I'm debating whether or not to:

1. Buy a Subaru Baja
2. Buy it new or used

and would like opinions.


1... to baja or not to baja

I'm a thirty year old father of two girls in the market for a vehicle... looking for something reliable and unique with adequate cargo and decent gas mileage. Originally I was planning on investing in an SUV (Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd or similar), however with gas prices as they are and not wanting to spend nearly 40K for a hybrid SUV, i'm looking into other options. That said... I'm thinking Baja.

The multi-functionality of the baja is quite attractive. With a cab extender, bed cover and A.R.E truck cap... the Baja can be whatever I want it to be. It could haul a tall item (like a dresser, washer, or dryer) that would otherwise be impossible with standard height limits of a SUV. A truck cap would provide extra storage for winter/rainy days or when I just really want to fill it up.

Anyhow... we're a fairly active family... camping, hiking, canoeing, swimming, and fishing are all common excursions. Unfortunately, the Baja doesn't really seem to be a family friendly vehicle nor could it accomodate five or more passengers. Any family men/women care to comment on their experiences?


2.... new or used

Should I buy new or used?

I have my eye on a loaded 2003 Subaru Baja (Yellow) with 38,000 miles aksing price is 18K? Is the color and trim worth 18K? I've seen newer Baja's with the same mileage for roughly the same amount - but they are not yellow.

Anyhow perhaps it would be wiser to buy new ... maybe if I wait until end-of-the-year-clearance-sale a 2006 baja might be as affordable as a used model?

Any esperiences , thoughts, suggestions?

Ok here we go... as far as the Baja as it's self it's great yes you can't hold 5 people.. but you'll be hard pressed to fit three adults in any are for a long time and who wants to have 3 kids in the back on a long trip....

as far as camping and stuff..... IT'S GREAT.. it holds a ton... and with the cargo rack-bed extender you can hold a ton +++++


get new...and plan on keeping it.. You'll love the truck and want it for a long time.. Why not treat your self... My 05 was 21 out the door it 250 miles on it...

Buy a new Baja.. period (maybe not turbo if u want to save gas)

My 04 T was like 22 out the door... The gas Price dosn't bother be but i dont have a family and i like the fun :)

I can put a crap load of stuff in my Baja with the bed extender coming soon!! PLUS its good for towing almost anything that isnt insanely large (like my cargo trailer is almost the limit)
http://www.rapidimagephotography.com/gallery/albums/Baja/betty2.jpg
http://www.rapidimagephotography.com/gallery/albums/Baja/Image111.thumb.jpg
AND they can go almost anywhere...

But if you ask anyone with a Baja if you should get one.. We will all say Yes ;)

-Kelz

Like you, I have two daughters. Is it the perfect family vehicle, no. But that is why my wife drives an Outback. Is it a decent family vehicle, yes. I have taken my family on 6 hour (one way) trips and we have traveled fine. As for storage, I built my own cover for the back which has worked very well and looks pretty good too.

Functionability: Wonderful!!!!! :) You mentioned hauling stuff. This evening I brought home a heavy duty back blade for my tractor in the back. A few weeks ago my family traveled 300+ miles with a large treadmill, two childrens bikes, and a large luggage case in the back with the tailgate up. I strapped a pallet (poor man's luggage basket) on the roof rack where we carried our luggage in a canvas car top carrier. Inside I had the whole family. I think we may have looked a little bit like the Beverly Hill Billy's. :D

I also camp. I tow our medium sized pop up trailer; put firewood, coolers, and the dog in the back of the Baja and off we go. :banana:

New or used: Personal decision really. :rolleyes: $18000 on an 2003 sounds a bit high. It is great if someone else can take the depreciation hit of driving it new off of the lot. However, sometimes you can manage better interest rates buying new and you start at zero miles with a full warranty (not likely to need it though).

