"What is THAT?" is the question I get asked when I tell friends and co-workers that I have purchased a Subaru Baja.  Answer:  3/4 car mixed with 1/4 pick-up truck in a small and easily handled package with AWD.  Followed by "What FOR?"  This web site will attempt to answer that question...                                                             

I would appreciate hearing from others who enjoy recreational driving.  I am curious how many other Baja owners exist.  My guess is were a pretty rare breed right now.   Here's a list of my likes and dislikes so far:

Likes:

     Unique styling

     Precise handling

     Comfortable to drive

     Quiet ride

     AWD - "the beauty of all-wheel drive"

     Decent gas mileage - 28 mpg on highway

     Utility of a pick-up truck

     Low roof makes loading on top easier (kayak)

Dis-likes:

     Low HP and torque (no turbo)

     Rear view not too good for lane changing

     Sun roof really loud when open and going fast

     Needs better choice of interior colors.  But I am not unhappy with the black & gray.

     Needs a little more ground clearance - if one is to do a bit more than basic trail driving

     I've already scratched and cut the front facia in several places.  VERY soft plastic, indeed.

     Price - without discounts and rebates, Baja costs a lot - around $25,000!

Overall, it is really good for what I want.  I was looking to get away from the roll-over prone, gas-guzzling, insurance premium crazy gigantism of your typical SUV.    I do miss sitting way up high on those beasts, though.  I guess you can't have everything, right?

Update 6/1/06 - Baja production discontinued.  I visited the Subaru factory last May and was told the Baja had ceased production at the end of March.  Reason was low sales, of course. 

Update 4/25/05 - Just over a year after buying the Baja, I still am getting asked by people, "how do you like it"  or even "it's very cute".  I finally got the Baja stuck in a ditch while off-roading last month.  Fortunately I had with me a friend with his jeep.  It pulled out quite easily.  Bumper facias's are now scratched on the bottom, and the rear bumper is not attached very well from underneath.  But to look at it, you'd never know.  I'll be posting some of those pictures soon.