7 replies to this topic

[MINISAM9293]

Hello there Mini communitee

Name: Samuel Joseph Turnbull
D.O.B: 9.02.93
Occupation: Student/Potential Electrician Apprentice
Gender: Manly boy bloke
Interests: ANYTHING to do with cars, and anything "active" can not be bothered with sitting on me arris all day.
Hobbies: Not much to be honest, sounds wierd but i kinda beatbox :S


Hi people, obviously you should have read the aforementioned "bio" I just wrote, so you now know my basic info and create a small idea of what type of person i am and what i look like (in your head of course, as everyone does when they are confronted with a username and avatar).

Right, AT the moment, (as you can see from my info nit bit) i am only 16, now this does not mean i am a complete "nubelette" as some might say, i have ALWAYS been fascinated with cars and anything automotive really. Now that i am due to turn 17 it has suddenly hit home majorly, that i will soon be able to legally drive, therefore i have been scowering the interweb looking for my first car.

After looking at various volkswagen, nissan, vauxhall and other small hatchbacks i suddenly realised what i REALLY wanted. A MINI, now when i say "MINI" i do not mean one of the new "BMW" minis, i mean the classic austin/rover/leyland minis through the 70's, 80's, and 90's.

After further investigation into them, i have found alot of different models, trims, capacities and prices etc. My main reason for joining the forum is so that i can get some knowledge as to what to buy.

Now for my first car i need to keep cost down, not just in car purchase but in tax, insurance and maintanance obviously. My first question for you guys is, what would you recommend, at the moment im looking at the 850cc's and at an "extravagance" the 998cc. What year models should i go for, what potential pit falls would there be on varied year models. Iv'e heard various rumors about the 998's sub-frames and obviously the renowned rust problems.

Anyway, i wont babble on, just thought it would be nice to put a half decent first post up. I would really appreciate some feedback and any other information you deem neccessary, as i am EXTREMELY enthusiastic now that my birthday is coming around.

Thanks in anticipation
Sam ...

[StanO'Toole]

Right here we go! I will first say Mini's are not cheap, the odd one comes around that is affordible for us studends but they normally need a lot of work. I'm 17 and I am paying 3,200euro under my own name and only third party, tax is just 90euro for three months over here in Ireland so thats not so bad but here comes the fun part! The N.C.T (or D.O.E in U.K) If you drive a Mini you always have a second passeger called rust. Unless you know how the chop bits of metal and use a welder and own a place to carry out this work it will not be cheap! Also there is not much point in looking at 850cc's as they are all to old and you will not get insured on them. The oldest Mini you will get insured on is around the mid / late 80's.

All this information is coming from the way it works in Ireland so it could be different in England so don't hold me to it all. And welcome to T.M.F!

[MINISAM9293]

cheers buddy, since that post ive veered away from the 850's and im much more keen on the 998's at the moment, thanks for the responce

Sam

[StanO'Toole]

Thats no bother, we are all here to help. Have you got any Minis in mind and / or have your eye on?

[MINISAM9293]

yeah there is a couple at the moment im looking at ill put up the links see what you guys think, keep an eye out on the mini chat bit ill put them up ther

thanks again

Sam

[rhys mate]

yeah there is a couple at the moment im looking at ill put up the links see what you guys think, keep an eye out on the mini chat bit ill put them up ther

thanks again

Sam

a 998 is good craic to start off with had a 998 myself and set it up on class suspension and was terrorising the back roads its al you need!! rust in minis is like cancer and its always there!! you'll be surprised by how much you're gonna learn in the next couple of years

and and say good-bye to you knuckles mate

[xBR4DLEY]

Wow we are quite similar lol
You say you have been interested in cars for a long time - so have i
I also want to do electrics
Welcome to TMF Mate

[MINISAM9293]

Wow we are quite similar lol
You say you have been interested in cars for a long time - so have i
I also want to do electrics
Welcome to TMF Mate

Cheers buddy, yeahh its a small world lol, how old are ya ?

998 it is

Sam