Still driving my 2006 to this day! I am the original owner and have pretty much driven this work horse almost every day. Currently putting a lot of high mileage tuff service on it lately. Would be willing to be part of any CZcamsrs out there that is willing to petition the come back of this great vehicle by posting all my current pictures of this tuff workhorse and prove that there needs to be a comeback of this vehicle. This vehicle is not a trailer queen but gets the job done!
I have owned 4 Subarus: Brat, XT Turbo, XT 6, and a Baja. All were great cars. My Baja was 2 tone black over silver. It also had a fiberglass cover on the back bed. I would glady by a new Subaru mini truck.
I had a 05 and dold it in 2018....it worked great for me and besides the 2000 dollar head gaskets/timing belt/water pump repair, it ran great....i used it on long trips and crammed it with stuff...it was comfortable and i put snows on it in the winter for extra traction...wanted to see updated version and we have been teased for yrs but who knows....the Santa Cruz is nice but i want Subaru quality
Yeah, I think it would do well, especially in a Wilderness trim either in the Outback design or even an extended Forester design. The Maverick is doing good and Toyota is eyeing I think it’s called the Stout to come back to compete against it. A friend of mine had the old Brat, and VW had those diesel pickups. A lot of smaller trucks had those pockets. My old ‘88 Ford Ranger had stamped ridges in the sheet metal that you could lay 2x4s or 2x6s across, it allowed you to put a 4x8 sheet of plywood or Sheetrock to lay flat in the bed vs propped up on the wheel well whereas a full size pickup a 4x8 sheet would fit between the wheel wells.
I honestly think if Subaru were to bring to market a small - ish light duty truck that it would be a winner. Subaru has a huge fan base loyalty and I think a lot of current owners would be tempted with a truck. The market landscape now is extremely different to that of 2006, trucks are incredibly popular now. I think the Baja was right product, wrong time. I'd certainly buy one if they were still made (currently own 2010 Forester)
Good point! The small truck market is more popular now than it was back in the early 2000s. Will be interesting to see if Subaru actually brings this to market. They're releasing a new Subaru model on Nov 16th but I doubt it'll be this. I could be wrong though!
@@alexpmo I did a bit of looking online and it seems that it's actually (simply) a redesign of a current model. But I'd love to be surprised and find that it truly is a whole new model!!
The Baja seems super cool and I would totally buy it for the retro factor. I am super excited for the hybrid versions of the current lineup though. I would love better gas mileage on my Outback.
Had mine for 5 years. A great utility vehicle, economical, versatile, and actually fun to drive. My current "play car" is a BRZ, but would think long and hard about a trade for a new Baja, especially those Wilderness model clips that are hitting youtube.
The early 2000s was an interesting time for vehicles. We had all these boxy Vehicles like the Kia Soul, Scion xB along with the very versatile Honda Element being the largest and tallest of these type of vehicles and could perform some of the later duty pickup truck tasks very well like transporting a fully assembled snowblower or other tall items. Play sometimes wonder if the Subaru Baja would have done better if Honda never made the Element.
They’re ugly in a cool early 2000’s kind of way. I actually love them so much, such a vibe and honestly such good ideas and features. Would love something like this rather than modern big ass trucks
I had a 2005, put 187K miles on it before trading it for an Outback. I miss that truck! Was a great vehicle and after TWO major engine workups (timing belts, gears, pulleys, and head gaskets both times) I decided it was time to move on to another vehicle. It was great for going to the dump on the weekends, great for minor HomeDepot runs and with the Subaru all wheel drive, it took me places most vehicles would get stuck. I have been told by my local dealership that Subaru wants to bring it back, but after hearing your statistics on how many sold and how many they projected yearly, I agree it would be nonsense to bring it back especially in a market NOW that holds quite a few small sized 4x4/AWD trucks.
My own one of these, and was fortunate to find one that had 56,000 miles on it about four years ago. On the tailgate when you latch in the extender it locks until you pull up the rear gate handle, unlocking the straps. This feature keeps the extender super secure. Certainly the indentations for two by fours could be used to create two levels but if you Google photos of these cars, you will see that people have use their imagination to create all kinds of devices to assist with carrying wood, four by eights, motorcycles, or bicycles. Your imagination is its limits. I have the turbo model which takes only premium gas. I would love another truck like this, especially to have a more comfortable seat and these same features continued. It is super flexible. I only wish it had a sliding rear window for even more flexibility.
