Who knows anything about the Subaru Baja?

"Trunk Impaired 318" (matteocscaptura) 01/21/2017 at 12:52 • Filed to: None

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Likely needing to buy a new to me car this summer to move out to the high desert of Arizona I’ve been looking at small manual pickups but recently saw a Baja as such below. They seem like an interesting enough car that would be more fun to have than a pickup while retaining at least some of the practicality. They can be had with a manual and a detuned Sti turbo motor and are certainly weird and unusual which are all pros to me.

jkm7680 > Trunk Impaired 318 01/21/2017 at 12:54

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They’re way too expensive.

gmctavish needs more space > Trunk Impaired 318 01/21/2017 at 12:55

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The body cladding is a bit much, but I like them a lot. I’ve never seen one with a canopy, it looks good. They’re pretty much the only ute you can buy outside I Australia without going back to an el Camino or Ranchero

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Trunk Impaired 318 01/21/2017 at 12:56

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They are essentially 3rd generation legacys. Have fun trying to find a manual turbo.

Trunk Impaired 318 > jkm7680 01/21/2017 at 12:56

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It looks like you can get one around the $10k mark in pretty good condition which is no worse than a small 10 year old pickup. Thats not too bad to me.

Trunk Impaired 318 > gmctavish needs more space 01/21/2017 at 12:58

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I love the weirdness of it and the canopy just adds to it

jkm7680 > Trunk Impaired 318 01/21/2017 at 12:58

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But less bed space than any 10 year old pickup.

Trunk Impaired 318 > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 01/21/2017 at 12:59

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A cursory search of cars.com and autotrader does show at least a few around, not exactly a ton but they are enough out there

Trunk Impaired 318 > jkm7680 01/21/2017 at 13:02

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For someone who doesn’t really need bed space and prefers a better drive I’m still in on one, plus fuel economy is slightly better if you can avoid driving like a yob.

AMC/Renauledge > Trunk Impaired 318 01/21/2017 at 13:07

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I always thought the Bajas with the canopy were silly. Why would you want a more expensive, less practical Outback?

For me, even with the open bed, the limited utility of the Baja makes it something of a nonstarter compared to the Outback. But they’re also way more interesting and have more character than the Outbacks.

AfromanGTO > Trunk Impaired 318 01/21/2017 at 13:13

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I always wanted one. It had to have the side plastic painted body color, STi turbo, and with STi wheels, brakes, and suspension.

Steve in Manhattan > Trunk Impaired 318 01/21/2017 at 13:15

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Perhaps the answer is Ridgeline?

Trunk Impaired 318 > AMC/Renauledge 01/21/2017 at 13:23

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Interesting and character are huge for me and coming from a Mini Cooper S whatever I get will be hugely more practical

Trunk Impaired 318 > Steve in Manhattan 01/21/2017 at 13:24

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I’ve though about them as they do make A LOT of sense, but I absolutely detest their looks

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Trunk Impaired 318 01/21/2017 at 13:29

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Love Bajas

If you want one though, jump on soon. They are riding an appreciation train all the sudden, funny for a car no one really wanted when it was new.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Trunk Impaired 318 01/21/2017 at 13:52

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Do it, it’s just a 4 seat outback with a small bed. Their auto’s are actually pretty good. Typical Subaru problems for a 10 year old car, head gaskets, wheel bearings, axles.

Boxer_4 > Trunk Impaired 318 01/21/2017 at 14:06

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The non-turbo models are known for head gasket issues; generally external coolant leaks. That tends to happen around 100K miles, and is generally fixed by replacing the head gaskets with an updated part. The turbo models are more robust, but they do have the “ banjo bolt issue ” (not really an issue, per se, but a maintenance item that a lot of people forget).

All models use a timing belt, which needs to be replaced every 105K miles or 105 months, whichever comes first. It’s generally a good idea to replace the tensioner, idlers, and water pump at the same time.

Steve in Manhattan > Trunk Impaired 318 01/21/2017 at 14:13

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Huh - I rather like them. The late Tom Magliozzi was constantly pushing the Baja, and his brother Ray missed the chance to buy him one - got him a Miata instead. I’d at least drive a Ridgeline - and since you’re driving it, you won’t have to look at it.

Trunk Impaired 318 > Steve in Manhattan 01/21/2017 at 14:21

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No manual is a killer though, but I’ll definitely drive some and keep it on the list

AestheticsInMotion > Trunk Impaired 318 01/21/2017 at 14:40

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Try to find a solid color one. They look pretty good in all blue or all black. Manual Turbo lowered car/truck with the option of switching over Wrx components fairly easily. What’s not to love

Trunk Impaired 318 > AestheticsInMotion 01/21/2017 at 14:58

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If they kept yellow around for the turbo models thats what I would go for but a nice blue would do

TXCarGuy > Trunk Impaired 318 01/21/2017 at 15:28

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Being in the car business I see these randomly at auctions and boy do people go nuts over them!

Steve in Manhattan > Trunk Impaired 318 01/21/2017 at 16:35

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Let us know what you think - and please alert me - lots of stuff flies by here so I can’t always keep up: steve.reiness@gmail.com ...

The AE86 of Mt. Akina (Hachi) > Trunk Impaired 318 01/21/2017 at 20:01

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I honestly think you should buy a car after you move. There’s so many rust free 70's/80's/90's cars here that are stupid cheap.

But yeah, the Baja is a cool car, just wished the bed was a little longer.

Trunk Impaired 318 > The AE86 of Mt. Akina (Hachi) 01/21/2017 at 20:05

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Oh that’s for sure the plan. Any car I find here in NY/PA is going to be absolute crap compared to what I can find in AZ/NM.

But a manual Baja turbo does sound fantastic right now. Although finding one in AZ/NM might be a challenge.

The AE86 of Mt. Akina (Hachi) > Trunk Impaired 318 01/21/2017 at 20:16

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Yeah, they are kinda rare here and are hilariously over priced, like $7k to $12k.

I wish I was kidding:

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/5960389406.html

Trunk Impaired 318 > The AE86 of Mt. Akina (Hachi) 01/21/2017 at 21:02

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Yea, I’d pay $12.5k tops for a good one