Amokster Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 First off, thanks for keeping me up for 5 hours when I should have been sleeping! The information is amazing here. My name is Amokster and I live in Olympia, WA. I've fallen in love with the Brat and of course must now own one, possibly even to replace my 2005 Honda Civic ( not lowered or modified ). I have a question for the Brat owners and owners of late Subaru models. I'm looking to buy a 1985 Brat from someone down south. The Brat doesn't contain rust and is in good mechanical shape, minus a possible front wheel bearing and maybe a carb issue--starts great cold then kinda idles rough here and there when warmed up. I can only do the easiest of repairs, like plugs, belts and alternators. I'd like to get this thing lifted one or two inches and of course the body dent-free and painted to perfection so it'll look like the pic at the bottom. Motor is the original E81 as is the transmission. So here are my questions and I'll be very grateful for any and all responses. 1: The body is straight and without rust, new dash and other goodies, and the car runs good. Is it worth $2200.00? I wish I had a pic to share. 2: Are these cars easy to work on, as in, is it easy for someone who's never changed out a front wheel bearing to work on? I only have basic tools, no air. I've looked at some of the pics regarding lines, vacuum hoses and the like. It was a little intimidating. 3: I believe the car has 175K on the motor. Can I expect a great many more? Will the clutch cable be a problem? Small stuff like that. 4: Aside from rust and leaks, is there anything in particular I should really be looking for? 5: Is there anyone in the Thurston County area of Washington State that is willing to answer some questions for me if they arise if I buy the rig? I'd love to learn how to do all of the repairs myself, I just need someone to point and say, take this off and that off and be careful of this and that. I learn from hands on, not really from the book. And once I learn it, I never forget it, especially if I have to do it twice. That's all I can think of for now. I'm gonna search this forum for other advice and to generally learn more about a car I should have been learning more about a long time ago. Pic of my dream Brat: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucky92 Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 First off.. welcome to the board...second that Brat you pictured is a board members and was taken at our East Coast Carlisle Import Show. The EA81s are really easy to work on..I mean seriously easy. And there is more then enough knowledge on this board to get you through any problem that you will ever have. The carb issue is a relatively easy fix... swap a weber onto it...its easy enough for even beginners. Plenty of write ups on how to do it here also. There is nothing on that Brat you cant do yourself. We all will suggest getting yourself a copy of "How To Keep Your Subaru Alive" ..lots to learn there. The price seems good considering how the price of them is skyrocketing. You are lucky to be where you are cause there are tons of board members in your area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcbrat Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 First off, thanks for keeping me up for 5 hours when I should have been sleeping! The information is amazing here. My name is Amokster and I live in Olympia, WA. I've fallen in love with the Brat and of course must now own one, possibly even to replace my 2005 Honda Civic ( not lowered or modified ). I have a question for the Brat owners and owners of late Subaru models. I'm looking to buy a 1985 Brat from someone down south. The Brat doesn't contain rust and is in good mechanical shape, minus a possible front wheel bearing and maybe a carb issue--starts great cold then kinda idles rough here and there when warmed up. I can only do the easiest of repairs, like plugs, belts and alternators. I'd like to get this thing lifted one or two inches and of course the body dent-free and painted to perfection so it'll look like the pic at the bottom. Motor is the original E81 as is the transmission. So here are my questions and I'll be very grateful for any and all responses. 1: The body is straight and without rust, new dash and other goodies, and the car runs good. Is it worth $2200.00? I wish I had a pic to share. yes, if rust free/dent free, and runs good, this is a great price 2: Are these cars easy to work on, as in, is it easy for someone who's never changed out a front wheel bearing to work on? I only have basic tools, no air. I've looked at some of the pics regarding lines, vacuum hoses and the like. It was a little intimidating. Yes. After finding this site in April of '99, I did my first ever oil change (on any car) in May, and in July I did an engine swap/intake manifold swap. Get the "How to Keep your Subaru Alive" book, and continue reading here.... 3: I believe the car has 175K on the motor. Can I expect a great many more? Will the clutch cable be a problem? Small stuff like that. Yes, many more miles generally. CLutch cables will stretch. pretty easy to replace. 4: Aside from rust and leaks, is there anything in particular I should really be looking for? Rust is the biggest enemy 5: Is there anyone in the Thurston County area of Washington State that is willing to answer some questions for me if they arise if I buy the rig? I'd love to learn how to do all of the repairs myself, I just need someone to point and say, take this off and that off and be careful of this and that. I learn from hands on, not really from the book. And once I learn it, I never forget it, especially if I have to do it twice. That's all I can think of for now. I'm gonna search this forum for other advice and to generally learn more about a car I should have been learning more about a long time ago. Pic of my dream Brat: Responses in Red.