Paint issues...

[davecoon13]

The paint on my 2003 Baja Sport (Silverstone Metallic) is now showing its age. On my passenger side mirror, the black matte finish has worn off and there is bare metal exposed. My drivers side mirror had to be replaced when a thick metal plate from a truck on the interstate flew at my car and sheared the mirror clean off, so that side does not have the problem.

On the top of the plastic cladding, at the seam where the plastic cladding transitions to the metal body, that plastic seam is now almost completely devoid of paint and is an ugly whitish yellow color instead of the silverstone metallic color it should have.

The dealer says that the bumper to bumper warranty excludes these problems.

Has anyone else had a similar experience?

[steve w]

My understanding of the warranty is that the paint/body has a 100,000 mile warranty, although yhis may be for rust. Call Subaru directly and get their input. Good luck!
Steve W.

[Packa]

The spot where the cladding meets the metal bodywork is transitioned with a plastic strip called "welting." This is similar to the black strip that separated the fenders from the body of a classic VW Beetle.

That weldting on Baja's is painted to match the cladding, and it a Baja bugaboo. You'll see that yellowish discoloration on LOTS of Baja's.

For some reason, Subaru doesn't use that welting on the Outback Wagons...

[davecoon13]

My understanding of the warranty is that the paint/body has a 100,000 mile warranty, although yhis may be for rust. Call Subaru directly and get their input. Good luck!

I called them a while back. They said that the warranty is only for "rust perforation" meaning that it must be completely rusted through and that the metal has lost its integrity. They also said that any area that is exposed to airborne debris from the road (like the side mirrors), is excluded from the warranty. What a rip off---I paid all this money for the 6year/60k "added security" and I've come to find out that absolutely nothing is covered under that warranty.

[mbaksic]

Dave,
Don't feel too bad about it, it is the same thing on a Dodge. If it is a factory paint problem, that is the paint is peeling off of the sheetmetal, then they usually cover it. But if its from something hitting something, like your mirror, then it is not covered. Same thing with chips in the paint, that is not a factory paint problem, just something like a rock or sand hitting the car, so not covered. Most all manufacturers are like this. Same for rust, if something is rusted through, they will cover it, if its just rust on a seam, they will not. Mike

[davecoon13]

Dave,
Don't feel too bad about it, it is the same thing on a Dodge.

Since you are a Dodge Person who is also a Baja Person, let me ask you about this car on e-bay.

Should I bid on this? Growing up, my mom had a Horizon, then an Omni (on which I think this cruck is based). What other Front Wheel Drive mini car pickup exists?

[mbaksic]

Dave,
Those were pretty neat in their day. Because of the price I think, there weren't too many around. They drive like the Omni/Horizon. Kinda like a Baja. The only other one like it was a VW, built the same way.
Because of the age, anything can happen to it. Also, remember that it has a carb on it, no fuel injection, so driveability issues could be a problem.
It prolly has a 2.2 liter engine, which was good but an oil leaker from various parts of the engine. Also, they seemed to eat a head gasket every now and then, about 60-70,000 miles. But on that engine, its a piece of cake to do a headgasket. If I had the money and room for one, I would buy it because like a Brat, not many around anymore.
Mike

[SPPIII]

Has anyone got little tiny hair-line fractures in the paint? I have contacted by local subaru dealer and was told a General Manager would contact me... Two Months have gone by and no response. I beleive its a manufacturing defect/paint defect.

I have tried to take a picture, but the little cracks are hard to focus on with a $50 camera. My hood and side fenders are covered with these little cracks and are only visible from 4 feet or closer.

[the slug]

Not on mine. 2003 Dark Blue.

If any one else has the same problem, please post with the year and color. Might help SPPIII to look for a pattern if its a manufacturing defect/paint defect.