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 11 through 20 of 97.00

• 

  Buy Only If You Plan To Keep It! - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By TURBO9956 - March 28 - 11:03 am

  Squeaks and rattles seem to be the norm. My automatic transmission has never shifted right - its slow to do everything (my dealer says its normal). The engine clicks and rattles - again, "normal". So, I decide that I will trade it -nope. I almost passed out when I received my offer. Tried to sell it, nobody wants it. I received a "guaranteed trade value" from Subaru HA! they dont even want it back. The back seat is a joke.

• 

  Just wouldnt die - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By Trent - June 9 - 5:00 pm

  I had a 2003 baja which I bought at 100,000 miles. Over the next two years, I added on 60,000 miles using it as a commuter car. I bought the car with few mechanical problems, and over the long commutes and two years on an already dated car, I was rather impressed with its reliability. Over the course of those miles, the only repairs were brake pads, rotors, muffler repair, sealing an oil leak and a lower ball joint. I finally trades it in once an O2 sensor failed at 162,000 miles. All in all, pretty respectable considering it is 13 years old in the rust belt. The bed was very useful for moving washers, dryers, beds, etcetera. I got my use out of it. I would buy another if they were still making them.

• 

  I wish I had your Baja :( - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By kch5 - January 27 - 9:56 am

  90k miles M/T. If only the engine reliability was as great as the ride. Consistent 1Qt oil consumed per 1k miles driven since got at 60k (and Im assured by Subaru this is normal and not to worry about it, just fill it up every third gas fill up, no problem). Both head gaskets just blew, along with failed battery and failed water thermostat. To repair all problems, were talking new battery, head gaskets, thermostat, new piston rings or short block replacement=$5500 at dealer (about equal to trade in value), which means good-bye or home rebuild. Heartbroken trying to find a non-Subaru manual AWD replacement.

• 

  03 Baja - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By HKF - April 11 - 8:03 pm

  Red on silver clad with graphite cloth interior. Optional bed cover and hitch. Great car, sticks to the road like velcro. Upgraded with aftermarket audio to provide handsfree bluetooth, roadnoise inerferes. Transmission has a mind of its own, upshifts are unpredictable and downshifts let the engine revs hit the red line. The soft bed cover is more work than I expected but keeps the bed clean and mostly dry. Overall, fun to drive and really unique. Defies categorizing.

• 

  Still disappointed after 2 years - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By Disappointed in De - February 12 - 12:50 pm

  From the day, I drove it off the lot, it has had squeaks. I have had it in four times and the dealer has never been able to make any improvements. Drivers area is cramped.

• 

  love it - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By angiono - August 18 - 2:00 am

  it has plenty of pep gets out of its own way, great on fuel, just missing heated seats, easy for a women to drive and get in and out of and you can store a ton in the cargo area.

• 

  Nicks Baja - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By Nickb - May 25 - 2:00 am

  Excellent traction on wet roads. Cant wait to test in Winter. Could use more power. But once moving feels spirited when need to passing.

• 

  Take a chance! - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By Peter Troost - January 29 - 10:00 am

  I have been very happy with my Baja, but fair warning -- people either love it or hate it. The pickup bed is great for hauling garbage to the dump or throwing in the hockey bag. One drawback, however, is that you cant really drive with the passthrough open in the winter because its cold! The only way to carry long items such as skis in the winter is on the roof. The stereo is garbage. Finally, mine has had a squeak in the back seat somewhere that has been very hard for the dealer to locate and is very annoying. Be sure to test drive the actual car you are going to buy.

• 

  4th time around - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By UrABus - January 22 - 7:23 pm

  This is my 4th Subaru, my 1st was a GL- 10 loaded 5 speed w/4wh pneumatic air lift shocks 22 mpg. I bought one for each of my kids for safety and dependability, and wanted this vehicle since the BRAT hit the street. Im glad I waited, this is better. 22 mpg. 6 mile commute. 98,000 miles runs like a top. My GL-10 could air lift 3 inches for more ground clearance. A great feature for this one. Air noise, yep, its a truck not a limo. Shift slock between 15 and 20, yep, but it makes up it own mind. AWD yep, but Im not so sure about reverse. Maybe that why it has the hooks on the back. Michigan snow,no problem. Gawkers, yep,its a guy thing. Not a babe magnet. I would buy another one in a minute.

• 

  Subaru reliability? - 2003 Subaru Baja
  By bratissimo - December 17 - 10:00 am

  The first time it rained the sunroof leaked and had to be replaced. I had it in 3 times for running rough and dying on start up. The dealer said "Subarus are quirky" After 5 months of running poorly check engine light came on, and it was towed to the nearest dealership who found a defective MAP sensor and fouled plug wire. 7 days later it was back on a tow truck in a different state wit the same problem. I spent my vacation getting my car fixed and NOT skiing. I have a 23 year old subaru that is a better car than this. What happened to Subarus legendary quality?