Overview & Reviews
The Baja is all new for 2003. It's similar to the Subaru Outback, but it has an open cargo bed. Certainly a niche vehicle, it should appeal to people with active lifestyles, especially those who ski or surf.
- Comfortable ride, stable handling, decent fuel mileage, multiple configurations, unlikely to be lost in a parking lot.
User Reviews:
Showing 31 through 40 of 97.00-
Love My Baja!! - 2003 Subaru Baja
By yellowblaze - January 3 - 2:16 amWhen we wanted to trade our gas sucking Bronco, this was the only option. Car like performance, truck like utility and unique looks combined into one. Weve gotten up to 31 mpg highway and average 23-24 mixed city/suburban driving. Were looking for a new "car" now, but our only option is an 06 Baja (since sadly, Subaru discontinued these in 06). We love the Subaru AWD and reliability but wont settle for a station wagon or minivan which is all they really offer now. This was the BEST of all automotive worlds!
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Its about time - 2003 Subaru Baja
By Fafnir - December 20 - 2:00 amThe vehicle I was looking for was to be used for primarily for around town driving and an occasional trip to the park with the dogs or to the home and garden store. I wanted something more car like not truck like and still have truck bed. This is it. The ride is smooth and the seats hold you in place. Steering and handling are great with the Speed Sensitive Power Steering and AWD. The power is good with the AWD switching the power to the rear wheels. Gas mileage is a little better getting 20-25 mpg. The AWD is easy to use as it does not require my interventions. It is fun to drive and gets a lot of looks.
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Japanese made had better quality - 2003 Subaru Baja
By illanrob - December 20 - 2:00 amMy third Subaru a Baja auto has atrocious piston slap after 2kmi. Serviced twice to resolve the loud engine tapping noise during the first 7 min of driving: the timing belt tensioner was replaced 1st, adjusted a 2nd visit. Neither repair worked. Another Subaru dealer mechanic says engine is not normal it needs further investigation. Area Rep Ed Luksic (Georgia Alabama), came drove it and says that it is normal, not a problem, they all have the same condition, his own Baja does the same thing, should last 130kmi or so. The area Rep would have some concern if I can prove that only ONE cyl is causing the problem. Otherwise NO!
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El Camino to Baja - 2003 Subaru Baja
By bruce nole - November 19 - 11:50 pmAfter owning a 1985 Chevrolet el Camino with over 450,000 miles, I agreed to sell it to a private party because I knew I replace it with a new Baja. No need to wait for a Turbo model to come out. Not a sports car ... not an off road 4x4 ... but I can get from place to place, good roads and bad in remarkable time. 1st set of tires 78,000 miles. Shocks replaced and clutch. Carries more then you would think it does. Smooth highway driver. Absolutely invisible on the road allowing remarkably low travel time and exceptional mileage ... 25 mpg if I am really moving and can get 30ish within 5 mph of speed limit with cruise control. Any other 4 door pickup do that? I dont think so.
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Swiss Army Knife of vehicles - 2003 Subaru Baja
By D J Smith - November 15 - 10:00 amIve had my Baja for about 5 months, so far it has been perfect, no problems at all. I have the non-Turbo four cylinder which I am very happy with. The gas mileage is better than I expected, acceleration is fine. The best feature of the Baja is its versatility. True, it doesnt have a full-size pick-up bed but with the extender I havent missed that. I really like the fact that I can move my kids home from college, have the bed packed full, and still have room for 4 people. Intially I didnt like the two-tone color scheme (red and silver) but now that I have had it for awhile I love it.
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Owner, Driver - 2003 Subaru Baja
By frontierman - October 4 - 10:00 amIt is agreat little sport UV. Great gas mileage ,excellent ride and handling. Brakes are excellent, reliability is superior to most vehicles.
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poor seats - 2003 Subaru Baja
By john burton - September 27 - 10:36 amOverall I am pleased with my recent purchase. Seats are my biggest complaint. Poor support, and no padding for the tush. The car I purchased is having some transmission slippage. Have brought it back, and they said to keep an eye on it.
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BRAT Returns - 2003 Subaru Baja
By rick byrd - August 19 - 2:00 amIve had to get used to the sometimes stodgy clutch, but, outside of this, driving is a blast, with surprising power in fourth if you want to test the rpms. Ive had some SUV fans tell me that AWD is not good for off-road, but havent had a chance to test this yet.
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Love the Baja - 2003 Subaru Baja
By Glenn n Tom - August 8 - 4:36 amWe fell in love with the car/truck the 1st time we saw it @ the Philly flower show 2001.The yellow paint sticks out every where we go, yellow was our 1st choice. We love its styling, its comfortable, its certainly not a car you see very often...like the RAV4. The vehicle is on the louder side with the frameless windows and AWD tires. Versatility...great for Home Depot during the day and dinning @ night. We seem to do about 28 hwy/24 city non turbo. Rearward visibility could be better; the c pillars generate a huge blind spot, as well as the rear headrests are non-movable.
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What a great surprise! - 2003 Subaru Baja
By 2 Bees - June 15 - 5:06 amMy husband brought his Subaru down to the states from Canada 10 years ago.In South Florida it was an "oddball" to say the least. When we moved to Las Vegas it was in much better company but getting old. While in the dealership for service we watched the Bajas get unloaded, once I saw the yellow one I was hooked! Between the quality and finish I love this car. (No, its not a truck!) What a blast dashing through the Las Vegas wash in this vehicle, great for off road adventures! I now participate in art festivals and only a minivan will out do this baby. We had a kayak carrier built we love everything about our Baja!
