Subaru Baja

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Comments

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    SoA did say that in a press release - that the Baja was selling in non-traditional markets, including the sun belt states.

    They still have to work on allocating them where they are needed, so we don't see them piling up in some dealers like Bob saw.

    -juice
  • hatakehatake Member Posts: 9
    Hi there, for whatever it's worth, there is a "show" Baja Turbo sitting in John Elway North (Golden, Colorado). It's a 5MT, black/gray, with lots of stickers from Snowsports Expo 2 weekends ago. It belongs to SOA, not the dealer, so you'll have to be very good to convince them that you need to drive it. Good luck, man.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    A one-off? Cool.

    In the chat last night, Patti said Subaru made a stretch limo Forester! :-)

    -juice
  • hatakehatake Member Posts: 9
    Says only 2000 Baja Turbo will be made. True, Patti? Is it because BT will be dead, or BT is moving to the new platform? I'm going nuts as I want white, but may not even be available now... Uh, can someone tell me what's going on?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Still haven't seen one in dealers. Is it vaporware? ;-)

    -juice
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    when you leave your chicken in the George Foreman grill too long?

    I do hope the turbo comes, it is especially encouraging to hear about the 5spd sitting in Denver. Maybe they are trying to gauge interest in it by rolling it out now.

    John

    PS, Juice, if you get a chance, plug the headroom/moonroof issue for the Baja. That could be a deal killer for me at 6'3".
  • hatakehatake Member Posts: 9
    John Elway (burb of Denver) in Golden just received invoice for BT, and 5mt is 24 even (no leather), that is, according to the sales mamanger, already a grand off of MSRP. And he confirmed only 2000 units will be manufactured as turbo to test the water for the next gen (if there is one). By mid Dec, they will have a dozen or so there. Check your Sub dealers and confirm this one...
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    If the topic of the Baja comes up, I will. I think the content level and price were way too high for light-duty pickup intenders.

    But...I don't think it's necessarily a good idea to put that up high on my agenda. I want to focus on successful models and upcoming things that we can influence. Baja is on the outgoing Legacy platform.

    -juice
  • twrxtwrx Member Posts: 647
    The Baja Turbo is on the way soon. This is confirmed by a local Subaru salesman. He has got one on his next allocation.
    TWRX
  • hatakehatake Member Posts: 9
    Go to www.media.subaru.com. $24,000 for the lowest Baja Turbo. Getting interesting!
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Invoice should be 10% below that, or about $22k. That makes street prices well below the Forester XT, right around the WRX wagon.

    Right now it's the cheapest 2.5T from Subaru.

    -juice
  • bsvollerbsvoller Member Posts: 528
    That's about where they need to put it, too.

    I think this bodes well for the Baja.

    Time will tell...

    -brianV
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    is the same as the '03 Baja 5-speed w/leather seats, at $23,995. That seems like a pretty good deal.

    http://www.media.subaru.com/

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    It's a better value than the original, IMO. Actually, that model no longer exists, now all the non-turbos are Sports.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    is also priced the same as the 5-speed WRX wagon, at $23,995; plus you get a torquey 2.5 turbo, moonroof and an ambient temperature gauge. Hmmm...

    Bob
  • hatakehatake Member Posts: 9
    6-CD changer, with 6-way power driver's seat. Also the MT gets 5-spoke gun-metal gray 16" wheels, not the weird new 6-spoke wheels. I think BT will be the best deal Sub ever - if you like the styling, that is. I do. Perfect for mountain biker!
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    it was based off the all-new Outback platform, instead of the outgoing model, it would be near perfect.

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I would love to see Subaru show two future Baja concepts at the auto shows: One based off the all-new Outback, and one based off the upcoming new 7-passenger crossover.

    I would like to see one of them to be a pickup body (similar to the current model) and the other to have wagon body with a sliding rear roof like the GMC Envoy XUV/Studebaker Wagonaire.

    By doing this, Subaru would be able to better gauge the pubic reaction as to which path to follow for a future production model.

    Bob
  • bat1161bat1161 Member Posts: 1,784
    Bob,

    I have to agree with your take on building it with the Envoy XU option. The "newness" of that design would also attract consumers. It should also be on the crossover frame, as that should be bigger than the Outback frame. I like the Baja, but there is a need for more room.

