I found a BRAT today. I am not sure of the year, 1981 to 1983. It is black, with a topper. It has the "H" style factory aluminum wheels, and they are still shiny. I could not find any rust but, I only looked at it foe about 5 minutes. The interior is in good shape, no tears in the seats. The carpet looked good, some stains, no tears. What should I offer for it? My hope is that the guy doesn't know what he has, and lets it go cheap. Any ideas appreciated. Thanks.

Brats are going up in value these days. If its in good shape with very little rust (im sure there is some) then its worth anywhere from 1500-4000. Ive seen them go on ebay in close to mint condition for more. I would just ask him what he is looking for before giving him an offer.

no round headlights after '81 if that helps.

If it's any thing to gauge it off, I'm buying an '82 later this week, sounds like it's in similar condition but it also comes with a topper, spare engine and trans, a 5th 'H' style rim with tire, extra door panels, spare 'cyclops' mechanism, 6 disc CD changer, electronic compass and some other trinkets.

There's some rust in the wheel wells in the bed, nothing too major (I hope, it's under a spray in bed liner at the moment)

I'm paying $2600... if it didn't have the extra stuff with it I'd probably be paying about $2000 or a bit less.

I talked to the owner today, and forgot to get the year from him. He said it tried to overheat when he started it. That is why it was parked. It has been parked for 5 years. He wants $500 for it, and I might be able to get it this weekend. I like the price, and understand what is involved in this. The wagon I am driving now was parked for 3 or 4 years, and it gets me to work and home every day. It also has the "H" style factory aluminum wheels. So, am I getting the short end or do I go for it?

Sounds like the good end of the stick to me... overheating? headgasket maybe, or a burst rad hose perhaps...

Either way, sounds like a good deal

He wants $500 for it.........do I go for it?

 

YES.

 

Its hard to find a brat in one piece here for 500 bucks.

 

Even if you should buy it and find something that is too big to fix (unlikely)

you could re-sell or even part it out and get your $$ back.

Put me on the top of the list of "people to call if I want to re-sell" I'm up near Springfield MO and would probably be pretty interested!

yeah, put me on that list too. if you don`t like it, turn it over to me for some profit, providing its rust free and straight. motor is no biggy.

go for launch!!! five hundred dollar BRATs seem to be rare in almost any part of the country, am I right?

Buy it. I want in line too.

Yep, that sounds like something I could even convince my wife was a worthy purchase.

I pick it up next Wednesday. It has a clear title and his niece is a Notary.

I can't wait, I have been looking for one locally for 2 years.

OK, got a good look and some pics today. 1983, EA81 with a WEBER carb installed. The body is clean and 99% rust free. A small spot the size of the old silver dollar at the bottom front of the drivers door. The only down side is it had the 3AT with push button 4WD. I really wanted the 5sp with D/R 4WD, but beggars can't be choosers. I get it next Wednesday. Enjoy the pics.

 

 

 

 

P.S. The tires are not flat, they are sunk into the ground up to the wheels.

Next step change the thermostat and radiator...

 

Looks good, could really use a good bath and buff job. And a ea82 5 spd d/r swap, lol.

 

So was today just to go check it out again, or is it yours?

I really wanted the 5sp with D/R 4WD, but beggars can't be choosers.

 

If you want a 5sp you will have to swap it in. The manual 4WD got 4 speeds.

Wednesday. He has really bad hours at work, and that is the soonest that I can get it.