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Subaru Baja

2213 messages,  Last post on Feb 20, 2012 at 8:57 AM

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What is this discussion about? Subaru Baja, Truck

Messages Page 182 of 223

#1802 of 2213 by ateixeira

Sep 08, 2004 (9:15 am)

Fair question - but that's why I brought up CR-V sales.
 
If someone walks into a dealer intending to buy a CR-V, but buys the cheaper Element, that's a cannibalized sale, i.e. no good for Honda. They make less profit because it's cheaper, and their costs are higher because they have to sell 2 models.
 
However, CR-V sales are up, combined sales are way up, 60,000 more than before the Element. Therefore I don't think that's the case. Element is bringing a different buyer into the show room.
 
Baja hasn't really brought anyone new to Subaru dealers.
 
I'll reiterate my opinion - build a 2006 Baja on the new Legacy platform, just price is carefully, a bit below a comparable Outback. You really have to do that *and* add some size and utility to it.
 
-juice

#1803 of 2213 future baja? by bkaiser1

Sep 08, 2004 (9:32 am)

This is a car I really want to like, and it seems so good on paper -- but every time I've looked at one in person I just can't see how it would be more practical than my station wagon. The lack of a midgate (the pass through looks totally useless to me) combined with such a small bed makes me wonder what I'd ever be able to haul with a Baja.
 
We've thought a few times about buying another pickup (we currently have an Accord and WRX wagon) but for all the times we've borrowed pickups to haul things, none would have fit inside a Baja. Furniture? Forget it. At least with a wagon you can fold the seats and have a flat surface from the tailgtate to the front seats.
 
The Baja is a fantastic idea -- I fell in love with the STX concept before the Baja debuted -- but the execution fell short, most critically with the midgate omission. I'd love to see Subaru update this model and move it to the new (larger) platform, but only if the midgate appears.
 
It will be interesting, too, to see how the new Honda SUT fares in the market. Based on the Pilot, the size looks to be just about perfect and may prove to be more practical.
 
Brian

#1804 of 2213 by ateixeira

Sep 08, 2004 (9:40 am)

I do see them more at the beach than here at home, and it would make for a good light-duty beach mobile.
 
I would need several improvements, though:
 
* full-size spare, you can't even get on the beach with a donut
* 5 passenger seating
* bigger bed, preferably 6" longer at least
* locking tonneau cover
* lower price (delete leather/moonroof)
* less weight or more power (both, really)
 
If it lacked any one of those it would be a hard sell for my wife.
 
-juice

#1805 of 2213 by once_for_all

Sep 08, 2004 (1:07 pm)

I don't see the pass through as that important of a feature. A complete conversion, ala Avalanche, has more usefulness. But the current Baja pass through isn't functional except for skis and waterboards, etc.
 
The Honda SUT is the one to watch--if they can add another 50,000 units a year, Honda will have carved out quite a niche in the SUV-T arena.
 
Frankly, I have not been fond of going to a Honda dealer after shopping for an Odyssey and then the Element. I ended up with a Mazda MPV and the Forester, in part because the Honda mystique and arrogance (and unwillingness to sell even at MSRP) were too much to stomach.
 
John

#1806 of 2213 Mid Gate Critical? by ateixeira

Sep 08, 2004 (1:10 pm)

For whatever reason, neither do I. I guess I'll just use the roof rack instead.
 
Hummer H2 SUT has a full midgate, but the Honda won't have any at all.
 
-juice

#1807 of 2213 by once_for_all

Sep 08, 2004 (1:17 pm)

to answer the above post, I *would* find the bed extremely useful compared to my Forester, to carry such items as bags of cement, occasional car battery, a gallon gas can, any motorized/fueled up object, a shovel, a tire needing repair, etc...
 
I am getting myself worked up again. I have had all these and more in my Forester and it ain't a pleasant experience.
 
John

#1808 of 2213 Bed vs. Wagon by yooper

Sep 08, 2004 (5:19 pm)

I have a Baja and an Outback. I haul a whole lot more with my Baja than I ever have with the Outback.
 
One can of gas for a lawnmower inside a wagon and you will want the outside bed of the Baja.
 
 I have also hauled two 55 gallon barrels (my garbage cans) with an additional 2 garbage cans in my Baja. I have hauled a small riding mower, 10 foot long PVC pipe (using the midgate), 2x4's, 5 foot tall shrubbery, and who knows what else that I couldn't in the Outback.
 
It is a perfect vehicle for the person who does light jobs and commutes with the same vehicle.
 
Once I owned it I was finding all sorts of things I could do with it.

#1809 of 2213 Longer Bed Baja - Look at Australia's competition by yooper

Sep 08, 2004 (5:33 pm)

For those of you wanting a longer bed, check out this site. This is the Australian based Holden company (I think it is owned by GM). The car in the photos is called the Crewman. It might give you an idea of what a Baja with a longer bed would look like.
 
http://www.holden.com.au/www-holden/action/gallery?navid=2&ca- tid=1104&modelid=23002

#1810 of 2213 Re: Bed vs. Wagon [yooper] by rsholland

Sep 08, 2004 (5:54 pm)

Replying to: yooper (Sep 08, 2004 5:19 pm)
Excellent comments! The cross-comparison with your Outback is good to point out too. Here's a perfect example of why there are reasons for the Baja to continue.
 
SOA, are ya listening?
 
Bob

#1811 of 2213 baja & haulin' comparisons by fast_ford

Sep 08, 2004 (7:45 pm)

Not haulin much?
 
I line the bed with a plastic tarp, fold down the tailgate with the bed extender & have a friend load me up with horse manure for my garden. Holds 2 nice size front end loader scoups.
 
Compare to avalanche? Maybe not as big but no avalanche is gonna get 30 mpg on a trip.
 
There could be a few improvements, but I like this little truck & I had an F150 before it.
 
ff

Messages Page 182 of 223

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