Considering Baja Purchase

[formerFordRangerMan]

Hello everyone ... I'm new here (*EDIT*- the "Lurker" - lol), and am seriously "considering" the purchase of a Baja.

Looking for info on, say, `04-`06 Baja's (?). Ups/downs-ins/outs - good, bad, and indifferent.
If a few folks could fill-me-in on what their experiences have been I'd be very appreciative.

I do have some experience with Subaru ... my folks have owned a `98 Forester (since autumn, `07), which I have done the great deal of maintenance on. Am familiar with some of the more common issues.

Theirs needed a new short-block installed last summer @ 125,000 miles (give or take a thousand) due to a cracked block. It had-had more than its share of overheating/cooling-system issues over the years despite pretty much "by the book" cooling system maintenance (and in spite of rather "manic" ["anal"?] oil-change practices).

I am fairly well-versed in most of the more common problems & issues with Subaru's - noises, and "terms" such as "piston slap", cam/timing-belt tensioner noise, etc. I was hoping some of this had been ironed-out in the later model Sube's, however I'm still seeing a good number of issues/complaints about that online.

That's it - just looking for some "heads-up" - wherever I can get it!

Thanks in advance,
FFRM
PS - By the way - please let me know if this is not the appropriate forum for this thread/post, and I'll do my best to move it.

[YBajaSteve]

well, I would say DO IT. But, seriously, I would ask what you plan on doing with the Baja. I used to own a speedy lil coupe, but with the new babbeing born, and everything that comes with that, I went for a Baja. They do get great gas mileage, and are very versatile. I love the looks of the vehicle as well. Definatly stands out. in my opinion, the biggest thing the Baja is lacking, and this isnt even a fault of the vehicle, is just the lack of aftermarket support. If you plan on doing any offroading, dont plan on finding much support for lifts or suspension upgrades, (when is comes to lifting). There arent many cosmetic mods you can do to them either. But if youre looking for something that rides well on the road, and can do almost everything a small truck can do, but still handles much like a car, then youre on the right track. I find myself wishing I had gone with a turbo model, but again, I bought my car for efficency, not speed, but i do sometimes wish it was a WRX or something. All in all, I am very happy with my vehicle and I think you'll be suprised how quickly you fall in love with one. Go take a test drive in one if you havent yet!!! Oh and welcome to SCOOBYTRUCK!!! check out Nasioc.com too and find the baja forum there. lotsa turbo'd guys on there.

just my .02


N2Subies

[formerFordRangerMan]

well, I would say DO IT. But, seriously, I would ask what you plan on doing with the Baja. I used to own a speedy lil coupe, but with the new babbeing born, and everything that comes with that, I went for a Baja. They do get great gas mileage, and are very versatile. I love the looks of the vehicle as well. Definatly stands out. in my opinion, the biggest thing the Baja is lacking, and this isnt even a fault of the vehicle, is just the lack of aftermarket support. If you plan on doing any offroading, dont plan on finding much support for lifts or suspension upgrades, (when is comes to lifting). There arent many cosmetic mods you can do to them either. But if youre looking for something that rides well on the road, and can do almost everything a small truck can do, but still handles much like a car, then youre on the right track. I find myself wishing I had gone with a turbo model, but again, I bought my car for efficency, not speed, but i do sometimes wish it was a WRX or something. All in all, I am very happy with my vehicle and I think you'll be suprised how quickly you fall in love with one. Go take a test drive in one if you havent yet!!! Oh and welcome to SCOOBYTRUCK!!! check out Nasioc.com too and find the baja forum there. lotsa turbo'd guys on there.

just my .02


N2Subies

Hey thanks - I appreciate your .02!

I really am pretty danged familiar with the basic Subaru set-up and the 2.5 (Boxer?) engine. Gas mileage is a HUGE concern for me (am NOT AT ALL interested in getting caught with my pants down again on that deal!!) The only real "option" I am interested in initially IS Leather seats ... I WANT LEATHER! (lol).

I'm looking for a "tough" (as rugged as I can find without actually going to a truck frame) "daily-driver" ... and am looking at the Baja (or possibly other Subaru models) as my "main" mode of transport. Cosmetics I am not really concerned with, however I am disappointed to hear about the lack of support for lifts/etc. ... this is something that I would very much like to do - not anything radical, just a couple, three or four inches maybe (?). Not for "off-roading" per se, it's just always good to know that I could "go-around" something IF I needed to. As well, I am not interested in getting an AWD vehicle "stuck" because the snow is "a bit" too deep (such as; "well, 6 or 8 inches of snow is "no problem", but 16 or 18 inches IS a problem"). I also am accustomed to a bit higher "view" on the road from driving the (4X4) Ranger for years.

