Can the Baja be used to tow anything?

Yes- 2500 lbs I believe.

My 2001 Outback wagon was rated for 2000 pounds. It's right there in the owner's manual.

FWIW, my 2001 OBW had no problem MOVING 2000 pounds, stopping it was another story. Unless the Subaru's brakes have been seriously improved in the meantime, I'd suggest electric trailer brakes on a

2000 pound trailer.

For regular towing of a 2000 pound trailer I sold my OBW and bought a Toyota pickup. The car was an excellent car, but it's not a fantastic tow steed.

You seem to have much lower tow ratings in the USA than here in NZ.

My 1995 Legacy wagon (and I expect all other years too) is legally rated for 500 kg (1100 lb) unbraked, 1500 kg (3300 lb) braked.

I don't know what this ...

... weighed, but it knocked me back from my usual 28 - 30 mpg to 19 mpg, but the car was happy as anything doing it, managing to do the 90 km/h speed limit (with trailer) even up quite steep hills.

I never complained about the UPSIDE of hills.

My manual shifted OBW needed new brakes @ 31,000 miles, with occasional towing. I'm a downshifter in daily driving, and I do my own brakes, so I wouldn't call them robust. This was NOT a case of someone selling me brakes, I pulled the worn-out pads off the car myself. They were done like dinner.

I've NEVER put pads on one of my cars at 31k before...

Barry

....not unless you want to wreck the transmission and/or see your engine oil temp go to 800°F+

Baja: The most useless and cartoonish Subaru since the Brat of the 80's.

Yes. And it would stay in 4th gear torque converter lock-up on flattish roads as long as I could maintain 75 - 80 km/h or more. (normally it goes into lock-up at 60 km/h, but only very light throttle pressure is required to unlock it at that speed)

From what I just read, 2400 lbs and then only with brakes on the trailer

Actually, the Brat was quite nice if you kept to its role. I'm sure the Baja would be quite nice if you kept it to its role as well. Anyone know what that role is?

love my Baja, a lot better than my Outback, great for work and hauling my fishing tackle around, wouldn't tow my boat with it but once the boat is docked the Baja serves its purpose of hauling my gear back and forth.

Does the owners manual say anything about trailer brakes? My Toyota pickup, which has far better brakes for such use than my Subie, is rated for 3500 lbs tow weight, but the book says brakes are required over 1000 lbs. And I recently read that California (where I am) requires brakes on trailers over 1500 lbs. Regardless of the tow vehicle, I guess?

Rick

My associates at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philly (home of the Philadelphia Eagles Football team) who all drive Ford and Chevy pickups or SUV's commented that my Baja is a great truck for pre-game tailgate parties. I put an enormous plastic bin in the back, fill it up with crushed ice, some water and about 3 or 4 dozen six-packs of brewski's. (usually Miller, Fosters and good ole Sammy Addams for ME!) They all love my Subie, they call it "The Rolling Beer Fridge". Works great at Phillies games in the summer in this application also. Just get a suitable Rubbermaid or similar heavy squat container with cover, load it up with canned beer and soda for the kids, attach lid and bunjee-strap it down. Then drive to the party, back up, park, pop the lid and enjoy the day. Spills are easily flushed with the melted ice water when you get back home and the back of my subie smells like a brewery.......