Just got my Baja

[thenewrick]

I recently put a deposit on a Garnet 05 Baja Turbo 5-speed. I'm real excited. I'd like to do a small lift, new rims and some performance parts eventually. My first dilemma is the bed cover. They seem to either be very expensive or very rare. I was considering the DIY on building one but I'm not terribly handy with wood.

Any advice for new buyer as far as must-have mods or things to know? I had an 04 STi and I love my Subarus.

[bajaguy]

Nice choice in color! definitely one of the rarest. Welcome to the club!

[thenewrick]

Thanks. I like the color and the rarity for sure. I'm going to throw some gold rims on it in true Subaru fashion. I happen to go to FSU also but the whole garnet and gold combo is totally a coincidence.

It has a valve gasket leak which I'm not sure how to deal with. I think I'm going to leave it alone as long as I can tolerate it.

[bajaguy]

If I had money I would totally get some gold STI rims (also a college student). They would compliment so well.

So I recommend looking through the forums. There're so many awesome mods people have done. Commonly modded are: dash lights, lift/tires, lights, bull bar/mudrat bumper, mud flaps, exhaust, hitches, tuning, bed cover...etc. Decide what you want and make it your own. Baja owners aren't copycats! =P

Post some pictures sometime!

[thenewrick]

Yea, there are a lot of mods I'd like to do.

I'm a little bummed by how expensive it is to tune these cars but I suppose it's not that bad. My BMW was stupid easy to tune for huge power.

I'll probably go cheap on all the mods. Looking at Assetto Gara wheels and used STi bits.

[mikenmel08]

You will love it , Snagged this pic last week....mine is on the right.....never found the other owner.

[thenewrick]

Those look good. I'm jealous of the camper shell and the bed cover. I'm having issues in that department myself. I'm not sure if I have the ability to DIY a cover myself but that might be my only option on a tight budget.

[bajaguy]

You will love it , Snagged this pic last week....mine is on the right.....never found the other owner.

Is that a N/A on the left? I have never had the privilege of seeing another.

Here's mine with an RGP turbo.

IMG_2311 by bajainsanity, on Flickr

[mikenmel08]

@bayaguy - yes it actually was na....It's the first one I've seen in this color in person , well solid and not two tone anyways......

@Thenewrick- Just take your time and keep your eyes open and you will find a cover....I actually got a great deal on my Ozz Bros off this forum second hand......

[thenewrick]

Yep, I'll check craigslist nasioc and this forum from time to time to see if I can snag a cover I reckon. I'm new to Utes, camping and trailer hitches etc. I need to learn how to tie stuff to the bed, top and hook up trailer hitches and stuff.

[bdover9876]

RGP is a great color.

I know I love mine.

[thenewrick]

Got the Baja. Dealer said it was in excellent condition and everything works.

Within 5 minutes of driving the car found the following problems:

-valve cover gasket and possibly head gasket leaking, lots of oil burning on headers and smoke
- clutch completely gone
- clutch pedal feels screwed up, maybe master/slave cyl issues
- a/c doesnt work
- brake lights out
-fog light broken
- speakers broken
- wheel bearing is bad
- shifter feels like mush
- shifter boot detached and fell off
- filthy inside and out
-brakes feel mushy
- rough idle
- possible exhaust leak

Tomorrow I'll do a more thorough look around and see what other nightmares lay in wait =/

[Nitro350Z]

Woah woah woah, Please tell me you're going to lay into them when you get back, "Excellent condition" and "everything works" doesn't include a laundry list of major problems. That list contains some really expensive/time consuming items, even worst if you have to take it to a shop to do. I would walk from this deal if I were you, or at least demand a deep discount with that big list of problems.

Did you not test drive it/look at it before you bought it? Or am I misreading something...

[thenewrick]

Bought on Ebay so sight unseen. Just a sleazy dealership as usual. All I can do is leave negative feedback. Stealerships will be Stealerships.

[Nitro350Z]

Don't Lemon laws cover used cars as well in most states? Look up what your states lemon laws are and see if you can get the dealer to cover repairs or something along those lines since they tried selling the car as excellent condition.