Practical and fast!

I traded an Acura TSX that claimed more horsepower for this vehicle over two years ago. I am a Subaru fan for life.

When I drove to work in this vehicle my friends were like, "What is it?", "Is that a Brat?" I'll admit, it is different looking, but I don't like the norm, so it fits me.

First impression was at the dealership when I drove the non-turbo model. I drove it right back, gave the keys to the dealer and walked away. After he chased me across the parking lot and asked what I didn't like I responded...the power. He handed me the keys to the Baja Turbo and told me to think it over.

I took the Turbo model for a ride and before I hit 2500 RPM's and allowed the turbo to spool...no excitement and I started to head back to the dealer (with a few kind words). I stomped on the pedal and whoooosh was all I heard. The next thing I knew I was going from 30 mph to 70 mph in a very limited time! I slowed down and tried it again...and again...and again! I liked the turbo option, but then again, so do the gas pumps as it does not get the same fuel economy as the non-turbo model.

I drove the car back to the dealer and talked myself into reasons that I needed the open "truck style" bed and faux leather seats versus the enclosed trunk and top grain leather of my Acura. One more time around the block with the turbo and here we are 2 years later!

Integrity wise...the Baja could use a little more guts. The body accepts dings and paint chips from minor rocks that are flung from passing vehicles. Powertrain wise...I will never trade for anything other than a Subaru. I have taken this thing through heavy rains and yes...even driven near the funnel of a tornado before (not on purpose...bad timing!). The Baja grips the road thanks to the all wheel drive feature. Unfortunately, you cannot turn this feature off when its not needed, so it eats a little more gas than a 2WD vehicle. Also, the turbo assists with the gas eating, since I drive it like it has a turbo and I'm at the Indy 500!

I use the small bed to haul my dogs, a medium sized Polaris 4-wheeler, firewood and many other things that I could never put in the trunk of a car. The roof racks have come in handy when the truck bed is full of the aforementioned items.

Bells and whistles...not too many to list here. No bluetooth enabled stereo or fancy leather seats (seats are an option and stereos are replaceable). My main concerns were with the safety and reliability of this vehicle and it has not let me down as of this moment. Once the Baja needs replacement I will own another Subaru. Unfortunately, they no longer make the Baja and I bought the last one on the lot in 2006!