11 replies to this topic

[Ross.]

Hi everyone!

My name is Ross Callaghan, I'm 17 and I live in Stirling. I own a 1997 Honda Civic Hatch, it has been extensively modified and restored over the past year and a bit. I've owned this since June last year with the intention of having it as a first car. I always knew insurance would be a problem, but I ignored that and soldiered on, modifying my car and making it how I wanted it, and for me, a perfect first car.

In around July time this year I got an insurance quote from Tesco. The quote was for £85 per month, which I was over the moon with. So I thought I would be driving my pride once I passed my test. But... typically the whole database has changed and insurance prices have soared once again. It really is daylight robbery!

So as an alternative I'm looking at Classic Mini's. My knowledge is limited and really need to learn more about these cars. I'm looking at getting one as the insurance is almost half that of the Civic. The Civic being £2100 fully comp, but no modifications declared. But, I know that's the wrong thing to do. If anyone could please advise me on what car would be best for my first then that would be great. Any advice on insurance would also be beneficial. What should I do, pay the over the top price for my Civic, or bite the bullet and sell up, then get a little mini? Another option would be to buy a mini and keep the Civic and then modify it more, but it has done 100,000 miles and I don't think I want to pump MORE money into it. I'd rather just sell the Mini when I'm 18/9 and buy an EK9/DC2 once the insurance prices have fallen. This would give me a time to save and improve my driving which would make me ready to own a faster car.

I've always been interested in Mini's so this is the ideal opportunity to get one. So if there is anyone selling a nice clean, relatively cheap Mini in the Central Scotland area that doesn't need any major work then I'd come have a look. I'd like something 1990+ - but if there was something like this: http://pistonheads.c...les/2028914.htm then I'd consider it!


I'm babbling,

Please guys, I need your help and advice!

Thanks!!

Oh, and here's my Civic:

[RobFox]

Hey Ross,

You would be suprised but even mini's are quite expensive to insure at the moment . £2100 for your civic seems good compared to what some people I know have been quoted for 206's, Fiesta's and Corsa's.

I would say your best bet would be to ring around for quotes from the "top" mini insurers ( Adrian Flux, Footman James ) and say you have a 1 litre mini. I have a 1.3 cooper and being 17 it came back to bite my wallet hard !

You should also look into getting a classic car policy, these can be really cheap however you have to be careful because I have heard that sometimes it doesn't count towards your NCB or you have limited miles etc...

Hope that helps,

Rob

[davidv]

Welcome that mini sold fast and a bargain on piston heads.You will find a section here where members sell there cars.
Insurance has gone up this year by around 40%.Try to get it on low yearly miles to save.Most will not cover a younger driver on classic cover.

[Ross.]

Hey Ross,

You would be suprised but even mini's are quite expensive to insure at the moment . £2100 for your civic seems good compared to what some people I know have been quoted for 206's, Fiesta's and Corsa's.

I would say your best bet would be to ring around for quotes from the "top" mini insurers ( Adrian Flux, Footman James ) and say you have a 1 litre mini. I have a 1.3 cooper and being 17 it came back to bite my wallet hard !

You should also look into getting a classic car policy, these can be really cheap however you have to be careful because I have heard that sometimes it doesn't count towards your NCB or you have limited miles etc...

Hope that helps,

Rob

Welcome that mini sold fast and a bargain on piston heads.You will find a section here where members sell there cars.
Insurance has gone up this year by around 40%.Try to get it on low yearly miles to save.Most will not cover a younger driver on classic cover.

Thanks for the reply guys

I think I'll keep the Civic. But I might be buying a little Mini project soon. Picking it up for a bargain, but it needs welding and a load of other mental problems. But it'd be a great project, Mini's are such great little cars! I'll keep my open for any cool parts and will keep you all posted on whats happening with this project

[haggz]

to insure my 20 year old on the mini im restoring is £1983 (tpft). this gives you some idea what to expect.

[mk1leg]

Hi Noob and welcome to TMF and thats a funny lookin mini or is it an A-series conversion in that honda..........

[tomgale]

ive been quoted £941 a year for when i finish mine, (17yr old just passed test, 998 mini with stage 1 kit, upgraded head and camshaft, bigger brakes, upgraded suspension, wider wheels etc.)

[Midas Mk1]

Welcome to TMF! Nice Civic!

[Merlin-Mini]

hey.. this might sound a bit stupid but try Aviva. im insured with them for £1200.. but i have a 1275 gt mini with modifications declared. im 19 with no ncb so they should insure you for under 1000 easy. and there a good company. a 1275 gt might be a bit much for you.. iv just seen what you have posted.. a mini with a roll cage is an immediate puller for the police no questions asked. best thing to do is get an 850... then put a 1275 engine in it. they have the same block and the only way you can tell the difference is through a trained eye. not many police officers can spot the difference between an 850 and a 1275. you can get away with that quite easily

Rich

[Ethel]

Only if you get caught you can be done for fraud and/or driving without insurance as well as facing a potentially huge bill if you hit someone. A lot of coppers may not spot the difference glancing under your bonnet, but you can rest assured an insurance company assessor will be more than happy to find a reason to void your policy & avoid paying out.

[davidv]

One only needs to look at the head on a Mini at a glance to the round shape or flat by termostat to see the size of engine.The head number tab also says the size of CC on the first few numbers. You could break the bonnet catch to slow them down.

[19rab82]

welcome to tmf