**If buying new.... don't delay. There was a posting last week that said the last Baja is off of the assembly line.

Economy: I have achieved over 30 mpg on more than one occassion. Average since new has been about 25 mpg. Note... I do drive mostly light traffic highway miles.

Winter Driving: Awesome!

Best wishes in your planning!

Bottom Line: A great vehicle for many applications.

YooperBaja

Go for it new or used but $18,000 seems high, my 2003 was $19,000 new but is not loaded. Depending on your location Don Miller in Madison, WI has a 2003 yellow sport for $15,999 with 45k on it listed on their website.

Yeah, $18K is a little too high. Considering they are being discontinued I'll be willing to bet that the dealers are going to be giving stellar deals on them in a few months. I would bet you could get one fully loaded (non-turbo) for $20-21K. Great hauler for stuff and two tenenage girls should have no problem in the back for any reasonable trip (I wouldn't drive to Disney in it, but a few hours would be fine). Mileage is pretty good considering it isn't really a car. Get one, you won't be disappointed! BTW my nearest stealership is Colonial Subaru in Danbury CT. and must have about 15 or more Bajas in every color/option on the lot. interesting.

A little high?? $18k is nuts.

I paid $14k LAST YEAR for my 2003 Baja, w/auto trans, subwoofer, skid plate options 21,000 miles, desirable silver(not that undesirable yellow)100% spotless mint condition.

Just paid $11,500 for a 'loaded' yellow 2003, albeit with 80k miles. Around here (Colorado) the average price for a 2003 with < 50k miles seems to be around 14k.

$18k is way too high IMHO.

Thanks, everyone, for your input... pretty sure I'm sold on the Baja.

As far as new or used... I'm leaning toward used...

1. I really like the yellow will gray cladding and Subaru doesn't offer that color option anymore.
2. A new car loses value way to fast.

Either way I'm paying cash without a tade-in... can't stand making payments... and refuse to pay interest... that's just bs. The bank's getting enough interest on my home. Anyway... I was under the impression that walking into a dealership with a handful of cash could be quite persuassive when negotiating a price... but recently I heard different... someone said cash isn't a good bargining tool anymore... since most dealers offer their own financing they actually lose money when people pay cash... any thoughts or input?

Concerning cost... when making online purchases... it's possible to buy a product out-of-state and not be charged tax... I've located a Baja a couple states away ... Virginia to be exact... is it possible to purchase vehicles online or over the phone - tax free? I'd rather pay a couple hundred dollars to have the car delivered or drive there myself and pick it up than pay over a grand in taxes.

So they are discontinuing the Baja? Guess if I wanted a unique vehicle... how much more unique can it get! Is the discontinuation a result of poor sales or is there something wrong with the vehicles?

How mechanically sound is the Baja? my current car a '99 VW Jetta was purchased new... in a few short years things just started falling apart... i.e. the carpet snaps that hold the mats down - broke... cup holder - broke... floor heater vent - broke... passenger door trim - falling off... emmissions problem preventing the car from starting... some spring under the driver seat - fell off... etc.

Just paid $11,500 for a 'loaded' yellow 2003, albeit with 80k miles.


80K in three years... wow... that's almost 30K a year... myself... I would been scared away from that one... the car was probably ridden hard. Does it still run like new?

Such high miles in such a short time would tend to indicate it spent a lot of time on the highway, particularly since it came from Texas.

But yes, in answer to your question it looks and drives like new. I know from personal experience that these powertrains last forever, and even if it did need work I am comfortable tearing into it. I just happen to have a 60k mile phase-II longblock sitting on my garage floor which makes a nice spare, and I have an EJ18 parked in the driveway that still runs like new at 150k miles. :)

In answer to your question regarding out-of-state purchases and tax.. I was given a form to fill out so I didn't have to pay Texas sales tax on the purchase. I will of course be taxed when I go to buy my registration tags here in Colorado. Other states may be different..

