Subaru Baja

bluesubie

If it's Subaru Distributors Corp. (NY and NJ), Flemington is in that region. I think someone got their story twisted. :-)

-Dennis

thebigkahuna

Sorry guys, I gave (relayed) some bad information. The stripped down Baja is NOT sans sunroof, unfortunately it will only be without leather. My dealer is guestimating an MSRP of 23,200. Not enough in my opinion to promote more sales for people leary of the intial price. I still think there is plenty to cut to get the price down, maybe this will come further down the line. I am a potential buyer but not until they cross that "magic" price point of under 20,000. Again, sorry for the misunderstanding.
Kahuna

ateixeira

'Tis OK, honest mistake.

If that is the MSRP, and incentives come as well, it might dip below that magic $20k barrier.

-juice

jeff186

Anyone from Subaru tuning in here? I think it's time for Subaru to follow the lead of GM and its handling of the Aztek debut/debacle. For the next model year, please get rid of the hideous and overdone side cladding and lower the price by chopping some equipment like the standard sunroof.

thebigkahuna

Good question Jeff. I wonder if they are listening/reading? The side cladding doesn't "kill it" for me, I would get silver anyway. But lowering that price some...

rsholland

Someone from Subaru of America (SOA) is a "regular" amongst us folks. It's Patti, aka "Subaru Team."

Unfortunately, Patti has been laid up, and is recovering from a recent back operation. She often passes on info presented here to Product planning at SOA. A a matter of fact, according to Patti, some items that cropped up on the new '03 Forester were a result of suggestions made here at Edmunds.

She starting to reappear here, as I've seen a few posts recently.

Bob

cb70

That'd fix the problems. Oh yeah, my broken record comment about a hard cover too, LOL.

PF_Flyer

I may be zonked from spending the better part of last night reformatting my hard drive, but...

Looks like another great evening to warm up by the glow of your monitor! Join the Subaru Crew every Thursday for a chat session from 6-7pm PT/9-10pm ET. Stop in to talk about Subaru or just to say hello! Hope to see you there!

/direct/view/.eea5f48

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rsholland

Current Baja:



Suggested "tweaking:"



• New tail lights that work better with the other visual elements. The current tail lights look like they were "rubber-stamped," with no thought given to how they would look. The new light design has the clear area (backup light & turn signal) starting where the silver cladding meets the body. This helps with the "wraparound" look of the cladding, as the clear area is similar in "tone" to the silver that surrounds it. It helps unify the design, which is totally absent now.

• The word "Baja" on the tailgate has been raised up higher on the tailgate.

• The black "seam" on the "C" pillar was removed.

• Revised gas cap. No longer is it goofy looking.

• Wheels & tires were scaled up 106% to become 17" units. Tires are now close to 235/60x17. The MDX and Grand Cherokee use 235/65x17" tires.

• If you look closely, you'll notice the wheel cut outs have also been increased to match the larger tires. The result is the tires and the cladding now work better together.

• Tires are now raised black-lettered, and not white-lettered.

Bob

paisan

Look like they were lifted off an S-10 on the new one!

Other than that looks good.

-mike

ateixeira

I think Subaru knows exactly what the fixes are, they just need to justify spending the money.

Nice photochop! I'd add some things:

* move the AWD badge up, too
* lift it about 2"

And you forgot the "4.2l H8" badges! I like the taillights a lot, personally.

p0926

First off, Bob you have way too much time on your hands!

I like the tail lights a lot but you need to work on their brightness/contrast (they look a little "flat" to me). The gas cap is a definite improvement.

While I agree with Juice that a 2" lift would provide a definite appearance enhancement, I'm not wild about the accompanying sacrifices in handling.

-Frank P.

ateixeira

Maybe widen the track an inch while you're at it. It's low enough that it's not very likely at all to roll.

-juice

rsholland

<< First off, Bob you have way too much time on your hands! >>

This what I was doing last night, instead of being at the chat. Being a designer, sometimes you just gotta follow your instincts... Yeah the lights still aren't quite right, but they're close enough to give you the idea.

In terms of lift, wider track, etc., I wasn't trying for anything radical, just something within the realm of (production) possibilities.

If the Impreza just got a nose-job, because of all the mucho visual criticism (and lack of world-wide sales), then maybe the Baja will get a butt-lift, for the very same reasons. ...Hey, Patti, ya listenin'?

Bob

ateixeira

I agree that the photochop is really to give you a general idea, and for that it's plenty good.

C'mon Frank, let's not hinder any creative attempts to improve a subie! ;-)

Maybe some liposuction to remove that excess cladding (and cost), too.

