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Subaru Baja

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Comments

  • moosedudemoosedude Member Posts: 3
    I'm a soon to be new Baja owner, my question is for those who have splash guards, or the stone deflector installed... Any problems with automatic car washes eating them up? Okay so the first few washes will be by hand... then comes the car wash.
  • echo5echo5 Member Posts: 4
    Well, finally bought the 2005 Baja that I had posted about earlier. Much thanks to everyone that replied. Your opinions were definitely appreciated. Car's awesome! Only part that's not awesome is the gas mileage (I have the turbo), but oh well!

    Jim
  • arkitectarkitect Member Posts: 75
    I'm looking for a new car for when I turn 16.Will I be able to get a new baja in 07.

    PS.: How would y'all compare it to the toyota tacoma double cab long box
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    The taco and the frontier are both very different vehicles (excellent in their own right) from the Baja.

    Baja will be superior in many ways (ride, handling, mpg, all-weather capability) but will lag behind in towing and load capacity.

    I focus on these differences: full time all wheel drive, independent suspension for the rear axle, and lower center of gravity. In my opinion, the Baja compares more directly with the Ridgeline, and the 2007 Ford Explorer SporTrac. The Baja favors the "car" side of the mix, while the Ridgeline and the SporTrac favor the "truck" side of the mix. The Taco and the Frontier are definitely in the "truck" category but have decent handling and comfort for what they are.

    Welcome to the Forum. I will likely be shopping hard in 2007, but I have my sights set on the new generation of diesel powered cars which will hopefully be showing up.

    John
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The others are very trucky, of course you do get more payload and stuff. They also probably cost more.

    If you want a car that can act as a truck in a pinch, get the Baja. If you want a truck, I'd look at the others.

    -juice
  • moosedudemoosedude Member Posts: 3
    Right behind ya!! Took my 06 baja turbo off the lot on the 1st... well the stone guard and mudflaps wern't installed yet... but I had to take home my first new car/truck :) Don't know yet about the mileage as I'm still burning the dealers gas... :shades:
  • dockeendockeen Member Posts: 68
    My wife got a new Baja shortly after I got my Taco dual cab, long bed 4x4.

    Despite the fact they are hugely different sized vehicles, I have no issues going from one to the other. The Baja seats are more supportive, and it drives a little tighter.

    The funny thing is that the mileage, despite the Baja not being Turbo, is not that much different.

    Wayne
  • echo5echo5 Member Posts: 4
    Congrats, my good man. Hope you enjoy it for many years.

    Jim
  • arkitectarkitect Member Posts: 75
    I might get a used blazer. Just wanted to let y'all know. I still love the baja though.
  • armytimarmytim Member Posts: 7
    Looking at a '04 Turbo with 53000 miles, automatic, no leather, alloy wheels--16,900 :confuse: good deal?? please let me know... Really like the car (other than mpg :cry: ) beautiful color White Frost pearl with Silverstone-- looks GREAT :D -- hopefully you all will tell me it's a AWESOME deal and I'm stupid if I haven't bought it already!!!

    look forward to your responses... :shades:

    ---Sarge
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    53,000 or 5,300 miles? If 53K, I'd be a bit leery, as the (expensive) 60K service will be coming up soon. In any case I'd have a good mechanic look it over.

    Bob
  • armytimarmytim Member Posts: 7
    how expensive is the 60k service?? what needs to be done??

    --sarge
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Not sure off hand, but it's rather extensive. I would check with a dealer.

    Bob
  • armytimarmytim Member Posts: 7
    But other than that it's a preety good deal you think??

    --Sarge
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    The price sounds okay, but again, I would have a good mechanic look it over. That's a lot of miles for a 2-year-old vehicle. That would be my only concern.

    Bob
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    I don't think it is an exceptional deal... just ok.

    The car probably sold for about $23-$24k. It has more miles than my '03 Forester, which sold for the same price range and is currently worth $13+ guaranteed trade-in by SOA, maybe $14-$15k on the street.

    Sounds like you are looking to confirm your emotions regarding the vehicle. I would be careful. The car will likely lose a quick $4,000 off that price, just like a new one would.