    Mark
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    WRX wagons sell for $21,300 nowadays, if you look hard. If the Baja turbo reaches that price, it's tempting.

    I hate that it only seat 4, though. We have 2 kids and sometimes bring a nanny along.

    How is the XUV selling? It seems pricey and heavy, too.

    -juice
  • hatakehatake Member Posts: 9
    Thought someone is in Ohio looking for one. Check out http://www.ganley.subaru.com/en_US/. Black one - go peek. Is that a demo car? Full MSRP, though. And of course some in New England already. Dang it!!
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    the Baja they have has the NA single cam engine (unless their specs are wrong). Interesting, they do not mention the moonroof, but they do say their specs are for an '03 Baja.

    John
  • hatakehatake Member Posts: 9
    MSRP: $25,427
    Transmission: Manual
    Black Granite Pearl/Onyx Met.
    VIN: 4S4BT63C446101064

    Mmm, is this a false ads, then? I thought it maybe a show car that is "to-be-sold" once SOA release that particular vehicle to the dealer in late Dec or early Jan. Oh well, I'm nowhere near Ohio, so it wouldn't make any difference...
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    because the MSRP is for the Turbo, but the dealer sure doesn't have the current info on the car. They do say "'03" statistics, so I guess they just don't have the current BT info.

    I am quite anxious to see a BT 5 speed, as much as I love my Forester, the BT is more of what I need.

    John
  • twrxtwrx Member Posts: 647
    The first one arrived locally. Very subtle. Did not even notice it was aturbo till the salesman pointed it out. It was about $26 k because it was an auto with the accesory lights and the bed extender. The sales guy does not like the wheels. They are gray. I agree that the silver ones on the NA Bajas look better paired with the silverstone bottom cladding and the red that this one was. I'll bet that they are sharp with the black/ onyx gray and mystic blue monotone bajas. The hood scoop is very low, much lower and less obvious than any of the other turbo models. Inside the seats are done with only the centers in cloth. The rest of the seats including the backs and headrests are a vinyl that really looks and feels like leather--nice effect. I had test driven a Baja Sport last summer and found the driver's seat cramped. This one seemed alright. The leather steering wheel is the same Momo one that is in my WRX minus the Momo badge (cool!) I finally sat in the back seat. I am 6' and my knees touch the seatback if it is set all the way back. However headroom is OK. Sunroof is sure small. In dash CD changer is minus cassette like Legacy and Forester models. Gotta get a test drive in one of these.

    TWRX
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Cool Bruce. I bet in black the hood scoop is almost invisible.

    -juice
  • thebigkahunathebigkahuna Member Posts: 83
    Has anyone heard of any deals on existing 03's? Now that the turbos will be showing up I'm hoping dealers will be ready to move the Baja Sports.
  • hatakehatake Member Posts: 9
    You should be able to negotiate to under 20k, I think. That may make it cheaper to put turbo in by yourself if you can do it. I went to test drive Baja Turbo 5MT, a demo car. Having driven a stock Impreza for the last 5 years in Denver (almost 6,000 feet), Baja Turbo is a, well, wow! WRX is lots faster, but this one definitely has a kick – at least I’d give more than what reviews have given. It ran 70mph at 3,000 rpm even. I was expecting rolls, but the body is noticeably stiffer than my wagon Impreza – it feels almost like a sedan. Head room is probably a bit tighter than Impreza due to standard sun roof, so big folks may have an issue there. I tell ya, I’m sold! Think of it as Legacy turbo with small bed on it...
  • purduealum91purduealum91 Member Posts: 285
    They will prolly have the best price, no?
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    to see some specs on the BT. The final drive is good news, it sounds like the same RPM/mph as the standard Forester, not the XT. The head room issue still concerns me, I will have to fold myself in one soon to get my mind at ease one way or another.

    John
  • twrxtwrx Member Posts: 647
    I'm 6' and had no trouble with headroom in front or back. Kneeroom in back was an issue if the front seat was pushed all the way back.

    TWRX
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Wow, fitz lists *no* Bajas.

    My salesman had told me they had major trouble unloading them. The model is not listed seperately, and I also checked under Legacy - none there.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    hasn't listed Bajas for several months now.

