There is a video here on UA-cam of a stock Subaru Outback at a monster truck rally. They were all attempting to get up this giant sand hill. Most failed. The stock Outback did it without breaking a sweat. These really are great under appreciated cars. With a little bit of car will virtually run forever. Not really but they go a lot further than most which dollar for dollar makes these a great value over the long haul.
@@alansmilealot I can see why he is successful, his videos give the viewer an impression of what these cars are "to live with". However, a former Porsche employee and carreviewer on UA-cam with 3 million subscribers should have some car knowledge. For example, I am both slightly younger and decidedly more European than him, yet I know about the US-mandated safety / environment "features" of the 80s (e. g. automatic seatbelts, 85 mph speedometers) he seems to know nothing about. Furthermore, he repeats popular myths (e. g. the narrative of Mercedes' "silver arrow" and the one with the ignition lock on the left side on Porsche 911s "because Le Mans"). Anybody with some solid interest in cars knows the background to all of these.
"gas cans you don't want inside the car at all" Speak for yourself buddy, if you're not getting any use out of those good good fumes you're only getting half your money's worth
Regular people "eww what is this" Anyone who offroads, lives where it snows, lives where it rains, lives where there's sand or mud: "they look like a lot of fun"
@@maxsinger3526 that's how Michigan is alot of the time. In late april it almost hit 70 and like two days later it was snowing. It even randomly snowed the first week of may lmao.
I've been wanting either this or a Pontiac Aztek for a few years now and finally got to buy a Baja with 63k miles a couple months ago. Haven't stopped smiling since.
Baja owner for the past 2 years. There's this prestine white Pontiac Aztek who I always race with to get to work every morning at 5am (We work at a Toyota assembly plant) Don't know why but your comment made me laugh lol.
When I was a young lad and Superbad was in theaters, a friend invited me to see this movie everyone was talking about. My friend's dad, a mechanic, drove us to the theater. We watched the movie and enjoyed it a lot. To this day my favorite teen comedy. When my buddy's dad came to pick us up he had clearly been drinking a little(not drunk but he had a beer or two). He parked to let his son drive and when he got out of his truck he saw a Subaru Baja a few parking spaces away. He walked around it with a stern face. Then, as if this Subaru was the funniest thing he ever saw, he burst out laughing. He laughed for the whole 20 minute drive to my house. The Subaru Baja was funnier to him than the biggest comedy movie of the year was to us. He still laughs everytime he sees a Baja and thinks a stoned child designed it.
Perfect hunting vehicle. It’s a niche but the bed is durable enough for dead game, and you’re not getting your trunk dirty. It’s capable enough and good for city driving, it’s not driving an obnoxious truck for hunting 4 times a year. Would love for them to come back
I honestly like how they look. I think they're kinda cute and interesting, but I like kinda weird non-trucks with truck beds. For me I see this more like a beach car. Beach towels and umbrellas and cooking/camping stuff in the bed would work great I imagine. Nice space for that sort of thing and you do help avoid getting sand everywhere inside.
The baja was advertised as a life guard vehicle in the panflet and the options book. I still have it so i can confirm it was advertised as a possible beach capable vehicle
It's a fantastic camp-buddy vehicle, can get you to some pretty out-there spots. I have an aftermarket cover over the bed to shrug off a bit of weather, keep the camping kit dry.
Dont let the baja distract you from chevy not bringing the Holden Maloo into the US as a Chevy El Camino...the biggest missed opportunity of the century. Im still complaining till today
Kershaw Silverado GTO: failure, SS: failure. You could attribute some of that to GM’s absolute shit marketing department but I still think the end result is the same.
@@teggsrb18c1 The GTO sold nearly 40k units over 3 years, that's not terrible for how expensive it was. The SS on the other hand was never supposed to do well. It was merely GM fulfilling an export quota from the now defunct South Australia factory. It didn't matter if the SS succeeded, the paltry 12.9k units sold over 4 years (plus the 15.8k Caprice PPVs sold) was more than enough to get their tax deduction from the Australian government for their exports. They didn't bother marketing it at all because it did not matter if it did well.
@@teggsrb18c1 SS wasn't a failure, it was part of an agreement to keep one the the Holden plants open for longer. They didn't even bother with advertising the SS because it was meant to fill a check into a box
Among a bunch of already legendary reviews from Mr. Regular, he drops this diamond. This is one of the most well-written and read RCR reviews in quite a while. Bravo. That Moneyball-to-churchfart segment was absolutely perfect.
It's because they had leftover capacity in the US plant and didn't think the cost of exporting them was worth it. Only reason it existed in the first place
Talk to Buick about their station wagon that they introduced, NEVER promoted, and I guess now next model year will be dropped. All while everyone is talking about how a AWD station wagon is what the public is interested in...... Subaru Outback anyone?
@@shaggnar2014 Bingo. This is pretty evident when you look at the Legacy and Outback getting refreshed in 2005 but the Baja was still based off the previous generation until the end of the model run.
@@boheyo But why the hell would you produce something but never advertise or publicize the fact that it even exists? I wish I was in the position to buy one as it is something that I would like to have but I can't afford a new car now, or ever, really.
"That means *you* have worth that no one saw when you were young. Who's laughing now?" This statement makes my heart happy like big fat highway pulls do. Warm cozies. yessssssss
So, as someone who bought a Baja, you buy a Baja because it’s unique, because you have a car that only 30,000 people have BUT you can still find replacement parts for. It’s cute and awesome.
@Pedro DLR a honda ridgeline is as far from a predator drone as Noam is from the US Education system. But perhaps a lesbian armed force in baja's and ridgeline's is the solution to ISIS?
This is amazing, especially those last 2 minutes - those were prophetic. This video reminds me a lot of your older videos, which honestly drew me to the channel in the first place. Thank you, RCR.
