21 replies to this topic

[RammsteinMini]

i was just thinking about putting my mini off the road for a few weeks to do a couple of things, mainly engines seals as its piddling out oil a little. trouble is, i need a car to go to college and work and basically to survive, and having been used to the fun driving a mini around, i can't think of a suitable "replacement" car until the mini is back on the road, short of buying another Mini or a Volvo 240 (i'm a bit wierd when is comes to being cool ) i'm stuck!

i've seen a lot of people here have their cars off the road for one reason or another, what do you guys use as your "2nd" cars until your beloved mini's are well again??

cheers.

[Jammy]

Whats your age? Budget?

I've had a 240 estate, great car for a summer road trip with mates! Not so great in the corners though...

Also had a Ford Escort, not special, wasn't quick, wasn't good at handling, got me from A to B...

Currently on a Mk1 MR2, great fun to drive, cheap 2 seater RWD action, would definitely recommend if it suits your lifestyle...

[Bungle]

buy something small french and diesel

i run a clio van for work 1.5 dci its quite quick and cheap to run

[RammsteinMini]

i'm 18 and my budget would be about £400, but i'd be looking for something that holds its value ok so i can sell it for about the same in a month or two.

thought about an old LWB transit so i could just take the mini with and still show it off even when its not workin

nah, seriously, something thats good and fun and cheap, everything the mini is, mite just buy a Mini, seems the best thing out there! but i was really just wondering what everyelse drives when their Mini is off the road

[Jammy]

Honestly, I wouldn't buy another mini, unless your looking for another project. Any mini for £400 is going to need work doing to it, and you'll prob end up looking for a 3rd car while your 2 minis are off the road!

[beemerduck]

you are restricted with insurance too with your age, I thnk a tranny would be out of the question.. mmmm £400 ??? you'd get a decent Fiat for that !! I know people knock these but I love em.. the bodies are miles better than they used to be, and the engines have always been good, electrics are usually dodgy though... You'd probably get a M or N Punto for something around that, 1000cc engine, nippy and cheap. Being in my mid 30s the insuramce thing is not so much a problem, so other than my Mini's the wife has an MGF and I have a 2.5 diesel Tranny (for work) and is probably th emost comfortable vehicle we have in our household.

[tino]

I would get an Japanese car, ive got the old style micra although its not stylish its cheap to run an insure an never seems to brake down no matter how much I thrash it. Either that or a 1litre Golf which is more fun to drive if you get the older mk's.

[RammsteinMini]

oh, forgot to mention, my dad agreed to insure the car and put me on it and i'd pay it (therefore it would be less than just me insuring it) as he isn't driving at the moment. he's 50, a lorry driver and has about a million years NCB so insurance shouldn't be a problem. but that doesn't mean i want a thumping great rover V8! not with these fuel prices anyway!

hmmmm.....dunno bout a FIAT, my brother has an Alfa Romeo GTV and a lot of the parts are FIAT and he's had nothing but trouble. i was thinking peugeot diesel (306?)

does anyone who has a Mini off the road have a mental car in the mean time? like a V8 SD1 or TVR or something?

are you content with the car that you have or can you not wait to get your Mini back?

cheers.

[Flyby]

There are alot of cheap cars out there at the moment, especially if its only for a couple of months it dosent matter too much what it is. My girlfriend has just sold her Vitara and were looking at Saxos, Fiestas and the like of which there is a plentifull supply. Last night we bought a Susuki SJ with no test or ticket for a hundred notes, its no good for the road but the off roading boys love these as they are like rocking horse poo these days and we will sell it for twice what we bought it for. Next month I am buying a K reg Diesel Golf off a mate so that my Mini can come off the road in the Winter, im paying him £200 which is mates rates but shows that there are bargains to be had, you just need to shop about.

Look on ebay and also the local rags, go to car garages and see what they have kicking about round the back, uually they take in part exes when they sell a new car and quite often are glad to get rid off them fairly cheaply.

Dan

[minislapper]

Fiat all the way. Had my cinq for 2 years and it's not given me any bother at all. Very low insurance class for the 899 version. I get about 45ish mpg so very economical. Plus they're about mini sized and they handle well too.

As for the post above, wish I could find a decent Punto for under £400. They are still going for prices far higher than that, very few under a grand!!!!

[jif2006]

XR2I thats what Id recomend ive got that as a daily run around and than can drive me mini to the shows etc 1.6 but insurance is a bit steep.

or just get another mini lol

jif

[Steamo]

If you want something that comes close to a mini in the fun stakes - 205 GTi everytime - thats my daily driver until the minis done and I reckon I'll miss it when its gone. Its a fair bit quicker than the mini and the handling is awsome as well. Plus you get a heater that works and a few more creature comforts.

Only downside is the boy racer type image (oh and espensive insurance and tax) but even thats getting better as all the chavs with lowered bodykitted ones are "upgrading" to newer vehicles.

[pikey7]

I run a 400-odd hp 944!

I'd think about something classic. and Old Nissan, triumph, escort, even fiesta or a moggy minor or 2cv. I guess you're just after something with a low value and low insurance premium? Check out the back of classic cars mag as I think they have a good section showing values and insurance ratings.

[Garagiste]

Well my mini is on the road now, but my 2nd car is a 4.0 Jaguar Soverign, which regettably has to go :'(
To make room for another mini!
£400 and it's yours, and if your Dad puts it on classic insurance you're looking at around £200 a year, fully comp. It almost certainly needs work for next MOT, but that's a couple of months away....

[RammsteinMini]

hmm, quite like the idea of another classic car, like a minor or 2CV, but last i checked, they're commanding good premiums are they not???

as for the Jag offer, my dad used to have a 2.3 E-Class merc and i couldn't afford the fuel for that, let alone a 4.0 Jag!!

unless you think a Jag can run with a 998 under the bonnet? that would be OK!

still wondering what you Miniacs are driving though!!