Jump to content


Photo
- - - - -

Getting A Bit Disheartened!


  • Please log in to reply
24 replies to this topic

#16 Captain Mainwaring

Captain Mainwaring

    Camshaft & Stage Two Head

  • Banned
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,712 posts
  • Location: Indonesia
  • Local Club: Surabaya Mini Club

Posted 23 June 2014 - 01:36 AM

 

Although it can be a pain in the butt owning a mini, I just couldn't bare the thought of getting rid of it, i wanted one from being a kid and eventually I could afford to buy one, and i bloody love it! Takes me back to when a local mini garage let me play in their mini's! That smell of petrol and the old switches etc. 
The kids around here absolutely love it and one lad who's only about 8 told his mum about it and she's agreed to let me take him for a spin in it because he's so eager to go in one! When you pull up at shops etc kids just come straight over like 'wow' look at that old mini! I've had old people come over, younger lads into cars, even chavs come over to comment on it! There's not one person who has ever disliked it. No other car could ever get the reception that an austin mini gets. Enjoy it :D


Same with me, loved them since I can remember! The only thing that made me learn to drive last year was that I had seen my mini and could have it if I passed lol.
And definitely true, I can't go anywhere without attention and I love it! Don't think iv ever gone in a petrol station without someone talking to me about it :)
Once she's fixed il love her completely again haha.
To be honest it's also the hassle of 2 mile walks plus train journeys to get to work that annoys me the most.

 

 

 

I've had cars like that. Generally the police doing the talking though.



#17 Sean C

Sean C

    Mini Mad

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPip
  • 196 posts
  • Location: West Lothian
  • Local Club: ESMOC

Posted 23 June 2014 - 07:08 AM

I have 2 minis just in case one breaks down lol

#18 AVV IT

AVV IT

    I am a shed dragger.

  • TMF+ Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 6,122 posts
  • Name: Dave
  • Location: Cambridgeshire
  • Local Club: Nobody will have me!!

Posted 23 June 2014 - 08:57 AM

It sounds as if you might need to adjust your expectations of owning a classic mini a little. Part of the joy of mini ownership, is that you will always have a list of things that need fixing. Don't expect your mini to ever be fault free for more than a matter of minutes, otherwise you are only ever going to be disheartened. The best you should realistically hope for, is a relatively short list of minor problems that are quick and inexpensive to repair.

As for the cost, it has to be said that classic minis can be notorious "money pits". Some are much worse than others, and if you're new to ownership, then you usually have a few months of "previous owner syndrome" to get through, whilst you unearth all the problems, bodges and areas of neglect that are courtesy of the previous owner. Once you get through that, then things usually settle down a little, but unlike modern cars, most minis will still need constant maintenance and investment to keep them alive. A modern car will however depreciate in value, and you'll usually need to find a few thousand quid every few years to replace it with. With a classic mini you don't have this problem though. So long as you look after it, then it will usually be worth the same, if not more than you paid for it. So you need to look at the cost of owning a mini as reinvesting some of the money that you're saving on having a car that doesn't depreciate in value.

I have 2 minis just in case one breaks down lol


Likewise, I have two so that I can drive one whilst I fix the problems with the other (however the reality is that they're usually both broken and I have to cycle everywhere instead!)

#19 ribz0

ribz0

    Mini Mad

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPip
  • 188 posts
  • Location: Perth

Posted 23 June 2014 - 09:48 AM

Hi ya Berrybox..

 

Oh the proud owner of a mini you are.... I am no expert on mini's as this is my first attempt but I am hooked on these amazing little beast's!!

 

They are a basic set up and the only challenge I am having is the lack of space as I am used to larger cars... especially when it comes to the engine bay... saying that, its not rocket science... just nuts and bolts so take your time, get yourself a good workshop manual and ask heaps of questions here.... you will save yourself so much $$$$ 

 

I seem to be doing the same at the moment... 2 steps forward and 3 steps backwards... You have half the battle won as you are there in the UK where you can get anything you need in parts.... I'm in Oz and am getting parts from there as prices here in Oz are just stupid!!! 

 

Hang in there and get to know your little berrybox better.....

 

Cheers



#20 Miniminx71

Miniminx71

    Super Mini Mad

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 508 posts
  • Location: Wiltshire

Posted 23 June 2014 - 10:02 AM

It's a good idea to include your Mini in your monthly budget. Even if no work needs doing (yes, there will be times!), try and regularly put something away for the day when it inevitably will. A lot of the Mini owners I know have a separate "Mini fund" account. Much of your expense is going on paying for things that, given time, you could probably learn to do yourself. Have a go. If you screw it up, then just take it to a garage. They'll only be repairing something that needed repairing anyway. Arm yourself with a bit of knowledge for the basics (particularly how to service your Mini and do an oil change) and save the money for when your rear subframe collapses :D



#21 Berrybox

Berrybox

    Mini Mad

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPip
  • 261 posts
  • Location: Hastings

