13 replies to this topic

[Jamesy14]

Hello,

I am 14 and next year i am hoping to buy a mini, but i have a problem, i am not too sure whether to get a mini-van or just a mini, i was looking through some of my dads old copys of Mini World and Mini magazine, and i saw some really nice mini-vans in there but when i told my freinds they were not supportive and said how embarrassing it would be for me to be driving around in a mini-van. I am a typical teenage boy for my first car i want it loud, slightly modified etc etc, i wouldnt mind it not being the fastest thing in the world but i would like good accelaration so that i would be able to get away from green lights quickly, my dad has stated that i am not allowed to change the engine because he thinks i will be a lunatic (which i wouldnt) so i would like you to suggest a good mini / mini-van for me please. i would be spending about £3000 on it including buying the actual car. Thank you for any help, advice , support you could give.

[BoboGib]

you'll be lucky to buy a Van and get it back on the road within your budget. As they were used and abused as actual work vans they are few and far between these days. And while your mates might ridicule you we would all think your cool as nothing beats a well done Van.

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

I guess i go away from the "typical teenage boy" stereo type then. Standard 848 will do me grand

Do what you like mate, Your friends opinions aernt important, if you like a car and feel its right for you then go for it.

Bear in mind though, Vans are generally more expensive than saloons, and scince your most likely to damage it in your first years of driving i would reccomend a saloon to avoid taking Another priceless peice of british history off our roads.

[shorty]

good old 998 or 1000cc round nose would be pretty good for a start, cheap insurance and lots that could be done to them in the future
stage 1 the engine with rc40 twin box exhaust sounds nice.


mini vans are nice and i think are getting more hard to come by, although did see one for sale in brum the other week
which looked pretty nice.

best thing to do is just to get to a few mini shows and have a nosey around.

[Jamesy14]

you'll be lucky to buy a Van and get it back on the road within your budget. As they were used and abused as actual work vans they are few and far between these days. And while your mates might ridicule you we would all think your cool as nothing beats a well done Van.

Well the budget could go more because im doing a young apprenticeship course at a local college for the last 2 years of secondary school so hopefully on work experience they might like the look of me and give me a job or get a job at a supermarket so it could be pushing £4500

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

£4500 on a first car, you havnt considered insurance yet have you?

£2000 on a mini (especially your first) is more than enough

[Jamesy14]

£4500 on a first car, you havnt considered insurance yet have you?

£2000 on a mini (especially your first) is more than enough

My mum and dad have agreed to pay for insurance and driving lessons if i pay for the car and work for it

[Jamesy14]

Also Does Anyone Know of a good mini-van or is there just one?

[Jamesy14]

I guess i go away from the "typical teenage boy" stereo type then. Standard 848 will do me grand

Do what you like mate, Your friends opinions aernt important, if you like a car and feel its right for you then go for it.

Bear in mind though, Vans are generally more expensive than saloons, and scince your most likely to damage it in your first years of driving i would reccomend a saloon to avoid taking Another priceless peice of british history off our roads.

I cant really make up my mind becuase some of the mini's on here look amazing but the vans in the magazine look amazing too. Ill try to be attending some mini shows this year, but is it possible to mount harnesses in a mini i know its easy to do in a van but is it possible with rear seats too?

[redhotmini]

i found it difficult getting insured on a standard mini van at the age of 17, and it did cost a lot more compared to insuring the saloon i had at the time as well, which i thought was odd. a saloon will be cheaper to buy in the first place, and theres loads more choice, but a nicely modified van (wide 10 inch steels and some wide group 2 arches, old school paint scheme and slam it) looks the nuts in my opinion.

[Jamesy14]

i found it difficult getting insured on a standard mini van at the age of 17, and it did cost a lot more compared to insuring the saloon i had at the time as well, which i thought was odd. a saloon will be cheaper to buy in the first place, and theres loads more choice, but a nicely modified van (wide 10 inch steels and some wide group 2 arches, old school paint scheme and slam it) looks the nuts in my opinion.

im really not sure what to get i think i saw this one picture in mini world that basically said to me get a mini-van, but ive been on the zeemax website and that just says get a normal one its so annying

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

Not forgetting the work that go's into fitting a Zeemax kit and making it look good to though, it wont be easy.

Why not just start simple? fairly standard, add buckets, roll cage, Big numbers on the doors and your name to the window and its perfect

[Jamesy14]

Not forgetting the work that go's into fitting a Zeemax kit and making it look good to though, it wont be easy.

Why not just start simple? fairly standard, add buckets, roll cage, Big numbers on the doors and your name to the window and its perfect

You know what i might just do that but i would rather racing seats tinted windows maybe and couldnt i get a company to fit the body kit? i mean theres always time in life to get a mini-van aye? unless there completely extinct by the time i reach 25 26. But yeah is there a possible way to get harnesess keeping the rear seats? Thanks for the help (Y)

[stevo-1991]

for a bodyshop to fit you a zeemax kit you will be looking at a good bit of your budget to be spent . the cost of labour & then for preping , priming & spraying it . i would get a saloon deffiently for your first car minis are quite nippy little cars & great fun to drive & keeping it standard for your first year of driving will keep your insurance down . im 17 & im driving a 998 totally standard & im paying 700 quid a year full cover with my mum & dad on my policy .



stevo