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSubaruJunkie Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 If you absolutely have to have a brat right now, then yeah... $2200 is a decent price (really wish you had a pic though). But if you can wait, you should be able to come across a better deal. But, you may often see them above the $2500 mark, and sometimes on ebay for over $4000 (rarely in the $5000+ range). I picked my Brat up for $500. Its not stock, numbers dont match, has had some major body repair. But still has the utility any other Brat has, and runs about as good as any EA81 I've owned in the past. You can find pictures of it in my signature below. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amokster Posted July 12, 2009 Author Share Posted July 12, 2009 Thanks for all of the info! I really don't need a Brat right now, but it'd be nice to have one. I love the size of them. And this past winter up here changed everything for me. I got stuck 8 times in the snow and thought, I can't do this. I suppose I could just buy a set of snow tires and save the cash. It was a rare winter with all of the snow but a pain in the A nonetheless. And since the winters and summers seem to be getting colder and wetter up here, I thought about a nice AWD system--was contemplating an '03 Baja that is for sale right now but the gas mileage and insurance makes me a little uneasy. Quick question: How much money has everyone spent on their rigs? Estimates are fine. Also, this is my first time looking for a Brat. Have they always hard to find or is it getting worse? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSubaruJunkie Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 Finding them is hit or miss. You can get lucky and find one rotting in someones backyard for a couple hundred bucks. Or stay posted on eBay, they are always up there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indrid cold Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 (edited) My, " +'s " with my 84 Brat: 1.) I keep a good car and have my Brat or Hatch as a back-up and weekend rig.... $38. month insurance... it's a hobby/entertainment kind of thing so write that off in that financial bracket. For others it is their main and only source of transportation... they are at the point in their subaru knowledge and parts that most issues are quick fix's for them. 2.) I put a 5-speed tranny in... worth every dime... 3.) Fun to drive... see #1 and consider it entertainment/hobby How much do we spend??? I try to run my cars cheap, most my parts off craigs-list or other members cars when I drive through at night... (Humor) seriously... dollar for dollar (in my opinion) it is cheaper to run a newer car once you pass the pay off and lower insurance vrs the time it takes to keep an older car on the road.... but the +'s I went from just the basic auto stuff to alot of major tinkering... and that is major tinkering... not the basic tinker... My new found skills (always growing) has paid for itself on my other cars for diagnostic and repairs and considered that a financial trade.... see #1 again... This site has been great and people most pleasent. and 4.) ... they are just fun to drive! 5.) Search craigslist, etc... once in awhile one will pop up... I paid $700. for Brat 8 years ago, $100 for 84 Hatch 2 years ago. Both running but issues... axels, bearings etc.. but that is how you get these cheaper is by people tossing them to the side because of the issues... $1,200 to $2,200 is close to market value for a running/cleaned up basic Brat, but it depends on how nice you want it too look. ... Option A. 2 years ago I stumbled on a 84 Hatch.. which is just as much fun but usually a bit cheaper, ... again... needed alot of TLC but now I had more knowledge and "how too"... so the more you know, the cheaper these cars are to operate... The cost of taking these to a mechanic kills any chance of making them "cost effective" so you have to learn to do it yourself or have $ . Disclaimer: I live in a Non-Emisions area which means I don't have to have cars tested, certified nor homogonized to be on the road...nor do I care for them to be. Results may vary, you will be subjected to..."stupid rig" outbreaks, best to set the tools down, walk away and ask for help/information. Stroking car and talking to them are common and not considered "strange".... wife or G.F. is automaticly upgraded to "cup holder" position. When all else fails... read #1 Edited July 13, 2009 by Indrid cold Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indrid cold Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 Oh, also... yea.. Welcome to the board..blaa,blaa.. but, WCSS #11 (West Coast Subaru Show #11) is being held in Stevenson WA. at the end of August. (East of Vancouver). This is worth your time if you can get away for a weekend and check it all out.... see the posting in this meet and greet section for details and registration etc.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Beast I Drive Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 If you have patience and some mechanical skill an old Subaru is a great car to have as a daily driver. They are about the simplest car to work on once you do a little cleaning up/mild modification, and if I have parts handy I can usually fix or replace any part of my rigs within a day. If you can find one with lower miles that hasnt been abused all its life you'll be better off. I beat the crap outa my cars, i have 2 brats on the road right now, an '80 and an 85. The 85 has had a less than desirable past, with almost 300,000 on the drivetrain though its running great and the trans is still shifting good (which is unusual as the 4 speeds usually lose 3rd and reverse). The body is toast, and its been saved from a junkyard before i got it. Ive had to replace a few things, but for 350 bucks its one of the best rigs I ever bought. If you have emissions regulations you might not want a neglected old Subaru for daily street legal driving, they can be a real bear to get them back up to snuff for the smog checks. If you are lucky like everyone on the east side of washington, you can swap on a Weber and eliminate 98% of the vacuum lines under the hood and all the emissions crap. That makes changing out the entire manifold possible within a half hour. Brats are getting way too high in price IMO, so just look around and try to find a deal. Look out for rust, once it starts it can ravage the whole rig a lot faster than you can imagine... Oil leaks are typical, and you can usually