Subaru Baja Review: Subaru's bad little truck, for off road? 

Just bought a black turbo edition for under 10k. Owned by a old art teacher ( so you know that it's in decent condition. 103k on the dash. I love this car.

I had a 06 turbo version for 9 years until I got hit in a head on collision with a drunk driver a few years back. It honestly amazed me with how well it took the impact. The truck that hit me was a 1 1/2 ton pick up and I completely took off a whole wheel from the front end of that truck...needless to say that was the last time I drove one , but I can say I did love that car it saved my life more than once.

I got an 04…never off road with it but i genuinely fakin love the car there’s no other vehicle like it

Thanks for pointing out potential problems, gives me a much better idea of what I would be getting into if I bought one. I really wanted one when they came out, but the timing was off. Rust is a very real problem here in Michigan.

I know I’m late to the party, but I’m finally buying an 06’ Baja. Literally picking it up after work today. Your videos have truly been by far the most helpful. Thanks, looking forward to see more of your beautiful yellow one

You are definitely above and beyond the average guy skill set, which is illustrated in the custom mods that you did to this beautiful rig. I lovethe mods that you have completed I don’t believe these mods are assessable to the “Common man.” I applaud and commend you on your knowledge and your ability to go after your passion great content.

I’ve got a 04 Baja sport with 250k on it headgaskets been gone since the first owner I just put a quart in every two weeks and it runs fine love this car.

I always had a feeling a JK front bumper would fit width wise on the outback/Baja and finally confirmed that it will. Thanks for the video and keep innovating!

Baja owner here I inherited my Baja from my dad after he retired from work it's an 03 Baja auto transmission of corse and it was his daily driver for 16 years when he bought in 2005 it it had less than 60000 miles on it When I got it in 2016 it was at 250000 Miles now in 2023 after years of abuse and farm work its still running 375602 miles on the odometer on the stock motor if that don't screem reliably than idk what does

I own a turbo Baja and it’s a super reliable car. Keep us posted with your upgrades

Sick video! I have a the exact same car lol. Yellow 03 5 speed! Really enjoyed seeing one modded out that is just like mine. I see lots of them where I am in North west Arkansas. Very rare to see another yellow one though

I have a 2006 non turbo baja that I bought from an old lady. 1 owner, and super clean.

I want a Baja so bad honestly... my current car seems like it's a goner soon and I'm getting a used car to replace it at some point and now I'm really looking at a Baja. Even if I have to bring it up to Canada from the US.... they just look so cute and fun! thanks for showing off yours! I feel like it'll be a good investment honestly, they seem so reliable

Doug Demuro LOVED my 06 Baja Turbo 5MT, Baja's were definitely ahead of their time considering the upcoming santa cruz and maverick coming out soon. I am currently sitting on parts to come in for my lift kit, 4/2pot brake adapters and and my bigger wheels and tires, very excited to get all these parts on soon.

It may not have a lot of power, but my Baja has never gotten stuck. I have even pulled out a jeep some newb got stuck in a mud puddle. Of course I had to drive through the mud puddle first. Love the little beasts.

Hey, I’m new to getting a Baja, my grandparents gave me their 2003, needed new wires rats had chewed threw them. But I’m excited to turn this car into something cool that I want to have fun driving

I did my head gaskets via RU-vid basically. Did get them professionally machined of course. But aside from that it was totally worth the savings. I did it at night through a few days. And it was awesome.

sweet, I am 63 years old, I remember the BRAT, AND THIS, I always wanted one but never happened

I have liked from when I sat in one at a car show. I drive Subaru Impreza great snow car. Nissan made an 80's van with sliding doors on both sides. I hauled a lot of concrete and mixer in it. I was surprised I didn't break it. I like both.

Add wheel spacers for wider stance and better look. I added 20mm in front and 25mm in rear (quality hub-centric spacers). Love the handling and look. No rubbing from stock wheels. 25mm in front rubbed just a little. 20mm fixed that. 2004 Baja Turbo 5 speed.

Those model legacy/baja where really great cars but they cant even come close to "keeping up with the best of them". You'll get alot of places in these and yours is a really cool build but its not a jeep offroad. Ive owned both this and a jeep so im experienced. That said id buy one of these bajas again before i would another jeep any day of the week.

Just picked up my 05’ baja turbo in black with gunmetal cladding for 4k. Needs a new steering rack and tlc but I’m excited to have finally found one!

I found four Subaru Baja’s for sale near me so I had my pick of a automatic turbo 2004, standard sport and standard turbo 2005’s, and one 2005 automatic sport. All the cars ranged from $7500 - $12500. I picked the automatic turbo because the dealership I got it from basically specialize in late 90’s through the early and mid 2000’s Subaru’s. I paid $10,000 and have put $4,000 into to it replacing old parts that need to be replaced. The point I’m getting at is the fact you should never buy this car any where near the ocean or in areas with heavy snow because the salt damage might be your worst nightmare.