Still looking pretty good for 20 some years old. Anyways……awesome vid and this would be the Subaru I’d trade my 16 Forester in for! Come on Subaru, get these going….you know this will be huge, but bring back the bed seats! 🏆🏆🏆🥇😂 hope Subaru listens and doesn’t just push EVs because of politics…..listen to the customers, unlike ford and GM
Now would be the time to bring back small trucks. Smaller and smaller engines are being used but the vehicles keep getting more and more supermassive. Everyone seems to want a truck just to have one, but a lot of people don’t need something as large as the new standard for vehicles. But sadly this isn’t going to happen. Look at the new frontiers, rangers, tacomas, etc. they are as big as if not bigger than f150s and 1500s from the 80’s, 90s and early 00’s :( I am quit sad at the current state of the automotive industry if you couldn’t tell😅
Just bought a 2020 Forester, so far very happy, no matter what I do I can’t get the warning light for passenger air bag not on to turn off ( air bag on )
Good that the decent hybrid is coming. If based on Forester or Awcent, a small pickup would make sense. But S would need to share components so it is cheaper to make. As a Forester owner, I’d wish Subaru share more components btw modes. I only own one care and I don’t care if it has same lights etc as other model. I choose the care base on the size, trunk shape/size, ground clearance etc. Basically I choose a class of the vehicle and do not care if all vehicles from the company have the same face.
Due to the popularity of pickups currently, and the cost associated with those trucks, if Subaru revived the Baja, on the current body of the Outback, the bed would be longer. Offer it in a 4 door, or extended cab version, and keep the price down below the Tacoma's, Maverick's, Colorado, I bet they would sell.
15 Subaru vehicles and counting....I have had most every model, I would trade any of my past or current models for a new Brat/Baja 2 door Wilderness edition, or a small AWD 2 door pick up truck from Subaru.
I'm on my 3rd Subaru... 1984 wagon, 1997 Outback Sport and 2008 Outback. We're still driving the 1997 & 2008. Both are low mileage. They'll last us the rest of our life.
@@alexpmoseriously, this is a needed vehicle! Ford disappointed everyone that loved the real Ranger little truck (turned it into an F-150 dried on ‘hot’) and their ridiculous Maverick was just too dinky. The Hyundai Santa Cruz has potential, but Subaru bringing the Baja/Brat back would sell.
I bought my 1st Subaru in 2004 and wanted to get a Baja. However, "Happy Wife, Happy Life" crept in and SHE got a Forester, with me taking over her car. She has never lived that down, everytime she wants me to haul something that won't fit in one of our cars. I am not complaining: I am on my 2nd Subaru (1 Forester and currently an Outbback), she's on her 3rd (2 Foresters and now an Outback), and my daughter is on her 2nd Impreza. As you can tell, we don't like Subaru.
It’s incredible how many people suggest they would buy one if they were manufactured again, undoubtedly bailing once they thought about how impractical it is. Hopefully Subaru is smart enough to stay far away and just build some concepts to keep people dreaming.
Still driving my 2006 to this day! I am the original owner and have pretty much driven this work horse almost every day. Currently putting a lot of high mileage tuff service on it lately. Would be willing to be part of any CZcamsrs out there that is willing to petition the come back of this great vehicle by posting all my current pictures of this tuff workhorse and prove that there needs to be a comeback of this vehicle. This vehicle is not a trailer queen but gets the job done!
PLEASE bring the Baja back! I would buy one RIGHT NOW!!
I have owned 4 Subarus: Brat, XT Turbo, XT 6, and a Baja. All were great cars. My Baja was 2 tone black over silver. It also had a fiberglass cover on the back bed. I would glady by a new Subaru mini truck.
I always loved those little trucks and would love it if they revived that Baja name plate with a wilderness edition
Yes, the slots in the bed are exactly what you thought. Had that option in many trucks including my 2016 Tacoma.
Oh, cool! This thing has all sorts of cool features!
I love those engineering features, especially the dropping license plate holder.
My dad still has a yellow one. Great car i wish they still made them. First car i ever drove.
I wish they did a 20 year anniversary edition for the baja! I feel like people would love and appreciate them more these days 🥲
I had a 05 and dold it in 2018....it worked great for me and besides the 2000 dollar head gaskets/timing belt/water pump repair, it ran great....i used it on long trips and crammed it with stuff...it was comfortable and i put snows on it in the winter for extra traction...wanted to see updated version and we have been teased for yrs but who knows....the Santa Cruz is nice but i want Subaru quality
Yeah, I think it would do well, especially in a Wilderness trim either in the Outback design or even an extended Forester design. The Maverick is doing good and Toyota is eyeing I think it’s called the Stout to come back to compete against it. A friend of mine had the old Brat, and VW had those diesel pickups. A lot of smaller trucks had those pockets. My old ‘88 Ford Ranger had stamped ridges in the sheet metal that you could lay 2x4s or 2x6s across, it allowed you to put a 4x8 sheet of plywood or Sheetrock to lay flat in the bed vs propped up on the wheel well whereas a full size pickup a 4x8 sheet would fit between the wheel wells.
