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Comments
Till then I guess I will stick with my 1992 Toyota Red Neck Pick Up.
TWRX
PS, just got to thinking, has anybody seen an Element in that olive green? Reminds me of a baby Hummer. Maybe the military should save about $90000 and get army green Elements!
Baja hasn't met sales expectation, but Element has exceeded them by nearly double. Price is probably a big part of that.
-juice
Baja was projected to sell 20k per year but they're on pace for 9k this year, even after the turbo was intro'd.
-juice
Off topic, does anyone know where I can get ventshades for the Baja? I've been to a bunch of places and no one can find it in the catalogs.
John
-juice
John
Estimated mileage is 16/21."
Not quite what I was expecting, the engine/mileage part should be mid 20's. My guess is the Baja Turbo has better hp and torque, plus it should give at least 23+ mpg. The Honda SUT must be extra heavy in order to handle the 5,000 lbs towing. A redesigned BT with greater cabin and towing would fare well against this Honda.
John
Mileage ain't so hot, but let's see the output of the engine first.
-juice
Their next model will be the 7 seater, I bet from now on they offer more traditionally segmented products.
-juice
Bob
John
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From what I can see, only the colors have changed. The '05 Baja is the only '05 Subaru that continues with white-letter tires, and it does not have the new cruise control stalk that other '05 Subies now have.
Bob
I think they should drop the MSRP, even if that means no rebates, then advertise the new lower price.
-juice
Bob
Bob
Marc
-juice
I'm new to this message board, but am very interested in the Baja and would like to hear any thoughts on the reliability of the Baja. I was curious as to why it got such a poor reliability rating, it got a BLACK CIRCLE! Which should effect my view of it, but oddly it doesn't. I'm that interested in the vehicle.
anyway, if anyone has any ideas why it got a bad CR rating or reasons why CR is wrong and it's a superb reliable product, please let me know. I would love to hear your opinions!
-moraisins
That makes sense. It's strange Subaru would actually make a car of poor reliability since the chassi is pretty much the same as the Outback.
These reviews have been really helpful, I'm about 95% sold. everyone seems to love their baja. Does the small rear view window ever become a problem? I drive a '95 toyota camry right now and the rear window is huge, but I noticed the baja has a pretty small rear window.
Thanks for writing back. If anyone else has any opinions on the CR rating, I'd love to hear them.
thanks!
moraisins
If every owner that got one complained, that'll surely sway the numbers. I bet next year it's average or better.
-juice
If these are the reasons CR gave the baja such a low reliability score, I don't really count those as problems. I thought it would be more issues with safety or engine problems - which are a big deal. No ones really mentioned any engine problems so far within these reviews, so maybe CR is being overly cautious because the baja is new.
Thanks juice!
moraisins
Bob
If they offer more turbo Bajas, I'm convinced that model will sell. Frankly I think the base Baja Sport is just a dead horse. Just like with the Impreza line, offer (produce!) more turbos, and I think there just might be some hope for a future 2nd-generation Baja. If the Turbo-to-Sport production ratio remains like '04, I think you can kiss the Baja goodbye after MY06.
Bob
I know a few friends who like the Baja, they just wish for a couple of things: make it a 5 passneger, and make the carrying bed bigger.
Mark
It's possible some of the people complained about rattles yet did not diagnose where it was coming from. So CR might not have realized they were for the most part talking about the bed cover.
-juice
Mark
-juice
-juice
Those more familiar with HAL in the Forester thread might offer up more information, FWIW.
-juice
Just curious to the milieage between the Sport and Turbo. I know the Turbo is more fun to drive, but the specs say the mileage is 23/mpg (highway) vs. the Sport's 28/mpg - that is a considerable difference in mileage. What do you guys think of your Baja's mileage? I think I would rather have the better mileage over the turbo speed, but I'd like to hear your thoughts. Does the turbo really only give you 23/mpg?
thanks!
moraisins
Is the Turbo engine worth the lower mileage vs. the Sport? This is a fairly subjective question, so I can't see a right/wrong answer, just want to know your opinions.
Thanks!
moraisins
Any other stories about gas mileage with the Baja?
moraisins
I was getting 22-23 mpg at first, but now, 6 years later, my lifetime average is better than 25mpg in my '98 Forester.
Wait for an '05 - the Forester's mileage just improved to 23/30 with a manual, the Baja might get a similar bump in mpg.
-juice
They don't seem to be thinking the pass through is essential. Again, I think that Honda is on to something here. If Subaru would super-size their Baja, the two would go head to head.
John
-juice
Subaru rule 2: at 15 to 20 k miles the mileage improves dramatically.
98 forester L 5 speed: 30 mpg
02 WRX wagon 30 mpg
03 WRX sedan 29 mpg (only 16 k miles so far)
http://www.subaru.cl/index.asp
I checked the Subaru Global site, but Chile is the only South American country in which the Baja is sold, which seems odd... I mean why Chile of all places?
Bob
"The demand for carlike comfort and trucklike utility would seem to assure a steady demand for Subaru's Outback-based Baja and Honda's upcoming SUT among buyers whose lives are full of weekend projects and outdoor activities. No doubt they will do a fine job of carrying the family on Sunday, though their suitability for hauling pigs on Monday may not measure up to that of their predecessors."
So even they feel there is a market for the Baja - now SOA jsut has to market it better so sales can pick up.
Mark
Bob
John