    John
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Price it locally, but even in hyper-expensive Rockville, MD it runs under $700.

    -juice
  • arkitectarkitect Member Posts: 75
    I'm not gonna get it after all.
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    look for a good '04 Baja Turbo...that was the year of the upgrades, and the year the content made for great value.

    But they shouldn't be in the $17 k range unless they have leather and the premium package.

    John
  • arkitectarkitect Member Posts: 75
    I probably will end up getting a used Baja after all is said and done. Thanks for the info on what year I should look for. I probably will get one with leather and the premium package.

    PS. If anyone has an 04 Baja with leather, the premium package, and automatic transmission, and might want to sell it in about two years, please post about it.
  • armytimarmytim Member Posts: 7
    Ended up getting it-- Very happy with it so far-- runs great-- 60k service about 325 here at the dealer-- I live on post and post can do it for about 25% less... not too bad-- drove it hom (280 miles) on pass and got 23 mpg one way, 21 the other so not too shabby there-- so far averaging 18 around town-- will keep you all posted!! So far I am a happy camper!!! :D:D

    Sarge
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    congrats! Someday I hope to graduate to a Baja too :)

    John
  • pagrispagris Member Posts: 10
    Members: I have seen information in the past that 2006 will be the last year for the Baja. Has this been confirmed? Thanks in advance.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I haven't seen anything "official" yet. It's been more of "I heard it from so-and-so, who heard it from someone who works at SOA" kind of thing. I would expect SOA to announce somthing very shortly, however.

    I do think this is the last year for this body style, as I can't imagine them using the current body for another year.

    Bob
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    last year for this body style

    I hope so. It will take a slightly larger cab to get me in one. The engine upgrades alone won't do it.

    It is interesting that Subaru would even mention its recent Baja award if they weren't planning an upgrade.

    John
  • pagrispagris Member Posts: 10
    Baja Award? What Baja Award?
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    http://www.drive.subaru.com/CurrentIssue.htm
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Strategic Vision Total Value Study named Subaru Baja the winner in the Compact Pickup Category

    Nice, but I don't think it carries much marketing value.

    -juice
  • mdchachimdchachi Member Posts: 275
    Went to the Detroit auto show today and I had to look around for the lone Baja. They had it tucked in the very back corner like an unloved stepchild. Kind of sad to create such a great vehicle and just let it fade away like that.
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    really? and it was an '06? Not sure why SOA would even bother showing it.

    Ridgeline sales, btw, are running about 60,000 units a year coming off an UGLY 2005 for the auto industry. Baja's 500 to 600 a month show that the potential has NOT been tapped into. And, more importantly, that the potential IS there, latently waiting.

    It would be wonderful if SOA spit out a spring time release 2008 model Baja in early 2007, with a bigger cab and a diesel boxer engine.

    I would jump all over it and likely break my rule of never buying a first year vehicle.

    John
  • abangabang Member Posts: 44
    For what it's worth, I checked with my local Subaru dealership for a quote on an '06 Baja on their lot and the reply I got was that this was the last one available and the '07 Bajas were priced much higher. Unless the salesman is lying that implies there is an '07 Baja coming out. If so, it'd better have side airbags.
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    I would say you were dealing with another "ignorant" salesman. It is amazing how these guys are often uninformed about their product.

    The fact is, Toyota took over the Baja production line in the Indiana plant. This was fairly recent, so it isn't likely that things have changed.

    John
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    The last Baja made was in April. What you see on the dealer lots is it. If you want one, grab it now.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Tell that salesman you're waiting for an 07. LOL

    -juice
  • abangabang Member Posts: 44
    I wrote back to the salesman that I wanted the '07 Baja since I heard it had side airbags. I've not heard back from him since. :D
  • fast_fordfast_ford Member Posts: 10
    I bought my baja new & never off roaded or abused. Dealership serviced with 41,000 miles. Lately I've noticed a little front end chatter when turning sharply in parking lots. It kinda reminds me of some rear wheel drive cars I've owned with positracttion that needed the fluid changed or an additive added. Is this normal for a baja? What remedy would anyone recommend?
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Sounds like the front diffy or one of the front axles causing issues. I'd try to have the front diffy fluid changed and see if that helps it any.

