Comments on Baja needed....

[Donald Gares]

Hi,

Trying to find a vehicle to replace both a Dodge Durango and a Dodge V10
Ram pickup. Obviously, neither of the above are "mileage makers" plus we
rarely use the pickup to haul anything but small amounts of yard waste.
Our Durango currently gets used to deliver computer systems (usually one
at a time).

We are considering a 2005 Baja Sport and need opinions about the power
and hauling capacity of same. All in all, will it haul a boxed computer
system in the rear seat (bed has a cover and is not deep enough) and
will we be TOTALLY disappointed with the power (actually, we would
prefer mileage over power).

Owners' comments would be appreciated.

Don & Rhonda

 

[Grolsch]

As a general comment, you will be disapointed with the power if you are
asking for V-10 kind of torque, but the 2.5 normally aspirated engine is
adequate to ample for alomost any situation. What I did was buy the Forester
and a 4'x8' lanscaping trailer ($989.00 Canadian) from Home Depot. I haul
inside the vehicle what needs to be secured and load up the trailer for
junk, yard waste and pick-ups from the building supply. The trailer has a
2200lb rating as does the hitch and vehicle.

 

[Freedom55]

As a general comment, you will be disapointed with the power if you are
asking for V-10 kind of torque, but the 2.5 normally aspirated engine is
adequate to ample for alomost any situation. What I did was buy the Forester
and a 4'x8' lanscaping trailer ($989.00 Canadian) from Home Depot. I haul
inside the vehicle what needs to be secured and load up the trailer for
junk, yard waste and pick-ups from the building supply. The trailer has a
2200lb rating as does the hitch and vehicle.

Ditto on that. We have an OBW and one day we went down to the hardware
store to buy a screen door. The guy said, "why put it on the roof rack?
Carry it inside the car" - and we did! Very versatile.

Ron

--
And it really doesn't matter if
I'm wrong I'm right
Where I belong I'm right
Where I belong.

Lennon & McCartney

 

[Donald Gares]

As a general comment, you will be disapointed with the power if you are
asking for V-10 kind of torque, but the 2.5 normally aspirated engine is
adequate to ample for alomost any situation. What I did was buy the Forester
and a 4'x8' lanscaping trailer ($989.00 Canadian) from Home Depot. I haul
inside the vehicle what needs to be secured and load up the trailer for
junk, yard waste and pick-ups from the building supply. The trailer has a
2200lb rating as does the hitch and vehicle.

Definitely do NOT need the V10 horsepower and torque. Of course I
thought that I HAD to have one when they came out in 1994 thus I bought
one.

Actually I have never even seen a Baja in real life and just need to get
a "feel" for the back seat size (will a 21" by 21" box fit in it). The
one that I am looking at is at http://tinyurl.com/9e7mz on e-Bay. I
realize that I will need to get a trailer for my Polaris 4-wheeler.

Don

 

[Frank Logullo]

Hi,

Trying to find a vehicle to replace both a Dodge Durango and a Dodge V10
Ram pickup. Obviously, neither of the above are "mileage makers" plus we
rarely use the pickup to haul anything but small amounts of yard waste.
Our Durango currently gets used to deliver computer systems (usually one
at a time).

We are considering a 2005 Baja Sport and need opinions about the power
and hauling capacity of same. All in all, will it haul a boxed computer
system in the rear seat (bed has a cover and is not deep enough) and
will we be TOTALLY disappointed with the power (actually, we would
prefer mileage over power).

Owners' comments would be appreciated.

I know owner that loves his and my wife really likes Baja's looks. You are
probably still going to have the bed cover problem and the tailgate
expansion unit takes up room. You'd probably be better off with an Outback
or Forester.

 

[Edward Hayes]

Why not go have a look at your dealer??

I know owner that loves his and my wife really likes Baja's looks.
You are
probably still going to have the bed cover problem and the tailgate
expansion unit takes up room. You'd probably be better off with an
Outback
or Forester.

 

[Donald Gares]

Why not go have a look at your dealer??

Because the closest one is 100 miles and they don't even have a Baja!

Don

 

[phillystyle]

I own one and I love it. (It seems a bit underpowered though.) Subaru
seems to have all but given up on the Baja. I'd say print out that Baja
from the ebay auction and let a dealer beat that price -- I'm sure they
could beat the "Buy It Now" price, I paid not much more for mine 2 years
ago before they decided it wasn't worth promoting. Also, the auction's
mileage estimate seems a bit "optimistic." I'm happy with the 21-22 mpg I
get in mixed driving; don't think I'd get 28 mpg going downhill with a
tailwind. ;oP

 

[phillystyle]

I own one and I love it. (It seems a bit underpowered though.) Subaru
seems to have all but given up on the Baja. I'd say print out that Baja
from the ebay auction and let a dealer beat that price -- I'm sure they
could beat the "Buy It Now" price, I paid not much more for mine 2 years
ago before they decided it wasn't worth promoting. Also, the auction's
mileage estimate seems a bit "optimistic." I'm happy with the 21-22 mpg I
get in mixed driving; don't think I'd get 28 mpg going downhill with a
tailwind. ;oP

 

[j]

I've owned 23 cars in the last 13 years. That's about two cars per
year, although I swear it doesn't seem like I've gone through them that
quickly. I've owned my Baja for almost 18 months, and it will have to
be pried from my cold, dead hands.

