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Subaru Baja

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Comments

  • lumbarlumbar Member Posts: 421
    Been down that road myself, Jeff. To me, it came down to AWD, mpg & handling (Baja) v 4WD,larger bed & towing capacity (Sport trac). The latter is basically a dressed up Ranger Crew Cab Truck with a nice interior. I liked 'em both, actually, but personally have trouble getting past the 15-17 mpg in the Sport Trac.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Glad to hear you're so excited about it, mojo. I hope you get it soon! :-)

    The Sport Trac is based on the previous generation Ford Explorer, I thought. Either way, the platform is very dated.

    It's long, too, at about 206", if that matters. I think a truck person would buy that, but a car person would much prefer the smooth ride and efficiency of the Baja.

    -juice
  • lumbarlumbar Member Posts: 421
    Correct, it's last generation Explorer-based--and, FWIW, that platform is Ranger-based, giving one sort of a dressed up crew cab 4X4 Ranger. It drives pretty nice, and is very comfy inside, but is not as nimble as the baja/outback/legacy. I have towing "issues" so the Sport Trac had some appeal despite the mpg.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    For me it's simple, Baja wins hands down.

    The Sport Trac's bed is too small to be worthwile and the back seat is not that big. Yet you get the truck ride with rear leaf springs. If you are gonna have the truck ride at least have a decent sized bed and a comfy back seat. The Baja may be smaller but it has a better ride and handling.

    -mike
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    is built of the Ranger Extended cab chassis (same wheelbase), not the *old* 4-door Explorer.

    I generally agree with what's been said here. The Sport Trac, however, does offer better "truck" capabilities (towing & off-roading) than the Baja. But as a daily driver, the Baja wins hands down.

    Bob
  • paulmcgpaulmcg Member Posts: 14
    on TV after Push - Nevada tonight. Same theme as the link on the Edmunds home page, e.g. "multi-choice vehicle". Showed the yellow two-tone one. Snappy little ad really. Maybe I will finally see a newspaper ad this weekend?
    My silver 5-speed Baja is still going grreat!!! after 4 weeks now!
  • fishingyakfishingyak Member Posts: 6
    When I test-drove, I didn't find a major difference between the auto and the 5-speed. So I bought the auto. I was pleasantly surprised by the good handling in turns, the excellent ride, and the good brakes. I am OK with the 4-cylinder, although I miss being able to do a right turn on a red without even making the oncoming traffic slow down. Last weekend I helped someone clear out a self-storage room. I got an astounding amount of crap into the cargo bed and folded-down back seat, and the ride was still very good. I am happy. Next week: trout fishing in the Sierras and a little off-road action in the Mojave. Stay tuned.
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    There was actually a Baja ad in the local bi-weekly here in the Comox Valley - there is no dealer, but there are lots of Subarus. The copy?

    WHAT THE HECK IS THAT?

    (We're prepared for this question.)

    Ross
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Paisan- you left out the most obvious reason that the Baja wins hands down... the Sport Trac is a Ford product! Did I tell the story about my friend who bought a Sport Trac (against my better advice) and the clutch went bad on the drive home from the dealer? Also, a co-worker told me yesterday that his Explorer is in the shop awaiting a new transmission. This will be the 3rd transmission in just 130k miles!

    And yes I know that there are millions of owners who are happy with their Fords and you can also probably find a few Subaru lemons out there but sheesh! I wouldn't drive a Ford even if I won one in a contest. Okay, Ford rant over.

    -Frank P.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I just figured that it went w/o saying that Fords have issues (tires, trannies, engines, you know the major components) hee hee.

    -mike
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    just like Isuzu has issues (like the inability to sell their products) hee hee.

    Bob
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    that's funny. Unfortunately that's due to poor marketing, and GM's heavy hand in it. I'll take poor marketing over major mechanical troubles anyday :):)

    -mike
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    it's due to offering products that the American public doesn't want. That's never been a problem at Ford.

    Bob
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    1992 the Rodeo was the #1 selling import SUV.

