After owning one , great experience
Written: Oct 12 '05 (Updated Dec 09 '05)
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Pros: Truly well designed top to bottom.
Excellent sound and MP3 rep.
Cons: We need an hybrid soon Subaru.
No Hitch , trailer accesories
The Bottom Line: Get one fast. Very well build overall.
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| moralb's Full Review: 2006 Subaru B9 Tribeca |
This goes against the theorists that talk and talk but have not actually owned one.
This is a review for a fully loaded 7 seat (ok, 5 3/4)champagne Tribeca.. love the color, very elegant.
So lets begin with what clearly everyone complains about. The 3rd row seat. Yes, if you are expecting this to be a Mini van, you are looking in the WRONG direction pal. Think of it as a mix between something larger than the outback or any station wagon, but not quite the "bus" like driving of a minivan. In our case fits perfectly with our needs (1 20 month Daughter). Why? We do NOT use the 3rd row all the time. We need a lot more the trunk space day in day out. But hey, it's really nice when you have guests to have room for the small kids in the back, so we can use only one car. I do not like to whine and complain, I like to find solutions, so with the 3rd row up, all seats have to move forward, including pilot. The feat Subaru accomplished that people seem not to realize is that they produced a 3rd row keeping the car size tight. My garage can be the proof of that. SO that to me is great. Now, what to do with the almost none space left in the back? Well, either you go to roof solutions or there is something called a hitch, and a hitch box you can attach in the rear, kind of an external trunk. There are some of those that you can even place bikes on top. So that's the way to go for us.
Looks: I agree that when I saw it first it was "different", but now I realize different is cool, and now I can appreciate what good design in a car is all about (I agree others look dino like). That means other manufacturers better start looking at this, because I would not sit in another car that does not have as many well designed touches as the Tribeca has. VERY recognizable front, when my wife picks me up I can see her coming a mile away. Very nice looking body, the rear is great, and the way the tires makes it look "Thick" , makes me like it more day by day. I had a little accident the other day, and the plastic frame around the wheel guards made a wonderful job preventing it from a serious scratch.
Interior: I've been in luxurious cars, and even thought they can have cock pilot type of layout, it does not mean it is very or as functional as the Tribeca. Fake wood moldings are gone, in place of modern looking metallic surface, which is strange how they figure out not to make it look cheap but more of upscale "soho" loft design. Is the first time that I see a very well designed console, with the radio as part of the entire button set, and should I include the GPS, yes all buttons are centered and in the right proportion.. they have taken the word symmetrical beyond the chassis and incorporated further inside. Well done.
With the 2nd row all the way back, I was able to change diapers in a very comfortable position, so space is not an issue really.
Performance:
For us that come from another culture, the power in this car is far away enough from what you will need in everyday driving, unless you want to go drag racing. For the people that like to think their car is not guzzling gas, this is a perfect engine size. It is or takes a little more than the 2.5 Outback engine, so for us has been very nice to still pay less than 35 bucks of each filling trip.
We are very happy with it, and most of all, considering that is a brand new car and model, we had have 0 issues of problems. That means a lot of good work from the people making/design in it , and not rushing it out. Now that we had our first big snow storm, it held pretty well in very bad conditions, when all other cars where idle on the road.
For women, the rear door is really light, so you will like it.
What can Improve: I always like more...
We need the roof rack back, and the hitch. We need a little hole in the center piece, so the charger can pass through the closing doors.
This is my big gripe: Why on earth the manual shifting came up counter intuitive?? higher gears (lower speed) should be UP movement, and lower (higher speed) DOWN. That means your - symbols should go the opposite. I am ready to go and play in the snow with it...
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 36000
Condition: New
Model Year: 2005
Model and Options: Limited 2006
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Epinions.com ID:
moralb
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Reviews written: 3
Trusted by: 0 members
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