Yes, it will hold a 21x21 box in the backseat, although the backseat is
definitely smallish (it's the same size as the Outback and other
Legacy's).

Yes, the engine does seem a little under-powered, but I think a lot of
that will also depend on where you live and how you drive. I'm fairly
demanding, and drive pretty steep grades regularly, and I can get what
I want out of it, but sometimes have to push it a bit. On the
otherhand, I've driven my Baja to the midwest and found the power to be
more than adequate, maybe even peppy at the lower altitude. Check out
cobbsport.com for performance accessories.

As far as MPG goes, in mixed driving I too get 21-22, in and around
SLC. But, when I did drive from Utah to Nebraska I did manage 28!
That was at 90mph, 100+ degrees, windows down much of the time, A/C
pumping. Oh yeah, and the temperature gauge didn't move.

Cargo...I've hauled two fridges (laying down), concrete, furniture, all
kinds of crap. Obviously, noone is going to buy a Baja to go to the
construction site, but if you are realistic about what you are getting,
I think you will be impressed. A previous post mentioned the bed
extender taking up room, but you shouldn't worry about it. The
extender comes out very easily, and will fit at either end of the bed,
takin gup little room. It also fits in the back seat.

Don't, DO NOT, buy the Subaru soft tonneau cover. It's crap. Pure
crap. If it wasn't on my car when I bought it, and had I actually
bought the cover on my own, I would've been pissed.

I don't know what else to tell you. As you can probably tell, I am
quite pleased with my Baja. It's uniqueness and versatility are tough
to beat. I don't know if you have your heart set on a brand new one,
but I bought my 03 at Nate Wade Subaru in SLC (natewade.com), with
2,000 miles for CHEAP. At the time, the same money would've gotten me
an Outback that was twoor three years older, with at least 50,000 miles
on it. Every so often Nate Wade gets 5 or 6 2003 models, with
virtually no miles, and lists them for 18,000ish...negotiable.

Have a look at scoobytruck.com for other info. Good luck!

 

[AguaGirl]

Definitely do NOT need the V10 horsepower and torque. Of course I
thought that I HAD to have one when they came out in 1994 thus I bought
one.

Actually I have never even seen a Baja in real life and just need to get
a "feel" for the back seat size (will a 21" by 21" box fit in it). The
one that I am looking at is at http://tinyurl.com/9e7mz on e-Bay. I
realize that I will need to get a trailer for my Polaris 4-wheeler.

It wouldn't fit very well on the seat itself...only about 20" of clearance
from
the back of passenger seat to the back of the back seat with the passenger
seat at a comfortable setting...but if you fold down the back seat there is
over 2 ft of space. Plenty of room. As for power, I think you might be
surprised. I drive a JXI with a V6 and expected the Baja to be too "slow"
for me. It's not. It's not a V6 for sure but it has decent torque for the
engine
size. I love my Baja. Of course I have had it for all of 2 days and really
haven't put it to the test. Hauling a mountain bike isn't the same as
towing
a 4 wheeler but I say go for it. It's easily the most versatile vehicle I
have
owned in a while.

AG

 

[Dave - Dave.net.nz]

I own one and I love it. (It seems a bit underpowered though.) Subaru
seems to have all but given up on the Baja.

I must say that I'm gutted that we can't get them new in NZ... it's not
that I need a ute(small truck for the yankees), but I want one. instead
I have an OBW and a trailer.

 

[bigjim]

Why are you upset you cant get a Baja? I bet you can get a lot of
better vehicles than we in the US can. Can you get a ford falcon? Much
nicer than baja. Can you get the hyundai terracan- way nicer than baja.
The variety of toyota trucks available is also worth considering. In
the us the baja has not been very popular for several reasons.
Subaru only sold a deluxe model with leather etc for a high price of
$26000 or so US. They expected young, active people to buy it but it
was too pricey for out of college people. Finally they sold a version
with cloth seats and lowered the price but there was no momentum. Baja
was also not rated reliable according to Consumer Reports magazine. I
almost bought one but without a locking cargo cover, no locking fuel
door and now they arent available in yellow. Get a nicer vehicle.

 

[Dave - Dave.net.nz]

Why are you upset you cant get a Baja?

errr, because I want one. I've been chatting with an importer to see if
I can get a jap import one.

I bet you can get a lot of
better vehicles than we in the US can.

byt the looks at some of the car sales online presence, yes, yes we do.

Can you get a ford falcon?

yep, but I'm not a falcon fan, they're over-rated in my opinion.

Much
nicer than baja.

personal opinions matter little... well, what I mean is your personal
opinion matters little when it comes to my potential car choice.

I apologise for sounding arrogant, it's just the way I am.

Can you get the hyundai terracan- way nicer than baja.

they are very nice yes, but they're not a subaru.

The variety of toyota trucks available is also worth considering.