    Ford doesn't sell cars they cram em down peoples necks, Americans are lemings they don't know what they want, they take whatever is shovelled to them. Ford has dealers in every town (and most have several dealers I'll bet) so that is why they sell so well.

    :)

    -mike
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    was 10 years ago. What has Isuzu done lately? Nothing.

    If Ford products were so bad, they would have gone out of business long ago.

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    has 4 Bajas at their Gaithersburg store. They've also updated their site to include a Baja sub-heading too. Why they don't do that for the Outback is a mystery? They're still listed under the "Legacy" topic.

    Bob
  • cb70cb70 Member Posts: 226
    but what exactly are the bed dimensions? I'm just too lazy to go through 500 posts to find out and Subie's website doesn't say. Thanks in advance!
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I don't think anybody knows, except maybe the few who own one, as that info is probably in the owner's manual. So far, no brochures have been released, which would (should!) have that info.

    Bob
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Because subaru isn't the best selling vehicles they must be bad right? They don't sell nearly as many of your foresters compared to say explorers or even the Escapes, therefore according to your logic subaru must be bad? right?

    -mike
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    No, just that Ford has proven itself over the long haul, and there are a lot of repeat buyers, year in and year out.

    Bob
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    That since Ford sells the most then they are obviously superior because the "masses" have bought them. Since subaru is a relatively small manufacturer and doesn't have large market share the same could be said for your beloved subaru...

    -mike
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I just responded to your pot shot.

    I'll let you get in the last word, so that you'll be happy. Bring it on...

    Bob
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,134
    I'm doing a story on what motivates people to choose their car/truck hybrid. What do they use the car/truck for? What do they like about it? What would they improve? What did they previously use for their hobby/lifestyle? Are these cyclists (mountain, road)? Runners? Kayakers? Surfers, snowboarders, rock climbers, white water rafters? Do they fish, haul scuba gear, hunting, video gear, telescopes or show dogs?

    Please send your responses by October 4 to [email protected].

    As always, you can cc and/or send your questions
    to me at [email protected].

    MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
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    Share your vehicle reviews

  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Is this a review, or an ad?


    Bob


    http://www.edmunds.com/media/adunit/subaru2/baja/spotlight/subaru_baja.html?id=lin9153

  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Someone over in the I-Club described the Baja as the Chevy Avalanche's "Mini-Me!" I love it! :)

    Bob
  • bctullbctull Member Posts: 1
    I'm looking at the Baja and the Sport Trac (several postings have contrasted the two already). Here's one difference:

    Third party camper shells can be easily purchased for the Sport Trac, while at least one local shell dealer claims that the two manufacturers with whom he works "will not make a camper shell for the Baja".

    My wife and I love to go to the mountains for camping, fishing, hiking. And we have two big dogs (~210 lbs all together) who seem to like this too.

    I own an old Toyota PU w/ a camper shell -- Works great, but it is _way_ old. The attraction of a nicer, newer, comfier version of the same concept is that we can have people space and dog space seperated.

    Does anyone have any feelings/knowledge/predictions on whether Camper Shells for the Baja are likely to appear in the near future?
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    will I'm sure be available at some point. Just when, and who by, I'm not sure.

    Bob
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    If I were in the market (which I'm not), and was considering the Baja, I'd also be looking very closely at the Tacoma Double Cab, and not the Sport Trac.

    As much as I like Subaru, and the Baja, I keep getting this nagging feeling that (for me) it's just not "truck-enough" for my needs. I happened to stop by a Toyota dealer today, and they had nicely equipped '03 4WD Double Cabs priced very close to the automatic Baja. I would find that a very tough choice.

    I could see the Double Cab replacing my Explorer, not so sure about the Baja...

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Bob: that's an ad. Edmunds has a vehicle spot light, it's paid for.

    Saw the ad with the BRAT in it - very classy, nostalgic. Thumbs up.

    Ford argues that the Sport Trac is SUV-based, so that was my line of thinking. I guess they used Explorer parts, even if the chassis came from a Ranger. But until the Baja, it was the most car-like crew cab alternative, hence my comparison.

