Kev M

I didn't realize there was a section for the Baja at NASIOC, I'll have to check it out. Ozzbros tonneau is definitely on the wish list. I took some pics this morning, I'll try to post em next week. Kev

About 1500 installed, but I BET the dealeship had some profit buried in that (not that I begrudge em it). They did the front and rear seats in our choice of leather, the seams look like they were specifically meant for the Baja. There is map-pocket netting on the back of each front seat. The back seats and headrests are covered. And the heating elements are da' bomb. The high setting is actually bordering on too hot to leave for any length of time. I might feel different after a cold night ski, but time will tell. Kev

PICKED IT UP LAST NIGHT!!!! OMG, I realize I'm preaching to the choir here, but what a great little truck. I was only living without a car for a week or so, but I couldn't have picked a better night to pick it up since it's in the low 40s and raining and I have to pick my daughter up at school this afternoon. She loves riding the motorcycles, but is gonna be psyched Daddy has a car again. And honestly, WOW, that's the key. I HAVE A CAR again. I haven't had a CAR since the late 80s, just a series of trucks, some real POSes and others not so POS, but still. I'm so happy with the way this vehicle drives and turns. It was dry last night so I got to toss it into some curves and it handles better than any "truck" I've owned, even the very car-like Jeep GC WJ. I'm also REALLY happy with both the heated leather seats (I'm SO glad I had the dealership add them, we chose a medium-to-dark gray and it goes very well with the rest of the interior), as well as the 7-speaker sound system! Anyway, I was so excited I had to share!!! Kev

Judging from some of the latest replies, I THINK they missed the point where I said that I BOUGHT A NEW BAJA YESTERDAY!!!! But thanks for the advice supporting the decision. Brucey - I'm well aware of the platform relationship between the Caliber and Compass, and I'm under the impression that there is also some, perhaps more distant relationship between them and either the Mistsubishi Outlander and/or Mitsu Lancer. Also, in my research I didn't bother to check the dimensions (ground clearance, wheelbase, track, etc) of the Caliber vs. the Compass and I haven't driven the Caliber, yet, the fact remains that the Compass is a relatively tall bodied car-based (crossover) cute-ute. Dimensionally it's VERY similar to the Cherokee I just sold. I think the overall length is very similar and the roof height is almost identical. AND that last point (roof height) is likely a large part of the equation. Overall center of gravity is higher, MUCH higher, than the Baja, which makes it feel less stable and more tippy, especially in corners. I.E. more like an SUV than a car.

Here's the post I put on the Jeep board, as they helped me examine the Compass quite a lot (did I put in my original post that I was mostly considering the Baja vs. the Compass), well here it is So, as you can see I respect the Compass, but I decided that the Baja drove/handled MUCH more like what I wanted. Plus I was definitely impressed by the seeming quality of the Subaru from a fit/finish to engineering standpoint. Kev

Those are great numbers. Anyone have a tape measure or a specs book to tell me the total distance from the front edge of the bed to the edge of the tailgate when it is down? With a steel loading ramp/channel assembly, I almost wonder if I couldn't get the Harley or the Guzzi in there in an emergency??? They're certainly light enough! Kev

We bought our 98 Forrester right before my daughter was born. I remember a blizzard on the day we were bringing her back to the doctor for the "third day out of the hospital" check-up. We had a set of Blizzaks on the Forrester and the thing JUST STUCK to the road. We saw at least 2 accidents occur in front of us on the way there, but we never even slipped. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to us Kelli REALLY needed the checkup. Her Billyrubin count had skyrocketed so badly she was in danger and had to be admitted to the Infant ICU. Thank God we didn't hesitate to bring her back just because of the snow. Anyway, if we get the Baja it will be our foul weather vehicle (far more capable than a supercharged Mini Cooper or a Moto Guzzi or a Harley in the snow), so it will sure as heck see the weather! Kev

Great site - thanks!

Thanks for the reply. Turbo - not even a consideration. I want an overbuilt and understressed motor for long term use (and I suspect the naturally aspirated one will tow better when we do use it to move the boat). Besides, we've got a supercharged Mini Cooper and a couple of motorcycles for speed/handling. The cargo capacity of 666 lbs? That's total bed capacity? That's encouraging, because a couple hundred pounds of tongue weight shouldn't make a difference then. I do wish they had heated leather seats available from the factory (on the Sport) that would make the decision even easier. But now I have to face whether or not to upgrade that myself. Honestly, I'm leaning heavily towards it right now. FOUND AN ABSOLUTE BEAUTY online, but damnit, it's 200 miles away, I can't just "drop by" and see it tomorrow. We'll see.

Bump for some feedback from Baja owners.... PLEASE...

Handles great, that would be SUCH a change after spending the past 5-6 years in a Jeep Cherokee (loved the Jeep, tough vehicle, but ready for a change I think). Take the Baja any distance yet? How comfortable on the highway? How does it deal with rough roads? I'm already certain I know how it deals with foul weather, as the Forrester we used to own was AWESOME. Kev

Going to drive one tomorrow. If we like it, there's a good chance we'll be buying one this weekend or this coming week! We'll see.

A topper? You mean, like a truck cap???? no sir, no worries. Tonnueau (<---sp?) cover ok? Kev

Goter, Did you find a solution????

Ohhh a real live Baja Owner, tell me more! Very interested in this vehicle. Kev

I'm very interested in hearing about this if anyone has done it!!!!! Kev

Hey all, Nice to meet you. I'm soliciting opinions here. Any Baja owners out there want to help try to convince me to buy one? My ex has a 1998 Forrester with 158k miles on it that has treated her QUITE well. I've always been a fan of Scoobie-Doos and seriously considered one when the WRX came out. I'm not looking for a Turbo anymore, getting older and more boring, but I just got rid of a Jeep Cherokee and need a new daily driver (for when I'm not on my bikes), grocery getter, ski trip vehicle, and occassional light duty (1500 lbs boat) tow vehicle. I'm TOYING with the new Jeep Compass, and very, very, very distantly looking at some RAV4s, but the Baja has really got my attention. What's the Good, the Bad and the Ugly? Kev