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It did list 4445 as the GVWR, IIRC. I know it was at least that much, and it may have been 4545. Wwxman, what's the GVWR of your '03 model? If it's less than that, then I think we can safely assume there's a little more payload capacity to the '04 model.
As to market appeal, I'm with juice. Subaru needed to improve the vehicle in a number ways, not just marketing:*
Styling
The new color scheme addressed that in an inexpensive way. To really address it in a more through way requires extensive body revisions. That won't happen before the next-generation model arrives. So this was a good compromise, given the circumstances, IMO.
Content
They're added some nice features, at least with the turbo; such as heated seats, and VTD/SportShift with the turbo auto. Both of these items help a lot IMO, to make the car more appealing. Base models don't get these, I guess to keep the price down.
Capability (payload/towing)
I don't think this will change significantly until the next generation model. Even then it may not change much.
Appeal to a wider audience
The turbo does that. If you don't want a turbo, buy the non-turbo. They're both there to address different customers.
Value
Don't yet know what the sticker will be, but SOA is very sensitive to this issue, based on how they've contented/priced other Subies—especially the WRX.
* = For what it's worth, I've been involved with marketing for over 30 years. Marketing is very important, but it won't make up for an inferior product. Marketing can get people into the showroom, but it won't (necessarily) make people buy the product. If they do buy the product, they may not be happy with it, and won't return for repeat business.
Bob
I couldn't disagree more.
The Impreza TS and RS are also "basically fine," yet don't sell worth a darn. The (turbo) WRX sells in bunches. Same will happen with the Baja turbo, mark my word. The automotive world is littered with "basically fine" vehicles that also don't sell. I will agree with you that the "buzz" created by the turbo will rub off on non-turbo Bajas. For that reason alone, the turbo version should be welcomed.
Wxxman, it's great that you like the Baja pretty much as is. Many of us don't; and for us, the Baja turbo may be the better choice.
Bob
-mike
Did anyone peek under there to see if a full-size spare was fitted? Just curious.
Legacy sold poorly until the L/SE arrived. Outback far outsells it (2 to 1) mostly due to image, marketing, and the taller suspension. Baja just improved 2 of those 3!
Use Lance Armstrong wisely, and they've got all 3.
WRX is 60% of Impreza sales, I bet the Outback Sport is the other 40%, LOL! They sold about 3 TS wagons last year, maybe a handful of RSs. I bet the numbers aren't significant.
So again, the two that sell are the lifted model (OBS) and the sporty one (WRX). Again, the 2004 Baja addresses both of those issues.
I'm not saying it'll be Subaru's Element, which is selling at a brisk pace right now, but it'll sell maybe 2k units per month and more importantly, survive until the next generation.
paisan: thanks for doin' the real-world test! Now it can be used to trailer the prom king and queen at the high school float parade. :-)
-juice
I'm not saying there aren't trade-offs, of course there are. I still think it's worth it, and I doubt it will end up a blunder. I bet NHTSA gives it 3 stars. Only a couple of vehicles get 4.
-juice
Is it me or is Subaru someking some wacky tobacco. $25k for a forester is tooo much in my opinion. They need to get their prices more in-line with other manuf. I have nothing against Subarus, but I do not like what I see when it comes to their prices.
What about a 40K+ version of the Contour, that is touted as a jag?
-mike
Go price a Liberty - they hit $28k easily when well equipped. And the Forester will run circles around one.
Escape and CR-V cost less but don't have half the features/content. In fact, the Forester leads the class in terms of content. Who else gives you a moonroof that big? Or heated seats/mirrors plus front and rear windshield de-icers?
-juice
-mike
Imagine a turbo for $22 grand, maybe a tad more, suddendly sounds like a bargain, no?
Even an auto Premium with leather ought to run about $28k, with a street price of $25k or so.
-juice
http://www.fitzmall.com/carfind/resultsa.asp?mode=NEW&lstMake- - =JEEP|LIBERTY
Sounds to me like you're thinking in terms of 1996-like prices, or even earlier. Welcome to 2003.
Bob
The Subaru Crew meets every Thursday at 6PM PT/9PM ET... stop by and join us to talk Subaru or anything else automotive that might come up! Hope to see you there tonight!
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Price a Liberty with 4WD, then add the V6, which is still slower than Subaru's 2.5l BTW. Now add ABS, cruise, keyless, power this and that, and you're at $20k I bet. And you're equipment is equivalent to the X model.
The Sports don't come that well equipped, if you analyze it closely.
