49 replies to this topic

[Gremlin]

Go for it, I'm 16 and will be doing lessons in May, obviously I'll be driving my Mini as my first car and I would pay more for the instructor to have a Mini mainly because I wouldn't be seen dead in some of these crappy modern cars with 3 cylinder 1 litre supercharged engines? Why waste a supercharger on such rubbish? Also like said above, it's much better to learn in a car where you have complete control (no computers and active suspension) and have to look much further ahead

[wil7496]

This site is obviously suitably biased. The principles of learning in an older car are valid, however there are a few things I would consider.

 

Anyone who has been in a modern car before may expect the mini to stop quicker than it does. Get that wrong and it could easily be a crash for the mini. If its too serious it could also mean the car is written off etc. 

 

I would say that the majority of new drivers do end up in newer cars these days. There are hundreds of cars from the late 90s and early 2000s, the majority of which have the power steering and ABS on. The number of people driving a mini or other classic is still quite small I would say.

 

Would most parents be happier that their children were learning in an older car without the modern safety or a newer safer car? 

 

I do think it would be fun learning in a mini. But I also think it would be a niche market really. Plus, how much would it cost you to install dual clutch and brakes into the car?

Totally appreciate your thoughts, if i did go down this route, the Classic Mini would not be my only vehicle, it would be something to be offered to those who were genuinely interested in learning in a classic car. The cost of dual controls is very cheap indeed ( only £100 purchased and i fitted them in my current car)

[corrado vr6]

The only thing I would say

Cold mornings + self employed (I'm guessing) + not starting = no income + you become unreliable

However it would be cool :)

Edited by corrado vr6, 01 December 2013 - 07:26 PM.

[Sam]

Wouldn't you feel vulnerable instructing in a Mini? I would hate the thought of being in a Mini with a novice driver especially around lorries etc. I'm not sure if parents would want their kids learning in an "unsafe" car too.

 

I think people would like the idea of learning in a Mini, but the reality is not that great. Compared to modern cars, the steering is very heavy and the brakes are poor. It would also be a lot easier to stall compared to a small Diesel and wouldn't be as good to accelerate from slip roads.

[Black.Ghost]

Ah ok, so you are thinking of offering this in addition to a more modern car? If that is the case, I would definitely say go for it. The learner then has a choice and if they are going to get a mini or other classic it does make sense. 

 

You could also use it for students who wanted to learn a newer car. They do all of their lessons in the modern car, and one or two in an older car. This would hugely help them to appreciate the difference and just how much the modern car is helping you out etc. It might make them more cautious/patient with older cars on the road.

 

If it were me, as an additional option yes I would do it. As the sole car for learning, no I wouldn't. 

 

Good luck with it. It has a lot of potential.

[MIGLIACARS]

There is a driving instructor in Doncaster that still uses a classic Mini, and has done for years.  I know of a few people who have tried to track him down for lessons beacause of the car.

I was just going to mention this guy.

He called me a few months ago to buy some seats, anyway he came in his mini which he used as a learner.

Got talking to him and he says all his students love it, the mini which was an spi had done 220000 miles on it original engine,

 

no idea if that was true or a story but he didnt come across as a bull sh tter

[robminibcy]

The only thing I would say

Cold mornings + self employed (I'm guessing) + not starting = no income + you become unreliable

However it would be cool :)

Theres no reason why a fairly standard spec and well maintained and tuned mini would have such reliability issues. the op seems to know the way around a mini anyway so even if that was the case im sure it would be sorted quickly!

I used my 79 mini all of last year for a 60 mile daily commute and she never once failed to start or even seemed like there would be a problem. she let me down twice once moving but again nothing someone who knows minis cant sort.

[ShaunaFTW]

I would be a bit worried from a safety point of view, I find mini mirrors are terrible. Plus, if your going for a late 90s mini you may as well buy any run of the mill older car. Personally I think you'd have a small market because while people on here love minis/older cars most people don't, a lot of 18 year olds get newer, safer cars which are usually cheaper to insure. Not sure how many people would want their kids learning to drive in something that doesn't have air bags and decent brakes haha. 

