pre-production B9 bigger?????

[mws2002]

My wife and I finally got to look at a limited 7 seater today. We had been shown the pre-production B9 that was on tour back in May. We both thought the production model had less interior room than the pre-production. Seemed like much less leg room in all three rows. Surely this is not so. However, we still are not sure if it is going to be big enough for us...but we really love the styling just wish they had and an extended version and while they're at it add the options for a higher powered engine esp. more torque, XM, Telescopic steering, Memory Seats and adjustable pedals.

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[Tkacik]

Those things may come in future models. First year cars are like that sometimes.

[Mike Wevrick]

I can't imagine they changed the basic dimensions of the vehicle.

[donsev]

Originally Posted by mws2002

My wife and I finally got to look at a limited 7 seater today. We had been shown the pre-production B9 that was on tour back in May. We both thought the production model had less interior room than the pre-production. Seemed like much less leg room in all three rows.

First impressions can often be deceiving - you can get caught up in the excitement of the moment, the exclusivity of a chance to see a new model before others do. In those and similiar circumstances, most folks tend to mentally embelish the features that they like and downplay the features that they would otherwise find disappointing. This is one of the reasons why I tend to focus on specs and stats (perhaps to the chagrin of some).

I agree that the dimensions likely did not change between the pre-production model and the current production version.

Which versions (5 or 7 seaters) did you look at both times? It is possible that what you observed is the shorter default 2nd row legroom in the 7-seater versus the 5. Were the 1st row seats set at the same distance (your preferred driving position) both times? Were the second row seats at the same detent each time - they are adjustable over a 8" range. Where were the second row seats positioned when you evaluated the third row seats?

There are many variables that could have affected your perception (either time).

[mws2002]

We looked at the 7 seater on both, the Regional sales rep did say twice that this is a pre-production and it will not be the same as the production models. No, I am aware of the two different 2nd row settings. We did the same test on both B9's I put the front seats all the way back and the 2nd row back all the way with the first setting and the 2nd father back setting with the orange lever. That is where unless I and my wife grew had much less leg room. I am wanting to wait until next year to purchase so I was pointing out every "flaw" I could to my wife she still had to have it, so it was not like I was about to pee on myself to get it, like I was with my Sti, "sure honey this will be a great family car, very quiet and rides like a Cadillac, and wonderful gas mileage and storage." I would not likely have seen any faults in it .

[donsev]

Originally Posted by mws2002

We looked at the 7 seater on both, the Regional sales rep did say twice that this is a pre-production and it will not be the same as the production models. No, I am aware of the two different 2nd row settings. We did the same test on both B9's I put the front seats all the way back and the 2nd row back all the way with the first setting and the 2nd father back setting with the orange lever. That is where unless I and my wife grew had much less leg room.

Well, this is all very odd. I have not had a chance yet to see for myself the additional leg room that is supposed to be gained through the 2nd row seat "orange lever" in the production model so I can't say (my salesman was completely unaware of its existence). It is also strange that Subaru has not published this as the 2nd row legroom spec for the B9. Perhaps it is because, from what others have said, it completely eliminates legroom in the third row (making it somewhat dicey to refer to it as a 7 seater).

[mws2002]

Your surely not surprised your salesman doesn't know something. I am surprised some of them know it has AWD

[Dave G]

Originally Posted by mws2002

...just wish they had...the options for a higher powered engine esp. more torque, XM, Telescopic steering, Memory Seats and adjustable pedals.

AMEN to that.

It was a big disappointment to find that there was no telescoping steering wheel in the Tribeca, especially when many new vehicles have it. Even the Mazda3 and Chevy Malibu have it. If those cheaper vehicles can have it, why not a $31K-$38K new vehicle??
I didn't notice that there were no memory seats. Is that true? If the seats are power seats, there is no excuse for not having memory buttons.
Adjustable pedals are a great thing. Too bad the Tribeca doesn't have them. Ford and Chrysler vehicles have them; why not on Subaru vehicles?

As for the poster who said that first year vehicles don't lots of the extras, I think we understand that, but its a poor design and marketing methodology, because you only get one chance to make a first impression. If some of the missing features are deal-breakers for some buyers, then the mfr has lost a sale, and those folks won't be back for probably 5-years, if ever.

[mws2002]

Yeah Dave G no memory seats either or adjustable pedals or XM/Sirius radio or HID lights and the low torque are a little surprising with a vehicle that is trying to compete with the MDX and X5, it still will do great because of its quality, AWD and cost. Again as I have said many times, before everyone writes back and says "we do not want those options it would have run the cost up"....well that is why they are called options you don't want them don't option them. Is it really luxury options when these are on Hyundia's, Malibu's, Saturn's, Kia's and much cheaper cars. I would imagine next year many of these will be addressed. But the B9 is still a great vehicle adn a huge bargin and I would take it over the MDX or X5 and have an extra $5 to $7 thousand in my account.

[DrD]

Sat in one this weekend - very nice - looks much better in person. That being said, calling it a 7 passenger is a bit of a stretch - there is just no legroom for the back rows. It's probably right about the same in terms of space with others in it's market segment, though. I didn't like the push-button for the rear gate - I guess a dead battery means you don't open the back... could be an inconvenience...