Benny Poo

You guys are the best. I'm really liking the tool suggestions. I'm going to go right back to this thread as soon as I get the Brat to start looking for tools and the suggested manual (I might start looking for that now). Dfoyl, holding value is the best thing about vehicles that are already at the bottom of their depreciation curve. The price has stabilized. Now the best choice would be a highly reliable vehicle that's at the bottom of that curve. The BRAT isn't exactly the top choice there, but it sure is a lot more fun. It's probably actually going up in value right now because collectors like them.

No, I appreciate the long comments. Gives me a really good idea of what you think about the subject. I'm very far down on the learning curve. I do want to learn, but not sure I can diagnose a problem. I don't even know how all the parts work. Reading forums helps, but not nearly as good as kinetic learning. I'm just afraid I'll have to shell out a lot to shops before I figure much out. A previous comment mentioned which tools are going to help the most. Not sure if it was an entirely serious remark, but I hope so because I'll probably take that advice. The good thing is that I don't really need a car. This is entirely for fun. I haven't used my own car for years now and will be selling it. My girlfriend's car is all we need between us since I get free public transportation through work and live next to a park & ride. Sweet deal, that. One more question about entering the BRAT world: if I take it out to the middle of the desert, where I like to spend my vacation, how likely is it to strand me there?

Thanks for sharing all your experience and advice. Some of it is reassuring. Some of it scares me. It'll be a tough decision. If I go for it, it sounds like I should shell out for the best possible condition, though availability is pretty slim. Seems I should also stick with Gen. 2. I like them both, so it's nice to know that one has obvious advantages. I really appreciate all the help.

Ihscout, you say 2nd gen parts availability isn't great, but it's better than 1st gen, right? I want to get whichever vehicle has most parts available. It's good to hear that insurance costs more annually for most of you than maintenance and repair. It will be my only vehicle and I will still put probably only 1000 miles a year on it. The missus has a much more efficient vehicle. The Brat is just for fun, but not crazy off-road banging-up either. I'm a little worried about parts availability and how many tools I'll have to buy to do all work myself. I was hoping I could do whatever work I could figure out and cave and use an auto shop when it becomes necessary.

I've wanted a BRAT for a few years now and may be in a financial position to finally get one. I don't really know, though, because I don't really know anything about maintaining such an old vehicle. I'd probably use it less than once a week if I got one. I figure I'd probably do best to pay a little more to get one in really good condition. Regardless, I'm wondering what kinds of issues I can expect to potentially come up and what kind of costs some of you have paid on average each year for new parts or for serious work that needed to be done. What kind of parts can still be ordered and how expensive are they and what kinds of items can now only come from a "parts car?" I could really use some advice about the finances required to maintain a BRAT.

Hello, I thought I'd say hi since I'm brand new and intend to start posting. I've read a little bit on the forums here before, but have some specific questions about the costs and issues that arise from BRAT ownership so that I will know what I'm in for and so that I can pick out a good BRAT. I'm already pretty happy to see that there is a community for BRAT owners still thriving. -BP