I honestly think if Subaru were to bring to market a small - ish light duty truck that it would be a winner. Subaru has a huge fan base loyalty and I think a lot of current owners would be tempted with a truck.
The market landscape now is extremely different to that of 2006, trucks are incredibly popular now. I think the Baja was right product, wrong time. I'd certainly buy one if they were still made (currently own 2010 Forester)
Good point! The small truck market is more popular now than it was back in the early 2000s. Will be interesting to see if Subaru actually brings this to market. They're releasing a new Subaru model on Nov 16th but I doubt it'll be this. I could be wrong though!
@@alexpmo Hi, as in a completely new model?
@@alexpmo I did a bit of looking online and it seems that it's actually (simply) a redesign of a current model. But I'd love to be surprised and find that it truly is a whole new model!!
My wife just bought a Outback Wilderness. We'd love to see videos on accessories (roof bars, racks, tents, light bars, etc.) for Wilderness editions.
That interior fold down was called the Switchback.
I love them! Wish they'd make it again with all the new safety features.
The Baja seems super cool and I would totally buy it for the retro factor. I am super excited for the hybrid versions of the current lineup though. I would love better gas mileage on my Outback.
I can't wait to see what Subaru releasing this coming year! Should have many hybrid options from the sound of it.
Had mine for 5 years. A great utility vehicle, economical, versatile, and actually fun to drive. My current "play car" is a BRZ, but would think long and hard about a trade for a new Baja, especially those Wilderness model clips that are hitting youtube.
I bought a new Forester Sport in 2021...would love to buy a new Baja to go with it!!! Love my Subaru!
Subaru is missing out if they do not come out with a competition for the Santa Fe and the Maverick. I would buy one .
I buy one also.
The early 2000s was an interesting time for vehicles. We had all these boxy Vehicles like the Kia Soul, Scion xB along with the very versatile Honda Element being the largest and tallest of these type of vehicles and could perform some of the later duty pickup truck tasks very well like transporting a fully assembled snowblower or other tall items. Play sometimes wonder if the Subaru Baja would have done better if Honda never made the Element.
They’re ugly in a cool early 2000’s kind of way. I actually love them so much, such a vibe and honestly such good ideas and features. Would love something like this rather than modern big ass trucks
I remember seeing those around. I always liked the style. But, I never had one. By the way, is one of your dealer used cars?
Yes, this is the first one we have had in since I've been here. Neat to finally see and drive one in person!
I had a 2005, put 187K miles on it before trading it for an Outback. I miss that truck! Was a great vehicle and after TWO major engine workups (timing belts, gears, pulleys, and head gaskets both times) I decided it was time to move on to another vehicle. It was great for going to the dump on the weekends, great for minor HomeDepot runs and with the Subaru all wheel drive, it took me places most vehicles would get stuck. I have been told by my local dealership that Subaru wants to bring it back, but after hearing your statistics on how many sold and how many they projected yearly, I agree it would be nonsense to bring it back especially in a market NOW that holds quite a few small sized 4x4/AWD trucks.
Not a truck. I have one and love it. Almost at 250 k.
My own one of these, and was fortunate to find one that had 56,000 miles on it about four years ago. On the tailgate when you latch in the extender it locks until you pull up the rear gate handle, unlocking the straps. This feature keeps the extender super secure. Certainly the indentations for two by fours could be used to create two levels but if you Google photos of these cars, you will see that people have use their imagination to create all kinds of devices to assist with carrying wood, four by eights, motorcycles, or bicycles. Your imagination is its limits. I have the turbo model which takes only premium gas. I would love another truck like this, especially to have a more comfortable seat and these same features continued. It is super flexible. I only wish it had a sliding rear window for even more flexibility.
Certainly a unique car. Would be cool to see Subaru release another one, maybe in a turbo 😎
Ascent pickup 🛻
Still looking pretty good for 20 some years old. Anyways……awesome vid and this would be the Subaru I’d trade my 16 Forester in for! Come on Subaru, get these going….you know this will be huge, but bring back the bed seats! 🏆🏆🏆🥇😂 hope Subaru listens and doesn’t just push EVs because of politics…..listen to the customers, unlike ford and GM
I love these so much
Now would be the time to bring back small trucks. Smaller and smaller engines are being used but the vehicles keep getting more and more supermassive. Everyone seems to want a truck just to have one, but a lot of people don’t need something as large as the new standard for vehicles. But sadly this isn’t going to happen. Look at the new frontiers, rangers, tacomas, etc. they are as big as if not bigger than f150s and 1500s from the 80’s, 90s and early 00’s :( I am quit sad at the current state of the automotive industry if you couldn’t tell😅
I have a 2006 and am in Alaska, where the AwD feature is great. I have a cover on my back bed. Very nice:)
I am in NYC. I have seen a weird amount of Bajas as of late.
