38 replies to this topic

[JimminyBob]

As above you want a 998 ideally. Generally late 80's models are the cheapest to buy. You're best buying a car on condition than it's model though, there isn't a great deal of difference between City's and Mayfair's.

[joecowan]

i got a 998 city e as my first car. good starter car.

[iMurray]

which is why i said you'll pay premium for a good one.... ty are perfectly fine to work on if you knwo how... which im assuming he doesnt, but i would also assume he doesnt know how to work on a carb 998 either? and we're talking better emmissions, better safety (if not marginally) and a seriously funky dash board... ( its freaking wood man!)


noah you sound mean




harry he shouted at me

[Noah]

What you gonna do when you're emissions go up the creak without a paddle? Learning to work on a carburettor car is not difficult. Marginally better safety, great, you've got an Airbag that reaches a use by date after 10 years and is still aimed at the drivers face, so will probably take your head of in the event of a crash.....

A 1275 engine will give you more torque than a 998, a 998 will rev. You will use torque more the 'bhp figures in daily driving, torque is a turning force. If you're wanting to get into Mini's, I advise, no I insist you go online, and buy a Haynes Manual. This forum is a great resource, but its impossible to get a straight answer. Hence why I don't ask technical questions on here, I go straight to the Haynes Manual or if it's not in there, straight to a 'Mini-Doc' via PM. A great evidence of that is the thread about finding TDC. Three pages and the poor OP still had no clue.

In all honesty, unless you have some Mechanical sympathy, I would look elsewhere. Mini's are great, they really are. However, you cannot treat them as if they're a modern car, even the newest of them, with fuel injection and supposed extra safety features are still, near enough the same design as a 1959 Mini. It WILL break at the side of the road, something will go wrong, and it will become expensive unless you know how to fix it.

If you have no clue how to repair a car, or even how it works. I'd honestly go back on eBay and start looking at a cheap 106. Doesn't mean you have to do that, but thats my advice.

PS. If you didn't understand my comments to Ian. The MPI (Multi-Point Injection) cars where the very last Mini's that Rover made, in the Issigonis design. They had a bit of tubing in the door, supposed safety feature and an air bag, along with a few other bits, Inertia rear seat belts etc. Though when they were being made, Rover was dying out. Shells were stored outside in bear metal increasing the corrosion rates of shells, they scrimped on painting areas that were covered by hinges, and cut down on rust protection. Meaning that 9/10 a nice looking MPI mini, will actually be a Rot Box.

To clarify, there are three types of Mini. Carburettor, Single Point Injection or SPI and MPI. SPI Mini's have been known to have problems with emissions and that when they go wrong (emissions wise) can be incredibly difficult to get back to health. MPI Mini's the faults are not there quite as much, infact Rover's injection system was really quite advanced. However, that doesn't mean there isn't problems.

[oli8925]

I would (did) get a late 80's/early 90's carb'd 998. Ideal for learning about mechanics and fixing yourself. City and Mayfair 998s should both be insurance group 1. Plenty around for cheap, much cheaper than an MPi. Disc brakes after 1984, servo after 1988. If you want safety, don't buy a Mini. If you want a wooden dash, buy an aftermarket one for £100. Just look for a Mini is good nick, both bodywork and mechanically, don't take any notice of shiny wheels etc.

If I had a pound for every 'VGC solid Mini' I've seen that has nice new alloys and a shiny bits only to have non-existent A-panels and holes in the scuttle. I'd also agree that if you're not prepared to spent a bit of time maintaining, learning and fixing, or quite a bit of money in a garage, don't bother with a Mini. Ask my girlfriend, if you don't look after them, they won't look after you.

[1275gtowner]

city e for definate imo a late 80s one

[Lloydie Boy]

i had/have a 998 cc mini city e and was great insurance wasn't too high etc. but anything that is around 998 cc and isn't to heavily mod should be pretty good me thinks.

[purple_fly06]

DO NOT GET A 850!!!

I had one and the cheapest insurance i got when i passed was £2600 TPFT

[pbeardmore]

My first 3 cars when I had just learnt to drive were Minis, learned loads about mechanics (and plastic padding),
stripping down an SU carb on the kitchen table is part of growing up. I would avoid SPI IMHO

[Steely]

Get a mini 25?

[MaxAndPaddy]

City or failing that Mayfair



I'm on fire tonight

[conlad]

My first 3 cars when I had just learnt to drive were Minis, learned loads about mechanics (and plastic padding),
stripping down an SU carb on the kitchen table is part of growing up. I would avoid SPI IMHO

Bang on...

[IainNeon91]

Owning a mini:

1. Cheap insurance, my first year £1300, second year is £440 (998cc)
2. It's not French (no offence to the French)
3. Reliable when it wants to be, treat it well and it will behave! Meaning, maintain it well!
4. Part time earning is a minimum...
5. You learn a lot about the mechanics of a mini
6. If you have any problems then you have a good, reliable forum to help you out!


Enjoy your mini. Because lets face it once you've thought about getting one, it's inevitable you'll get one, you've been dragged in!

Iain.

[jonny95]

don't be put off getting a carb mini because people say they afre unreliable, with regular maintenance a carb engine will be perfectly reliable and means you can get cheap insurance on a 998

[Bungle]

i hate to be negative in all this and i kind of hate myself for saying this BUT are you 100% sure you want a mini, while your mates are all driving there clios and corsas no problem you'll be fighting back the rust and trying to keep on top of things that can go wrong if left. As great as minis are i'd say they are alot hassel if you dont maintain them, at very least you have to have a little mechanical knowledge, or garage bills for silly little things will get crazy.

on the other hand if that does not put you off i'd go for a 998cc.

funny you should say that, when i bought my current mini (new) a friend also bought a brand new car (vauxhal astra) a lot of family and friends questioned weather i should be spending all my money on a mini or should i be buying a modern car like my mate

fast forward 23 years my mini is still going strong the modern eurobox astra went to the scrappers 6 years ago

both bought from new one owner cars