So my wife is coming around to Subaru...

[Chiketkd]

She 'liked' my SVX but has recently been really impressed with the layout and design of my new WRX. She's seriously thinking about trading in her current '02 Lancer ES for - get this - a used Subaru Baja!

I wanted to see if anyone on here has owned one and can give me insight into common issues with these cars. We haven't gone to a dealer to look at one yet, and also had a few other questions:

-Do these *trucks* seat just 4 people? It looks like the cupholder in the rear is fixed.
-What kinda gas mileage have you seen once the engine is broken-in?
-With the optional bed extender, how useful is the truck bed/cargo area?

I'll be able to handle any minor/moderate maintenance issues that arise, and if anything major goes down, I'll take it to Svxfiles shop for work.

Here's a few pics of one we're considering at our local Carmax - an '03 with 50K miles:





-Chike

P.S. She doesn't want the turbo - she would like to have one car in the family that doesn't require premium fuel. She's also not interested in a Legacy GT wagon, Impreza wagon or Forester.

[n00b on demand]

PM subafreak

[Earthworm]

Originally Posted by n00b on demand

PM subafreak

Except he has/had the turbo.

[shelfy]

Originally Posted by Chiketkd

-What kinda gas mileage have you seen once the engine is broken-in?

i averaged 25.934 mpg (evenly combined city / highway driving) through 45499.4 miles of ownership on a 2000 legacy gt limited sedan. never did much more than change oil and filter. i wouldn't imagine you'd have any problems with it at all.

[Manarius]

I'm sure she won't like the extra tag and fee it costs to register the Baja as a truck. If it wasn't for that, I wouldn't mind having one either.

[Chiketkd]

Originally Posted by shelfy

i averaged 25.934 mpg (evenly combined city / highway driving) through 45499.4 miles of ownership on a 2000 legacy gt limited sedan. never did much more than change oil and filter. i wouldn't imagine you'd have any problems with it at all.

Thanks Ken. Trust a bean counter to keep such diligent gas mileage records!

Originally Posted by Manarius

I'm sure she won't like the extra tag and fee it costs to register the Baja as a truck. If it wasn't for that, I wouldn't mind having one either.

Explain? I owned a '00 SVT Lightning previously and didn't pay an extra fee that I was aware of in the state of VA.

[Noir]

sweet dude. turn her to the scooby side.

[Chiketkd]

Originally Posted by Noir

sweet dude. turn her to the scooby side.

I try Harry... Scooby for life!!!!

[Noir]

Originally Posted by Chiketkd

I try Harry... Scooby for life!!!!

one day she might sport blue scooby shirts.

[upnygimp]

I love the baja's utility, but there are a few complaints I have about the car itself- the engine is gutless, and it has massive amounts of body roll- almost like driving an actual truck. Other than that, I mighta bought one if I could have found one for a reasonable price. I'm pretty glad I ended up with the WRX instead though.

Right now, I would probably trade the WRX for a FXT- the torqueless 2.0 practically begs you to spool the turbo and get bad gas mileage.

[Chiketkd]

Originally Posted by Noir

one day she might sport blue scooby shirts.

LOL! That'll be the day...

Originally Posted by upnygimp

I love the baja's utility, but there are a few complaints I have about the car itself- the engine is gutless, and it has massive amounts of body roll- almost like driving an actual truck. Other than that, I mighta bought one if I could have found one for a reasonable price. I'm pretty glad I ended up with the WRX instead though.

Right now, I would probably trade the WRX for a FXT- the torqueless 2.0 practically begs you to spool the turbo and get bad gas mileage.

Her current car has a 120hp inline 4. The 165hp 2.5L will be a serious step-up for her! Body roll is not a problem, she drives pretty conservatively and wasn't buying this with performance in mind - mainly comfort & utility.

I know what you mean about the 2.0L turbo engine. I'm definitely glad I waited to get my '06!

[Manarius]

Originally Posted by Chiketkd

Explain? I owned a '00 SVT Lightning previously and didn't pay an extra fee that I was aware of in the state of VA.

Perhaps they don't have that in that state. In this state, Trucks pay an extra license fee and a higher base license fee for owning a truck. Apparently, they beat up the road more or something....

[Chiketkd]

Originally Posted by Manarius

Perhaps they don't have that in that state. In this state, Trucks pay an extra license fee and a higher base license fee for owning a truck. Apparently, they beat up the road more or something....

Yeah, that doesn't happen in VA. Must be a way for your state to generate more revenue for PENNDOT!

[Noir]

Originally Posted by Chiketkd

LOL! That'll be the day...

Her current car has a 120hp inline 4. The 165hp 2.5L will be a serious step-up for her! Body roll is not a problem, she drives pretty conservatively and wasn't buying this with performance in mind - mainly comfort & utility.

I know what you mean about the 2.0L turbo engine. I'm definitely glad I waited to get my '06!

do eet!!! let the scooby bug bite!!!

[Landshark]

good choice - i hate the two-toned ones (even SVX's!), and the all-silver Baja is the best looking one, IMHO.

i believe they only do seat 4 people (may be able to cram 1 extra in the rear seat, but probably not very comfortably.)
solution: throw some jump seats in the cargo bed ala teh Brat!

that's probably what i should have got the wifey, but she does enjoy getting into the boost from time to time in her WRX. she drove a base model Cavalier for so long, i wanted to get her something fun (and safe.)