Hot on the heels of its 2006 TTAC Ten Worst Autos award, and its position as a 2007 finalist for the same, comes news that the Subaru Tribeca has scooped another major nod: Best Resale Value in the crossover segment. A Subaru press release on PRNewswire announces the Tribeca's glorification by Automotive Lease Guide (ALG). ALG says their gong is "derived after careful study of segment competition, historical vehicle performance and industry trends." It shows that "compelling design, high quality manufacturing, disciplined pricing and volume programs" lead to high residual value. The fact that Tribecas coming off lease don't have to compete with a flood of fleet units being dumped into the used car market has a lot more to do with the high residuals than "compelling design" (unless they're talking about Tribeca observers' compulsion to avert their gaze). The press release concludes by listing other awards the Tribeca has received, such as high crash test ratings and some award for interior design. Their tally totally ignores the honor TTAC readers bestowed on Ye Olde "Flying V" last year. Go figure.
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How many B9s do make annually?
This sounds like simple supply (limited production) and demand (Subie fans are loyal)…heck, this is why the Lincoln Blackwood sells for big money (over a regular F150 Supercrew) here in truck-friendly Texas.
Sajeev Mehta
How many B9s do make annually?
In 2006, they made 21K. So far this year they’ve turned out about 18.5K.
Sounds like just enough to support the customer base without watering down the residuals.
I may be crazy, but I liked the flying vagina look on the tribeca and especially on the 06-07 impreza. Almost reminiscent of an Alfa.
Then again I drive a subaru so I’m probably biased.
The old B9 was hideously ugly and had an awful powerplant, but the new version is just another generic crossover. If we’re going to hate on it, can we also apply the same level of vitriol to the Murano and Edge?
Brian E : The old B9 was hideously ugly and had an awful powerplant, but the new version is just another generic crossover. If we’re going to hate on it, can we also apply the same level of vitriol to the Murano and Edge? True, but at least Murano and Edge have a style of their own and aren't usually mistaken for anything else. When Subaru redesigned the Tribeca, they could have made it really distinctive (in a good way). Instead they decided to make it look like a last-generation Chrysler minivan. Going from "hideously ugly" to "fleetcar bland" isn't too good of a good move.
Going from “hideously ugly” to “fleetcar bland” isn’t too good of a good move.
Not when the Nissan Murano is around, and several years after its introduction, still looks fantastic.
I agree with Brian E – Subaru has fixed the power issue and given it a Chrysler-esque front which now makes it a just horribly vanilla crossover but no longer deserving of being a worst car finalist.
Sounds like the Tribeca has become the VW microbus of the CUV segment. An awful vehicle that no one wants, except for a small loyal following that is willing to pay too much for it.
Agree with Frank—-You may hate or love the Murano and Edge—-BUT they will never be mistaken for something else….and manage to be different without butt ugly polarization like the previous B9. The redesigned B9 is the Ford Taurus of the CUV segment—-improved engine but blander than a passover matzoh
Of course it has the best resale value. 2-year-old Tribecas have nearly no mileage on them since the original owners were too embarrassed to drive them on public roads! :-)
I preferred the old grill to the new Chrysler nose, that’s for sure.
Sunnyvale, you may be onto something.
I’ve noticed that throughout most of the country Subarus tend to have low mileage. When I was liquidating vehicles for Capital One, virtually every 5 year or younger Subaru would invariably have less than 10,000 miles per model year.
There were exception to the rule (Seattle, Colorado Springs, Los Angeles) bt by and large Subarus tended to be lower mileage units.
Atlanta may be a good example of the phenomena. Out here there isn’t a single Subaru dealer in the northwest side of Atlanta, and none that I can recall in the south side either.
However, if you go intown, you can’t help to find a few. Subaru’s… especially Foresters, are considered to be the quintessential intown vehicle. From my viewpoint, they tend not to be driven as much due in part to the shorter distances AND to the increased popularity of public transport and biking in Atlanta.
I think that’s part of the resale equation. The other part is that Subaru buyers tend to be more vigilant with maintenance. The majority of Subarus I see at the dealer auctions were garage kept and dealer maintained. In fact, I’ve usually been able to sell an Outback or Forester within 10 days from the time I purchase one. They are just amazingly popular and very little needs to be done to them to get them retail ready.