23 replies to this topic

[Neon trifle]

Hi
I am really interested in getting a Mini. I had a Mini Cooper which I bought nearly new on an L plate about 10 years ago and loved it but had children so it had to go. Now I want back in, I have a boring Mondeo estate for the family but want one for every day use, driving to work (2miles) dropping kids off localy and weekend fun.
Thing is there seems to be so much in price difference in Minis. I see Coopers 3-4 years old being advertised at £6000 which seems ridicilous when they only book at £2000-£3000. I also see restored ones from places like P&L Minis for roughly £6000 but the engines have not been touched its normaly just a body work restore. So first question, I want reliability for daily use, what is best a v-w reg car a few years old or a restored bodied car both around the same price?. I have noticed that even the newers ones show rust bubbles under headlights and around wings and doors. I spoke to someone at P&L Mini's who suggested that an older restored model would last much longer than a newer one....but he would say that he is selling them.
Bottom line is I really don't want to spend more than around £3000. I want a basic mini, that is reliable, no fancy arches, no flash paint jobs, rust free, injection engine because I figure they are less hassle more reliable, only bonnet stripes if it is a genuine Copper, not too many extras or modifications because of insurance hassles and I light the old fashioned round nose look. Is it possible to get something really nice for £3000?
I look on ebat ect.... prices seem much better but I guess is more risky, anyone got any advice?
Thanks for listening I am dead keen to get started and me and my eldest must jump in this year. Thanks for listening
Neon

[Dom]

hello and welcome to the mini forum

[Jordie]

get the mags, theres loads advertised in them.

Another yorkshire man, welcome

[Neon trifle]

Hi
I think I waffled a bit lol. Simply put will £3000 get me something nice?
Hi cooperman thanks for the welcome
Jordie.....yes another Yorkshireman and proud. I enjoyed reading through your thread on your Mini. You seem to be doing great. I get both the main Mini Magazines but don't want to buy a Lemon....also don't want to travel too far only to be disapointed but I suppose they give me a feel for the market
Neon

[Jordie]

Cheers.

P&L are nice mini's, but prices are bloomin sky high. You'll just have to keep an eye out and find one with a good service history.

Good luck

[tipcat]

Welcome to the Forum...
I've been following (with interest) a thread somewhere about the general state of Mini metal... and the general consensus seems to be that pre-'87 Minis seem to have better metal, thus less prone to rust... you might want to consider that - get an older Mini that's been restored (engine also!) as opposed to a post-'87 model that might suffer from tin worm!
And before anyone thinks I'm repeating things with no evidence - my '82 model has very little rust - a few surface spots is all :tongue: - whereas my '95 model is falling apart around me! :sad:

[Neon trifle]

Tipcat
Thats interesting!. Does anyone else agree. I have spoken to a Mini specialist dealer/restorer who says that he does the body but there is usualay no need to do the engines, he claimed most were not that bothered because the engines last and are strong. The important point being get a sorted body if the engine is C**p then you can always drop another in for a few hundred.
If I were to get one that is restored and is not standard, how do insurance companies generaly veiw this. Unfortunately I had a bump this year (my fault), I had protected no claims so have to stay with my present company (directline) to keep my no claims bonus. I rang them once but they were a bit vaige. They told me that they would value, for instance, a 15 year old car a book price which would be a few hundred quid. This would be scarey because restored it may cost me several grand. Now to my advantage I am over 40 and rarely, in my second car, do more than 2000 miles a year also mini are fairly low group I believe?.
Thanks for all the input so far as you can see I am getting really into the idea.
I have just watched a lovely Mini City go for £1500 on ebay, fully restored body and 30 pictures to prove. What a bargian! just dare not buy without seeing first lol.
Neon

[Jordie]

Mini's are low insurance. I can only find this guide at the moment.

http://www.miniresou...m/insurance.htm

Since your 40, u could get classic insurance policy with limited miles. These companies are alot more friendler towards the mini's, as most will right mini's off if in a crash, rather then repair.

If you restore a car, get an agreed value quote of woteva the car is worth £3000 say.

Adrian FLux, Mini World, HIC all seem to be geared towards classic and modified mini insurance.

[siggy]

The reason they only do body repairs is that Shiny bodies sell cars better than rebuilt engines.

If you are running a main car and getting the Mini as a second car, the way to go is have a Classic policy, I pay £280 on a highly modifed 1380 and £420 for a Porsche 944.

Siggy

[Dan]

You definitely want an agreed value classic insurance policy on any decent condition Mini over a certain age, especially if it's been restored. The book price on any car doesn't relect any classic value or cult following of a car, and once a car is more than a few years old the book won't quote much more than the scrap/lowest possible value.

I would say the decent metal stopped production in the early 70's myself (roughly when they stopped using cellulose paint I believe, and so the coats of paint got less prep, less finishing and got thinner and thinner as time went on and cost cutting got worse). My '84 car for example was really falling apart and had so many patches on it when we got it that there was nothing original left to weld to. A new shell was the only reasonable answer. The dodgy metallic coloured cars (mainly Mayfairs in silver or red) of the early to mid 80's should be treated with distrust as they seem to be the worst ever for tinworm, but solid colours of the same vintage seem better.

Look around a lot, then keep looking. Eventually you'll find something that fit's the bill. And take a magnet with you when ever you go to look at anything, especially if it's suspicioulsy cheap!

Edited by Dan, 30 January 2005 - 10:54 PM.

[Jordie]

found this

The RustBucket is up for sale, I am a poor student and cant afford these expensive four wheeled vehicles no more.

Please do not take its nick name seriously, it was put through an extensive rebuild last summer which included lots of new panels and a full respray.

1972 Mini 1000
Tax exempt putting a Full MOT on it this week
67000miles

Rebuilt to 1972 spec in 2004
Cooper S discs
Deep 5.5" reverse rims
A+ 998cc engine
Stage one tune incl full maniflow exhaust system
Period rev counter
low back classic vinyl buckets

£2750 ono

[email protected]
I am in Coventry.

well see for yourself:

[Neon trifle]

Looks nice
Kind of thing I love about mini........understated.
Thanks for that Jordie where did you see it?
many thanks
Neon

[Jordie]

over at www.miniclassic.co.uk on for sales section. 2nd page i think now. its recently been restored, theres pictures on the forum somewhere.

[miniman5]

welcome to the mini forum!

[CharlieBrown]

Welcome to the Forum.

Good luck with getting a mini, there seems to be no shortage of advice for you.