15 replies to this topic

[Jazza_46]

Hi,

 

If there is anyone on here who goes to uni, what is it like to own and drive a Mini whilst at uni?

What are the costs like, do you use it that often? Does it regularly get damaged because of nights out etc?

 

In other words, I'm wondering whether to take my mini with me to Uni, or just keep it at home in the garage and save money not insuring it for a year or two, or if it comes to the worst, selling it

 

Thanks if you can help.

 

Jack.

 

[miniman24]

I have had both of mine at uni with me - my first Mini I had there all 1st year but it was a bit rough so I didnt worry too much, and there was off street secure parking as I was in halls - Sold that in the summer between 1st and 2nd year, bought the Clubman half way through 2nd year and kept it at uni for a year, built a poly tunnel greenhouse thing to keep it in but in retrospect it wasnt worth the hassle, always worried about it and it was always damp in the poly tunnel! If you dont need it to get to lectures it really comes down to whether you want to take it or not, Im just about to end my 3rd year and I kept the Mini at home this year.

[Richey]

I finished Uni last year but still have my Mini with me here in the same city. Use it everyday! During my time at Uni I didn't have secure parking so I kept it at home. 

[danie garry]

only ever drove minis! can cost a bit when things start going wrong but the usual maintenance n that is enough to keep the car going! and just be careful wher ya park......

[myredmini]

Oh dear

[Vinay-RS]

only ever drove minis! can cost a bit when things start going wrong but the usual maintenance n that is enough to keep the car going! and just be careful wher ya park......

How?

[MrElliott]

ive got mine at uni and its a great way to pull :) and its so practical in the tight parking spaces. i do a hundred miles a week in it and its fine :) only have to fix it every other week but thats mainly cause i like to tinker with it. with it getting damaged its all to do with where you park it. mines in a private carpark and no where near drunk students to mess with it. i would look into your lettings or uni parking in terms of car maintenance as at my uni your not allowed to work on cars in the carpark... not that that really stops anyone.

 

have fun with your mini either way. dont think i could last a week without taking it for a spin

[Tomm]

My house mate had one at uni, was a "82 City E which was a bit of a time warp as is was exactly the same as my first car many moons ago.

He had his 998 and I had a LWB hitop transit and we ended up using them both as much as each other and it wasn't a huge amount to be honest. With the parking in the city and parking at uni it was pretty much impossible to go anywhere in iy and not overly practical for any sort of purposeful task. The only real time he used it was to pop to the shop and to pop to the station and pick people up along with going home to the parents.

He didn't use it much a all, but if I had a mini at university I wouldn't have left it at home.

[greggy50]

I run mine whilst at Uni had no issues

 

Park it outside my student accommodation opposite the business building on an access road hundreds of drunk people walk past every night never had an issue has made it onto instagram a few times that's about it :)

 

 

 

I would not worry your car could get keyed/damaged anywhere to be honest...

 

Edit - Don't really need a car at most Unis very much a luxury only used mine this final year as didn't see the need before as could walk everywhere think about costs and whether it is worthwhile as will find yourself driving random places for the sake of it

Edited by greggy50, 12 April 2014 - 11:21 PM.

[Tamworthbay]

only ever drove minis! can cost a bit when things start going wrong but the usual maintenance n that is enough to keep the car going! and just be careful wher ya park......

How?

There was a 'craze' for mini tipping a while ago so I guess it could be that. Bloody idiots with nothing better to do.

[Vinay-RS]

 

 

only ever drove minis! can cost a bit when things start going wrong but the usual maintenance n that is enough to keep the car going! and just be careful wher ya park......

How?

There was a 'craze' for mini tipping a while ago so I guess it could be that. Bloody idiots with nothing better to do.

 

People who attack minis should face serious criminal charges, and should be banned from driving :)

[Nano crusher]

Ran a 76 mini 850 whilst at uni in the 90's was living in a house where we had parking and a garage, even with the "comfort" of a damp garage it was struggle, save the money and spend it on beer!

Rob

[tash.the.mini.13]

I'm starting uni this year but i'm going to keep mine off the road in the garage at home...  the money needed to insure it needs to be spent on other things ;)

Gunna miss driving it as its great fun so will probably be back on the road next year :)

[TopGearRules]

Keep mine at uni too! Live in halls at the moment and theres a private car park just outside. Mine has been fairly reliable with a few niggles... I do quite a bit of miles, especially running up and down the M25! It really depends of what you want. Minis are unique and people will notice you, although they can cost you a lot of money if they are not properly maintained or well looked after! :) 

[BronkoMini]

Off to uni this year as well, however the uni is out of town so hopefully it will be ok there.