[Gremlin]

A few things have been said on bad brakes, I've got a dual circuit master cylinder, balancing/bias valve thing on bulkhead, standard 8.4's with Mintex M1144 pads, standard rears with new shoes, the brakes are absolutely fantastic, the biggest problem is that because Mini's are so light, theres not a lot of weight pushing the tyres into the ground so they lock easliy

[Stiggytoo]

I agree about the mini mirrors. They can be pretty terrible at times, possibly leading to the driver not using them as often as they should. As long as they understand the importance of the mirrors you'll be ok. 

[MaxAndPaddy]

Learn to drive, Mini every time, you get a feel for the road, handling and you are acutely aware of your immediate environment. Pass my test, modern car, you spend less time having to deal with the car mechanically and can concentrate on the things you need to do to pass your test which aren't necessarily the same things as being a good driver.

 

I learn't to drive in my Dad's Vauxhall Nova and when I "upgraded" to my instructors brand new Ford Fiesta, everything suddenly become a doddle (like stopping).

 

Top marks for the idea though

[JackF]

I drove my mini as a provisional license holder with my dad, while taking lessons with a very good instructor driving a new fiesta. I was told I could not take my test in my car because it lacks certain safety features (I think this was to do with not having rear belts). Because of this, the 3 weeks running up to my test, my instructor strongly advised to stop driving my car completely, and for me to focus on the modern car. I suppose this made sense and I subsequently passed first time with 4 minors.

 

I have to be honest and say I still now often struggle when driving my parents modern euro boxes to initially get used to the efficient brakes/acceleration etc. I hate how little effort they take to drive, and this makes me feel less in control...

 

I think it would depend on your professional opinion of each of your students as to whether they would benifit the 'real feel' of driving these iconic classic cars.

 

just my experiance and views

[HarrysMini]

The only thing I would say

Cold mornings + self employed (I'm guessing) + not starting = no income + you become unreliable

However it would be cool :)

Minis aren't unreliable. It's only owner's who don't maintain them properly that causes them to have problems.

[wil7496]

I drove my mini as a provisional license holder with my dad, while taking lessons with a very good instructor driving a new fiesta. I was told I could not take my test in my car because it lacks certain safety features (I think this was to do with not having rear belts). Because of this, the 3 weeks running up to my test, my instructor strongly advised to stop driving my car completely, and for me to focus on the modern car. I suppose this made sense and I subsequently passed first time with 4 minors.

 

I have to be honest and say I still now often struggle when driving my parents modern euro boxes to initially get used to the efficient brakes/acceleration etc. I hate how little effort they take to drive, and this makes me feel less in control...

 

I think it would depend on your professional opinion of each of your students as to whether they would benifit the 'real feel' of driving these iconic classic cars.

 

just my experiance and views

The opinions expressed by your instructor are im afraid, totally inaccurate, there is absolutely nothing written down regarding vehicles used for test and their age, in fact ive just looked back in my records and in July this year a pupil of mine took her test in a 1971 VW Beetle, and passed.

[HarrysMini]

 

I drove my mini as a provisional license holder with my dad, while taking lessons with a very good instructor driving a new fiesta. I was told I could not take my test in my car because it lacks certain safety features (I think this was to do with not having rear belts). Because of this, the 3 weeks running up to my test, my instructor strongly advised to stop driving my car completely, and for me to focus on the modern car. I suppose this made sense and I subsequently passed first time with 4 minors.

 

I have to be honest and say I still now often struggle when driving my parents modern euro boxes to initially get used to the efficient brakes/acceleration etc. I hate how little effort they take to drive, and this makes me feel less in control...

 

I think it would depend on your professional opinion of each of your students as to whether they would benifit the 'real feel' of driving these iconic classic cars.

 

just my experiance and views

The opinions expressed by your instructor are im afraid, totally inaccurate, there is absolutely nothing written down regarding vehicles used for test and their age, in fact ive just looked back in my records and in July this year a pupil of mine took her test in a 1971 VW Beetle, and passed.

 

I'm afraid, you're actually totally inaccurate... https://www.gov.uk/p...r-driving-tests