    The Dodge Dakota Crew Cab is way too long, so I don't consider it compact enough. The Frontier feels 20 years old, and the Tacoma is smallish and pricey once you add the options. There's not a whole lot out there. CR tore the Tacoma apart, despite good reliability.

    -juice
  • erics6erics6 Member Posts: 684
    I was eating a hot dog at outside at Costco and there was a yellow Baja being displayed. It was funny to watch the reactions of people as they walked by. It seemed like older (30+) men were the most interested. Younger people seemed turned off. One young woman said "that's the ugliest thing I've ever seen" - obviously she's never seen a Aztek. The Baja certainly generated a lot more curiousity than the usual vehicles you see at Costco.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    But that's great - I'm sure a designer would much rather get a strong reaction than none at all.

    OK, there are exceptions, you even mentoined one, but my guess is the Baja will draw plenty of showroom traffic for Subaru.

    -juice
  • erics6erics6 Member Posts: 684
    I agree. People want to know what it is and that helps the brand. Of course here in NW, Subaru's are everywhere.

    On the other hand... A couple weeks ago I was car shopping with my sister and law & her husband in Seattle. We went to the Subaru dealership and it was dead. Not a customer around. I couldn't convince them of the merits of the Forester so...Then we went the Honda dealership and it was crazy. Subaru still has a ways to go to match the big boys. (I personally like them not being too popular and being able to get a one at invoice. The CRV they wanted will be a November order and they were willing to pay MSRP - something I would never do with any car - no matter how much I liked it!)
  • mojobanxmojobanx Member Posts: 9
    Got a call from my salesman - they have a VIN and they were loading it onto the truck yesterday to ship down. They wanted me to come on down and sign the paperwork (Gee, last day of the month... imagine that). I obliged, handed over the keys for my trade and drove home with a loaner Outback until my car arrives this week. I have to admit - this is the most excited I've ever been purchasing a car before. The salesman says I have the only red 5-speed they could find on the east coast. I'm sure he's puffing just a bit, but from my perusal of the web site inventory listings, he may not be too far off.
  • mojobanxmojobanx Member Posts: 9
    I went through the same thought process as some people have discussed above. I was driving (until last night) a Ford F-150. I bought it because I really needed a truck where I used to live - I commuted in it and used it to haul stuff just about every weekend. I no longer have the need for serious hauling, so the truck's one flaw starting coming to the forefront - I could only carry one passenger. In our house, whoever had the kids had my wife's van - the other person was stuck with the truck. I considered a full-size Ford Crew Cab, but the cost was prohibitive and I frankly found it kind of boring (same ol' same ol'). I drove the Toyota Tundra and loved it, but no true 4-door model. One look at the back seat and I knew it was no place for adults. I drove the 4-door Tacoma, but was just not thrilled with it. Kind of boring - it didn't have the great space and 8 cylinder engine the Tundra had. I thought about the SportTrac, but one check of the Consumer Reports web site killed that - the dreaded black dot for reliability. I had never even thought about Subarus (I live in Florida - they aren't very common here), but I saw the Baja on Edmunds and other sites and decided to check it out. I dropped by casually after work one day, drove it and decided to buy. My criteria were: 1) reliability 2)safety 3)fun 4)utility. Subaru and Toyota were tied for reliability, the SportTrac was eliminated because of it. I think the Baja has a slight safety edge due to better handling and AWD- actually pretty important in our rainy climate, though few people here seem to recognize that. The Baja definitely blows the Tacoma away in the fun category. I still get the Gee Whiz reaction when I see the Baja - I like just about everything about its looks, the interior, the sunroof - all of it (my one gripe - I wish the front end was more distinctive). The Toyota is.... there - I got the same feeling as driving the 4-door F150. Most of the time the Baja will be used to commute, run errands, etc. - I should be able to have a little fun while I'm at it. The Tacoma's larger bed wins the utility competition - but in my book that's a pass/fail criteria. I basically need enough room to haul stuff from home depot and carry my tailgating supplies for weekend football games. I'll occasionally have to move a piece of furniture - if it's large I'll borrow or rent a full-size truck.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    We shopped the CR-V back in April, I sort of laughed at the $500 off MSRP best price offer. There is way too much competition out there for dealers to demand near full price in this segment.

