Seahag1978

My Brat would never make the trip

Welcome to the fun world of the Baja! They're GREAT little trucklets! There are 2 Baja specific forums that I know of, http://www.scoobytruck.com and a Baja forum at http://www.nasioc.com scroll waaaaay down and you'll find it. There are some posts in the New Generation forum here, just search Baja and you'll get all the posts. Mary PS: That sourdough sounds REAL good! Wanna share?

I was dead serious when I posted that they had to cover the cost of re-fixing the car when it got screwed up. I work in an environment where the risk of having to re-do work is very high... the starting price has to cover the cost of having to re-do it and NOT lose money... it doesn't very happen often, but having that "cushion" makes it as if the job never happened. Every business, no matter the size has the same costs based on volume and perks. Realistically, the "techs" should make 1/4 of the price charged... 1/2 goes to overhead (health isurance, workers comp, lights, heat, snow removal, uniforms, soap, rags, free coffee for customers in the lounge etc.) and 1/4 reserved in the likely event that another tech will need to fix a misdiagnosis. A good mechanic will usually charge less because he's got more confidence in his ability to do it right the first time... he depends upon himself. Keeping good help in a dealership is tough... the good ones go out on their own, or work for an indy where the pay is according to skill.

A screwdriver and a prayer

When I went to order a gas tank, they wanted payment up front with a 4-6 week delivery time. I called around and found a repair shop who would install it. They called and ordered it, and since they had an account with them, it didn't have to paid in advance. It took the dealership over a month to find out it was unavailable. If I had gone through the dealership, my money would have been held all that time and no tank!

The Baja! I've had it for 2 payments now. You'd need to kill me to take it! It's a dream to drive. You really gotta get one. Even beats out the red LeMans convertible I had waaaaaay back when!

I have had my Baja Turbo 5 sp. for about 6 weeks. I love it! I get somewhere between 20-25 mpg. I do city driving mostly, very short hops... a 3 mi. commute to work, I also go home for lunch. Premium gas puts a little damper on it, but other than that, I can't complain, and I traded a Hyundai that was sometimes getting as high as 42 mpg. highway. I love the Baja's gearing because even through residential areas (35 mph), I can get into 4th and pretty much just coast along. First gear is a little touchy... at about half-clutch, it wants to bolt, so takes a bit of finessing until you get used to it. On the highway, it has the all the power you'll need. The interior storage isn't any different than any other 4 door sedan, but obviously lacks closed trunk space... I going to look into a large collapsible waterproof bag, (like the Christmas tree storage bags) and a couple of bungees, to keep under the back seat in case of rain. We just got a black lab and at the suggestion of another board member, the seats fold down flat add a pad, it's a perfect platform for the dog... he loves it! Anyway, I love the car, it's a blast to drive and it's officially my all-time favorite!

Happy birthday Paulie!

awww, c'mon Northwet, not up for a ride? I bet your trail of breadcrumbs is still there!

After some thought, I would hate to lose the resources of the gen2 group by separating the forum into 2 sections. A lot of great information has come from them. They may tend to visit a gen1 forum less frequently and the more eyes the better. When I have a question or problem, I have found that the more specific you are in your title, the more response you'll get. If your post slips away without answers, my suggestion is to try changing the title, and bump it up. I guess I have to vote no.

Sounds good to me too!

You can get a small Global Priority envelope and it's $5.00 regardless of weight... whatever you can stuff into it flies. I have sent 10 lbs. of lead printing type in them to Australia and Spain. Rememeber to get the little green customs card when you get the envelope. You just fill it out and declare the value and contents and a signature. It's simple. Mailing time is usually less than 5 days. Regular mail takes up to 6 weeks and is much more expensive.

Paul, it was on again at midnight our time. Hey, hey, there's nothing wrong with chrome! I love chrome... shiny, bright, and sparkly! "...like a holiday"... Rainman.

Baja = Screamin'Mimi (my grandsons call me Mimi) Brat = Pass... will definitely get me banned :

huh?! ouch, that really hurt my head... took a second to get my bearings... all better now

Oh... now that you reminded me, I think I did see the drifting team's cars briefly (not sure, I could have looked away for a second), but I sure never correlated it to the import show... silly me. Quite frankly, the show was awful and it's an hour of my life I won't get back. Sorry for the negative attitude... it was a disappointment. I wanted to see more cars/trucks! Especially a Brat other than the one in my driveway! So... let's get back to Barry's teeth... they were pretty much the focus of the show... white-wall cleaner maybe?

One thing wrong with your theory. Subaru's car sales in the US are almost half of their total car sales worldwide. Now, on the other hand, the profit realized from Worldwide sales as opposed to US sales (given shipping, import/duty tax, emission compliance in the US) is another story... only Subaru knows that answer. All I know is that in my little corner of the world, I see more Subaru badges (and Ford trucks) coming toward me than any other. (Toyota comes in next). Anyway, behind the Subaru badge there is almost always a driver that's at/past middle age behind the wheel... car buying/driving experience says a lot more to me!

The best way without damage is to look for an old X-Cargo turtle from Sears (or similar rack from the day when hooks were used) and just use the straps and hooks that "attach" to the rain gutters. I drove from Florida to Mass. with it stuffed full... coming over that huge bridge on I-95, the wind was so bad it pushed me over a full lane... and I was fighting it too. I thought the whole Brat would go over before the load left the roof. I just lent (better say gave, I hate that when that happens) mine to a "friend" that was moving far away. hmmmm, never heard a peep from them since. *Note to self: Keep a list of things you lend out.

... and bikes. They never showed anything from the Import/Kit show. BTW, does Barry Maguiar use white wall cleaner on his teeth? Yikes!

Just thought I'd toss this into the shouldn't list... You must never allow your AWD to be emissions tested on a 2-wheel dynomometer. AWD vehicles are exempt from that portion of the test in the states that use them. Linda, AAA is a huge corporation with a lot of clout... I'm sure they will back you if a problem occurred as a direct result of negligence by one of their associates. The towing companies all carry liability insurance coverage and AAA has the muscle to collect on it... it's no skin off their back. Just stay with it, even if things appear ok, don't allow the complaint/case to be closed until YOU are satisfied that no damage was caused... even if it's a year down the road.

Check Off-Topic: Black Lab and Here's Skippy! posts. He'd look perfect in your Baja! haha!

I know someone who had the same experience... he was told sell repairs not needed. He couldn't live with that. He quit and started a lawnmowing business... he's a much happier man... and richer too!

Do the techs supply their own tools to work there? Might as well take a bone from a pitbull than a tech's personal tools. I see the disposal issue... but have to giggle about the supplies thing... our boat dealer charges by the "pound" for rags when our boat is serviced?! That's just silly, how many "pounds" of rags can you use on a job?!

Liability. For "re-fixing" your car in case of a screw-up that they need to correct. Read the posts on this board about cars that were improperly repaired at dealerships, that resulted in more damage that it went in with! I hate to say it, but the majority of the "mechanics" that work at dealerships are just parts-changers. Period. "Training/certification costs" is present in a utopian world only. I woud LOVE to pay the prices charged for a properly trained "mechanic" that has insight beyond a computer output.

Agree. Oh, one other question Linda, since the repairs were made... do you trust this car? If there is any doubt, please don't feel obligated drive a car you don't trust... and don't count cost in this equation. There is NO price for peace of mind. As you can see in my signature, I traded my 6 month old Hyundai because I just didn't trust it... regardless of the 10 year, 10,000 mi. warranty... it just didn't perform when I asked it to, and I felt endangered by it. The Baja is a dream to drive