20 replies to this topic

[dominicmelton]

I just happened to accidently buy a 87 auto city.

Never actually driven an auto before, whats your view on them? Are they ok?

thanks!
Dom.

[E.L.M.O]

Out of interest, is it a 998 or 1275?

[mini_stella]

I owned a 998cc mayfair auto for 5yrs (she got written off) and to be honest if they are maintained well and looked after then they are no different, but they do run a bit hotter that manual minis. if I could then I would buy her back, loved bouncing around in her to cornwall and back, she wa my daily drive when I was in uni and to give you some idea of usage I had put an extra 10,000 miles on the clock in one year.

my advice, try you mini as an auto before you think about converting, they are getting abit thin on the ground.

Edited by mini_stella, 28 May 2010 - 08:00 PM.

[Tupers]

I'm learning to drive in a 1275 SPI auto. It's a really nice car to drive lovely and smooth as you'd expect I've certainly got no complaints about it.

[The_Mistro]

Out of interest, is it a 998 or 1275?

if its standard then it will be a 998 being a city!

[blackbelt1990]

A friend of mine used to have a City E, 1985 ish... I loved it!

Really smooth to drive and very good on the gearchanges. Struggled a bit on the hills, but I put that down to the 998 bit lol, i'd love and auto (for a while)

Edited by blackbelt1990, 28 May 2010 - 08:25 PM.

[Joloke08]

Mini Automatics come in for a lot of stick but a lot of it is unfounded. Yes theres no doubt that with a manual you can change gear yourself as and when you want to but at the same time Mini Autos are no slouches

Ive had Both a 998 auto and currently have a 1275 (which is currently for sale)
998,s are really nippy but dont have quit soo much ommph when accelerating away,or on motorways but that doesnt mean they dont accelerate well just 1275,s are better suited to the auto

There was of course the 850 auto too ive never driven one but im guessing they are no road burner but they came from a time when most cars would struggle to keep up to motorway speeds

As Stella said dont dismiss the car if its an Auto in rude health use it as an auto you may well be supprized how much fun they are
The AP automatic transmission was the first ever 4 speed Auto Transmission to have manual overide of the full auto too and won the queen award for industry in 1966

They are no more unrelieable than a manual transmission everybody who has horror stories to tell tend to have unfortunately got a car thats had very poor or little if any maintainance

Treat them right,change the oil and filter every 3000 miles and they are fine

allways make sure the oil is at the right level too much is just as bad as too little

If you need advice and support from a friendly bunch jion the Automatic Mini Register just click on my Banner Below

Huggz
Jodie

[dominicmelton]

it is a 998.
I never really considered converting it, it will stay an auto!

I have had a lot of stick, but I am a rather lazy driver! I have never had, and haven't really got any desire to own a fast car so not to bothered about speed!

I just like to cruise at 55ish.

[mini_stella]

well next time its raining, offer them a lift and when they say yes just reply, oh I have just remembered you dont like autos and drive off, they will soon change their opinion.

[cooperdan]

I like the feel of a car the feel of changing gears, the revs through the driving range, it makes more of a happy driving experiance for me..

[dominicmelton]

I like the feel of a car the feel of changing gears, the revs through the driving range, it makes more of a happy driving experiance for me..

i agree with you there sometimes.

but i do a silly amount of miles, on very boring roads!
I now like to sit back and chill out!

[dominicmelton]

well next time its raining, offer them a lift and when they say yes just reply, oh I have just remembered you dont like autos and drive off, they will soon change their opinion.

ill keep that quiet till i pick it up tomorrow, one of them is taking me to the car to pick it up haha.

[mini_stella]

as for traveling miles and miles, all you need to do is to look after it as you would any other mini, regular oil changes never hurt, by the way my auto, tiggs, was a 1986 Mini Mayfair Auto 998cc and we went to and from cornwall regular, about 2-4 times a month (my ex was down there) and she never missed a beat, she was more trustworthy than my ex!!!

[MarlonSpi]

1275 autos are great! Go Kart on Wheels!

[alicetheauto]

I had a similar car to the one you are buying, an '88 city e 998cc. Was an awesome car to drive round town, quicker than most cars because you dont have to ease off the throttle. Or you can select gears manually, from 1st to 3rd. With Autos, they are fine when they work, but after a considerable mileage (mine went after nearly 60k) things can start to go wrong and then it is a specialist job to repair them. I was actually told by a Mini specialist that it was beyond economic repair, even though the shell was totally sound. I loved that car:-(