49 replies to this topic

[Gracey213]

Hello there!

 

so after a long brutal conversation with my Dad  , he has finally started to come round to the idea of a mini. :DHowever he said he would only be okay with me getting one either brand new (I hate the new minis so that's not happening) or a well restored one for under £3000 ish.

 

Is it even possible to get a well restored mini for under £3000?

 

I looked at one that was £14000, I know they're a classic car and this is probably a long shot but let me know what you think. Even better, if you actually know of one tell me so I can buy it!!   

 

Grace

[Steely]

You'd probably get a decent conditon standard 998 for that much, they do come up every now and then. I paid just over 2k for mine and when I first had it, it was bordering on mint. It's not so good now and I do try to look after it the best I can. So just have a good look around and look at a load.

[Alex_B]

You cannot guarantee the quality of a restoration though, it would be better buying a genuine car that is solid and only requires minor fettling which you could get for under 3k

[waddle]

3-4 grand for one thats had a decent resto  i recon 

[lewBlew]

Depends what you mean by well restored. You're looking at £2k upwards now for a very good Mini, anything under and there's probably issues with it unless you're very lucky.

 

£3k should get you a very well looked after example but you will have to inspect it all over to make sure, and make sure there is plenty of history as well. Buying off an enthusiast always helps (check the classifieds on here) as there are plenty of charlatans around. I have seen a lot of crusty ones with aftermarket shiny bits bolted on up for just shy of £4k recently, and they are having a laugh.

 

£14,000 seems an awful lot as surely even the last ones ever built didn't fetch that much when they were new!

[Gracey213]

You'd probably get a decent conditon standard 998 for that much, they do come up every now and then. I paid just over 2k for mine and when I first had it, it was bordering on mint. It's not so good now and I do try to look after it the best I can. So just have a good look around and look at a load.

I've already started having a look around but a lot of them seem to be unfinished projects which as much as I wouldn't mind buying my Dad would probably have a heart attack if he saw me buying one! How long ago did you buy yours?

 

You cannot guarantee the quality of a restoration though, it would be better buying a genuine car that is solid and only requires minor fettling which you could get for under 3k

Where would I get one though?

 

Depends what you mean by well restored. You're looking at £2k upwards now for a very good Mini, anything under and there's probably issues with it unless you're very lucky.

 

£3k should get you a very well looked after example but you will have to inspect it all over to make sure, and make sure there is plenty of history as well. Buying off an enthusiast always helps (check the classifieds on here) as there are plenty of charlatans around. I have seen a lot of crusty ones with aftermarket shiny bits bolted on up for just shy of £4k recently, and they are having a laugh.

 

£14,000 seems an awful lot as surely even the last ones ever built didn't fetch that much when they were new!

 

I mean one that I won't have to start pulling apart finding tonnes of rust, I need to be able to drive it when I get it for it to be acceptable and for wuite a while without any major issues. I need to find someone who knows a mini inside and out ( I wish I could say I do but I'm not that good  ) I don't want to get conned, obviously nobody does but it's taken literally years to get my stubborn Dad to even consider the idea and that would just reinforce the ''there aren't any good minis, they're all a pile of rubbish'' he seems to have going on in his head.

 

I have no idea why it was that much but I nearly choked and cried when I saw it, absolute beauty and REALLY well done job and they showed you the history of the job as well but I can't afford that

[cal844]

i have a standard 998, the best way is to buy one which needs somme work, as i did with the 998, it needed alot of welding but it was mechanically sound so i was okay :)

[A-Cell]

Hello there!
 
so after a long brutal conversation with my Dad  , he has finally started to come round to the idea of a mini. :DHowever he said he would only be okay with me getting one either brand new (I hate the new minis so that's not happening) or a well restored one for under £3000 ish.
 
Is it even possible to get a well restored mini for under £3000?
 
I looked at one that was £14000, I know they're a classic car and this is probably a long shot but let me know what you think. Even better, if you actually know of one tell me so I can buy it!!   
 
Grace

What about this one, very rare, restored, ready to go
http://www.ebay.co.u...redirect=mobile

[olds_kool_lews]

If you want a well restored mini, buy a rough one and send it to us for the full works, cost u less than your top budget and will end up immaculate

http://www.theminifo...-4#entry2801083

We can build you 1 exactly how you want it, your choice of colour, wheels, engine, interior etc etc
We even offer a collection/delivery service (at a cheap price)

[Bungle]

i wouldn't buy a restored one, you never know if it's filler and a shiny paint job

 

try and find a one owner,  little old lady, low mileage, never been welded mini

[munkey26]

We've just picked up a lovely Rover Mini Sprite 1275 in white which needs a little work which we will have finished in the next 2 weeks or so. Very original including original interior, sales receipt and only done 50k miles.

Looking for £3k for it when finished

[Gracey213]

i have a standard 998, the best way is to buy one which needs somme work, as i did with the 998, it needed alot of welding but it was mechanically sound so i was okay :)

 

I have no experience whatso ever with cars, I'd love to learn but my Dad wouldn't let me on my first car Maybe after he sees that they aren't the 'death boxes' he thinks they are.

 

What about this one, very rare, restored, ready to go
http://www.ebay.co.u...redirect=mobile

 

It looks gorgeous but it's a tad out of my price range!  £7,600 and that's not even to just buy it.

 

If you want a well restored mini, buy a rough one and send it to us for the full works, cost u less than your top budget and will end up immaculate

http://www.theminifo...-4#entry2801083

We can build you 1 exactly how you want it, your choice of colour, wheels, engine, interior etc etc
We even offer a collection/delivery service (at a cheap price)

That sounds brilliant! I'll have a shop around and see what I can find car wise

 

Also thank you to everyone for being so helpful!!

[tomb1992]

depends on the year of mini you want earlier than 1970 then probably not but you could get a good condition 1980 onwood for that price range yes i got my 1990 Mayfair  with a few months Mot for £1400 didn't need any thing major either . 

[Gracey213]

i wouldn't buy a restored one, you never know if it's filler and a shiny paint job

 

try and find a one owner,  little old lady, low mileage, never been welded mini

 

Well, that is my main worry to be honest, and I know I don't know enough to be able to tell  They don't seem to be the ones on the internet, which is a pain, every single one I've looked at has either been left to rot or restored

We've just picked up a lovely Rover Mini Sprite 1275 in white which needs a little work which we will have finished in the next 2 weeks or so. Very original including original interior, sales receipt and only done 50k miles.

Looking for £3k for it when finished

Pictures please!!     Where are you or where is the car? I'd need to have a look before I buy anything and bring my wonderful Father along!  

[Gracey213]

depends on the year of mini you want earlier than 1970 then probably not but you could get a good condition 1980 onwood for that price range yes i got my 1990 Mayfair  with a few months Mot for £1400 didn't need any thing major either . 

I wouldn't mind having an earlier one but I can just see it causing more problems unfortunately. When you say it didn't need anything major, what did need doing? If you don't mind me asking. It's just so I can get an idea of what I might have to do or get done :)