Hello, I am new on here and a little about myself. I currently own two Subaru Impreza, 1998 black diamond pearl 2.5RS and a 1999 world rally blue 2.5RS. I do compete in AutoX events and as well as track events.

 

I am currently looking for a Subaru Brat because they look pimp with the back seats. Just the way they look and how RARE they are. I just wanna know how rare are the 1st gen and 2nd gen Subaru Brat? I've found some on craigslist and ebay for $2500-$3000+

Well rare isnt exactly the term i would use to describe them. On any given day you can find some for sale in the US. They are getting scarce as most were used and abused..lots on the east coast are gone because of rot. The reason they are priced at 3k where say a sedan would only bring 1 or 1.5 in the same shape is that they are somewhat of a cult thing. When u think classic subaru the first thing that pops into your head is a brat. They are damn cool i do have to say. I would love to own one but cant justify the extra money.

Make sure you really want one and are willing to take care of it, other wise

you'll have us (the enthusiasts) after your hide.

Believe me, unless you're willing to hunt for parts and do a looooot of research

don't bother.

Owning any Subaru older than the 90's is an adventure in itself.

Be ready to get a lot of wrong parts, a lot of headaches and do a lot of modding.

Unless you're dedicated to it, you shouldn't even bother.

 

Twitch

 

PS: They are rather rare as well

Both posts -well said.

You don't say where you live but I've noticed there are many more brats for sale on the west coast. Perhaps because of better weather and no salt. We recently bought an 1982 brat for $1,000 but it has issues with a lift kit and we did replace one CV joint but the body itself is in great shape.

 

If you don't know how to wrench and don't plan to learn I would not recommend buying an old Subie whether it is a brat, hatch or wagon. But they are fantastic cars. We have an 82 Brat, 83 Wagon and 86 Hatch - all with EA81 engines. The wagon and hatch are daily drivers. But I think the Brat is getting an EJ motor we have sitting in the garage.

I can tell you that here they are really rare, allthough they sold good back then,most have gone and few are still on the road.

As one who own one i can tell you that i wouldt replace it for any other mini truck

In Michigan they are almost EXTINCT! I had one for my very first car (a 1979 BRAT DL) in 1988. That one rotted out to the point it wasn't safe and my dad made me junk it. I bought another one about 4 years ago that came from New Hampshire, but it has NO rust and is ALL original. To let you know how rare they are here..... I haven't seen a BRAT on the road in MI, in probably 8 years. (other than mine) LOL

BRATS are easy enough to work on, as long as you understand a carburetor.

 

don't go expecting to bolt on mods. the best you can do is invent, or retrofit parts from newer soobs to accept aftermarket parts.

I've wrenched on cars, I do my own work. I rebuild my EJ25D, spun a rod bearing at a lapping day event and found out the previous owner used a Phase 2 block. I've done tranny swap, engine swap, differential and such. As long as it isn't electrical then I'm good. lol.

 

I live in WI, I've come upon 2-3 Subaru Brat and seen one back in WY, when I was there for school. Other than that, I found a Brat for sale but it needs work, A LOT of work actually. I'm looking for another car incase my '99 RS (DD) needs maintenance. The guy isn't asking much but it just needs work and it'll cost me more to get the car home.

Were you in Laramie for school? That might have been Russ's brat (he's Cabobaroo on here)

Were you in Laramie for school? That might have been Russ's brat (he's Cabobaroo on here)

 

Yes, I was in Laramie for school.

well i just bought 2 subaru brat gls for $800. one is a 1982 subaru brat gl and the other is a 1984 subaru brat gl. heres a picture of my two. I believe I got a great deal. and the seats which sell for a high price, i got for free with the trucks

going to make the best out of two or are you fixing them both?

i have a 1978 Brat for sale in Dallas, TX. I was using it for a few parts for my rebuild. Engine intact except for removal of oil pump. It was running until I removed it along with alternator and compressor. Tranny,4x4,body panels are completely intact. Interior is pretty much gutted.

Im fully restoring my red one and the black one im turning into a crawler. Im gonna make sure the subaru brats are going to be known once again. Almost everyone I talk to has no clue what a subaru brat is so im making sure people know and will remember these vehicles. Im proud of owning them and I am never selling them

I know this is an old thread, but just to add my .02

 

The Subaru Brat is most def a rare vehicle, especially one that is in nice condition. Most of them have either been crushed or rusted into the ground. So finding a nice, rust free, clean example of a first generation Brat is tough to come by.

Good ones are getting rarer now have to pay more for them (body and mechanicals)

 

Most have rust / full of bog (filler) and tired mechanically (neglected)

 

Unfortunately these were bad for rusting generally any way so agree if you can find one from a dry air climate and non salted roads also all the better

 

Heres a really good one here in NZ

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/subaru/auction-1030455359.htm

Edited February 11, 201610 yr by subnz

I bought three 78" Brats for 1k here in Dallas. Planning on fixing 2 of them

Bought my 86 for $1200. Was 500 miles away so me and the Boss (who has been very supportive of this) drove out there, bought it, and I drove it 500 miles back home no issues. Probably put another 1000 or 1500 miles on it since then. Only rust is in the bed on the wheel wells, otherwise it is super solid. Runs and drives great and only issue has been a dead battery. Recently picked up a 99 Outback Sport as a donor EJ22 and AWD 5 speed with the Viscous LSD as a full swap. Love this thing to death, just gotta find some headrests for the seats in the garage.

It will be interesting to watch this thread evolve as time goes on. The unfortunate thing is many of the Brats on the road or for sale have significant rust damage, I can't tell you how many times I communicated with a seller who listed a rust free or "only some rust on the bumper" car and when asked for pics of some key areas underneath they replied that there was allot of rust they hadn't seen until they crawled under it. When these things start to rust they can go fast, likely many of the ones in semi rusty shape simply won't be here in a few years. Prices for clean examples have risen but compared to other "collectable" cars they are still not worth much, a pristine one would sell for less than your average low end econobox sells for new today, were not talking 69 Camaro or bug eye Sprite prices and I don't think they will ever see that range.

 

Like so many cars of that era they had high disposal rates and corrosion issues, and so few are getting restored compared to other antique cars so at some point they will see a popularity boost simply by rarity. I don't think that will translate to Barrett Jackson bidding wars though, but it will be harder for enthusiasts to find good condition or restoration candidates, I think that now is the time to get serious about preserving them. The way we use them will also evolve, the garage kept ones that are out of the wet and salt will be here in another 20 years while the ones still being wheeled and exposed simply won't be and it is a tough decision, do you go out and enjoy yours now or do you get to drive it to cars and coffee when your retired?

I know this is a old thread but I bought one in Arizona and it was the only one within 500 miles of me (Phoenix area) I don't plan on restoring it to factory or off-roading It I plan on swapping it because I like to go fast and parts are super rare I have extra parts but stuff like the dash and seat rails are like looking for an authentic a/c cobra at a car show they are basically none existent

What is the market for lifted Brats vs stock (in the same condition).  I bought an 82 Brat in great condition (no rust, seriously) and added a 4" lift and 27" tires w/ GM 6 lug alloy wheels.  I am now in the process of adding a turbocharger...  I'm doing this for my own benefit but I would like to know if I have killed its value.  Also, is there a source for the plad seat covers, mine need to be replaced.

MrE