Rembrandt Posted June 5, 2006 Share Posted June 5, 2006 Hey guys this is my first time posting on here. I've been looking around for quite some time though. Here's my situation. I've never owned a Subaru before however I love practically everything about them. My friends family currently owns a Baja so they've kinda gotten me more into the Subaru trend. I'm currently looking at a 1985 Brat. Decent condition, little beat up and some rust, nothing major. Has 180k miles on it. And still runs farily well, for how long I don't know. I'm fairly highly mechanically inclined. I can do 85% of the body work my self. The only thing I'm worried about is the drivetrain (engine, tranny, etc.) I don't know much about Subaru engines except what I've read up on. I'm sure over time I can figure it out. My main question is What am I getting myself into? How hards are parts to find, if and when I need them? How hard are repairs (will I have to take it somewhere or will it be something I can do myself)? And how's the reliability on the older model's? I'm from GA and there's not many older Subaru's to be found which is why I'm asking. Last thing, where kind I find a lift kit for the Brat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fbh Posted June 5, 2006 Share Posted June 5, 2006 Welcome to the boards What am I getting myself into? Fun? How hards are parts to find, if and when I need them? Should be able to find most things from your local junkyard/pick-a-part, other things you can't afford to get 2nd-hand stuff for, or can't find in a jy, you should be able to find on some of the websites mentioned on here... dunno any off the top of my head, but use the search button, it's what it's for How hard are repairs (will I have to take it somewhere or will it be something I can do myself)? Not very hard, these things are way easy to work on. For brake-related work, though, I'd suggest taking it somewhere, because the one thing you don't want flipping out on you are your brakes. Doesn't matter if you're very clued up, the people who do these things for a living will always know a few tips, tricks and important things that we don't... And how's the reliability on the older model's? I'm from GA and there's not many older Subaru's to be found which is why I'm asking. Well, few people on here have subies with less than 150,000 miles... mine is around that mark too, there's even a few people with 300,000 miles and up... I think the highest I know of is 377,000 miles or something. Just keep them well-maintained, regular oil changes etc, and it should serve you for a very long time my '89 GL with 150,000 on the clock still runs as if it were new. Last thing, where kind I find a lift kit for the Brat? do a search, there is a website I think you can order them from. Also, 6-lug conversion!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rembrandt Posted June 5, 2006 Author Share Posted June 5, 2006 thanks for the help fbh. Yeah that's the first thing I've been looking at after body work is the 6-lug converiosn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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