My teacher in my high school diesel tech class had a manual one sense new with over 200,000 miles at the time and his was clean AF and still used it like a utility vehicle, and made heavy use of the optional bed rails to act as the tailgate when the real one is down, it was also was tastefully modified and realizable for his as all hell.
I remember the first Baha I ever saw was when Camelbeach water park had one of these in yellow back in 2003. They must have had a promotion with Subaru at the time.
I got my subaru baha from my dad when he retired and he drove it from a small town called lagrange oregon to priest Rapids dam up in Washington for 16 years and even though its got over 400,000 miles on it and it still has the stock engine and tranz and its still goin strong its definitely has seen better days but ay its not bad considering its been though hell and back
You're the best Automotive journalist to have ever graced this website you deserve way more subs, you've elevated car reviews in journalism to a point of insightful hilarious and honest art and introspection you're way too ahead of your time man. I hope you get everything you want out of this life you deserve it. ❤️❤️❤️
As to the 'Coupe Utility' definition - we'd call it a 'crew cab ute' in Australia, in comparison to a coupe ute that would be like the Holden Commodore-based ute or the Ford Falcon-based ute, or a two-door tray back for the more truck-like version. Beyond that, it's really interesting seeing these from an Australian perspective, given our love affair with utes that are often very rudimentary, technically, but popular. Just as the Subaru Outback reminds me of the Holden Adventra, so does this remind me of the Holden Crewman Cross8 (though I suppose the Holdens remind me of the Subies, since Subaru did it first).
I'm a yankee who was introduced to the whole concept by chance when I saw a Jetta Ute conversion and happened to show it to a friend of mine who lives over that way. She was like "So they made a Ute. We've had them forever." "A what?" As someone who both wants a truck bed, while getting decent fuel economy... I want one. The closest you get, aside from El Caminos, are old Ford Rangers.
@@DFX2KX Sad thing is we stopped making utes in 2016 when local manufacturing stopped (though we call mid sized pick ups utes) so you can't buy them new anymore.
The new shortbed Ranger is 60 inches of bed closed. The Baja is 41.5 inches closed. You can also get a 72 inch bed in a Ranger if you don't ever need to have passengers or keep things inside the cab. Even the Explorer SportTrac has more cargo space than a Baja. The Baja bed is where you put your drunk buddy who can't stop puking when you absolutely have to rush him to the hospital. Or you put... I don't know... nothing into the bed.
I remember going with my mom to our local Subaru dealership to pick a brand new Baja. I tried to convince her to get an automatic since I would be driving soon but she got the standard and we still have it to this day.
its ridiculous amount of people saying they don't like the SUV's and crossovers cause "they all look the same". Than as soon as a company makes something different, they complain its "ugly". So in fact the want the same done differently, which is a contradiction.
I LOVE THIS! I was very seriously considering lending my Baja when I get out of school, but now I don't have to. Also it's awesome that you found a lifted one, mine has a three inch lift, Mudrat bumper and a 5 speed dual range transmission. Also the bed is surprisingly usable when you consider that it's nearly identical size to a side by side which get used for everything around here.
Mine has almost 300k miles and the original engine still runs fine. It was my first vehicle and it is an awesome vehicle. You always get weird looks from people and it's a great conversation starter. The Little bed works, but the video pretty much nailed it... The bed itself is really small and you can't carry anything large in it. Awd is fantastic in the winter though. You've really almost got to treat it like a car instead of a pickup, but it'll do the job.
Thank you!!! my partner and I had the 2003 Baja "Sport" yellow/silver. We loved this car but once it got up to the 180k miles it was becoming to expensive to keep. So @ 15 years and 185k miles it was traded in @$3600 for a Subaru Crosstrek Premium 2018. This car got soo many compliiments and conversation starters. Great for campingm
You could always use the door of a 5 series. Or a piece of Mopani wood you whittled a bit with your pen knife until you arrive at a brush guard. Then you're gonna be okay.
My dad is a finish contractor & he did a job for a woman about a decade ago who had a fascination with these Bajas. During the time my dad worked at her home, which was a couple months, her Baja died. It was her second. She found another one to replace it. This was 2013 mind you. 3 Bajas!
@@JimtheCitizen The manual 240s were fun. I had an '84 with the button on the shifter to activate the electronic overdrive. They are not fast but they just have this tank like feel to them kind of like the same vintage saabs.
A buddy of mine used to have one of these back when they were new. The only time I rode in it was for a beer run, and the back was full of snow. Made a great cooler!
I own a yellow Baja and I mean, this video is funny as hell. Mine has over 300,000 miles and runs like a dream but sadly it eats up gas. The funniest part of the Baja is that legally it’s counted as a truck where I live so they charge ya more on insurance.
You sold this car at the end better than subarus best marketing team in thier prime! I did think they were nifty a while back and still do....now look jeep is making truck beds for thier wranglers...you ARE the new definition of defining nostalgia my friend. Nostalgia: (Nah-stahl-juh)- Regular Car Reviews. Thank you for recognizing my self worth and seeing the way I see myself. I’m gonna go buy one of these now so I can materialize the embodiment of that emotion into and object..THE BAJA!!
When this came out I said once "I want a Baja. They are so cute!" Every man in the room who wanted one was now not going to admit to it. And proceeded to tell me why a man buys an off-road vehicle. I later bought a Bronco and never heard anything like that again. But still wish I had got one of these totally adorable Baja!
For four months back in the day, I sold Subaru and I sold these. (Well, one of these.) I don't usually love cars just because they're weird, but this was one of those. I drove one as a demo and everybody asked me about it wherever I went.
What's fun about one of these as an off road modded is that not only can you drive it to the rally instead of towing it, you can also take it out in winter storms.