QUESTIONS:
1. Do all Baja's come with the 2.5?

2. What years were these vehicles made (I'm thinking that I want to stick with an `05 or `06 ... maybe an `03 or `04 if I can find one with low-enough mileage)?

3. Is there a good site for reading about the history of this vehicle?

4. Any opinions on manual vs. auto. transmission (durability/reliability)? Increase in MPG's with manual as opposed to auto? Anyone noticed any trends of manuals to run cooler (less overheating issues than automatics)? Over-heating is absolutely my most most serious concern with Subaru's, just based-on my personal experience(s), and from what I've read.

5. What sort of real-world MPG's are folks getting with Baja's? And is there much of a drop-off in gas mileage with the Turbo?

6. Sorry, I got a bit carried-away - I think that's enough (more than??) for now ... I have a lot to learn here (and I've already pulled-up http://forums.nasioc.com/ to learn more).

Thanks,
ffrm

[YBajaSteve]

Baja's were only made from 03-06. All come with a 2.5 boxer engine. Starting in 04 they made a 2.5 turbo. The only lift Ive ever heard of (and Ive looked pretty hard) is the scorpion body lift, and its like 2 inches or so??? and its a body lift (lame) and its like 800+dollars???. Correct me if im wrong Suby Gods. not much for offroad support, and by not much i mean virtually none. Tires are also VERY limited when it comes to offroad. The two I ever hear of are Yoko Geolanders and Grabber AT2's. Baja wheelwells just dont give us many options. Also, starting in either 04 or 05, (ive heard both) the stock baja suspension was lifted like an inch, so an 05 would be an inch higher then my 03, but Im pretty sure I can get 05 springs and i would be rocking the same ride height or so. I would give this vehicle a good rating in the rugged section tho, as I hear many stories about bajas passing jeeps in the snow and shit, Subaru AWD is pretty much awesome.

Leather shouldnt be hard to find. When i was looking I saw more with leather than anything else.

As far as MPG, check out the MPG thread, i think its right on top. I think these vehicles get great gas mileage. and dont forget, turbo'd Baja's require premium gas

05 or 06 would be the way to go compared to an 03 when it comes to just overall condition of the vehicle of course, but i found my 03 with like 45k on it just this year, (i dont think thats very high) so i was cool with that. Its only going to get harder to find 03-04's with low miles.

Reliability- I think that Subarus are pretty darn reliable compared to most american manufactuers, but some of the other guys will be able to give you more info on that, I havent owned my vehicle long enough to have any problems Im pretty sure there is a thread on here somewhere about all the goods and bads and possible problems people have had.

And one last thing, this site doesnt have near enough traffic as I would like, it takes awhile for some of the suby veterans to reply sometimes. Nasioc has alot more action. Most of us usually post on both sites if we dont get an answer on here. Theres an actual Baja thread on there if you didnt see it.

[formerFordRangerMan]

Excellent info - thanks again ...

If I may ask, what type of mileage (MPG's) are you getting, and in what type of driving?

Thanks again,
Glenn ...

[YBajaSteve]

well i think i average around 22-25 mpg. But its all moderate to heavy traffic, city driving. lots of stops and goes. I really dont keep track as well as i should.

My above posts dont want to discourage you from buying a Baja tho! They are great vehicles!!!

[davecoon13]

I am averaging 22-25MPG in heavy traffic (combined city/hwy) with my 2003 naturally aspirated Baja. I think that 2005-2006 models have a higher ground clearance (an inch or two) than 03-04 models.

[yellowblaze]

Ok, we've got an 03 NA Baja with almost 89k on it. We were averaging @24mpg, more like 22 lately, but we are on winter gas now. Best was a bit over 31 MPG highway on a trip to Florida. Best vehicle we've ever owned, wish they still made them (actually considering trying to find a late MY06 to trade on to give us a few more years in warranty on one).

As far as off roading. They can and will do VERY well off road. The biggest issue you will have is clearance, and the 03/04's have a bit less than the 05/06's. Angle of approach/departure is not good. However, they are extremely capable in mud and slippery terrain, like wet rocks and pebbles. I speak from experiance.

Here are some pics of ours trying out it's heritage:

Mud:


Wet rocks and pebbles, was slippery when I got out to take this:


They are also good in the snow: http://baja.jaxed.com/vid/ice_highway.avi The ruts you see are not from other cars, but off road vehicles. We've done this many, many times on "seasonal use highways" (meaning unplowed dirt roads) near us. Gave a truck the shock of his life when we drove past him onto one with snow up to the grill a few weeks ago. Ah, I love my Baja!