. I expect the
Tribeca to be similar, even though I haven't had a chance to try it in heavy
rain yet.

Don D.

 

[Richard Kaplan]

Needs premium fuel

Why is this the case? What differs about its design that requires it?

If you don't need 7 seats, you really have a lot of choices.

What other choices will drive in snow as well or better?

 

[bigjim]

What other choices will drive in snow as well or better?<<

Let's see; In the wagon category you have Mercedes, Bmw , Lexus , Chevy
equiniox and many others. For sedans you have Chrysler 300, Ford 500,
infiniti, lexus. Any car with AWD will be comparable to the tribeca and
better looking. Subaru with AWD is uniunique at a pricepoint of 20-25k
but at 30+ I'd buy something different.

 

[bigjim]

What other choices will drive in snow as well or better?<<

Let's see; In the wagon category you have Mercedes, Bmw , Lexus , Chevy
equiniox and many others. For sedans you have Chrysler 300, Ford 500,
infiniti, lexus. Any car with AWD will be comparable to the tribeca and
better looking. Subaru with AWD is uniunique at a pricepoint of 20-25k
but at 30+ I'd buy something different.

 

[nothermark]

Why is this the case? What differs about its design that requires it?



What other choices will drive in snow as well or better?

almost anything - big empty boxes get blown around more than smaller
empty one's that weigh about the same. yeah, that's not snow but
often comes with it. The wind starts the slide, awd won't do that
much on really slippery going but the ditch will stop you. There is
an advantage to 4 wheel though, you get stuck better. front drive
does as well as awd in most snow driving conditions with a semi
competent driver. And yes, I drive all day in upstate NY so I have
seen a bit so snow. ;-)

 

[MK IV]

Why is this the case? What differs about its design that requires it?



What other choices will drive in snow as well or better?

VW Touareg.

 

[nothermark]

As I said to Don, won't tow a significant load, won't haul a
significant load, not a utility vehicle. Won't haul serious toys for
the folks who rely on a vehicle to haul toys. If you want to take two
bicycles and backpacks you are fine. Ditto ski's. Forget 4 adults or
a family with semi adult kids and a weeks worth of camping gear and
toys.

SUV= sport utility vehicule. Why the Tribecca is not a SUV?

It's political. The basic issue is that it is not a utility vehicle.
A lot of us look at the original sport utlity lineup - a truck that
held more than 2 folks, towed a load and handled roof racks for
skis/boats/bikes/gear. The new generation is too round and often too
weak to load the roof or tow more than 1000 lbs. It is just a sedan

Do you "really" know that these things that you mention apply to the
Tribeca? Are you just basing your comments on the fact that you just don't
like the looks? I personally don't haul things on the roof, but the Tribeca
is capable of doing it and it will tow more than 1000 lbs. It has a lower
rollover potential than most SUVs on the market, if only based on the H6
engine. I haven't as yet put it through its paces, but it seems very stable
and the huge tires alone will add to its stability. (I don't look foward to
having to replace them though! ) I believe that many of the comments
about the car are only based on the fact that some people don't like the
looks and really aren't based on facts.

As I said, some people will dislike any new vehicle that comes out. You
can't provide "ANY" vehicle with features that will appeal to "ALL" buyers.
Impossible!! The Tribeca is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination,
but no vehicle qualifies in that respect. I like mine and that is all that
really matters to me. I don't plan to drive it in extreme off-road
conditions, but 99 percent of the SUV owners fall into this category. I
like it better than my previous Legacy because of the stated support that it
offers my legs.

As I said before, I understand why you like the vehicle. It's a great
car. That is the point. It's a car dressed up. My Hyundai Accent is
rated at 1000 lb tow. Look up the real SUV's and you see tow numbers
like original jeep CJ 2000 lbs, Chevy Blazer 5000 lbs, Dodge Ram or
Chevy Suburban more than 8000 lbs. These are vehicles that you can
haul a load of stuff somewhere with, ie utility. They have payload
and towing capacity in tons not lbs.

The Tribecca and several other vehicles like it are really overdressed
sedans rather than truck based so a lot of folks are not happy with
calling them SUV's. The Subaru ad campaign of redefining the SUV
makes out blood boil. it's not that we don't see why people like them
it's just that they don't fit the utility class. Amaybe they are
sporty but I wouldn't take one seriusly off road. On the other hand
they might do the beach and will definitly handle rain. I really am
glad you like it, I just wish Subaru would shut up about it being an
SUV. ;-)

 

[nothermark]

I'm not familiar with the official definition of "SUV". Can you please
point me to a site that has this official definition? I think that you
might need to cool down and not take things so seriously. What can be so
bad about things that it 'makes our blood boil'?

Don D.


snip<

Blood is fine, just an expression. Thanks for concern. ;-)

Don't know as there is any such thing as definition police so the ad
weenies can call anything whatever they want. As the old down Maine
joke goes though "just 'cause the cat had kittens in the oven can you
really call them biscuits?" I wonder what they call the real SUV's
now??????