I'm judging you for what you've done. 8/10 really cool build

Anyone else notice the mountain dew can sitting under his car at 5:00 😆

Been looking for trucks for s little over a year now and find nothing with 4x4, but then I remember the baja also a highschool dream car, and conveniently enough someone is selling a 2003 with 159,000 on the clock will see if the headgasket is good if not the search continues.

6:46 instantly got power ranger turbo vibes when that light turned on lol, thats an ancient memory

I love the Baja and everything about it! Thanks for sharing your passion too!

11:20 I decided to watch your video after seeing a baja that's coming up on auction and trying to look into it.. I kept wondering why the fuel door on the car looked so weird in the pictures I was looking at and realized the door must've flew off lol

Nice video. Recently inherited my moms 03. I’m headed in a very similar direction with mine. Just picked up a wrecked 03 for the leather interior and looking forward to an ADF lift, rear locker, H6 and dual range 6 speed. I’m on the lookout for a yellow ARE cap as well.

Good video man, was debating a Baja build vs my Outback, but that 3.0 in the outback stock is a nice touch over swapping one into a Baja

Hello fellow Baja owner 😎😎 Jeep bumper Baja owner as well 😜

Yo man respect! You literally covered like everything and in extreme detail! Yeah I'm thinking about picking up one that looks identical to yours and color even! I'm thinking about doing an engine swap on it too. I do know about the horsepower and it doesn't have all the power in the world... You're definitely correct about that. Anyway man very good video! I always wanted one of these and never could find one! So I know you're pain! 👍👍 Your truck looks absolutely rugged and bad ass! Going to use yours as some inspiration! Definitely want to use some of your mods to make my Baja come to life!

Amazing Baja!! keep posting

I honestly think the Subaru Baja is really rare trucks and 🛻 and I'm a proud owner of two Subaru cars 🚙🚗

Subaru recently announced they will be bringing back the B.R.A.T from the 80s. Which means in 2024, you will have an official Subaru pickup truck.

Great job and awesome upgrades !!

Hopefully locking down a turbo manual, you weren't joking about the price just going up

Great review! I used to have a blue 05 Baja. I traded it in for a 21 Crosstrek. The owner of the Subaru dealership actually bought the car from me because he really wanted a Baja. I kind of miss my Baja. Sure, it's dated, but it's unique. I had many people ask me what that thing is. Or, is that thing a car or a truck?

8:50 A modern Brat!

You as I didn't buy a vehicle, ITS A CULT 😂

Hello, what bumper do you have on yours. We have the same exact color and everything and love how that bumper looks. Did you have to custom fabricate It?

COOL!

It’s too bad Subaru doesn’t bring back the Baja in the Wilderness trim with the new hybrid system.

If you want a REAL offroading challenge, come to West Virginia and hit me up. I'll take you on some pretty NASTY trails!

The wife loves it.

Dude, you have Iowa plates. I moved to Omaha one year ago for law school. Could you recommend some camping within two hours of Omaha, that would also offer some enjoyable dirt driving? I've researched the Loess Hills, and Lincoln Highway, and so far things like Preparation Canyon come up. My family and I want to head out in the Subaru over this coming Fall Break. Thanks for your input.

How did u get 2010 Toyota Tacoma suspension in rear?? Did they just fit? Additionally could you do the same for the front suspension?

Great video. God bless

I’d very much like to pick one of these up, any tips on the going rate for em or fair price?

Sir you have given me much inspiration on what to do with my Baja. I tip my hat to you. Would you be able to point me to the individual who made your roof light bar mount? I have been thinking of getting light and I love the way the mount looks and functions.

How would you mate the proposed H6 motor to the existing manual transmission? Is there a kit for that or are they just compatible?

Nice video! I’m building a baja myself and I’m eyeing a diy camper top, mud tires, dual tone grey and black bedliner, and intake and exhaust (NA 06)

I’m working on a similar project. What bumpers will fit??? And are there any suspension upgrades that can be added to this car???

What rear suspension was that you used off a Toyota Tacoma you said to increase the payload?

Can you give me a link to the light roof mount please.

My Uncle Alex designed the Brat.

Should I trade my 2005 toyota corolla with 150,000 miles for a baja with 143,000 miles

Tell me about that front rush guard. I need that.

Hi there. I’ve been wanting to put a new bumper on my Baja but wasn’t sure what would fit. I’ve seen some comments saying a JK bumper. Is that the bumper from the thumbnail?

I saw you placed the subwoofer in place of the cargo door. Is it possible to put a subwoofer in the space underneath the rear seats by lifting up the bottom part towards the front seats? I am getting my Baja later this month and I would love to deck it out with a sick audio system. :>

I have a Baja and a Jeep

Love the Baja but sadly they're just huge money pits

Where are the safty switches i cant find mine

So how much is a lift kit

You have any leads on where to buy the front guard?

Belt or a chain timing chain

How much did that Mountain Dew upgrade cost? 🤑

Is that a can of mountain dew just chilling by his suspension?

Nice mountain dew can

Whats up with the baja blast at 5 min🤣🤣🤦‍♂️

man i love these but people want billions for them :(

Start a go fund me lol