I'm not a great fan of the Toyota "trucks", well, except for one of the
models that we don't get here(not sure of the name, but it comes with a
v8 engine and gets used in hill climbs a lot in the US).

Subaru only sold a deluxe model with leather etc for a high price of
$26000 or so US. They expected young, active people to buy it but it
was too pricey for out of college people.

I'm one of those people they were trying to sell to.

Finally they sold a version
with cloth seats and lowered the price but there was no momentum.

well actually I'm more of a cloth seat kinda guy, leather just smacks of
"I have too much money" usually...

Baja
was also not rated reliable according to Consumer Reports magazine.

Subaru never scores well here(NZ) for that sort of thing either, but it
doesn't stop them selling like hot cakes to those wanting a good solid
car that performs well.

I
almost bought one but without a locking cargo cover, no locking fuel
door

The no locking fuel door is a pain, the no locking cargo cover sounds
like a dumb reason, surely you have after market products for this sort
of thing? hell, design one yourself, it's not that costly to make things
like that.

and now they arent available in yellow. Get a nicer vehicle.

heh, not availible in yellow... bye for now.

 

[e]

Check out http://scoobytruck.com to talk to Baja owners. Perhaps that
can help you make a decision.

e

 

[j]

I think that you are so impressed with yourself, for buying an Outback,
that you jump at the opportunity to throw your two bits in about how
bad the Baja sucks. We get it, you didn't like it, and it's a damned
good thing you didn't buy one.

To address your main points:

1. When was the last time that you, or anyone you know, had gas
siphoned from your car, to make a locking cap such a big deal that your
entire auto purchase hinged on it? Seriously, if I was in need of
gasoline badly enough to steal it from someone's car, don't think for a
minute that I would hesitate to jam a screwdriver, key, etc. into that
locking gas door of yours and pop it open...costing you more than some
gas.
2. The Baja has no locking cargo cover...duh, it's a truck (mostly).
If I leave something in the cargo area, and it gets stolen, that's on
me. At least I won't have to replace any broken windows.

Get over it.

 

[AguaGirl]

Why are you upset you cant get a Baja? I bet you can get a lot of
better vehicles than we in the US can. Can you get a ford falcon? Much
nicer than baja. Can you get the hyundai terracan- way nicer than baja.
The variety of toyota trucks available is also worth considering. In
the us the baja has not been very popular for several reasons.
Subaru only sold a deluxe model with leather etc for a high price of
$26000 or so US. They expected young, active people to buy it but it
was too pricey for out of college people. Finally they sold a version
with cloth seats and lowered the price but there was no momentum. Baja
was also not rated reliable according to Consumer Reports magazine. I
almost bought one but without a locking cargo cover, no locking fuel
door and now they arent available in yellow. Get a nicer vehicle.

which consumer report mag rated them as unreliable? I researched
this purchase pretty thoroughly and either the ratings were above
average (reliablility, crash, ownership etc..) or no rating was available.
I didn't see anything that marked it lower than any other small truck on
the market. They aren't popular? Are Subaru's popular in general?
Does popularity play a key role in your decision making process?
Seriously, the mini cooper is popular in my area but it wouldn't convince
me to buy one. I admit I liked the yellow one but again, color was never
a major decision making factor.....and I can buy a locking gas cap.

AG

 

[Kar Klean]

The consumer report Baja low rating was due to the lack of time with the
vehicle. Recent issues have put it up with it's sister/brother vehicles as
well rated.

2003 BAJA.

I love mine with a few exceptions. Brake and rotors had to be replaced at
20000 miles. Subaru dealer blamed it on driving. Considering I drive highway
miles, that didn't set well with me.

I had to have the front bumper cover repainted less than 6 months after I
bought the vehicle. The paint had a chip and was starting to peel. The
repaint was excellent and have had no further problems.

Goes like the devil in snow and handles like a BWM in the mountain turns.

Bob
www.karklean.com

 

[nicklebon]

Hi,

Trying to find a vehicle to replace both a Dodge Durango and a Dodge V10
Ram pickup. Obviously, neither of the above are "mileage makers" plus we
rarely use the pickup to haul anything but small amounts of yard waste.
Our Durango currently gets used to deliver computer systems (usually one
at a time).

We are considering a 2005 Baja Sport and need opinions about the power
and hauling capacity of same. All in all, will it haul a boxed computer
system in the rear seat (bed has a cover and is not deep enough) and
will we be TOTALLY disappointed with the power (actually, we would
prefer mileage over power).

Owners' comments would be appreciated.

Don & Rhonda

I've had my Baja since December 2002. Overall I love it. A few nitpicks:

1. Rear seat has stupid console in middle and thus seats 2
2. Not enough space between rear seat and back to store anything such
as a tool kit and jumper cables.

That's it. People complain about the power but I expect they simply don't
drive the car in everyday traffic and are either saying this because they
read it somewhere or did a lead foot test drive and expected a wrx. I
have never gotten below 24MPG and never above 28.5 MPG. It is all the
truck most city dwellers will ever need. Just don't expect to ever carry
more than 4 people.

 

[bigjim]

I disliked the two seat issue with the baja. They could have integrayed
into the seatback to allow three in back