OT: I want to buy a BRAT, looking for info
 

Lately I've been having the crazy idea of buying a Subaru Brat. I'm sure everyone has mixed feelings about them, as they are kind of a love/hate unique car. And they are extremely hard to find it seems. Much harder than a SVX even, probably due to age.

I really have no idea where to start. Does anyone know a good source of info where I can find out the engines and options available for every year, stuff like that. Just from looking at some engine parts for sale on ebay it appears there were SEVERAL engines throughout the years, maybe even turbos. Do any of you Subaru tech guys know if certain yrs/engines were better or worse, what to look for, etc, etc? Also any of you techs, or if anyone has owned one, how are they as a vehicle in general, worth it or useless novelty?

What I'm looking for is something to take tent camping, hiking, and backpacking, occasionally to places off the beaten path. Room for me and my wife and a bunch of muddy camping gear, maybe the occasional piece of furniture. Doesn't have to be pretty, but I'd like it to run fairly decent and be able to travel out in a 300 mile radius or so without stranding me in the middle of nowhere. I had a 88 Subaru GL-10 turbo wagon that lived up to all these criteria gloriously. Unfortunately I traded it for the SVX instead of just coming up with trade in value in cash and keeping it. So that is always another idea, but first I thought I'd look into the intriguing BRAT, seems like it could be a fun little vehicle, especially with the T-top option, and could be even more off-road worthy than the wagons are.

Any thoughts? Is it what I am looking for? Best yrs/engines? (of course it is almost impossible to find one for sale, much less get very picky about it:eek: )

Thanks guys!

Mac,

There are 9 Brats on autotrader.com

Here are the details from one ad:

"1986 SUBARU BRAT, 4x4, 67000 miles, has never been off paved roads, original paint, looks new, stick shift, new tires, $4800, 509-668-1325, East Wenatchee, WA (49)"

I think that is in your neck of the woods.


Happy Hunting.

Larry III

Places to check
 

Mac, here are a few places you can get info on Brats and any other older Subes.

http://www.angelfire.com/80s/subarus/

http://www.ultimatesubaru.net/

The second one is a great message board with a lot of knowledgeable enthusiasts on.:)

There are 3 listed on e-bay today.

Well, there's the Yahoo Brat Club:

http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/thegreatsubarubratclub

Here's an article:

http://vintagecars.about.com/library.../aa030301a.htm

What the He77 has happened to SCOA. I go to http://subaruclub.com and all I get is some lame gaming site. Has anyone heard from Garry Grimes??? He was in the Pentegon on 9/11, but he doesn't seem to be on any of the lists of decedents. I'd like to know that he's okay.

I looked at several Brats in the spring of 2000. I found that the sellers had an inflated opinion on what they were worth, and since I live in Wisconsin (salt, snow, and more salt), most of the ones (9 out of 10) I saw were in some phase of corrosive decay. I concluded that it was not a wise move unless I had lots of time and cash to throw at it.
On the other hand, I did see an '86 at an Indiana dealership that was truly imaculate and had done only 34,000 miles ;) . It was being offered for $4,500.

Randy,

I ran out of places to check for Gary Grimes. All my queeries did not turn up a thing. I'm stumped. I hope hes ok.

Larry III