I own a stock 2005 Subaru Baja turbocharged and honestly no the bed is pretty much useless unless you carry small cargo or have the bed extender, which I do own. I don’t see myself going to a rally in this thing but it is fun to drive around and talk to people about it. I don’t think it’s ugly or a bad car; I think it’s reliable for what it was made for: turning heads and getting you where you need to go
@Hugh Clarke Well... bought it used with 124,000.... it showed every damn mile of that mechanically. It didnt spent most of its 3 years with me on jack stands, but it was enough to make me feel it was unreliable, So the chance to mod it never came. Whats bad too was, if I went out of state, I felt 1000% more confident in my 87 Monte to make the trip, than the Forester. With that said however, Im absolutely willing to say, this was all just bad luck, and I shouldn't chastise these model Foresters.... but damn, not what I wanted to happen.
@@JeffLMB well you can't compare it to a Montero, those cars will last you a life time and more now if you refer to a monte Carlo, your Forester has some serious problems
@@XxmatixX6videosdiariosdenadav It was all brake related... but they all didn't seize at once. it was the fronts, then the rears, then the hoses on the front. Now, I dont even drive it because the oil pan has a hole in it, and the trans cross member mount is totally shot.
My parents had this car's spiritual predecessor when I was a kid - the Suby Brat. Sweet little ute and we had the Brat seats in the back. Sheer bliss in the summer, but cold as hell during Maine winters (we had a cap over the bed, but still no heat back there). It was sadly totaled in an accident and my parents moved on to a '92 Blazer which was sweet in its own right.
I wanted one of these, I still do. With a manual, its fun and sporty even without the turbo. These days you can't find them in decent condition for a reasonable price. However it was built 10-15 years too early. Now Hyundai is working on a Santa Cruz little pickup that would be close to the form factor of the baja. These should sell well now since modern pickups are massive and not everyone wants or needs it. I wanted the Baja for light housework and hiking trips, I ended up with a Dakota V6 manual instead.
As the happy owner of a manual n/a Baja, I cannot call it sporty in any way. It's slow, the engine sounds stupid, and it doesn't like to rev. I still love it, for many other reasons that aren't "performance"
I've always loved Bajas.... I feel like they are perfect for suburban life. Perfect for those trips to the to the local plant nursery to buy your 10 bags of mulch.
The Performance When the Baja was first introduced in 2003, the only engine option was a 2.5-liter boxer-four producing 173 horsepower mated to either a four-speed automatic or a five-speed manual. In 2004, Subaru introduced a more powerful turbocharged motor, which bumped output up to 210 hp. By 2006, the turbocharged EJ255 motor produced 230 hp, which is not too shabby for a roughly 3,500-pound vehicle. By no means is the Baja a rival for a full-size truck, given its measly 885 to 1,070-pound payload/towing capacity. However, if you only need the bed to haul smaller items and are willing to sacrifice payload for performance, the Baja is an ideal motor. Even with the automatic, the Baja will hit 60 mph in 7.3 seconds and complete the quarter-mile in 15.7 seconds. Since this is a turbocharged Subaru, there are tuners out there who will be happy to extract more power from the EJ engine.
Amazing review! I am from Greece, so I have never seen this vehicle, as due to taxation and insurance premiums anything over 2 liters is almost cost prohibitive. I’d love to be able to see one in person, it seems so interesting.
@@nathanlong8295 From Wiki: In 1934, Ford Australia's designer Lew Bandt modified a coupe with a smoothly integrated loadbed that could be used like a car to drive to church or to deliver pigs to market. This created the coupe utility which remains a popular body style known as the "ute" in Australia.[6] In North America, pickup trucks evolved into a heavier duty form with cabs and beds that were quite distinct from passenger automobiles. The Ranchero was the first postwar American vehicle of its type adapted from a popular sedan from the factory. It combined the sleek looks of a sedan with the utility of a light-duty pickup truck.
@@nathanlong8295 I was saying that's not a real "ute" , just like the Outback Steakhouse is not Australian, just "Australian themed". Just watch Doug Demouro's video in the Holden ute.
I kinda feel like an idiot for buying one of these as my first car, but at the same time I'm still driving it and I do love it, even if with each passing day I realize how impractical it is. That said I basically just got to listen to Mr. Regular roast me personally for approaching 15 minutes straight, so I guess it was worth it.
I love Subaru. My 03 Outback has 200k miles on it and it still runs great. Besides coilovers, wheels, cold air intake and exhaust it’s stock. It is a 4 speed automatic however I bought a 5 speed manual transmission from a junk yard I’m installing next month. I saw a baja on Craigslist for 5k with 160k miles. They are great vehicles.
That front bumper delete does a lot for its looks. Probably doesn't do much for its crash rating, but you can cross that bridge when you smash into it.
why do I like the bajas? up north you can find them rusted to a fine dust rivaled only by betty white's discharge... which means, nearly free EJ's for swaps.
I remember when my uncle had one. It was extremely useful to take mountian biking, room for the bikes, gas cans, & water. It could take on light rock crawling. But about as useful as a wet paper towel for anything else.
I honestly really love these little trucks. Before I got my first 04 outback I wanted one of these but they were all high teens and I couldnt swing that, 4 years later still want one but now rocking a 2011 outlander which I do quite enjoy
"Subaru lost focus and farted in church" - I mean, there was that time they claimed their engines were cleaner than a hybrid, and the whole B-9 Tribeca.
The one benefit of having an open cargo tray like that, even though it's too small for conventional pickup use, is that you're basically eliminating your height limitations from the cargo space. Which means you can transport large appliances and small industrial equipment that wouldn't fit in an Outback.
Subaru Baja: When you're too cool for the weird kids; and too weird for the cool kids.
Can confirm this is painfully accurate lmao
Camry "Booty" wagon: It can do everything here and look classy hauling your new dishwasher.
This is legitimately my life. Even with the army, im too NCO to fit in with the lower enlisted, but too Maintenance to fit in with other NCOs
Sounds perfect!