-juice

rsholland

with the tweaks I've made, I rather like the cladding now. Still, it does come as being super macho, however.

Remember the old TV commercial: "Where's the beef?" That's SOA should looking for&#151;the beef. If you're going to look tough, you better be able to back it up, otherwise you end up looking like "Dandy."

Bob

ateixeira

Lutz found $700 savings when he deleted the cladding off the Avalanche. I'm sure there is maybe $400 or so to be saved.

The Outback already looks beefy. The Baja is a little cartoonish. Just a little.

-juice

rsholland

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=30&forumid=82

rsholland

Current Baja:



Suggested "tweaking:"



&#149; The chrome ring that surrounds the grill is now silver to match the bumper.

&#149; The two horizontal chrome strips in the middle of the grille, that flank the logo, are removed. The entire inside of the grille is now black.

Both these changes, while rather subtle, "pops" the logo and simplifies the front end a bit.

Bob

ateixeira

I'd make the grill surround black, with mesh for the grille itself. Like the one Pat made, just black instead of chrome.

But I'd go further and remove the flares and the wider-than-Outback bumper. When you see it in person, it's amazing, the thing sticks out a couple of extra inches easily. I bet it's wider than the Outback by far.

-juice

PF_Flyer

http://www.edmunds.com/townhall/chat/townhallchat.html

Be sure to stop in on Wednesday evening 12/18 at 5PM PT/8PM ET for some Town Hall Automotive Trivia and holiday chat party! A good time is sure to be had by all...



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squiredogs

I have 5,000 great miles on the Baja - a great ride so far -

I was promised the rubber floormats that say "Baja" on them as a freebie in my deal. My dealer says they aren't available yet. He says he can get the generic subaru all-weather mats at anytime. Is there anyone with "Baja" all-weather mats yet? Do you have a part number or anything to help me speed this up?

Thanks!

Dan

skiwee

I'm looking at the 2003 Baja accessories catalog and the floor mats shown say Subaru in raised letters. Part #J5010LS700. The rubber mats I got with my Baja also say Subaru. The only mats that say Baja are the original mats that come with the car.
Mike

ensoccer589

Personally i think the Baja looks great. the cladding isnt that bad and you have the option of getting a color that is the same color as the cladding to make it monotone. visit the below link to see.

ensoccer589

how do you put a picture in ur message?

PF_Flyer

To have a picture appear in your post you just need to add a simple line of HTML. It looks like this:

The http://www.whereitis.com/ part is the location (whereitis.com is a fictitious location for illustration purposes) where your picture is stored. The mypic.jpg is the name of your picture file.

A few rules to remember about the pictures you choose to display... Remember not to make the pictures too large. Large pictures can make the pages in Town Hall load very slowly and that affects everyone. So keep them to a reasonable size. And you have to be careful about copyrights as well. It's best to stick with pictures that YOU own or that are already part of the Edmunds site.

But that should get you into the world of illustrated posts!

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ensoccer589

PF_Flyer

Don't forget to display your monotone Baja over in the Amatuer Redesign Studio topic over on the News & Views Message Board That's the place we're playing with some design ideas for all kinds of vehicles!

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Happy Holidays!!

rsholland

already exist&#151;in real life! All silver Bajas are monotone.

Bob

ensoccer589

i know it already exists...i was just showing the cladding was less noticeable when it was the same color as the paint. I was showing that becasue many people thought the cladding was overdone.

PF_Flyer

It IS the holiday season and maybe we've had enough egg nog around here

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Happy Holidays!!

ateixeira

Even in monotone, though, the fenders are wider than they need to be. The cladding bulges out an inch or so more than on the Outback. I don't see that it's functional at all, either.

Any how, right now I'm in Brazil and I see lots and lots of very small pickups, they are very popular here for small business. There are four newer models for sale, with the cars they are based on in parenthesis:

Ford Courier (Fiesta)
VW Saveiro (Gol, a brazilian model unrelated to the Polo)
Fiat Strada (Paleo)
Chevrolet Corsa Picape (Opel Corsa)

So it's interesting to see these all over the place, and thriving. All have 1.6l engines. The so called "Mille" engines, 1.0l or less, are popular here but not deemed adequate for hauling. HP varies from 92 to 113, so these are pretty slow, 0-60 is 10-12 seconds or so.

Also, all are 2 seaters. No extended cabs, no crew cabs. Beds are smallish, but maybe a little bigger than the Baja. The VW is the ONLY model with an indy rear suspension, though. Live axles are used for most to cut costs.

The spare usually goes, funny enough, behing the passenger seat. Interiors are therefore cramped. The Chevy lets you put the spare in the bed or behind the passenger, while only one puts it under the cargo bed, where it belongs.

