Comments on: 2005 Subaru B9 Tribeca Review

By: dolorean23

dolorean23 — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:10:54 +0000

Wasn’t the front “Bus Urinal” or vagina look what intially turned people off of buying the Edsel? Who at Subaru thought that they should try that again?

Do remember, Subaru spelled backwards is U-r-a-bus.

By: bobguynn

bobguynn — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 13:55:53 +0000

Andy A clearly marches to a “different drummer”. The Tribecca clearly missed the mark in the stying department…otherwise the Subaru folks wouldn’t be scrambling for the “lifeboats” on this one. In my humble opinion, the B9 is one of the ugliest designs in my lifetime (that’s since 1950)…right up there with the 1950 Studebaker and the 1957 Edsel. It was initially overpriced (the one we looked at exceeded $37,000) and the back seat is apparently designed for the “little people”…without their “pot of gold”.

My wife and I waited a long time for a 7 passenger Subaru as a replacement for our 1999 Outback (we’ve acquired a few grandchildren and we live in New England). When the B9 was released in 2005, we went out to buy one to Quality Subaru in Wallingford, CT. When we got their we were very disappointed with its appearance and lack of usable space…not to mention price. We didn’t really want a mini-van, but the Toyota dealer down the street had an 2005 AWD Sienna for more than $3000 less. We bought it on the spot (sold by contrast to the Tribecca, more than anything else). So, for the first time in over 20 years you’ll not find a Subaru in my garage…although I’m considering another Outback as a second car. The design of the Legacy platform is still everything I’ve come to expect of the fine car it is!

Regards,
Bob Guynn

By: Andy A

Andy A — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 05:40:26 +0000

I live in the Oregon, where it seems 2 out of every 3 cars in a Subie. I have *never* liked them even though its clear that many, many people find them appealing (especially here.) But when it came time to replace my aging Toyota Landcruiser–and gas was hitting the $2.90 mark–the Tribeca was *the only* car/SUV on my radar. I am sure everything about it could be better to some degree, but I am really pleased with mine. And oddly enough, the top two things that are the coolest to me: the front view, and the rear view. Love it or hate it, it doesn’t look like every other crossover on the road. And I for one LOVE that.

I am sad to hear that Subaru might be(?) moving away from something as unique as this design. This is my first Subaru and I’ve always appreciated the ‘independence’ with which it seemed like S drove into the market, even though their other cars/wagons have looked like plain Japanese/vanilla designs to me. The Tribeca stood out. I guess, as my grandpa used to say, “When you ride on the horizon, be ready for someone to shoot at you.”

Anyway, for what its worth, *thank you Subaru* for my Tribeca. I know you can’t make a market out of one person (or a couple thousand Tribeca buyers) but you did impress me; and I’ll be the first to admit that ain’t easy.

Cheers!

By: amclint

amclint — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 21:27:52 +0000

Honestly, what was Subaru thinking? They have decent all wheel drive cars, then they have the WRX/Forester with the turbo….and WHAM! All the sudden we get this freak of a vehicle? What is with the front end? My brother and I love subaru’s for their rally performances and just fans of the cars they make but this is a bit much. I have a good friend who is the GM at a Subaru dealership in denver and they can’t give these cars away (last i talked to him 6 mo ago). Rebates, low interest, nothing works and their lot is full of these things.

By: planetkestrel

planetkestrel — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 21:40:10 +0000

A hideous vehicle. The motoring equivalent of Jabba the Hut. Every time I see one of these things on the road, I have to avert my gaze. I actually feel embarassed for the owners of these things.

Why can’t the Japanese hire Italian designers to prevent these abortions from being put on the road?

By: punshout

punshout — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 03:29:49 +0000

Well, I like this laughable “review”, because people might back up on buying it and that will make me special in this town as i am one of the few who are driving this B9 and getting alotta thumbs up for it.
By the way, the Aztek or as the call it the “Ass-Tech” can’t top
the interior of the B9.

By: qeorqe

qeorqe — Sat, 23 Sep 2006 21:32:11 +0000

Do you really drive an Aztek???
I agree with the styling comment… absolutely awful.
Can you imagine the board room conversation?… CEO/Chairman… Can’t you make the grill have a wing shape to show off our aero past? Chief Designer & Designated Second Poobah Yes-Man… Yes Sir, that’s a great idea… (but thinking… Jeesh that’ll make it look like a Manto Hee Hee)… CEO/Chairman… Just can’t make it into a wing shape, put something in between… like this shape… Chief Designer & Desinged Second Poobah Yes-Man… Yes Sir, that’ll make it look even more appealing to the masses (but thinking… now it really looks like a Manto Hee Hee).
Anyway… Don’t like it? Don’t buy it? OK I won’t, but I wished I could because of the safety ratings. If styling was just a wee bit appealing, Subaru would easily bump up a little in market share. I would be the first in line to buy one with just a bit more curb appeal… I did like the spaceship Ford Taurus and the odd tail-lighted Honda CR-Vs. Most Japanese cars have design issues anyway… seen any Toyotas lately? Wow, who designs them? Same guys as the Subarus…?

By: JBZ

JBZ — Sat, 02 Sep 2006 19:24:43 +0000

Ive seen Farago drive around town. He is a proud owner of a Pontiac Aztek. The point is – if a vehicle has 4 wheels, a seat and you like it – what does it matter? My .02!

By: henry

henry — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 04:20:01 +0000

So, I find myself wondering what kind of car this guy drives-or even likes, for that matter. I bought a Tribeca and absolutely love it. Vulgarities aside, I find this “review” laughable and further proof that the internet gives anyone who knows how to type and has a computer a forum to spout off, and show the world how just much growing they have yet to do. Thanks for nothing.

By: katrinioso

katrinioso — Sun, 23 Jul 2006 21:12:58 +0000

Point taken about the exterior appearance.. comparing the front end to a whale on speed could have said the same thing. Or at least that’s what I’ve always thought.

With a five-star crash test rating, a Consumer Guide award, and winning Best Interior of the Year.. they must be doing something right.

One thing that does bother me about the interior is the MPH/KPH/etc. display area. It’s pretty much closed off to the passenger so you’d practically have to climb out of your seat to see it.. if for some reason you’d want to. But, I have a lot of fun driving ours. Maybe because we got the five-seater and have room to function. In fact, enough room to fit three overstuffed suitcases and an upright bass. Overall, I’d say I’m pretty pleased with the B9.

By: Lesley

Lesley — Mon, 03 Jul 2006 21:11:42 +0000

Hmmm, this is the review that prompted a career change, no?

After wiping my monitor clean of sprayed java.. I admit I agree with you on all counts except appearance of the front end. Dude – what have you been looking at? You mentioned a daughter, so you can’t be totally in the dark (or perhaps that’s the problem, lol).