so i have found a 85' brat in a junkyard. it is in wat i would call relatively good shape. there are some dings and dents and most of the trim is missing but the man said that it had ran when it came in. I would like to buy it and fix it up but i have a limited knowledge and background on cars at this point in time and was wondering if it would be a good learner car. also obviously it is in a junkyard so there is something wrong w/ it so wat could the worst possible scenarios be and how do i check for them? finally the guy threw out $400 dollars is that a good deal?

thank nathan

depending on the condition. Now if it has little to no rust, then yes, $400 would be a steal in this area. If it has cancer in the bed, along the wheel wells and more importantly, the shock towers which are part of the fenderwells, then I would walk away from it.

 

Oh, and where is Powell at? I'm here in Laramie...

It is up near cody

there is no major rest from wat i could tell

Ahh ok. Well make sure to look for any rust possible. Anywhere from floorboards to fenderwells to the bottom of the fenders and rocker panels. If it has some rust which is fixable, then go for it, especially if it runs!

that is a steal of a deal if it is anywhere near rust free!! as long as the body is clean, you could buy it for the 400, and be able to get out of it for probly $800 if you had to.

so i have found a 85' brat in a junkyard. ....wondering if it would be a good learner car. ..........worst possible scenarios be and how do i check for them? .................finally the guy threw out $400 dollars is that a good deal?

thank nathan

my thoughts....

 

1.) Would it be a good learner car?. Yes and no. Yes, as you will get your hands dirty and learn about these cars.. they apply somewhat to other cars but really... does my 84 Brat function anyway like my 2000 Ford past the Alternator or water pump... no. But could it be a learning experience.. yes.

2.) Worst possible scenarios... when I bought my first Subaru (more so for my son then myself) ... I knew NOTHING and prior to buying I exclaimed to my wife... "But what if I buy it and it doesn't even make it home? I don't even know how to work on this thing?" she replied, "Well, till it dies, just enjoy the ride!" ahhhhhh... and I was fortunite, my son got a years use out of it. I enjoyed the ride so much (fixing, tinkering, 4x4) that I bought me a wagon! Hooked!....

The car is 20 years old, it WILL have problems. If you have limited funds (buying diapers & formula) and need a rock solid transportation, then maybe now isn't the time for you to get into these... but if you have a bit of time, patients and trickling funds, not a life or death situation for steady transportation then problems can be resolved, and when you learn the next car will be so much cheaper! There is a learning curve with these cars,the first one will cost you more then the second etc.. the more you know.. the cheaper they get;) .

3.) How do I check them... well... test drive it if it runs, let it come to temperature... my guess is something is wrong with it... but hey... if you got time and want to learn here is the place to be

It is only money. They print it every day. The water is fine...

My 2 cents...