This 2003 Subaru Baja is much newer than we typically show here, but it’s a unique vehicle that a lot of us non-contractors (who don’t need a full-sized pickup) could use for light-duty weekend hauling chores and drive it to work during the week. The seller has it listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Dalton, Georgia, and they’re asking $8,595. Here is the original listing, and thanks to PRA4SNW for the tip!
For the record, I know that a lot of people commute with full-sized pickups. I’m not sure if anyone here is a fan of newer Subarus or the “Fiat Jeeps,” as seen also in yellow behind this Baja. I like the photo location, although, as usual, I want more photos. More, more, more! Photos are literally free; take more photos! There is no engine photo, and that’s always super disappointing, but not surprising at all anymore, sadly. The biggest bummer is that there is no photo at all showing the entire reason for the Baja, the cargo bed! Arrrrrrgh. Here’s a 2003 Subaru Baja brochure to check out. The cargo bed extender is sometimes not there, so it’s nice to have that for hauling more boxes of books and junk to the storage unit that you’ll never look at again.
This is as close as it gets to showing the entire purpose of this oddball Subaru (is that redundant?): the tiny cargo bed on the back of what started out as a regular Outback wagon (is that redundant?). It’s a fun concept, sort of a modern four-door version of the BRAT, but one that you could actually survive a crash in, and have lots of comfort while taking it on road trips. Subaru made the Baja for only four model years, 2003 through 2006, and there’s no fancy Bi-Drive Recreational All-terrain Transporter definition for Baja as there was for the BRAT; it’s just Baja.
It’s hard not to think that the driver’s seat is in need of help when a seat cover is shown. These flat leather seats often show separated seams after a decade or two, so it isn’t surprising. You already noticed that this car has a four-speed automatic, which for some is great and for others not so much. I drove a couple of these a few years ago, thinking it would be a fun way to haul tiny, oddball Japanese market motorcycles to shows, but the 5-speed manual isn’t the best. The engine is at a higher RPM at 70 mph than I like, having had to replace Outback head gaskets in the past. An automatic may be the way to go here, at least if any driving outside of city limits is in order.
The back seat photos (there are two partial photos?!) don’t show much, but the cropped seating area looks good from what we can see. There is a pass-through to extend the hauling area to over six feet, but that means having a gaping hole back there, so that isn’t ideal.
Here’s where the engine is located! One quick pop of the hood release would have shown us Subaru’s 2.5-liter SOHC boxer-four with 165 horsepower and 166 lb-ft of torque. Passing through Subaru’s famous 4WD system and the automatic sending power through four gears to all four wheels when needed, the seller says they’ve owned this one for 17 years, and it has a new timing belt, a new water pump, new valve cover gaskets, a new coil pack, new spark plugs, and a transmission fluid and filter change. The tires are old, and with 241,086 miles, I sure hope the head gaskets have been replaced, but maybe it’s a moot point after that many miles. Baja Yellow is a desirable color for the Baja, as with the yellow Subaru WRX, so the “high” asking price may be in line, given the color. I know, who would pay more just for a particular color?! A lot of buyers would, including me. Would any of you have a use for a 4WD four-door car with a small hauling bed like a Subaru Baja?
A friend had one that was a lemon, but neat
concept
These were fun cars this is in the years where they had head gasket problems with over 200k miles its $5,000 overpriced. I used to see these things running around with a canopy on them and it got me wondering why they just didn’t save money and buy the outback wagon instead.
I really wanted one of these when they were new. But unfortunately with 3 kids and only 2 places in the back seat. And they were out of our price range. It never happened. I had to look twice when I saw the mileage. It looks pretty good for all those miles. Like Scotty said in his write up, hopefully the head gaskets are done.
I’ll take every yellow Baja you can find for $3,595, Troy, as will a few hundred thousand others.
I never knew there was a Subaru Baja cult out there! Haven’t seen one of these around in decades!
Price is steeper than this Baja can climb with a quarter million miles.
These are kind of cool but not as funky as the original BRAT. At over 240K miles this one is probably ready for its second set of head gaskets and who know what else. I’m just not seeing nearly $8600 here.
Head gasket central!!
The cars are cool though…
And this, my friends, is why designing a car that everyone will enjoy, is so difficult. Personally speaking, I think this was the best concept to come down the pike. 1st, the mileage. I don’t want to hear, “it’s just getting broke in”, because that’s not true. I have a friend in NYS, with an OOOOtback wagon, with half the miles and couldn’t get it to pass emission tests. In fact, we went to 4 different places, and all had Subies on the lot. It’s the kiss of death for older Subies. Now, in a place that doesn’t require testing, it’s true, you won’t find a low mileage Subaru. Obviously, this wasn’t for the contractor with 10 sheets of drywall in the back, but it did increase loading capacity for JoAnne Homeowner. Why “JoAnne”? Women made up a huge sales number with these, and Subarus target audience. Women loved them.