    They gave you a loaner while you wait? Sweet...

    Interesting, mojo. I bet Subaru is banking on lots of folks having similar thinking. Well, a couple thousand per month. They sold something like 1400 the first month, but they haven't fully ramped up production yet, so it should sell 2-3k per month at least.

    I have not driven a Tacoma, but owners I know aren't all that impressed with it. The interiors are pretty bare unless you load 'em up.

    -juice
  • mojobanxmojobanx Member Posts: 9
    I don't think they could really book it as a sale if all I did was sign the paperwork - no trade, no delivery. At least they completed half of the transaction (my trade) to keep it legit. I am guessing they wanted to get the sale in the books to save a month's floorplan expense and to get it included in their sales quota, which I would suspect would affect future inventory allotments. I also thought it was a pretty good indication that they are serious about delivering my Baja ASAP. It's funny, after I wrote my post above last night, I noticed a review of the Baja on CNN today and they pretty much concur with my conclusions. Here is a link if you're interested (I hope this works): http://money.cnn.com/2002/10/02/pf/autos/baja.krt/index.htm
  • ffsteveffsteve Member Posts: 243
    Thanks for the link, mojo,

    I like the expression "Outback without a back", quite witty. Truly a combination of utility and fun.

    What's the reference to the "joint venture sport coupe"? Did I miss something?

    Steve
  • paulmcgpaulmcg Member Posts: 14
    My Baja has normal plates vs the "truck" plates I had on my Tacoma. The rego papers do not mention "truck" either. Maybe its different in Texas?
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  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Interesting, I thought Subaru registered them as trucks?

    Some of us wanted to see them name it the OutBRAT, combining two popular names. Baja works, too.

    -juice
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    don't have Truck plates around here either. And our MPV is technically a truck too, but it has standard plates.

    -Brian
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    EPA v. FedDOT v. State DOT

    Basically each governing body classifies each differently. So your state doesn't list it as a Truck, I think PA lists most SUVs as "wagons" etc.

    -mike
  • mojobanxmojobanx Member Posts: 9
    I finally got the call today. I went down and picked it up, but I only got to experience it for about 5 miles back to my office. I was surprised to see the ODO had 300 miles on it! They had to redo my odometer paperwork (it previously said 3 miles). The office guy said they had to drive it to the dealership in Connecticut and then it was put on a truck (he said "you have the only one on the East Coast - they had to drive it in"). Either they are really good at keeping their stories straight or my sales guy wasn't kidding. I don't like the idea of someone else using up my crucial break-in miles, I just gotta have faith that they were gentle. I'll update when I have a chance to play with it some. Anyone have any special recommendations for break-in? I know to keep it under 4,000 RPM and vary my speeds (not too hard with a 5-speed) - but is there anything else?
  • jrstearnsjrstearns Member Posts: 3
    I just bought Black and Silver Baja and I love it. It rides more smooth then my 1998 Outback and the new 2003 Outback. It is more comfortable then the $32,000 outbacks. It a class car/truck. I got the baja cover for the back and it looks great. It cruses great at 70, 80 & 90. And the sound system is great especially with the Doors and Iron Butterfly.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Let's hope they didn't use cruise. For the guy that drove it down, it's probably his job to deliver cars, so most likely he was professional about it.

    Tell us more about that cover, my dealer told me there was no tonneau cover?

    Congrats, BTW.

    -juice
  • jrstearnsjrstearns Member Posts: 3
    Mark Miller Surbaru of Salt Lake City order the cover for the bed. It is $400 and it toke them 2 hours to install. It looks great.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Interesting. It must be aftermarket. Does it have a Subaru logo on it anywhere? Do you have a photo (I could host it for you if you do)?

    -juice
  • lumbarlumbar Member Posts: 421
    Paul Bros. in Herndon, which may be the world's smallest Subaru dealer :), now has three--all prominently displayed in front. Red, yellow, silver. I'd have to go with silver.
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