    Bob
  • twrxtwrx Member Posts: 647
    There are 3 2003 Baja sports and one 2004 turbo. I think the last 2003 leather clad Baja was sold in June.
  • hatakehatake Member Posts: 9
    I'm going to put down a deposit at 2 dealers in Denver area tomorrow. Which ever gives me the car I specify (absolutely no option) first and at a lower price (3% over invoice, OBO ;-)) gets my money. Sales at every dealership told me all leftover 03 Bajas came to Colorado - that's why on average they have 10 or so 03 Sports left... After I drove Baja Turbo, there is no way I pay the same moeny and get Sports (sorry, those with 03s, but it's just a totally different car).
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Over at nabisco, some guy who's excellent with Photoshop, "Bajafied" the all-new Outback. So if you're wondering how the Baja might look if it were built off the all-new Outback, you might want to take a peek.

    Bob
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    you are really convincing me that I need to look at this BT. When you find a write-up, please let me know.

    John
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    http://www.subaru.com/servlet/research?track=shoptopnav&model- =BAJA&command=family
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Over at nabisco in SE section. Comments so far very positive. :)

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Good news - the pics are hosted seperately here:

    http://www.boxer6.com/photochops/legacy.htm

    Baja looks better. Delete the metal bars, as you mentioned Bob. Also, he has two photos, look how much better it look with less cladding behind the rear wheel well. The one with more looks heavy, bulky.

    Give it seating for 5, also, and a real midgate. Then it won't have trouble selling.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    All very good Photoshop jobs.

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    They're starting to arrive! The dealer in Silver Spring, MD got two this morning, a 5-speed and a automatic. The 5-speed was sold and gone by the time I got there this late afternoon; certainly a good sign for the future.

    In a nutshell: Very impressive! Considering the primary audience (Harry & Harriet homeowner), it's a very good solution. Will it knock you over with power? Not from a standstill, but once moving it does scoot.

    This was also the first Subie 4EAT SportShift that I've driven, and it too was very good. I just wished it were a 5EAT, and not a 4EAT. Maybe next year... I also want to try the 5-speed manual when I get a chance.

    I also noticed it has the "cruise set" light so that it only goes on when it is engaged. Thank you Subaru. :) This Baja had the leather seat package, which also comes with heated seats.

    Even with all these improvements, I can't help but want to see this applied to the next-generation Baja, be it built off the new Outback platform or the new upcoming 7-passenger crossover platform.

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    http://www.detnews.com/2003/autosinsider/0312/12/d01-6025.htm

    Subaru should pay close attention to this vehicle. You can bet this Honda will have some unique features, and it's "sized" right. If Subaru built the next Baja off their 7-passenger crossover platform, it would be a direct competitor to this vehicle.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    That Honda looks a lot like the Nissan Dunehawk, the concept for the next Pathfinder.

    Good to hear about the Baja turbo. Was the Sportshift responsive and quick-shifting? I like it on the 2.5GT I tested.

    That's the first Sportshift with the 2.5T engine, right? I'd love to see that in an XT, betcha Ed would buy one in short order.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I just wished it were hooked up to a 5EAT, and not the 4EAT.

    Bob
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    took the Baja off my list :-(. I really wanted this to work, but my head was in the sunroof railing in the drivers seat, and I could not get in the back at all. I am 6'3", my Forester is well spaced for me. In my opinion, Subaru is limiting sales of this car by not allowing enough space in the cabin. Perhaps, if the Baja survives, the '05 Legacy platform will improve it.

    On the good side, the gauges were more visible and attractive than the Forester's. There is no weatherband on the radio. I would have liked to see how the Turbo worked (this was a BT 4EAT) but it wouldn't have been a legitimate trial by a potential customer.

    SOA, I think you can make this car work if you improve the interior. Crossover pickups have a definite niche, but it needs some space in the cabin.

    John
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    looks promising, it has a bigger platform, more towing capacity, etc. We will see if Subaru will step up to the challenge.

    John
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Outback is getting beefed up, they're even calling it a truck. So the next Baja could potentially be heavier duty.

    -juice
  • kimgurookimguroo Member Posts: 6
    I got new 03 baja sport(AT) about a month ago. I really like my car specially in the snow(I had 03 mustang).
     recently, I only got around 300 miles per tank (18MPG). First two tanks, I got around 360 miles. It's a little strange.
     
     How much MPG do you get?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    You engine is a little green, so it should improve with age. FWIW, I'm getting about 2mpg better than I did when my Forester was new.

    -juice
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