Just bought a 2020 Forester, so far very happy, no matter what I do I can’t get the warning light for passenger air bag not on to turn off ( air bag on )
My Subaru dealership had a pic of a 2024 Baja Wilderness on Facebook the other day.
What I’d really love to see Subaru incorporate is the XT motor on the Forester, and get a true transmission as Toyota still does for the RAV4.
Cool little truck. How much for that one and how many miles?
Good that the decent hybrid is coming.
If based on Forester or Awcent, a small pickup would make sense. But S would need to share components so it is cheaper to make.
As a Forester owner, I’d wish Subaru share more components btw modes.
I only own one care and I don’t care if it has same lights etc as other model. I choose the care base on the size, trunk shape/size, ground clearance etc. Basically I choose a class of the vehicle and do not care if all vehicles from the company have the same face.
Due to the popularity of pickups currently, and the cost associated with those trucks, if Subaru revived the Baja, on the current body of the Outback, the bed would be longer.
Offer it in a 4 door, or extended cab version, and keep the price down below the Tacoma's, Maverick's, Colorado, I bet they would sell.
I love my ‘24 Outback but I would trade it in a second if they made a new Baja.
Our family has owned 7 Subarus since 1996. I would like an Outback with Toyota’s hybrid power train.
Considering the success of the Hyundai Santa Cruz, it could be a success again
I like this vehicle 😍
Fun little car/truck! or whatever you want to call it lol
15 Subaru vehicles and counting....I have had most every model, I would trade any of my past or current models for a new Brat/Baja 2 door Wilderness edition, or a small AWD 2 door pick up truck from Subaru.
If the new Brat / Baja had a 6’ bed we’d buy one, but any smaller bed size than that is a Yuppie vehicle with a worthless bed.
Like it.
I'm on my 3rd Subaru... 1984 wagon, 1997 Outback Sport and 2008 Outback. We're still driving the 1997 & 2008. Both are low mileage. They'll last us the rest of our life.
Miss my old Bratt
The back seats were neat!
@@alexpmo back in the day my kids rode back there.
Told them to grab those handles and hang on!
Are they bringing it back or a variation or no? Thanks for your videos. :)
I guess not?
You're welcome! I don't think Subaru will bring the Baja back, but I could be wrong.
@@alexpmoseriously, this is a needed vehicle!
Ford disappointed everyone that loved the real Ranger little truck (turned it into an F-150 dried on ‘hot’) and their ridiculous Maverick was just too dinky.
The Hyundai Santa Cruz has potential, but Subaru bringing the Baja/Brat back would sell.
@@wendymontie5660 The maverick is actually selling very very well, ford can't even keep up with production
I did order a 2024 Forester Premium last week in Ice Silver Metalic . 8-10 week delivery time. Alex was/is a wealth of knowledge.
Bet that truck sells this week...
I bought my 1st Subaru in 2004 and wanted to get a Baja. However, "Happy Wife, Happy Life" crept in and SHE got a Forester, with me taking over her car. She has never lived that down, everytime she wants me to haul something that won't fit in one of our cars. I am not complaining: I am on my 2nd Subaru (1 Forester and currently an Outbback), she's on her 3rd (2 Foresters and now an Outback), and my daughter is on her 2nd Impreza. As you can tell, we don't like Subaru.
Yes but what about the Brat?! Soooo want a comeback for that truck
You missing your gas cover too? Mine came off on the freeway. Must be a baja thing
It’s incredible how many people suggest they would buy one if they were manufactured again, undoubtedly bailing once they thought about how impractical it is. Hopefully Subaru is smart enough to stay far away and just build some concepts to keep people dreaming.
id love a turbo 5 speed model
The baja would sell better now especially if we make it past bidumb nomics
Quirky indeed😂🎉❤
I hope Subaru makes a PHEV Forester.
Quirks and Features? Gadgets and Gizmos??
Loop
Call it Subaru Rust Bucket..
They didn't sell well when they were made, why bother? No one wanted one until they quit making them, moving used prices upwards after the fact.
If it would have a CVT don’t bother.