There is a video here on UA-cam of a stock Subaru Outback at a monster truck rally. They were all attempting to get up this giant sand hill. Most failed. The stock Outback did it without breaking a sweat. These really are great under appreciated cars. With a little bit of car will virtually run forever. Not really but they go a lot further than most which dollar for dollar makes these a great value over the long haul.
Doug Demuro: A man who slams the fridge shut with his hips.
He still looks like an overgrown elf too
Even when his hands are free!
Then talks about the quirks and features of the fridge
@@NCRRangerVet47 THIS is my Samsung smart fridge
Hey man, his hands are full and his ass is fat, not much wrong with that.
Hahah “Doug Demuro, he’s talented I hope he found work somewhere”.
If only he had any car knowledge.
@@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X doesn't matter, all his other attributes will overwrite that.
Hahaha "quote from the video" (which you quoted incorrectly, to boot)
@@alansmilealot
I can see why he is successful, his videos give the viewer an impression of what these cars are "to live with".
However, a former Porsche employee and carreviewer on UA-cam with 3 million subscribers should have some car knowledge. For example, I am both slightly younger and decidedly more European than him, yet I know about the US-mandated safety / environment "features" of the 80s (e. g. automatic seatbelts, 85 mph speedometers) he seems to know nothing about. Furthermore, he repeats popular myths (e. g. the narrative of Mercedes' "silver arrow" and the one with the ignition lock on the left side on Porsche 911s "because Le Mans"). Anybody with some solid interest in cars knows the background to all of these.
Nothing like throwing a bit of shade at good ol' Doug
"gas cans you don't want inside the car at all"
Speak for yourself buddy, if you're not getting any use out of those good good fumes you're only getting half your money's worth
Huffing gas is a lot less fun now that there's 10% ethanol... You just end up drunk. If I want to be drunk, I'll drink actual booze.
@aeshir Mr. Regular brings his own fumes, he doesn't need the gas can.
good point
my friend brought home another jeep last night, not running. I asked him how the gas is- "It smells REALLY good"
"Why'd you say it like that?"
Regular people "eww what is this"
Anyone who offroads, lives where it snows, lives where it rains, lives where there's sand or mud: "they look like a lot of fun"
And in the case of Marylnad (where this car is from) theres all 4.
@@jerrell1169 Try Wisconsin. Our weather is like a teenage visco girl with bipolar depression. You just don´t know what´s gonna happen next.
@@maxsinger3526 that's how Michigan is alot of the time. In late april it almost hit 70 and like two days later it was snowing. It even randomly snowed the first week of may lmao.
These and outbacks are great off road
@@newmenalejandro1362 yup
I've been wanting either this or a Pontiac Aztek for a few years now and finally got to buy a Baja with 63k miles a couple months ago. Haven't stopped smiling since.
My car taste is "Is it fast? Don't care. Is it luxurious? Don't care. Does it get you mad bitches? Don't care....much. Is it weird? I'm in."
Baja owner for the past 2 years. There's this prestine white Pontiac Aztek who I always race with to get to work every morning at 5am (We work at a Toyota assembly plant) Don't know why but your comment made me laugh lol.
I just about lost it on "Subaru lost focus and farted in church"
I can't with you man
I just read your comment when he said that 😂
Best and most descriptive line in a while...
Bajajajajajaja
He's so much more subdued these days, his early vids were friggen WEIRD.
I like these though.
I wish I'd gotten to that part before I read this comment but I saw it coming and I still lost it lmao
I think a Subaru Baja would make a pretty fun apocalypse car. I’d like more fog lights though.
Flood lights and spot lights would be more useful
When I was a young lad and Superbad was in theaters, a friend invited me to see this movie everyone was talking about. My friend's dad, a mechanic, drove us to the theater. We watched the movie and enjoyed it a lot. To this day my favorite teen comedy. When my buddy's dad came to pick us up he had clearly been drinking a little(not drunk but he had a beer or two). He parked to let his son drive and when he got out of his truck he saw a Subaru Baja a few parking spaces away. He walked around it with a stern face. Then, as if this Subaru was the funniest thing he ever saw, he burst out laughing. He laughed for the whole 20 minute drive to my house. The Subaru Baja was funnier to him than the biggest comedy movie of the year was to us. He still laughs everytime he sees a Baja and thinks a stoned child designed it.
That's, that is an awesome story!
Don't let him too close to an Aztek. He might rupture something.
Great story.
Love your recount of great memories!
I'm actually buying a Baja tomorrow (09/28/2022).
Perfect hunting vehicle. It’s a niche but the bed is durable enough for dead game, and you’re not getting your trunk dirty. It’s capable enough and good for city driving, it’s not driving an obnoxious truck for hunting 4 times a year. Would love for them to come back
I honestly like how they look. I think they're kinda cute and interesting, but I like kinda weird non-trucks with truck beds. For me I see this more like a beach car. Beach towels and umbrellas and cooking/camping stuff in the bed would work great I imagine. Nice space for that sort of thing and you do help avoid getting sand everywhere inside.
Yep. And road rescues
The baja was advertised as a life guard vehicle in the panflet and the options book. I still have it so i can confirm it was advertised as a possible beach capable vehicle
It's a fantastic camp-buddy vehicle, can get you to some pretty out-there spots. I have an aftermarket cover over the bed to shrug off a bit of weather, keep the camping kit dry.
So like the envoy XUV?
Same
Subaru Baja: when a Forrester isn't butch enough.
Subaru Baja: When you wanted an Outback but didnt want it to be obvious you're a lesbian.
@@Mr-Trox IMO the Baja is the most tomboy lesbian vehicle ever made
I’ve owned two lmao
Dont let the baja distract you from chevy not bringing the Holden Maloo into the US as a Chevy El Camino...the biggest missed opportunity of the century. Im still complaining till today
Kershaw Silverado GTO: failure, SS: failure. You could attribute some of that to GM’s absolute shit marketing department but I still think the end result is the same.
