just got my subaru magazine "drive" and in the back they announced a turbo baja.

Good! It sure needs one. Actually it needs anything to get them to sell. I like the thing, but after my WRX, a test drive in it was rather disapointing...

No offense to those of you who like the Baja, but IMHO, that vehicle was a mistake on Subaru's part. I can't imagine that there would be much demand for a vehicle like that. Hopefully it doesn't cost Subaru too much money or they will be trying to recoup their losses by marking up other models.

I'll have to agree with you Stanley... The car hasn't got a big enough engine to tow anything unless you want to tow a jetski. The bed isn't big enough to carry anything, let alone a standard size piece of sheetrock. Worthless. And seating capacity? Because the bed is so small and not covered, you couldn't even take a party of four to the airport without tying everything down in the back.

The Baja is just a major mistake. Stick with the Legacy if you want something in that area.

They're showing the turbo in NY, preview days start Wednesday. I'll be up there Friday for a close-up look.

I prefer the Outback, too, but keep in mind you can get a Baja for $20,500 or so with auto, leather, and a moonroof. A base Outback, around me, starts at about $20,800 with none of those three.

When the Sport models arrive, it'll be even cheaper, minus just leather.

It *might* just be the cheapest Subie turbo, too.

-juice

i would have snapped up the ST-X concept specs: 17" rims, over 8.5" of clearance, supercharger, low-range AWD.

i would have snapped up the ST-X concept specs: 17" rims, over 8.5" of clearance, supercharger, low-range AWD.

psh...have a little imagination would you guys?
everyone gets use to comparing the same numbers to every single car that the unique stuff gets skipped. how bout how the baja is the only one of the frontier/sport trac type vehicles to have a recoverable trunk when the baja's back seats fold down. and as far as the cargo thing goes...
in 1999 nissan did a study on truck owners to find how they actually used their trucks. they found that users only used the bed 25% of the time and even then, only used about 20%. they developed the SUT, much like the frontier only with a liftgate behind the rear passengers. the SUT still kicks the ass of the cross-overs out today...but of course it wasn't built.
the baja isn't about all out capability. its about getting a little bit more done in each of its fields. sure it can't tow much, but have you ever driven a sport trac down a windy road? and how much more often do you drive that road than haul more than 2,400 pounds?

any who...my soapbox is overdue and they want it back now ;)

Finally, someone else giving the Baja props... :D

yes i have to agree, it's unique which makes it great.
monkey-

From News and Rumors:
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=3725169#post3725169

Note: The Baja Turbo has an extra inch of ground clearance as well, making it 8.5" of clearance... Pretty close to the ST-X specs now :p

Mmmmm yummy!
http://vocuspr.vocus.com/vocuspr30/publish/vcsPRAsset_82_58623_{2E54D6EE-08AA-4236-85CE-0F1717E98DA3}_04BajaTurboFrontTN.jpg

Originally posted by Kostamojen
Note: The Baja Turbo has an extra inch of ground clearance as well, making it 8.5" of clearance... Pretty close to the ST-X specs now :p

According to Edmunds all new Baja's will have the higher ground clearance, not just the Turbo.

Why would Subaru introduce Baja in old style when, by the time it hits the market, all new Legacy platform is already out there???? Production Baja Turbo comes in the new platform?

Originally posted by hatake
Why would Subaru introduce Baja in old style when, by the time it hits the market, all new Legacy platform is already out there???? Production Baja Turbo comes in the new platform?

Didn't read anything about a new platform, so I'd say no. My guess is that the Baja was released as soon as possible to get another option out on the market. The changes required for the Turbo are probably all bolt-ons and so would require minimal investment, and since it addressed the main complaint they gave the go-ahead.

The question is will they carry both the new and old platforms for a while when the new Legacy comes out, or will the current Baja have a short run just like the bug-eye Impreza did.

I just noticed that the body clading is body-color matched now in the pic over on subdriven.com... Looks pretty good like that, especially in black!