-juice
The way it's worded, however, suggests that it may(?) be considered a 3rd-party option, and not an official SOA option. Still, I think it is significant that it is mentioned in the Baja turbo teaser brochure. That at least lends a "stamp of SOA approval" of some sort...
http://www.snugtop.com/wn_02snuglid_subaru.htm
Bob
What happened to the $18-18,500 prices for the Baja S?
Keep in mind some people prefer cloth. I wish I had cloth on my Miata, for instance, and yes I'd be willing to trade for a tan colored cloth set in decent condition.
-juice
I've been shopping for buckets and a console/armrest to replace the split bench in my Tacoma. Haven't found the perfect set yet but quite a few seem to come & go at pretty reasonable prices. The same may be true for Miata seats.
-james
At least the Baja's are perforated.
-juice
As some have noted here the Baja has a light payload of just over 1000 lbs. Well the big brute Avalanche has only just over 1200 lbs payload.
--jay
DaveM
Even so 1200 for a full size Avalanche is poor.
--jay
And yes, the Avalanche 1500 also has a lousy payload considering its size. The Avalanche 2500 more than likely has a payload of ~ 2000 pounds or more, however.
However, considering it's mission in life 1200 pounds is probably OK. I wish the Baja's payload was ~ 1000 – 1100 pounds, which is in the neighborhood of the Explorer Sport Trac. I think that's possible and realistic, but it may have to wait until the next-generation Baja debuts.
Speaking of lousy payloads, did you know Ford's huge 4x4 Excursion only has a payload of around 1600–1700 pounds? You can thank its enormous curb weight for that. A comparable Chevy Suburban 2500 has a payload of roughly a 1000 pounds more!
Bob
And get this - they only had ONE left in stock, a yellow one on the showroom floor! The incentives and that web coupon for $500 off appeared to have worked, they sold out! Wow. I'd love to see April sales figures.
I told the sales guy I'd seen on in NY, that the small lift made it look beefier and the colors were better. He seemed excited about it. They are no longer sitting on the lots, and even small improvements ought to help.
He didn't know when the turbo would come, funny he actually asked me what they said at the NY show.
He told me the Sports sell for about $1000 less than the regular models on average.
Bummer I didn't get to drive one, but the news is encouraging.
-juice
Hopefully that rear lift also made room for some beefier tires, which could give you a further lift.
-mike
Just a reminder that every Thursday you can join the Subaru Crew for a chat session from 6-7pm PT/9-10pm ET. Stop in to talk about Subaru or just to say hello!... We had a great turnout last week, but there's always room for more, so stop by and join in this week! Hope to see you there!!
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-juice
Mark
-juice
I should be taking delivery of a Yellow Baja next week. From the reading I've done most people don't like the cladding & yellow, but that is what first attracted me to it on TV and the internet. What are other peoples experiences?
I'm getting rid of a '97 Rav4 which I've never had 1 day of trouble with so I hope the change will be a good one. Any fun stories or experiences while I wait?
Sales were down a little in April after a really hot March, they were under 1000.
CR just reviewed the Baja, in the current issue. Check it out.
-juice
I agree with Juice, the yellow is a photo-opt color, it looks different in person, more orange.
Any info on new colors and price for 2004?
Bill
Hey, CR just rated it pretty highly, above the CR-V overall.
-juice
Glad to see the high rating with CR. What did they say about it? Are there any known issues with the Baja I should be looking for?
Bob
I'm looking forward to a smoother ride than my RAV, although I think I'll have to get used to sitting lower with less head room.
I'm also excited about how the back seat fips up so my dog can be on the floor instead of up on the seats.
Does that seat stay up on its own without the backs being folded down or would I need to secure it so it doesn't fall back down?
Bob
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=36- 1995
BTW, I saw my first Baja with the factory soft tonneau cover today on a dealer lot. I wasn't impressed. It looks like a real pain in the [non-permissible content removed] to use.
Bob
I just picked up a yellow Baja yesterday with a soft cover installed. I like the looks(the black with yellow) and really is not that hard to use but I'm not sure it is going to hold up very well to much use.
If anyone else has one, how do you use the cross bar under the cover?
Does anyone like the hard cover better?
Love my underpowered,overcladded,useless bed, overpriced and screaming yellow BAJA:))
Jeff
Atta boy Jeff!!!
Saw a red one on MacArthur Blvd today, only my 2nd Baja sighting (outside of dealer cars on test drives).
-juice
Is it reasonabe to change the oil after
the first 1000 miles or is waiting til
3-4000 okay?
Jeff
You should join us in the Subaru Crew -> http://townhall.edmunds.com/cgi-bin/townhall.subaru
-Brian
My nearest Sub dealer is over an hour away so
I might have to find a local garage.
With my old car I just quick changed it every
3000 miles or so.