@@teggsrb18c1 The GTO sold nearly 40k units over 3 years, that's not terrible for how expensive it was. The SS on the other hand was never supposed to do well. It was merely GM fulfilling an export quota from the now defunct South Australia factory. It didn't matter if the SS succeeded, the paltry 12.9k units sold over 4 years (plus the 15.8k Caprice PPVs sold) was more than enough to get their tax deduction from the Australian government for their exports. They didn't bother marketing it at all because it did not matter if it did well.
Jacob Burnette which is a shame because not many hardcore gm nuts knew about it. It was epic
@@teggsrb18c1 SS wasn't a failure, it was part of an agreement to keep one the the Holden plants open for longer. They didn't even bother with advertising the SS because it was meant to fill a check into a box
@@moskai3232 The only reason I know the SS existed is because I saw one in my area, once. And I consider myself a person who'd be into cars like that.
Among a bunch of already legendary reviews from Mr. Regular, he drops this diamond. This is one of the most well-written and read RCR reviews in quite a while. Bravo. That Moneyball-to-churchfart segment was absolutely perfect.
Subaru: let's make a ute and not sell it in the biggest markets for utes
Me: wtf?
It's because they had leftover capacity in the US plant and didn't think the cost of exporting them was worth it. Only reason it existed in the first place
Talk to Buick about their station wagon that they introduced, NEVER promoted, and I guess now next model year will be dropped. All while everyone is talking about how a AWD station wagon is what the public is interested in...... Subaru Outback anyone?
@@seththomas9105 I'd imagine they're dropping it because it was a slight twist on the Opel Insignia wagon and Opel is no longer a GM brand.
@@shaggnar2014 Bingo. This is pretty evident when you look at the Legacy and Outback getting refreshed in 2005 but the Baja was still based off the previous generation until the end of the model run.
@@boheyo But why the hell would you produce something but never advertise or publicize the fact that it even exists? I wish I was in the position to buy one as it is something that I would like to have but I can't afford a new car now, or ever, really.
This Baja rips it. Had the pleasure of catching it in action on a trip last winter... it could not be stopped!
"...piles of rusty tools from Grandpa Warcrimes' woodshed..." lmao I love this channel.
Hes obviously based and redpilled and will hopefully continue his witty comments
"That means *you* have worth that no one saw when you were young. Who's laughing now?"
This statement makes my heart happy like big fat highway pulls do. Warm cozies. yessssssss
Mr. Regular is brilliant. Lines like that hit you right in the heart, it's why this is my fave channel.
Lmao the Doug Demuro line killed me😂 “Some guy named Doug Demuro....”
"I hope he finds success somewhere". lol
Doug Demuro is an insufferable ass.
@Small Blue who?
So, as someone who bought a Baja, you buy a Baja because it’s unique, because you have a car that only 30,000 people have BUT you can still find replacement parts for. It’s cute and awesome.
Subaru fanboism keeps this car alive. As a Subaru owner You’re supposed to lose your mind if you see one
I am the proud owner of an 03 Baja silver on silver! Absalutely love it and it is so practical!
it's the Honda Ridgeline offroad lesbian edition
I thought that was the definition of a Honda Ridgeline??? I mean not ever terrorists drive them....they that bad
Lmfaooo hilarious!
@Pedro DLR a honda ridgeline is as far from a predator drone as Noam is from the US Education system. But perhaps a lesbian armed force in baja's and ridgeline's is the solution to ISIS?
Thank you
Officially has been dubbed "Ursula".
This is amazing, especially those last 2 minutes - those were prophetic. This video reminds me a lot of your older videos, which honestly drew me to the channel in the first place. Thank you, RCR.
My teacher in my high school diesel tech class had a manual one sense new with over 200,000 miles at the time and his was clean AF and still used it like a utility vehicle, and made heavy use of the optional bed rails to act as the tailgate when the real one is down, it was also was tastefully modified and realizable for his as all hell.
Subaru: the best car you’ve ever owned or the worst. There’s no in between.
Holy shit, you went to high school???
@@jaystrong2618
That's a surprise to you? You must be from Alabama.
@@jaystrong2618
I know the original poster is from Alabama because of his terrible English.
Dillon Hawkins “sense” not since. Lol
I remember the first Baha I ever saw was when Camelbeach water park had one of these in yellow back in 2003. They must have had a promotion with Subaru at the time.
Every female boomer in New England had one of these or knew someone with one. For some reason so many were yellow
Logan Lanfear I think yellow was the default color (or at least it seems like it).
The Simpson?
That kinda sounds like the mid 90's Skoda Felicia Fun. Those were also weird.
people across the road from me got one and I still see them everywhere here in Maine
Man the yellow with silver trim was just DISGUSTING
I got my subaru baha from my dad when he retired and he drove it from a small town called lagrange oregon to priest Rapids dam up in Washington for 16 years and even though its got over 400,000 miles on it and it still has the stock engine and tranz and its still goin strong its definitely has seen better days but ay its not bad considering its been though hell and back
"That means YOU have worth that no one saw when you were young. Who's laughing now?" - I can't handle that this early on a Monday.
“Coupe utility” just call it a dual cab Ute and be done with it
What does ute mean?
David Bergmann ute is short for utility
I love this. Love the Baja in general but the mods on this one are just... fitting? and great! congrats to the owner.
All the mods are pretty cool besides the fake snorkel
"He's talented I hope he finds success somewhere." SHOTS FIRED
I'm sure he was just joking. Doug is waaaaaay more successful than RCR.
@@BeefHandlesInc
Yeah but Doug is more of a sellout than modern pop singers.
