7 replies to this topic

[ben1987]

Forgive me, i'm young, and i've never driven an old car before - i'm going to test drive a mini later on with a manual choke, and I just don't know what i'm supposed to do with it! Yes, very funny, but someone needs to tell me to avoid potential embarrassment! Thanks guys

[markaboot]

pull it out to start. once warmed up put it back in.

[SolarB]

Ah, the youth of today..............

Once it starts to warm up you can push the choke back in a little at a time. If it's not warm enough you'll soon know.

[998dave]

As above, good move asking though.

If your testing it you may want to start it up on the choke and let it stand to warm up.

Check the ground under the car for oil before you start it though, and once it's warmed up a bit, (maybe 5 minutes).
If there's a small leak it's not likely to be anything you can't fix, but it'd be good to know, especially when negotiating any price.

Check round the car for any corrosion too, especially the rear subframe, and sills, once again, they're fixable, but you may be able to ask for a bit of money off...

Have you got someone who knows their way round these cars going with you, or your Dad, some sellers will see you coming, and try to make you pay over the odds, take your time, give the car a good going over, and make sure you're happy, if not, walk away, there are other mini's out there!

Dave

Oh and take a good torch and use it to make sure you can see under the car, if nothing else it will make you look like you know what your doing!

[ben1987]

Thanks guys. Had a good look round it yesterday and everything seems to be in order, floor is solid, no rust in the usual places and sills have recently been replaced. It was dark though, so i'm going to have a proper look and a test drive this afternoon. They guy selling it lives on my street so he's not going to try and pull and fast one! Thanks again for the advice

[SolarB]

Well, what happened then?

[oli8925]

Thanks guys. Had a good look round it yesterday and everything seems to be in order, floor is solid, no rust in the usual places and sills have recently been replaced. It was dark though, so i'm going to have a proper look and a test drive this afternoon. They guy selling it lives on my street so he's not going to try and pull and fast one! Thanks again for the advice

get some info on the sills that were welded on. if they are oversills, it could still be bad news underneath. stick your finger up te jacking points and wiggle it about. if its all crumbly and rusty up there, it might be bad.

[taffy1967]

It's also worth checking the body over with a magnet, then you'll know if it's all steel or consisting of filler, cardboard or other such carp.

Tops of the wings and the scuttle panel (in front of the front windscreen), plus the A panels are favourite filler places.

Edited by taffy1967, 04 December 2008 - 09:55 PM.