You reminded me that I left my 1998 Subaru Outback off my list of AWD vehicles owned. I always liked the Baja. Tried to convince a girlfriend to buy one back in '79.
Ahh the Brat. I liked those, and that would have the 2 range transmission. In low, first gear, it really crawls slow. It had either the 1600 cc or the 1800 cc, and I worked on many of the Subarus of that vintage. The spare tire was under the hood right behind the engine. The suspension was manually adjustable with wrenches. The Baja is sort of an updated Brat with a far more powerful engine, and I am sure it is heavier..it feels heavier.
Many of my decisions over the years have been based on what will haul a canoe or kayak on top, yet carry lots of gear. Now, I only go kayaking once a year, but it is still sort of a big deal to me, so I make sure I have a vehicle that is well suited for that. My Baja has 4 doors and a bed in back, but even so, it was stuffed to the gills for my annual trip a couple of weeks ago.
But the time I put in the tent, sleeping mat, pillow, chair, wet suit, life jacket, boat gear, coolers, fly rod and bait cast and all that jazz...it is stuffed. I have stopped bringing a banjo or guitar...no room.
My buddy took his Outback, and it was stuffed, even with the cargo carrier on top. Another friend, his F150 barely hauled all of his stuff. But honestly, we are not "roughing it." To the contrary, we are attempting to live better in the mountains than we live all year long in the Piedmont. I am along for the ride on some of this behavior, but filet mignon one night, Boston butt the next, the trout we caught fixed 4 ways the next...those guys know how to cook, and like trying to play chef, and like to eat good food.
Incidentally, we had a discussion about the best vehicle for that type of duty. One of mine from years ago was runner-up, a diesel Suburban. But the hands down best vehicle for that style of trip was <drum roll>
Buick RoadMaster Station wagon. That thing had air ride suspension, and held the same profile regardless of loading. It had an engine reputed to have been also used in the Corvette. And if the seats are down, it actually hauls more than the F150 since the walls are higher than the bed walls of the truck. I just checked, and those can be had for $1800 or there about, and if a man has a family, it is hard to see how it could be beat. Heck, a canoe will extend over the windshield only a bit, and barely extend past the back bumper of the car. That was a fabulous car, and my buddy was griping toward the end.."I wish I had the Roadmaster because it really is" (master of the road.) He still has it, but he retired it...but I think that trip taught him something; he is going to dust off the Roadmaster.