You're the best Automotive journalist to have ever graced this website you deserve way more subs, you've elevated car reviews in journalism to a point of insightful hilarious and honest art and introspection you're way too ahead of your time man. I hope you get everything you want out of this life you deserve it. ❤️❤️❤️
You sir are truly an amazing writer! Always drawing perfect conclusion and relating them to current culture in really creative ways! 🙌🏽
As to the 'Coupe Utility' definition - we'd call it a 'crew cab ute' in Australia, in comparison to a coupe ute that would be like the Holden Commodore-based ute or the Ford Falcon-based ute, or a two-door tray back for the more truck-like version.
Beyond that, it's really interesting seeing these from an Australian perspective, given our love affair with utes that are often very rudimentary, technically, but popular. Just as the Subaru Outback reminds me of the Holden Adventra, so does this remind me of the Holden Crewman Cross8 (though I suppose the Holdens remind me of the Subies, since Subaru did it first).
To add to that ute is the shortened form of coupe utility which is what manufacturers named their utes in the 30s and 40s when they were new
I'm a yankee who was introduced to the whole concept by chance when I saw a Jetta Ute conversion and happened to show it to a friend of mine who lives over that way.
She was like "So they made a Ute. We've had them forever."
"A what?"
As someone who both wants a truck bed, while getting decent fuel economy... I want one. The closest you get, aside from El Caminos, are old Ford Rangers.
@@DFX2KX Sad thing is we stopped making utes in 2016 when local manufacturing stopped (though we call mid sized pick ups utes) so you can't buy them new anymore.
I like this, would gladly buy one. For context, I drive a green 2006 GGN15 Hilux, 4.0 petrol 2WD and am Australian. Not your average US customer.
I love that the ending line is always a BITE and gets your skin tingling.
That's what the 2019 Ranger beds all look like, and they're selling like hot cakes.
Not like you have much of a fucking option if you want a small pickup in the US.
Dillon Warn the ranger can also tow a trailer worth a fuck
The new shortbed Ranger is 60 inches of bed closed. The Baja is 41.5 inches closed. You can also get a 72 inch bed in a Ranger if you don't ever need to have passengers or keep things inside the cab.
Even the Explorer SportTrac has more cargo space than a Baja. The Baja bed is where you put your drunk buddy who can't stop puking when you absolutely have to rush him to the hospital. Or you put... I don't know... nothing into the bed.
Sam you clearly don't know how but kayaks are. You could not fit a kayak in that bed lol you'd have to put it on the roof
The new Ranger is a joke because you could get an F-150 for about the same price. Imo the design is also very uninspiring. Unfortunately 😔
I remember going with my mom to our local Subaru dealership to pick a brand new Baja. I tried to convince her to get an automatic since I would be driving soon but she got the standard and we still have it to this day.
WAIT A SECOND!
The intro song was BB's theme from Death Stranding. You guys always find ways to make my mondays great!
its ridiculous amount of people saying they don't like the SUV's and crossovers cause "they all look the same". Than as soon as a company makes something different, they complain its "ugly". So in fact the want the same done differently, which is a contradiction.
Subaru Baja, the official car of "I'm not like other girls!"
AKADriver She really isn’t though. Most girls shower more often 😂
Around here those girls drive jeeps
Yea because She Eats Male Butt
@@alexwaters4694 Imo that's those girls in general
And she isn’t *because she’s a male*
I love your song in the beginning, inspired by BB’s Theme from Death Stranding.
The ending song was from Chvrches, also from Death Stranding
I can’t place the connection between the Baja and DS, but I’m sure it’s there
I LOVE THIS! I was very seriously considering lending my Baja when I get out of school, but now I don't have to. Also it's awesome that you found a lifted one, mine has a three inch lift, Mudrat bumper and a 5 speed dual range transmission. Also the bed is surprisingly usable when you consider that it's nearly identical size to a side by side which get used for everything around here.
Mine has almost 300k miles and the original engine still runs fine. It was my first vehicle and it is an awesome vehicle. You always get weird looks from people and it's a great conversation starter. The Little bed works, but the video pretty much nailed it... The bed itself is really small and you can't carry anything large in it. Awd is fantastic in the winter though. You've really almost got to treat it like a car instead of a pickup, but it'll do the job.
SUBARU BAJA: THE IMPACT FONT OF CARS.
I'm glad someone else enjoyed that line
@@Skull35 i love mr. regular because of lines like this.
I coincidentally read that comment as he said that line
More like comic sans
@@f2991speed that honour goes to mk1 mx-5 i guess
Thank you!!! my partner and I had the 2003 Baja "Sport" yellow/silver. We loved this car but once it got up to the 180k miles it was becoming to expensive to keep. So @ 15 years and 185k miles it was traded in @$3600 for a Subaru Crosstrek Premium 2018. This car got soo many compliiments and conversation starters. Great for campingm
Government: * see's cut out stop sign made as brush guard*
"Wait that's illegal"
You could always use the door of a 5 series. Or a piece of Mopani wood you whittled a bit with your pen knife until you arrive at a brush guard. Then you're gonna be okay.
It’s a Gambler 500 car
Fail.
You can buy old road signs from the government when they get retired.
@@feelx92ger nice top gear Africa special reference
My dad is a finish contractor & he did a job for a woman about a decade ago who had a fascination with these Bajas. During the time my dad worked at her home, which was a couple months, her Baja died. It was her second. She found another one to replace it. This was 2013 mind you. 3 Bajas!
Hipster cars that cost too much: Subaru Baja, Volvo 240
It's annoying, you could buy these heaps just 5 years ago for 1500-2000. The Volvo 240s in the late 90s could be had for 500 to 800 all day long.
All Volvo’s are worth $500
@@zacklance7798 Agreed. The 80s 240 was indeed fun to drive but yeah hipsters ruin everything
It's the manual ones that go for too much. Bought an auto 240 for about 500, and I might just say fuck it and manual swap it down the line.
