TRIbeca Ugly and a Poor Design

And don't forget EXPENSIVE! Plans to price this suv in the mid 30's. I can think of a lot of vehicles that I would buy before I spent 35,000 on a Subie.

Nicolas, What are some of the '... a lot of vehicles...' you would buy before a Subaru @ $35k? What would the advantages of those vehicles be over a Subaru? Is Subaru lacking in some area... perhaps quality? technology? innovation? engineering? design? etc? Just curious. Regards, John

I think someone was just trolling for responses:

I can think of many in the $35 k range I'd buy before a subaru. Any BMW, A Toyota, Even a vette is in the low 40's. The outback saved Subaru and now theyve forgotten what works. Subie stock stereos suck and are not worthy of a 25k + vehicle.

None of the vehicles you mention can compare with a Subaru for advanced technology or engineering. Name appeal, sure. Quality, maybe especially with the Toyota, but certainly not with the 'Vette. And BMW's at that price range are *way* overrated and under-quality. As far as the stereo, I don't like being locked into a factory stereo either. I don't think this is a trend that is exclusive to Subaru. However, in my '02 VDC Sedan, I got the premium McIntosh sound system, and it is quite good. If the stereo is the make-or-break item for you, then so be it. I'd rather have the advanced engine, drivetrain, and best AWD system on the road, bar none. Regards, John

So much for trolling . At least the posts in the thread are only in this specific group.

I own a Forester and used to own a BRAT, but I have to agree with the troll, the Tribeca is ugly and I doubt it will sell well. I think Subaru is getting too far away from their roots.

I love the AWD system but I wouldnt call the engine "advanced" . Oil seal issues, mediocer mileage, and difficulty in performing basic service (spark plugs) are among the issues. Hey, I love my OBW and wouldnt hesitate to buy another if Subaru goes back to what made it special to begin with-- rugged unique appearance, practical interior, reasonable price plus the AWD and ABS etc. However in 3 or 4 years when I need a new vehicle, I wont consider Subaru if all their models are like the tribeca and are pricey. I'd rather buy an American made vehicle and a good extended warranty and will save a lot of money. The stereo is not a big deal--If I can change it. The stereo in my 04 OBW pretty much sucked. With a new Kenwood unit and pioneer speakers I cant complain. I hope I can get 200k mile or more. Subaru needs to realize that its core audience of teachers, hippies, postmen etc will not spend $35k when there are a LOT of alternatives.

I think the biggest thing I don't like is the "snout."

If the grill didn't look so snout-like, I th> John A. Mas>

Right off the bat...Honda Pilot, Toyota Forerunner, Isuzu Axiom, Mitsubishi Endevour, Mercury Mountaineer, Acura TL, well any Acura, Chrysler Crossfire, BMW X3, Mercedes C240, Jeep Liberty Sport are some of the vehicles that I would choose before a Tribeca.

SO SO WRONG. I wouldn't pay $30,000 for any vehicle. I was saying (hypothetically) there are a lot of vehicles that I would buy before a dished out $30,000+ for a Tribeca. Lighten up!

I agree about the stereo. The standard Subie stereo sucks.

Nicholas, With all of those vehicles that you prefer over Subaru, why don't you get one? What's the point? You won't find the features that make Subaru great in any of those vehicles. A Crossfire? Come on! I love the car, but it's a piece of trash compared to the Subaru. Acura? What does Acura have that's as good as Subaru's AWD/VDC? And none of those vehicles have a boxer engine... the only inherently vibration free design available commercially. It does seem as if you are trolling for some kind of reaction, given that you like so many other vehicles over Subaru. I don't know if you are making a distinction between Subaru's and the Tribeca however. My '02 VDC Sedan listed for $32,000. It's just about the most expensive Subaru you could get. There's no way I could get all/any of the Subaru advantages in any other car in it's price range. John

The Axiom gives the same features as the Subaru and any Isuzu built in Japan is bulletproof!!!. If my OBW were stolen/totaled soon, I'd buy the Jeep unlimited before I got a "redesigned" Outback. I might get a Baja if the 05 prices dropped as low as the 03's did (18000). I too would buy a 4runner for 30k+ brfore I bought a tribeca or new model subaru. I dont nor will ever consider Subaru a "luxury" or premium brand (I still remember the 70's with the spare under the hood) . Subarus appeal to individuals not the me-too crowd. This redesign attempted to make the outback a luxury car but it isnt. Subaru has always had a great deal of brand loyalty but that is eroding. WAke up Subaru!! Give people what they need not what you think or they think they want

Yeah, I can't stand that part or the pointed "nose" on Mitsubishis. The Tribeca looks squished (accordion) from the rear, but it's tolerable and growing on me.

-John

John A. Mason wrote: And none of those vehicles have a boxer engine...

While I like my Impreza, *and* it's boxer engine, quite a lot, there's no way that engine is as smooth as any competently designed straight 6, which is a design that has inherent perfect balance. (In fact, the Subie engine isn't as smooth as many good straight 4's, despite it's inherent design advantage. Maybe the other makers know more about vibration isolation?)

I like the "grumble" of the Subie engine, but I'd never call it especially smooth!

Larry Van Wormer

Actaully, the I6 in the BMW is inherently smoother than a boxer.

It does

"With all of those vehicles that you prefer over Subaru, why don't you get one?"

Reading comprehension isn't your strong point, is it? I was discussing a $30,000+ vehicle. I would never pay that much for a Subie (or any vehicle). I was saying that there are a lot of other vehicles that I would choose before I would consider a Tribeca. (a hypothetical statement) I paid $22,800 for my 05 OBW, and quite frankly, I don't think that I got my money's worth.