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Comments
The problem of how to satisfy POTENTIAL owners is more critical than current owners IMO.
John
-mike
-mike
Try http://www.tonnocover.com/
They may have something.
Mark
I was at the gas station today and pumping gas next to a older guy in a full size truck. He wanders over and says he hasn't seen one of these before, what kind is it? He also comments on the All Wheel Drive. He asks what kind of mileage I get (I've hit 30 mpg a few times on the highway). I show him the switchback door and told him I have hauled a riding mower in the back. He then comments it sure is a lot better than this (he motions to his truck which is STILL pumping gas). He was pumping before I started and was still pumping when I left and I tanked a near empty Baja.
Subaru of America.... Are you listening.... The gas station is your platform for advertising the Baja. It has been stated in several posts in recent months.
Bob
But, the Baja concept has tremendous appeal, but will never get me in one with my head in the roof and my knee in the center counsel.
My Forester has 1 1/2" more head and a full inch leg. Note, the new OB and Legacies are even better space-wise than the Forester.
Putting the Baja on the new OB chassis should clear up a lot. Better yet, putting it on the new 7 passenger platform will really help.
Either way, the fatal flaw of the current generation Baja is its interior size, followed by lack of bed size, followed by mediocre payload. It doesn't make sense for Subaru to spend money advertising a vehicle that suffers from these fatal flaws. Correct them, and it will sell itself.
John
http://mrlink.hotmail.ru/OtherCars/DSCF1340.JPG
http://mrlink.hotmail.ru/OtherCars/DSCF1341.JPG
http://mrlink.hotmail.ru/OtherCars/DSCF1344.JPG
http://mrlink.hotmail.ru/OtherCars/DSCF1345.JPG
Last shot shows 2 Bajas.
Bob
John
Looks like aluminum? Shouldn't be that heavy either.
-juice
Photos show 4 moon roofs (or maybe it is a front and a back with a divider). Can't tell if they open or are a fixed affair.
John
-mike
I think the point is the Baja doesn't even give you the option to squeeze a 5th passenger, kids or adults.
-juice
It was the only Subaru not to earn their Recommended stamp since...well, since I can remember! Must have been at least a decade.
-juice
I think they had a small sample size for the first year of the Baja. Instead of stating insufficient data, which they did on the Chrysler Pacifica (I think the Pacifica had higher production numbers too), they gave the Baja a poor score based on a few complaints. I feel CR may be partly to blame for poor Baja sales based on their insufficient data and giving it a poor score. My perception of CR dropped after the Baja report. They went from recommending it to avoiding it. Hmmmmm. Seems someone would have noticed and recommended a second look before jumping to conclusions, especially based on Subaru's reputation.
As for my Baja. The only flaw it has had in 11 1/2 months and 17,000 miles is a trim button on the drivers door was missing when new. Dealer fixed it with no questions. That is better than the most of the cars CR tests.
Yooper
What's very strange is they haven't rated a lot of Hyundais lately at all, I wonder if owners aren't filling out the surveys, or perhaps CR readers just don't buy many of them?
-juice
-juice
(http://www.thecarconnection.com/vehicleratings.asp)
and plugged in the data for a 2003 Baja to see what JD Powers rated it. It was rated as follows:
Mechanical Quality: 4 out of 5
Body and Interior Quality: 5 out of 5
Overall Quality: 4 out of 5
In comparison, the 2004 Toyota RAV4 was 3 of 5 on overall quality.
.....and Consumer Reports recommended avoiding the 2003 Baja? I still think they had some bogus figures to work with.
Yooper
Indeed, Baja is not rated better than average, as we suspected it would do all along.
-juice
For example, how do Baja sales compare against:
• Outback Sedan?
• Impreza RS sedan or wagon?
• Legacy 2.5i sedan?
• Outback VDC?
• STi?
Bob
Any how, I think it was 7% of Outbacks are sedans, so that's about 400 units per month. Baja sells about 600, so that is a good point.
STi deserves a pass because that is a halo car. Even if it loses money it generates enthusiasm and a ton of good press for Subaru.
RS is an Outback Sport with monotone paint and minus the cross bars. Probably costs them pennies extra.
-juice
http://www.powco.net/img/nasioc/BajaCover2.jpg
http://www.powco.net/img/nasioc/BajaCover3.jpg
Found these over at nabisco. As I had mentioned earlier, these models are finally arriving at dealers. The bed cover is very similar to the one found on the Explorer Sport Trac. There are two locks on it, one for the front portion, and one for the rear portion, so it flips open from both the back and the front. I have no idea how hard it is to remove or install.
I was told a while back that this hard bed cover may (?) become an option on future Bajas. My guess it will be an '06 Baja option—but it's just a guess...
Frankly, while certainly better than anything else currently out there, I really hope Subaru engineers a hard, lockable, roll-top bed cover on the next generation Baja (if there's a next generation Baja).
Also, this Baja turbo w/leather is only available in automatic.
Bob
-juice
Bob
My solution....still in progress.... I have a hitch on my Baja and I am going to use a load extender in the receiver. It T's up and helps support longer loads by placing the weight on the hitch instead of the tailgate. I am then going to build a platform to carry my Mini Model T on that. I am sure it work for an ATV too.
One note about the above solution. The spacing is VERY tight with the receiver hitch and the license plate in the down position.
Yooper
In other words, I'd put the engine side towards the bed's front.
-juice
Tossed in 18" BBS rims while I was at it!
-juice
Bob
The rim is 18", so my stretch is more than a foot, probably 15" or so.
-juice
Long bed crew cabs are all like that, extremely long.
-juice
But the Baja doesn't need a bigger bed until it is built to handle it (on 18" rims! hehe). That mini Model T sounds like it is quite the load for a Baja.
Yooper
Pictures are here. (Some other fun car photos too)
http://www.ofoto.com/BrowsePhotos.jsp?&collid=88361990406&- ;page=1&sort_order=0
Yooper
-juice
Note: it's the Baja turbo w/leather, as it has the hard, lockable bed cover. I have yet to see it run in a magazine.
Bob
Sorry, I guess I am preaching to the choir.
Yooper
Bob
What's interesting is they are 2 seaters based on compact cars, like the VW Saveiro and the Chevy Montana (based on the Astra).
Well, guess what, Bob? Payload in this class is 500 kg, or 1100 lbs! And they are based on cars far smaller than the Legacy, like the Baja is.
-juice
I would welcome an 1,100 pound payload. Remember the Baja's is only 800 pounds.
Bob
Bob
-juice
Bob