@@JimtheCitizen The manual 240s were fun. I had an '84 with the button on the shifter to activate the electronic overdrive. They are not fast but they just have this tank like feel to them kind of like the same vintage saabs.
A buddy of mine used to have one of these back when they were new. The only time I rode in it was for a beer run, and the back was full of snow. Made a great cooler!
It’s unique and distinctive that is very rare today I like it!
So you're a fan of the Aztec?
Bailey O.
Lol yeah that was horrible but I give GM credit for going outside the box unique and distinctive is mute paint if the design sucks .
Saw a yellow one of these with a camper shell on it last month. Great video as always.
Loving the surprise CHVRCHES cover at the end there Roman!
I was like holyshit Kojima's here.
the 4runner one is fire too.
He does a take on BB's theme at the beginning as well.
What song is it?
@@jacobwallace49 Is it Recover? Or Down Side of Me? I also caught the hook as well.
I own a yellow Baja and I mean, this video is funny as hell. Mine has over 300,000 miles and runs like a dream but sadly it eats up gas. The funniest part of the Baja is that legally it’s counted as a truck where I live so they charge ya more on insurance.
I'll ride in the back IF I F*CKING FEEL LIKE IT!
You sold this car at the end better than subarus best marketing team in thier prime! I did think they were nifty a while back and still do....now look jeep is making truck beds for thier wranglers...you ARE the new definition of defining nostalgia my friend.
Nostalgia: (Nah-stahl-juh)- Regular Car Reviews.
Thank you for recognizing my self worth and seeing the way I see myself. I’m gonna go buy one of these now so I can materialize the embodiment of that emotion into and object..THE BAJA!!
When this came out I said once "I want a Baja. They are so cute!" Every man in the room who wanted one was now not going to admit to it. And proceeded to tell me why a man buys an off-road vehicle. I later bought a Bronco and never heard anything like that again. But still wish I had got one of these totally adorable Baja!
I have to admit, they are pretty cute.
"Coz chicks dig it" is generally a reason guys do shit, not pass on it.
The easiest way to ensure that no man buys a certain car is to call it "cute".
I have a 05 Baja and absolutely love it! Also, Ford is supposed to be bringing back the Bronco.
I have an 03 and LOVE it. They're still out there. :)
I love you. More than any UA-camr, any category, ever. That’s all.
For four months back in the day, I sold Subaru and I sold these. (Well, one of these.) I don't usually love cars just because they're weird, but this was one of those. I drove one as a demo and everybody asked me about it wherever I went.
What's fun about one of these as an off road modded is that not only can you drive it to the rally instead of towing it, you can also take it out in winter storms.
I always loved these as a kid and I still enjoy seeing them around.
I rarely see a Baja around but when I do, I always find it interesting to look at.
This is what stayng up way way past my bed time gets me!
I own a stock 2005 Subaru Baja turbocharged and honestly no the bed is pretty much useless unless you carry small cargo or have the bed extender, which I do own. I don’t see myself going to a rally in this thing but it is fun to drive around and talk to people about it. I don’t think it’s ugly or a bad car; I think it’s reliable for what it was made for: turning heads and getting you where you need to go
I was looking for one of these when I was shopping for a car... but I settled on a 2010 Forester....
Jeff B I was shopping for one of these too and I settled on a 2005 highlander awd v6
@Hugh Clarke Well... bought it used with 124,000.... it showed every damn mile of that mechanically. It didnt spent most of its 3 years with me on jack stands, but it was enough to make me feel it was unreliable, So the chance to mod it never came.
Whats bad too was, if I went out of state, I felt 1000% more confident in my 87 Monte to make the trip, than the Forester. With that said however, Im absolutely willing to say, this was all just bad luck, and I shouldn't chastise these model Foresters.... but damn, not what I wanted to happen.
@@JeffLMB well you can't compare it to a Montero, those cars will last you a life time and more now if you refer to a monte Carlo, your Forester has some serious problems
@@XxmatixX6videosdiariosdenadav It was all brake related... but they all didn't seize at once. it was the fronts, then the rears, then the hoses on the front. Now, I dont even drive it because the oil pan has a hole in it, and the trans cross member mount is totally shot.
My parents had this car's spiritual predecessor when I was a kid - the Suby Brat. Sweet little ute and we had the Brat seats in the back. Sheer bliss in the summer, but cold as hell during Maine winters (we had a cap over the bed, but still no heat back there). It was sadly totaled in an accident and my parents moved on to a '92 Blazer which was sweet in its own right.
I wanted one of these, I still do. With a manual, its fun and sporty even without the turbo. These days you can't find them in decent condition for a reasonable price. However it was built 10-15 years too early. Now Hyundai is working on a Santa Cruz little pickup that would be close to the form factor of the baja. These should sell well now since modern pickups are massive and not everyone wants or needs it. I wanted the Baja for light housework and hiking trips, I ended up with a Dakota V6 manual instead.
As the happy owner of a manual n/a Baja, I cannot call it sporty in any way. It's slow, the engine sounds stupid, and it doesn't like to rev. I still love it, for many other reasons that aren't "performance"
Fully endorse my 2002 V6 Dakota, mine is the automatic that I got for a steal, would've liked the manual better...
Dakotas are amazing, they’re small enough to just kind of float over mud and not leave deep tracks.
@@colatheprotogen3744 totally, its seen quite a few mud holes and other less desirable terrain and still running strong
I've always loved Bajas.... I feel like they are perfect for suburban life. Perfect for those trips to the to the local plant nursery to buy your 10 bags of mulch.
I have an 03 Baja with 225k miles on it. Love this review! You nailed it😄
i have an 05 turbo manual baja 195k, still love it
The Performance
When the Baja was first introduced in 2003, the only engine option was a 2.5-liter boxer-four producing 173 horsepower mated to either a four-speed automatic or a five-speed manual. In 2004, Subaru introduced a more powerful turbocharged motor, which bumped output up to 210 hp. By 2006, the turbocharged EJ255 motor produced 230 hp, which is not too shabby for a roughly 3,500-pound vehicle.