;-)

 

[bigjim]

Go back afew years to the big ford bronco. Could carry 4 people and
gear, tow a significant load and handle off road conditions.
The toyota landcruiser is another fine example. Compare these to what
are called SUV's today- RAV4, CRV, Tribeca, bmw x etc. None can tow a
great deal, or handle off road situations.

 

[Don]

Blood is fine, just an expression. Thanks for concern. ;-)

Don't know as there is any such thing as definition police so the ad
weenies can call anything whatever they want. As the old down Maine
joke goes though "just 'cause the cat had kittens in the oven can you
really call them biscuits?" I wonder what they call the real SUV's
now??????

;-)

I would guess that you can call 'anything' an SUV if you want. I had a
Toyota Matrix for a short time and while it sure doesn't even attempt to be
an SUV, if Toyota wanted to, they could call it a mini SUV. Everything is
relative, and like you and I said before, if I like it, its OK. Have fun
.

Don D.

 

[abc]

Any opinions on thenew Subaru Tribeca? I am considering a new large
car or SUV which handles well in snow and this seems to be a prime
contender.

Try reading through some of the dozens of professional reviews I have
collected at: http://members.cox.net/kamartin/2006b9tribeca.html

Also, one the most active Subaru Tribeca forums is the Edmunds one at:
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.ef3c1fb!make=Subaru&
model=B9%20Tribeca&ed_makeindex=.ef3c1fb

You will find tons of straight-forward info on both of these sites, and
you will have more than enough info to formulate your own opinion. Also,
if you test drive one, you likely won't want to give it back

-Karen in AZ-

 

[Richard Kaplan]

are called SUV's today- RAV4, CRV, Tribeca, bmw x etc. None can tow a
great deal, or handle off road situations.

That is fine because I suspect a great majority of such capable full-size
SUVs are never driven off-road. Most "SUV" owners like them because they
have lots of passenger/cargo seating and by simple virtue of their weight
they afford the occupants less chance of injury in a multi-vehicle
collision. And in the case of Subaru, they are reported to handle great in
snow.

 

[H]

Note, however that Subaru was "the most reliable manufacturer" according to
Consumers Reports both 2004 and 2005. Try that with a Merccedes, BMW, Ford,
Chrysler or what have you. Subaru's AWD system is recognized as one of the
most sophisticated available.

Why is it that so many seem to think that if their vehicle isn't enormous
and so over capacity so as to take on anything imaginable that it just won't
do. This seems to be a typically American point of view. Listen to
conversations with americans and most of the phrases relate to quantity,
i.e. speed, power, weight capacity etc., whereas with Europeans,
Australians, Asians and to a lesser extent Canadians tend to speak in terms
of qualities. This is true for more than just motor cars, it's also true for
fast food, military, sports etc. It's no accident that Football (Soccer that
is) isn't huge in the US and that Smart Cars are very very popular in
Canada, yet not even available in the US. Americans drive the biggest
vehicales, they use the most resources, eat the biggest meals and, in
general are the biggest physically. Maybe we should give them all a
laxative, then we could bury them in shoeboxes!

 

[Jim Stewart]

Note, however that Subaru was "the most reliable manufacturer" according to
Consumers Reports both 2004 and 2005. Try that with a Merccedes, BMW, Ford,
Chrysler or what have you. Subaru's AWD system is recognized as one of the
most sophisticated available.

Why is it that so many seem to think that if their vehicle isn't enormous
and so over capacity so as to take on anything imaginable that it just won't
do. This seems to be a typically American point of view. Listen to
conversations with americans and most of the phrases relate to quantity,
i.e. speed, power, weight capacity etc., whereas with Europeans,
Australians, Asians and to a lesser extent Canadians tend to speak in terms
of qualities. This is true for more than just motor cars, it's also true for
fast food, military, sports etc. It's no accident that Football (Soccer that
is) isn't huge in the US and that Smart Cars are very very popular in
Canada, yet not even available in the US. Americans drive the biggest
vehicales, they use the most resources, eat the biggest meals and, in
general are the biggest physically. Maybe we should give them all a
laxative, then we could bury them in shoeboxes!

What the fsk is it with you and your anti-
USA rants. We're not all fat and we don't
all drive fat cars. I drive an Outback on
the road and a 1964 Honda S90 motorcycle
around town. 175 miles/gal.

Ironically, the US people that post here
are probably some of the least objectionable
Yanks that you'll find.

Oh, and learn how to bottom-post.

 

[Richard Kaplan]

infiniti, lexus. Any car with AWD will be comparable to the tribeca and
better looking. Subaru with AWD is uniunique at a pricepoint of 20-25k

Looks are irrelevant; performance in snow and overall crash safety
statistics are all that matter for my purposes. If it is safe and god-awful
ugly that is fine with me. I realize others feel differently but as far as
I am concerned I sit INSIDE the car, not outside. I care what the inside
looks like; why do I care what the outside looks like.

As for AWD, what is your thought about traction control or VDC? Do you
truly think all AWD vehicles are the same? Is it not significant to include
vehicle control of torque and braking rather than simply AWD from the
perspective of handling in snow? Not to mention thinkgs like side/head
airbags which are absent in some AWD vehicles.

 

[bigjim]

If you like getting to know the service dept. get a VW.