As for mechanical soundness.. all modern Subarus have excellent mechanical reliability in my experience (hence my comfort with buying an 80k-miler). The powertrain is identical to that you'll find in the Legacy, Impreza, etc. Likely it's being discontinued due to disappointing sales, as many potential buyers view the short bed as limiting. It's somewhat of a niche vehicle, IMHO.

Also... I was just reading another post elsewhere ... where someone had mentioned that the Baja ran on Premium Unleaded... Does the Subaru Baja require premium unleaded gas?

Only the Turbo requires premium.

I bought our 05 SPORT in 12/04 New for less than a 25,000 mile used 04 Turbo. I don't regret it one bit.

keep in mind that if you buy a used you're always gonna wonder what the new was like.

If you buy new...you'll never really think about the money you didn't save

I just sold my black/silver baja with 19k miles and all Subaru options for $14k. KBB value is not as high as you think and $18k is a tad high. The baja is fine for you 'younger' guys but I am nearing 60 and I found my baja not being used for anything other than transportation...so I sold it to allow someone that really needs it to use it as it is intended. I got me a highly rated crossover to carry all my sports gear and enjoy a softer ride and can carry half of the softball team and our gear in comfort.

I just bought a used black on black '05 turbo. Options included auto w/sportshift and bed cover. It also had crossbars, but not sure if that is standard on the turbos. The only negative was that the Baja already had 37K miles on it. I paid $18,500. Did I get ripped?

I bought my '05 - 5 sp. turbo with 5,800 mi. on it, in January of '05 for $19,999. No regrets... I would do it again! $18K for an '03 is too high... keep shopping, you'll find a deal. Best of luck!

Turbo that would be the number 1 decision yeah it takes premimum but the go is worth it.
I play paintball and mountainbike and have a golden retriever this vehicle does it all for me big enough to haul a small project like concrete, manure, dirt and to be able to rinse it out is a huge bonus.
the power you get from the turbo version is way important(when was the last time you tried to pass something on a two lane highway?) it is important to pass and get back in line ASAP and sometimes you gotta pass a couple RV's and a truck or two. I dont like to be hung out to dry with no power. mine was 24 out the door with every option and ext warranty. best vehicle I have owned so far and that includes BMW 525, Ford Explorer,Ford Ranger, VW Jetta, Mini Cooper, Audi 5000, Ford Probe GT. and the next best was an ACURA Legend those are great cars.. get the Baja and get it in a turbo!!!!

Thank you all for your thoughts, experiences and opinions...

I finally bought my Baja two days ago... I decided early on that I had to have a yellow one so Turbo wasn't an option ... besides with the difference of 2-4 miles per gallon and an increase in the price of gas for premium fuel... gas milage wouldn't really be any better than a truck or SUV... anyhow... I shopped around and found a fairly good deal in the VA/DC area...

I got a loaded 2003 Subaru Baja yellow/silver... leather, power seats, 6 disc changer, etc... bonus it came with the A.R.E. truck cap... 33K for 15G's... not bad... was well worth the trip to DC...

Love it.

Now to install a keyless start-up system and a carputer.

congrats! hope you enjoy it as much as the rest of us enjoy ours. the baja is a tough little cruck. and you'll definitely get some strange looks. i find it amusing, personally. hey at least we aren't driving a civic/corolla like the rest of the zombies.

$18K? Wow... You can have my '05 black/gunmetal with turbo and MT with 15K miles for $18K. But I'm in Southern California, don't know where you are? I'm selling because I'm a single father and never use the versatility of it. I want another Miata and that new '06 body style looks sweet!

One thing, I heard from fellow passengers that the backseat isn't that comfortable. It sits up higher than the front, and the seatbacks are pretty straight up and down (Just look at the back of a Baja and you'll see what I mean). They don't adjust for the passengers, but they do fold down flush. It'd probably be okay, hell, as a kid I had to ride in the back of a '72 Nova for eight hours every time we visited my grandma and I never knew any different.