hot for a Baja....

[Shwackman]

HI All, I've got a case of car fever for a Baja, are there any reasons to avoid
one, or any quirks, (other than looks) that I should know about?
I'm looking at the base line model, no-turbo w/automatic, for highway use,
TIA, Mark C.

 

[jabario]

I almost bought one back in Jan. Ended up with OBW instead. Here's
why
1. 2 seats in back
2. To lock rear cargo area is at least $1000
3. Worse than average reliabilbility as per Consumer Reports

If you get one go to www.crutchfield.com and spend ~$250 for a good
stereo and replacement speakers . You'll thank me. Non turbo Subarus
are not fast but are certainly not pigs. Personally I think the Baja
is doomed as it doesnt offer any advantages over other vehicles in the
line . It just doesnt serve a purpose. I fit a washing maching in the
OBW so carrying isnt a real advantage in Baja.

 

[Bonehenge]

3. Worse than average reliabilbility as per Consumer Reports

Aren't the mechanicals the same as the OBW?

Barry

 

[Tyler Harter]

HI All, I've got a case of car fever for a Baja, are there any reasons to
avoid
one, or any quirks, (other than looks) that I should know about?
I'm looking at the base line model, no-turbo w/automatic, for highway use,
TIA, Mark C.

I have an 03 MT and it perfectly does what I bought it for.It runs
great in the snow(Northeast Vt-still haven't bought snow tires) and cruises
very nicely.On the other hand I found the AT very underpowered and I would
be hesitant to buy any non turbo in a city where quick acceleration is a
must.
As for the sounds-I got the subwoofer and the rest of the sound
package.I'd say I'm about 99.9 percent happy-but then I listen to loud R & R
not Rap.
BTW-anybody have have any luck finding a remote control starter
for their MT Subaru?Don't want to void my warranty and I'm not going to
install myself-just looking for success/horror stories.

 

[Hallraker]

Aren't the mechanicals the same as the OBW?

Indeed they are. Gotta wonder about CR sometimes though. Most of the time
they are aware of mechanical twins, but I've heard of situations where
they've given two identical cars very different ratings. Given the normally
high rating of the entire Subaru line, there would have to be massive
problems with the rear tailgate and pass through (two of the unique parts)
in order to make the overall reliability worse. Since I've never heard
anyone in the group (or anywhere else) report any Baja-specific problems, I
would have to wonder about that statement.

-Matt

 

[David Ryeburn]

Indeed they are. Gotta wonder about CR sometimes though. Most of the time
they are aware of mechanical twins, but I've heard of situations where
they've given two identical cars very different ratings. Given the normally
high rating of the entire Subaru line, there would have to be massive
problems with the rear tailgate and pass through (two of the unique parts)
in order to make the overall reliability worse. Since I've never heard
anyone in the group (or anywhere else) report any Baja-specific problems, I
would have to wonder about that statement.

-Matt

I can think of another possible explanation. Perhaps Baja buyers are
very different from Outback buyers, and either expect more of their
vehicles or treat them more harshly.

David, quite happy with his nearly 8 year old 1997 Legacy Outback with
almost 269,000 km on it

 

[jabario]

The AT is far from underpowered. The 2.5 has a good amount of torque
and the AT is pretty good. To each his own but the stock stereo and
speakers just plain suck when compared to a mid level aftermarket
system.

 

[Googler]

Personally I think the Baja
I have to disagree here. The back of my Baja is perfect for hauling
stuff to the local landfill and bringing back a load of free mulch.
Plus, I can fit two bikes in the back securely and quickly.

I do agree it'd be nice to have room for 3 in the back but aside from
that I'm happy with mine.
Jay M
'03 Subaru Baja (nonTurbo, 5sp)
Hillsboro, VA

 

[lightbulb05]

get the turbo Baja......I love mine, for me more useful than my previous
Outback

 

[Hallraker]

I can think of another possible explanation. Perhaps Baja buyers are
very different from Outback buyers, and either expect more of their
vehicles or treat them more harshly.

David, quite happy with his nearly 8 year old 1997 Legacy Outback with
almost 269,000 km on it

--

That's entirely possible as well. I remember reading about some event
Subaru had back in the 1970s for the BRAT. They had some sort of off-road
unveiling where they foolishly allowed some automotive journalists to test
out the BRAT off-pavement. Apparently a lot of BRATs ended up stuck or
destroyed. The source I read this from intended to convey some sort of
inherent weakness in the BRAT's design, but I read between the lines and saw
a bunch of ham-fisted journalists trying to climb rocks with the stock
tires. I don't think these were the guys from Car and Driver either,
probably the doofus from the local paper.

Simply put, any time you push a vehicle beyond its intended limits, you're
going to have problems. An amusing story I heard once my first semester of
college: My lab partner was talking to a friend of his, and they were
gossiping about a mutual friend who had apparently done something very, very
dumb. There's a short off-road course somewhere around here, owned by the
local Hummer dealer designed to showcase new and prospective owners the
capabilities of their vehicle. Apparently you can also get into this test
track somehow, and their friend did so - with a brand new, totally stock
Jeep Wrangler. It didn't end well, with the Jeep completely destroyed and
these two guys laughing at their friend's misfortune.

-Matt

 

[Fuzzy Logic]

BTW-anybody have have any luck finding a remote control
starter
for their MT Subaru?Don't want to void my warranty and I'm not going to
install myself-just looking for success/horror stories.

I personally haven't done it. I do have a story though. I was filling up at
a local gas station and noticed a nice new Impreza wagon and I talked to the
owner at the cash register about how she was liking her car. She says she
loves it BUT since she got her remote starter installed shes had nothing but
problems. She was waiting for her husband becuase it wouldn't start again.

 

[Bonehenge]

Plus, I can fit two bikes in the back securely and quickly.

I do agree it'd be nice to have room for 3 in the back but aside from
that I'm happy with mine.

I can easily and quickly fit (4) bikes on the roof of my '01 OBW with
58" Yakima pipes. <G>

This happens to be the same number of riders I can comfortably fit
inside. Plus, the gear bags are stored out of the weather, in the
rear cargo compartment.

Of course, you can drive right into the garage! I can clear ATMs and
drive-thrus, but not a typical garage.


Barry

 

[Shwackman]

THANKS for all the feedback! I'm really leaning toward the automatic/ NON-
turbo. I'm sure the turbo's more fun to drive, but by my calculations, it would
cost $3 more to fill per tankful, and have 35 miles less range.
I've got a tandem length bicycle I will haul a lot, the rear tire against
the bed extender, and the fork attached to the roof rack...looks like a perfect
fit with my measuring tape, and twice the mileage of my Dakota!

 

[P T]

When I bought my '04 Forester in August '04 there was a brand-new
stickered Baja next to it. It was at least an '03 model, and it might
have even been an '02.
I thought that was weird, but maybe a deal for the right person.

 

[e]

HI All, I've got a case of car fever for a Baja, are there any reasons to avoid
one, or any quirks, (other than looks) that I should know about?
I'm looking at the base line model, no-turbo w/automatic, for highway use,
TIA, Mark C.

I just bought one. '05, Sport, Black, 5 speed. I couldn't resist. I
had been salivating over this car since '02 and I gave in. Although I
feel it is a downer that the vehicle only seats 4 persons, I can count
the number of times I've driven 5 people at once in the last 10 years on
one hand. Plus, now I have four cup holders!