RdNkBrt Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 81 gl which supposedly can not pass smog but looks to be in REALLY great shape.... $450 or 84 gl from the ORIGINAL owner, currently reg. but it has 192k on it... and looks like this... $800 what would you do....? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bratman18 Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Buy the 81! Good price and just fix the issue! It looks to be in awesome shape Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RdNkBrt Posted January 13, 2009 Author Share Posted January 13, 2009 yeah, i WANT the 81... its been sitting since 01, but the guy went out and said it fired right up... i'm just worried about not being able to get it to smog.. if i cant smog it, then it;s useless and i'll have to practically give it away... which sucks.... plus, a plus to the other car is that the same person has always owned it, which seems like a good perk... but im for sure leaning to the 81... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bratman18 Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 The 81 looks really clean! What has the owner done to try to get it to pass smog. I'm sure it could be fixed. If not give it to me!:lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSubaruJunkie Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 As I said before, your biggest concern should be the smog issue. Unless you plan on a EJ Swap. If The '84 is smogged, i would vote for it. But the '81 sure does look like it's in good condition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RdNkBrt Posted January 13, 2009 Author Share Posted January 13, 2009 haha.. i'm not sure what they did.. it's just sitting in the yard... the kid who is selling it is selling it for his landloard.... to who really knows what in the work was done to try and make it pass.... plus, the kid is willing to do best offer on the car, but the price goes up every time i ask him to go out and check on something on the car! haaha... so i think i should just drive down and see for myself... stupid CA smog.... I HATE YOU I HATE YOU I HATE YOU! i've lost 2 cars to you thus far.. i will not lose another!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RdNkBrt Posted January 13, 2009 Author Share Posted January 13, 2009 yeah, the 81 s in good shape, AND it's 1/2 the price of the other... if i could magically get the 84 for $400 bucks, i'd go for it for sure.... damn the smog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4x4brat Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 you take the 84:lol: i'll take the 81:slobber: and help you get your working! win... win.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zyewdall Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 CA must have stronger emissions standards than CO -- I've never had a subaru fail in Colorado (except for stuff like gas caps). They've always passed at near a quarter of the limit. Other vehicles, yes.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSubaruJunkie Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 I was just looking over the two craigslist ad's and the 81 looks like it has some blemishes on the hood and drivers side fender. The '84 just looks like the hood is mis-matched. The price difference isnt worth the time and trouble you'll invest in trying to get it passed smog. +1 vote for the '84 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Shouldn't the 84 be a hydro lifter engine? 81 will need valve adjustments. Not a huge deal, but a small PITA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenley Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 Gloyale: a stock '84 would not have hydro-lifters. Getting the '81 to pass smog will be a waaaay massive PITA I say nab the yeller one, it looks like an unmolested version of mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RdNkBrt Posted January 13, 2009 Author Share Posted January 13, 2009 just talked to the guy with the 84.... if i can talk him down on the price, it looks like i'm going for that one, and then 4x4 might buy the 81 so all us nor cal folks can have a project! haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 81 wagon - first year for the EA81? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bratman18 Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 81 wagon - first year for the EA81? only in that body style. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4x4brat Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 just talked to the guy with the 84.... if i can talk him down on the price, it looks like i'm going for that one, and then 4x4 might buy the 81 so all us nor cal folks can have a project! haha work us a steal !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenley Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 only in that body style. What had an EA81 prior to 1981 ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSubaruJunkie Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 The 1980 Brat came with a 1800 EA81. Same old body style of the '77, '78, '79... but the only gen1 Brat offered with a EA81. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bratman18 Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 The 1980 Brat came with a 1800 EA81. Same old body style of the '77, '78, '79... but the only gen1 Brat offered with a EA81. ^what he said^ Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 Good info, Thanks Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShawnW Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 Actually its the 81 GL Brat that had the ea81 first. The 80 Brat is still a 1600. The 81 was also the first brat with a dual range transmission. The first cars (Subaru of America) to get the EA81 with the newer body style were the hatchback with the 3AT Automatic in 1980 FWD, and the 81 Wagon. This was the debut year of the hatchback and the new style wagon. Subaru doesn't make this easy to remember but it helps to think that the models don't overlap. They didnt have an old gen brat and a new in the same year for example. Back on topic I would buy the one that looks the least tampered with of the two regardless of which one is known to pass smog or not. The 84 could just as easily fail and has even more pollution control devices on it to fail with. Smog is #2 priority in my book. BODY is 1st. Then smog, then interior condition. The body is the hardest to overcome and most expensive to do right. Smog can kick your butt for a long time but can be overcome. With the 84 you do lose the cyclops light but it can be retrofitted in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSubaruJunkie Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 Actually its the 81 GL Brat that had the ea81 first. The 80 Brat is still a 1600. The 81 was also the first brat with a dual range transmission. The first cars (Subaru of America) to get the EA81 with the newer body style were the hatchback with the 3AT Automatic in 1980 FWD, and the 81 Wagon. This was the debut year of the hatchback and the new style wagon. Subaru doesn't make this easy to remember but it helps to think that the models don't overlap. They didnt have an old gen brat and a new in the same year for example. Back on topic I would buy the one that looks the least tampered with of the two regardless of which one is known to pass smog or not. The 84 could just as easily fail and has even more pollution control devices on it to fail with. Smog is #2 priority in my book. BODY is 1st. Then smog, then interior condition. The body is the hardest to overcome and most expensive to do right. Smog can kick your butt for a long time but can be overcome. With the 84 you do lose the cyclops light but it can be retrofitted in. HE's right, i stand corrected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dude Abides Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 The 81 will pass iowa smog. Send it my way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RdNkBrt Posted January 14, 2009 Author Share Posted January 14, 2009 i wouldnt be opposed to driving it out there!!!! but i think 4xbrat might have first dibs if i pass on it.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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