The Ford has the widest track and is the only one that can fit a shifter kart inside the bed (this is how karts are transported in Brazil, and the sport is very popular). All of them can squeeze in a motor scooter, though most have to have the tailgate down.

The bed extender feature hasn't made it here yet, but they really need it.

Also, 3 of the 4 have a metal grid to protect the rear window, only the Chevy doesn't. That's interesting because the Baja has no such protection. I guess Subaru expects people to tie cargo down or cover it.

Finally, price. What's interesting is that ALL 4 of these cost less than the 2-door hatchbacks they are based on, and significantly less. Usually about 20-25% or so. Though they only offer 2 seats, they are a good value. Current exchange rates, where the dollar is very strong versus the brazilian Real, put all 4 of these under $10 grand in base price.

Any how, just though I'd share those thoughts because 4 models thrive and succeed here since as long as I can remember - early 80s and maybe even before that.

-juice

rsholland

These car-based pickups (and high-roof car-based vans) go way back. I'd say 40 years or more, depending on the market.

Bob

ateixeira

Yeah, they have cargo van models too. Those look pretty bizarre. They call them "Furgão" here.

Though Asian Motors and Hyundai have sort of taken over that market. It's hilarious to see those microvans with 600cc turbo diesels!

-juice

rsholland

only look bizarre if you're not used to seeing them.

Bob

rsholland

to inspire neo-BRAT (aka Baja) owners...

http://www.ultimatesubaru.net/PhotoGallery/brats.htm

Bob

PF_Flyer

Join in our chat on Jan. 6th!

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red927

Just saw an article at www. media.subaru.com about the new version of the Baja. The leather goes away as does body color mirrors and door handles. Also, the 4 beam headlights are replaced by 2 beam ones. No mention of cost at this time, but will be available in February.

Phil

rsholland

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

rsholland

2002
Sep - 415
Oct - 881
Nov - 606
Dec - 566

That's average of 617 units sold per month. Over 12 months that averages out to 7,404; a far cry from the projected 20K per year.

Bob

jeff186

The Subie dealers here in northern NJ have chopped Baja prices substantailly, as detailed by me in an earlier post. I think the only hope for Subie is to decontent the Baja to offer an entry level model and then a step-up model with the 6 cylinder engine. I know they've just announced a decontented Baja -- it would have been nice to detail what is being dropped or made optional and the new MSRP. Come on, Subaru, information is critical here.

lark6

Go to http://media.subaru.com for the press release on the decontented Baja Sport for details.

IMO the Baja has been designed to get more sales out of this particular iteration of the Legacy bodyshell before its next big revision. Based on what we're seeing in Japan and other markets I'd guess we'll see more performance-oriented Legacy variants in the next version.

Ed

thebigkahuna

Well Jeff, I have yet to see any bargains in my area. In fact, a local dealer here stubbornly refuted that sales were slow at all. He said they "can't keep 'em on the lot." As we all know that is pure nonsense. I qouted the national sales figures to him and after questioning the data he turned a dark red and said "ah, an educated buyer!" Still, he refused to make any kind of offer that I would consider a bargain. He was only offering mere hundreds off of MSRP. And I may be one of a very few in this area who actually wants to buy a Baja! Here's hoping the new Sport Baja's MSRP is more attractive.

bluesubie

Are Baja's classified as trucks or cars for insurance and registration? My wife's co-worker is getting one.

Thanks,
Dennis

ateixeira

So it'll get headlights from the Legacy L, probably. I don't see how that cut costs much, the leather does though. I hope it drops at least $1500.

Dennis: my guess is truck, because that's how the EPA registers it. The first Subie truck, I believe.

I do like the name Baja Sport, though. I bet the non-Sport model's sales come to a virtual halt when they come out. My guess is 80% will choose the Sport.

-juice

rsholland

they can get under the magic $20K barrier. Not sure if this is enough to do that, however...

Bob

moraisins

Thanks! I appreciate the referral to the other forum. hmm..i've read other reviews that the mileage gets better the longer you have the car, but who knows. yeah, I'm trying to decide if it's worth it to get the turbo. I know it's faster and everything, but the mileage on highway is 23mpg - I drive highway everyday for work, so mileage is kind of important to me, plus I'd like to think my new car has better mileage than my '95 camry!

anyway, thanks for the tip

skiwee

at least in Connecticut. I wasn't sure until I registered mine in Oct.
Where are you located Dennis?
Mike

purduealum91

$21,987 for the 5 speed in its current iteration. Is this good?

bluesubie

Thanks!

-Dennis