    -mike
  • fast_fordfast_ford Member Posts: 10
    Thanks...looks like I will have it looked at...nice to know what the real potential problems could be.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    If it's an manual the front diff shares fluid with the trans, so it's just a gear oil drain and fill. Not hard to do at all.
  • baja04tbaja04t Member Posts: 3
    Hello!
    I just bought a 2004 Baja turbo, I would like to know which Subaru wagon the Baja spun off from . I'm trying to order some accessories for it and don't know which to order, most sites I find say Forester or outback or Legacy etc, Nothing is said about the Baja. And yes I do like the Baja, First Subaru I have owned and I'm very happy with my purchase. Mileage leaves a little to be desired but it doe's have a turbo so that doesn't help, But it sure is nice! But still I can get 24 to 26 if I keep it about 60 mph out on the road. I can live with that!

    Thanks in advance for any info.

    Pete :)
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Last generation Outback.

    Bob
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    try these guys, they seem to have Baja accessories and I can recommend doing business with them. They will take Subaru bucks as well. Have you signed up for the Chase Subaru card? It will make your $ stretch.

    http://www.libertysubaru.com/en_US/

    John
  • baja04tbaja04t Member Posts: 3
    Thank's to John & Bob
    Now I know I can order at least some accessories for the outback when not specified on some of the sites as Baja. Main thing I'm looking for is a set of vent shades for the doors and the way the doors are made is creating a problem, Sooner or later they will turn up!
    Thank's again for the help.
    Pete :)
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I recommend it, too. We've earned $1500 and spent $400 already. I have $1100 saved up for an 09 Forester.

    Best part is you can use it to buy accessories, parts, service, or a new or CPO Subaru.

    Baja shared a lot with the 2000-2004 Outback, basically.
  • irismgirismg Member Posts: 345
    But I suppose no market = no money for improvements. It didn't have to be the best selling thing out there, just enough of one to make the production costs back. Maybe like the fans (and buyers, more importantly) of the Volkswagen Beetle, which to me is one of the most impractical cars on the road. I bet these Bajas are real cute with a bed cover on them, which would make them perfect for garage saleing.
  • gapcountrysidegapcountryside Member Posts: 1
    Need to change oil in my 77 thousand 2003 baja sport. What is the best oil out there. is synthic good? if it helps it has a cold air intake. O and do those hurt the engin???? Idk why the original owner took off the factory air filter. From the picts I have see it looks like the factory intake is a cold air intake
  • kentuckyrangerkentuckyranger Member Posts: 41
    When I was a Teen I remember when Subaru introduced the Brat.
    I wanted one so bad, it looked like allot of fun Car to drive.

    I just purchased the 09 Outback and just Today discovered the Baja.
    Maybe if Subaru advertised better I would have at least test drove one but they don't even have them at the Dealer.
    I thought it was one of those Car models only available in Europe or something but I see allot of USA Owners.
    I've never even seen a TV Commercial advertising one.

    Hey Subaru, the Market's here. It would have been nice to let us all in on it... :confuse:
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    They had really bad timing. It was cancelled just when fuel prices started to skyrocket, and it was the most fuel efficient pickup in the USA.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Yep. I would love to see a new Baja—and built off the new Forester's platform!

    The timing is right, where as before that wasn't the case. I'd also like to see it offered with the new Subaru diesel engine and 6-speed, like what Europe now gets.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Forester, and not Outback? Yeah?

    When the Baja was launched they made heated leather and a moonroof standard - things that eroded whatever value proposition Subaru may have had. It was the smallest pickup in the market, but didn't come with the smallest price.

    They sold only a few, but resale values were actually strong, plus they did well in JD Power's APEAL study, so owners did really like them.

    I also thought that making it a 4 seater with a relatively low payload rating was a mistake.

    So, lessons learned, the next one should offer:

    * 5 seats (if it's a crew cab)
    * more space inside and out
    * a base model with the base pricing that comes with it
    * more payload - beef it up!
    * a longer wheelbase and bed, and a real mid-gate

    To be honest I doubt Subaru will build a next one.
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