Now, funny story, on a trip back to Wis. from NY before I came here, we took my friends Outback wagon. Tooling along the interstate, rockin’ out to Tom Petty,,,we hear this, “Beeeeep, beep, beeeeeep”,,nobody around us, sounded like a car horn. It would go away, then return, Beeeeep, beep”, what the heck? Turns out, thanks to an internet search, it wasn’t the horn shorting out, but the way the mirrors were designed, in certain wind conditions, they make a humming sound. That was a new one for me, and apparently a common issue.
Subarus are no less reliable than any other vehicle. And, like any other vehicle, require adhering to a maintenance schedule. Yes, every vehicle has a weak point, but basing a conclusion on one ownership experience and casual observation is worthless.
And, facts point to males being the majority of Subaru ownership, although there is a larger percentage of female ownership than most makes. Why that needs to be pointed out is senseless.
Also, the facts state that sales of the Baja model leaned significantly more male.
I agree, Scotty, these look great in yellow. I remember specifically passing one on my commute to work, parked in a driveway, and recall how good it looked.
When it came time to look for a vehicle with a small bed like this, I couldn’t find one of these. I ended up with an Explorer SportTrac. Same idea, side cladding and all.
I just noticed that this also has the bed extender just like the SportTrac had. Very handy item.
Similar with us. We had a neighbor a few doors down that had a yellow one exactly like this. Which is what got me wanting a yellow one. I just couldn’t believe the back seat. I thought it would be a bench, it looks great though. I asked the man that owned it about it and he said they all come like that. So. There went that hope for me….. Although now…… 2 out of 3 left the nest……. Hmmmmm……
That second picture is a masterclass in photography. It looks straight out of a brochure.
Absolutely love it ! Never knew this existed!
As soon as I saw it I thought of the Skoda pickup , the Felicia Fun https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-spottedykywt/tremendous-skoda-felicia-fun-for-sale/48819
Similar mad vibe to it, especially in yellow!
You just do not get cars like this anymore, everything is just a SUV anonymous blob.
The Turbo versions of these are a hot item still, especially with the manual transmissions. A high percentage of those have been snagged by enthusiasts who like to modify for performance, so STi parts seem to find their way into the engine and driveline components.
Finding an unmodified Baja Turbo is a tough task, resulting in prices double the ask here, or more if under 100K miles.
I don’t care how good it is. U-G-L-Y and ain’t got no alibis
This with a turbo wheather auto or stick would be great
I do like the 83-94 Subaru gl dl loyale wagon.
Can I pull a fuse out of this car to just get 2 wd in the hot summer?
I would much rather have the dual ranger than the awd all the time, im sure the AWD is great and I’m sure it creates more revenue for Subaru .
The 2.2 was not a head gasket muncher like the 2.5, ummmm so I think getting rid of the 2.2 and keeping the 2.5 brings in more revenue.
My 91 2.2 turbo is NOT an interference motor, im sure the new interference motors also bring in revenue for Subaru.
While I never did have to change a belt on my brats, the timing gears never failed me after 175 k miles. The timing belt does also bring in revenue for Subaru.
I love my loyale turbo wagons, yes the head gasket goes on the turbo 1.8 around 90k because of the extra pressure, but I love the 1.8 turbo, sure the fox body mustangs win , but it’s game on!
Also I think the Subaru Brighton wagon was a great value, roll up windows, rubber mats. 2.2 5 speed would go a long way, a great deal for the customer.
Sad the Ee20 diesel didn’t work out, that’s to bad it’s not as the ALH.
The 2003 is a good car, not 9 k good, but a good safe get you home in snow car
I bought a brand new one in ’04. Only problem, choice was black or silver. Got the Silver, one of the best vehicles I ever owned. Hauled a 1/4 ton of gravel very slowly for 5 MI with no problem (dumb thing to do, but had no options). Moved from CA to AZ full of stuff, again A OK. Finally had to sell in ’09 as physically could not drive the standard anymore, hip replacement took care of that. Most of these are hiding out in the Pacific Northwest; if you do find them for sale $ 9K is cheap.
Lol, 9k for a n/a auto… I spent that much and got 2 turbo manuals and a parts car. I will say tho, the Subaru Baja is super underrated, I daily drive/work out of an 05 turbo manual. Easily but 200 miles on it a day and then once maybe twice a month I rallycross race the same car. Don’t underestimate the little car it’s far more useful and a lot of fun to drive that you would think.
Here’s another that just popped up in my Facebook marketplace feed. This one looks to be in similar shape, similar miles, but is 2K cheaper. It’s a manual, though, which we all like here (well, most of us), but may be why its priced less.
Funny, because I never see these down here in GA. NH, yes, they were quite popular.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1653025059135182/