I was driving a 1985 998 mini ritz when I passed my test at 18, insurance was just under a grand with mum and dad on the policy. I would look for an 80's or early 90's 998, they may not be super quick but sure does put a smile on your face. It done me proud with no major issues for 3 years but bought an 1275 MPI to replace it while I weld it up, but much prefer the rusty 998
EDIT: £500 to insure it, that's very cheap, make sure when you insure one it has agreed valuation else if it did get written off you may get peanuts back rather than what it's actually worth.
Yeah I think it'll have to be a 998. When filling the value of the car for the insurance what do I put? The value u bought it for or something else? I must have done something wrong for it to be so cheap.
Also any helpful tips on how to convince my family who all own boring European cars with big safety ratings to allow me to get a tiny classic mini?
I says it's what the cars worth and what you'd need to pay out to get another one similar to what you had. Is that comprehensive or third party?
just tell them it's the cheapest to insure and they are really slow .