By no means is the Baja a rival for a full-size truck, given its measly 885 to 1,070-pound payload/towing capacity. However, if you only need the bed to haul smaller items and are willing to sacrifice payload for performance, the Baja is an ideal motor.
Even with the automatic, the Baja will hit 60 mph in 7.3 seconds and complete the quarter-mile in 15.7 seconds. Since this is a turbocharged Subaru, there are tuners out there who will be happy to extract more power from the EJ engine.
Interesting song choice for the end
Looks like they enjoyed Death Stranding
and the intro too!
I remember when this ute came out. I wanted it...bad. Ended up getting an Explorer Sport Trac.
Amazing review!
I am from Greece, so I have never seen this vehicle, as due to taxation and insurance premiums anything over 2 liters is almost cost prohibitive.
I’d love to be able to see one in person, it seems so interesting.
Only the bed is interesting, and this owner's mods. Otherwise it's just a plain old Legacy.
Used to see them more, they are rarer now
I'm SO glad you made mention of how they crap head gaskets regularly. And for some reason people still like these cars...
“ North American Ute” I like that term.. Its as much of a Ute than the Outback Steakhouse is an Australian Restaraunt.
That's what the Ranchero and El Camino were. In fact Ford got the idea for the Ranchero from their Australian division.
What
@@nathanlong8295 From Wiki: In 1934, Ford Australia's designer Lew Bandt modified a coupe with a smoothly integrated loadbed that could be used like a car to drive to church or to deliver pigs to market. This created the coupe utility which remains a popular body style known as the "ute" in Australia.[6] In North America, pickup trucks evolved into a heavier duty form with cabs and beds that were quite distinct from passenger automobiles. The Ranchero was the first postwar American vehicle of its type adapted from a popular sedan from the factory. It combined the sleek looks of a sedan with the utility of a light-duty pickup truck.
@@nathanlong8295 I was saying that's not a real "ute" , just like the Outback Steakhouse is not Australian, just "Australian themed".
Just watch Doug Demouro's video in the Holden ute.
There are Outback restaurants in Australia. That is something I do not understand.
I kinda feel like an idiot for buying one of these as my first car, but at the same time I'm still driving it and I do love it, even if with each passing day I realize how impractical it is.
That said I basically just got to listen to Mr. Regular roast me personally for approaching 15 minutes straight, so I guess it was worth it.
I loved that death stranding parody theme
I love Subaru. My 03 Outback has 200k miles on it and it still runs great. Besides coilovers, wheels, cold air intake and exhaust it’s stock. It is a 4 speed automatic however I bought a 5 speed manual transmission from a junk yard I’m installing next month. I saw a baja on Craigslist for 5k with 160k miles. They are great vehicles.
Please do a saabaru "saab 9-2x" if you ever get the chance! Love the videos.
TheWaw3r no it’s just Saab
In Vermont people loved the Baja and they were everywhere. NH and ME too. We were all the sales!
Oh the irony... I remember when Mr Regular review Doug’s car
That front bumper delete does a lot for its looks. Probably doesn't do much for its crash rating, but you can cross that bridge when you smash into it.
why do I like the bajas? up north you can find them rusted to a fine dust rivaled only by betty white's discharge... which means, nearly free EJ's for swaps.
Yup, unless owner did undercarriage maintenance (which 90% don't) a 10 year old Subaru in a salted road community is on it's last days.
Should be able to get an EJ for nearly free anywhere, as crappy as they are.
I live up in ny and Baja are still like $10k 😂
@@justinstearns9723 At least they don't blow head gaskets every 90k
@@saturndesigns2339 That's insanely stupid. (imo). You could get a clean Jeep TJ for that price (the jeeps that were still non Fiat)
Idk what it is, but I like the way this one is done up. It's not crazy over the top or anything. Good look
You finally go ahold of a Gambler rig!!!
I remember when my uncle had one. It was extremely useful to take mountian biking, room for the bikes, gas cans, & water. It could take on light rock crawling. But about as useful as a wet paper towel for anything else.
I Wanted one of these, they're rarely for sale though. So I got an Outback instead.
As a previous owner of a Manual NA Baja, i fffing miss it so much! 😭 my first Subie, on the 4th now!
"written by some guy named Doug Demuro" 😂🤣💀
I had a Baja sport and it will forever be my favorite car had so much fun in that thing
I admit it, I love 'em! I'd like to see Subaru bring them back.
wow, an unexpectedly wholesome RegularCars vid. Good job, Mr. Regular.
"The Impact Font of Cars" - hahahahahahaha I'm dying.
I honestly really love these little trucks. Before I got my first 04 outback I wanted one of these but they were all high teens and I couldnt swing that, 4 years later still want one but now rocking a 2011 outlander which I do quite enjoy
"Subaru lost focus and farted in church" - I mean, there was that time they claimed their engines were cleaner than a hybrid, and the whole B-9 Tribeca.
4:00 what you're saying there is that the cargo tray is connected to the passenger area, like an SUV, whereas in a pickup it is a separate unit.
Why does it sound like he's rubbing his hands when he talks
Oh my god I hear it, why did you do this to me.
He's rubbing something with his hands
The one benefit of having an open cargo tray like that, even though it's too small for conventional pickup use, is that you're basically eliminating your height limitations from the cargo space. Which means you can transport large appliances and small industrial equipment that wouldn't fit in an Outback.
7:05 That reference 😏😂
Sure, he's talented, but who's going to lend a supercar to a guy that turns up in a t-shirt, shorts and trainers? 😅
@@thomas316 utter white dad moment
Got a 2006 :) Drives like a dream, offroads like a champ as well.