-June 2024 Special Lease Deals-
2024 Chevy Blazer EV lease from Bayway Auto Group Click here
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee lease from Mark Dodge Click here
2025 Ram 1500 Factory Order Discounts from Mark Dodge Click here
2024 Chevy Blazer EV lease from Bayway Auto Group Click here
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee lease from Mark Dodge Click here
2025 Ram 1500 Factory Order Discounts from Mark Dodge Click here
Options
Comments
Bob
I have a Draw-Tite class II frame reciever (1.25") and a Draw-Tite Model "Activator" electronic brake controller. I went with the OEM trailer harness to forestall any issues with the electrical loads in the lighting circuits, and have a Draw-Tite 4-pin to 7-pin Barco (aka "RV") adapter mounted next to the reciever. The brake controller is tied directly to the battery via a 20 amp auto-reset breaker, so that its load is isolated from the rest of the vehicle electronics.
The brake controller is mounted on the underside of the dash below my knee-height between the steering column and the center console. It's a little difficult to reach there, but with practice plenty accessible.
This controller offers the usual analog (stepless) timing and "effort" (I believe voltage) controls + manual engage. Very easy to use. I wouldn't tow in the mountains without one. We have a lot of 10-15 mile long 6-7% grades around here.
Hope this helps,
-brianV
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!
/direct/view/.eea5f48
PF Flyer
Host
Pickups & News & Views Message Boards
-juice
If memory serves, it went something like this:
Class II Draw-Tite Frame Hitch w/ 2" ball - $110
OEM trailer harness - $70
Draw-Tite 4>7pin Barco adaptor - $15
Draw-Tite Activator I brake controller, installed - $130 (RV dealer did the install)
Coleman 7" trailer brake kit w/ breakaway switch, installed - $400
I installed the receiver frame, wiring harness and Barco adapter, then (carefully) towed the trailer to my RV dealer and had them install the trailer brake kit and electronic controller.
A matter of having knowledgeable people doing the critical installation bits.
-brianV
Subaru had better take a long hard look at this vehicle. It's everything the Baja isn't.
http://www.webwombat.com.au/motoring/news_reports/2_03_hold.htm
Bob
Commodore
Cross8
TLCs
All the good cars!
-mike
The engine oil cooler is stock with the Forester AT (along with an AT cooler), but left off of the MT models (pretty sure this is still the case).
The OEM engine oil cooler was $325 from Teague's in NC, about $100 less than my local dealer. Easy bolt on, mounts between oil filter and block.
-brianV
-brianV
Mike
-mike
-mike
-mike
That Holden does look cool. I'm not sure 18" rims are appropriate on a ute, aren't those things used on farms and such? The DVD is also out of place in that type of vehicle.
But I do like the V8, the skid plates, the styling is well sorted, and the OEM bed cover.
Saw a Baja Sport at the Baltimore Auto Show, in fact mike and Bob came too. The cloth seats are the same as on the Legacy L, i.e. a nice velour upholstery that is grippy and comfy. The headlight clusters are also from the L, and the black door handles actually look fine because there is lots of black trim on the Baja anyway.
To save $2 grand I'd definitely pick the Sport. With regular Bajas at $20.6k, it could potentially cost about $19k street price, and that seems more than fair. It would be cheaper than any Outback by far.
They had an aftermarket bed cover on the Baja at the show, also. It was not quite an OE fit. They had bolted on a rain rail that went around the whole bed, then the removable cover, with a cheap lock, but a lock nonetheless. But it was a decidedly 2nd rate install, with visible screws misaligned. I'd love to see an OE cover that was better sorted.
Bob pointed out how easy it was to steal a bed extender (this on a Sport Trac). Oh my, 2 seconds and it's gone. Lock those up. Also, Subaru's price for the bed extender is higher than what Ford charges. We wondered out loud if they were interchangeable, they do extend in width and I bet they are.
-juice
MT models mount the oil filter directly to the block.
-brianV
The engine oil cooler is sold separately as an option for Foresters. Not sure if those fit other Subie models.
I haven't had a problem burning oil between oil changes, and it doesn't seem to run hot, so I passed.
-juice
With the oil cooler installed, the lowest point on the OEM filter is still no lower than the bottom of the oil pan, so unless there's a frame member passing through there (that isn't present on the Forester), it ought to fit.
-brianV
-juice
-juice
* 210 hp
* 235 ft-lbs (mama-mia) at a low 3600rpm
* AVCS
* it's based on the STi engine!
* black side walls were used on the Forester turbo
Subaru did add body color door handles and basically all the stuff from the XS package, so if they do the same with the Baja it probably means no Baja Sport with a Turbo, only the higher end model.
I hope I'm wrong, make it a stand-alone option, $2 grand tops.
-juice
--jay
The PDF from the SIA plant did mention the Baja was selling well in non-traditional areas, specifically the sun belt. I guess Hawaii too.
Maybe we'll start seeing more Subies outside the snow belt!
-juice
They had an red monotone Baja parked out front - dealer add-on option ($1600). Looks very sharp that way, but $. Where's that 2.5T ?
For those smarting from the weak dealer network on the front range (I've had serveral bad experiences over the last 2 years at 2 different dealerships), the folks I talked to were competent and enthusiastic without being pushy. I'm going to give them a try going forward.
-brianV
-juice
How long have they been for sale? I have a hunch we won't see a Baja variant of the next Legacy.
Ed
Just goes to show what a problem all that cladding is causing - or more specifically the mismatch between styling and delivered performance. Styling = Pepsi generation; performance = flower-power generation. Who's buying ? Flower power people, from what I've gathered in the demographics.
Pretty red though.
-brianV
Bob
-juice
-juice
I think it's because I registered and played that Baja adventure game they had, remember?
Any how, it's valid until 3/31, but only for members of my family. But for anyone shopping, you may want to try to register somehow, or call to inquire about the program.
fitzmall.com has one for $20,698 with auto and the bed extender, that would be $20,198. Not bad. And that's not even the Sport model, which will probably run $1500 less.
-juice
Ed
And a WRC steering wheel too, you lucky duck.
-juice
I didn't win anything, but actually someone else here did. I did get that e-mail though.
If you want to get one, I'd call 800-SUBARU3 and ask how you can get on that list. Sales are slow so I'd expect them to try to help make a sale.
Good luck.
-jucie
Ed
I just came back from getting the dealer to install my Tonneau cover. If anyone is considering getting one, go with an after market. This thing is going to be a real pain to get off and on.
Ed