find a good deal if you find a nice body with a blown headgasket, broken axle, or bad tranny, etc... Easy things to fix, hell you could do all 3 of those in a day if you have ambition... Plus, Subarus are way cooler than Hondas. Period. -Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amokster Posted July 14, 2009 Author Share Posted July 14, 2009 Thank you for the responses. Ballpark: how much does it cost to swap out the carb? Is there a particular one I should be looking for? http://www.webercarbsdirect.com/Weber_Carburetors_s/2.htm I've had a Weber before and they are pretty easy to work on. I've never done a carb swap so it'd be as new to me as anything. I believe the Brat I'm looking at has new exhaust, brakes, windshield, carpet, dash and a few more things. ps. I towed a 1,200 pound trailer from Southern California to Washington State with my automatic Honda Civic 2DR without a problem. Gas mileage stunk, but other than that, it was easy. The owner of the Brat said it might have a front wheel bearing issue ( not sure how'd that'd be for a newbie to replace ) and sometimes the car hesitates after being driven on the highway for a distance. Says it'll start right up after sitting there for a few months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amokster Posted July 14, 2009 Author Share Posted July 14, 2009 Does anyone know what year this Brat is?? And if there are pics of the front and interior? I've searched the internet, and like finding a good sale on import CD's, have come up empty handed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edrach Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 Thank you for the responses. Ballpark: how much does it cost to swap out the carb? Is there a particular one I should be looking for?http://www.webercarbsdirect.com/Weber_Carburetors_s/2.htm I've had a Weber before and they are pretty easy to work on. I've never done a carb swap so it'd be as new to me as anything. I believe the Brat I'm looking at has new exhaust, brakes, windshield, carpet, dash and a few more things. ps. I towed a 1,200 pound trailer from Southern California to Washington State with my automatic Honda Civic 2DR without a problem. Gas mileage stunk, but other than that, it was easy. The owner of the Brat said it might have a front wheel bearing issue ( not sure how'd that'd be for a newbie to replace ) and sometimes the car hesitates after being driven on the highway for a distance. Says it'll start right up after sitting there for a few months. Front wheel bearings are pretty easy. The HTKYSA book would tell you how to replace them I believe. Otherwise, ask here. Someone will help you. The odds are that the Brat's hesitation is a fuel filter which needs replacing. It's located next to the fuel pump underneath the car near the rear wheel. People tend to overlook it and when it starts to restrict fuel flow, it stalls the car or causes hesitation. Let it sit for 20 minutes and it will be okay again until the next time. Welcome to the Board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAD MAX Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 Hey i'd be happy to come by to help you out when you pick up that brat it be great to talk to another suby lover in Oly:banana: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edrach Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 Does anyone know what year this Brat is?? And if there are pics of the front and interior? I've searched the internet, and like finding a good sale on import CD's, have come up empty handed. It's a GL model '85 or earlier (rear seats were eliminated in '86 I believe). Not an '82 since the tail-light trim was different. I can't narrow it down any closer than that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amokster Posted July 23, 2009 Author Share Posted July 23, 2009 Quick update: Still don't have the Brat. Was going to look at it last Saturday but the guy said there was a carb issue so he postponed it because he doesn't wanna sell it unless it's working perfectly. Turns out it had 3 vacuum leaks. The mechanic also did a compression check on the engine and all 4 cylinders have 150 psi which he said was perfect--I don't know anything about that kind of thing. So now it runs like new and I'll be checking it out in 1.5 weeks if all goes well. The carb is a year old and works fine but everyone seems to like the Weber carbs. So here's the question: Would it be better to leave the one-year old Hitachi carb on there with all of the H.R. Geiger-esque vacuum lines or ditch the carb right away and go for the Weber which the Brat guy said would eliminate about 75% of the vacuum lines? Also, is there a finish I can put on the dash to cover up the blue interior aside from swapping out the entire thing? maybe like a special paint of mat cover? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markus56 Posted July 24, 2009 Share Posted July 24, 2009 Do the Weber. It's completely worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amokster Posted August 9, 2009 Author Share Posted August 9, 2009 Looks like the car was sold from under me. Oh well. If an awesome deal on a Baja comes my way, I'll pick it up. Thanks for all of the input, guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baccaruda Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 They have a way of coming up for sale so don't lose hope. You're in the second-best spot in the world to get one, too (Australia probably being the first). You can download How To Keep Your Subaru Alive from my webspace: http://www.worldwidecm.com/HTKYSA.pdf (I didn't scan it or create the .pdf, I just tossed it online) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twitch de la Brat Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 Looks like the car was sold from under me. Oh well. If an awesome deal on a Baja comes my way, I'll pick it up. Thanks for all of the input, guys. That sucks, but at least you still have options. And 12-14k is the average price for an 03 baja around here Keep your eyes out for one, but be wary as people seem to be putting the baja into the same category as the BRAT. Expect the price to be miserable. Twitch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.