Posted 23 June 2014 - 12:11 PM

It sounds as if you might need to adjust your expectations of owning a classic mini a little. Part of the joy of mini ownership, is that you will always have a list of things that need fixing. Don't expect your mini to ever be fault free for more than a matter of minutes, otherwise you are only ever going to be disheartened. The best you should realistically hope for, is a relatively short list of minor problems that are quick and inexpensive to repair.
As for the cost, it has to be said that classic minis can be notorious "money pits". Some are much worse than others, and if you're new to ownership, then you usually have a few months of "previous owner syndrome" to get through, whilst you unearth all the problems, bodges and areas of neglect that are courtesy of the previous owner. Once you get through that, then things usually settle down a little, but unlike modern cars, most minis will still need constant maintenance and investment to keep them alive. A modern car will however depreciate in value, and you'll usually need to find a few thousand quid every few years to replace it with. With a classic mini you don't have this problem though. So long as you look after it, then it will usually be worth the same, if not more than you paid for it. So you need to look at the cost of owning a mini as reinvesting some of the money that you're saving on having a car that doesn't depreciate in value.

I have 2 minis just in case one breaks down lol


Likewise, I have two so that I can drive one whilst I fix the problems with the other (however the reality is that they're usually both broken and I have to cycle everywhere instead!)

I know this all to be true really, and most of the time I'm perfectly happy dealing with it... i suppose I was just having a moment haha. I'm new to cars completely so a mini is a whole new world for me, and that's exactly true what you said about previous owners...i think that's what I'm struggling with a lot atm! I will get there :)

#22 Berrybox

Berrybox

    Mini Mad

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPip
  • 261 posts
  • Location: Hastings

Posted 23 June 2014 - 12:16 PM

Hi ya Berrybox..
 
Oh the proud owner of a mini you are.... I am no expert on mini's as this is my first attempt but I am hooked on these amazing little beast's!!
 
They are a basic set up and the only challenge I am having is the lack of space as I am used to larger cars... especially when it comes to the engine bay... saying that, its not rocket science... just nuts and bolts so take your time, get yourself a good workshop manual and ask heaps of questions here.... you will save yourself so much $$$$ 
 
I seem to be doing the same at the moment... 2 steps forward and 3 steps backwards... You have half the battle won as you are there in the UK where you can get anything you need in parts.... I'm in Oz and am getting parts from there as prices here in Oz are just stupid!!! 
 
Hang in there and get to know your little berrybox better.....
 
Cheers


Ah thanks! It's nice to know I'm not alone ;) I'm feeling a bit less stressed today and now working out what to do about everything. Had a great bit of help from another member and also thanks to all the comments on here I'm feeling the support from mini owners alike haha.

I just can't wait until I get to a stage where I feel I know my berrybox really well and have a good chance at fixing her myself! At the moment it's all pretty scary for me.

#23 Berrybox

Berrybox

    Mini Mad

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPip
  • 261 posts
  • Location: Hastings

Posted 23 June 2014 - 12:19 PM

It's a good idea to include your Mini in your monthly budget. Even if no work needs doing (yes, there will be times!), try and regularly put something away for the day when it inevitably will. A lot of the Mini owners I know have a separate "Mini fund" account. Much of your expense is going on paying for things that, given time, you could probably learn to do yourself. Have a go. If you screw it up, then just take it to a garage. They'll only be repairing something that needed repairing anyway. Arm yourself with a bit of knowledge for the basics (particularly how to service your Mini and do an oil change) and save the money for when your rear subframe collapses :D


I always had this planned since I got it...I'm still waiting for the put some aside without spending it month to come lol ;)
i think my mini is telling me I need a better job haha
That's a good point regarding fixing as I never really thought about it like that, thanks :)

#24 Sean C

Sean C

    Mini Mad

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPip
  • 196 posts
  • Location: West Lothian
  • Local Club: ESMOC

Posted 23 June 2014 - 12:32 PM

The more jobs that you can do yourself then the cheaper it is to own a mini. In my younger days, I had no interest in mechanics or welding etc. When I was 21 I acquired a morris minor and soon realised that if I was to pay someone to fix it up it was gonna cost a fortune. I bought a Haynes and asked my mate who had his own garage if I could help out and from that I learned my skills. Now I fix the odd car for him! I know its not always practical to do the work yourself but if you can then you'll save a fortune. Also when I first started out forums weren't really around. People these days really have great resources like this forum on tap!

#25 Berrybox

Berrybox

    Mini Mad

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPip
  • 261 posts
  • Location: Hastings

Posted 23 June 2014 - 12:56 PM

The more jobs that you can do yourself then the cheaper it is to own a mini. In my younger days, I had no interest in mechanics or welding etc. When I was 21 I acquired a morris minor and soon realised that if I was to pay someone to fix it up it was gonna cost a fortune. I bought a Haynes and asked my mate who had his own garage if I could help out and from that I learned my skills. Now I fix the odd car for him! I know its not always practical to do the work yourself but if you can then you'll save a fortune. Also when I first started out forums weren't really around. People these days really have great resources like this forum on tap!


Definitely true, iv got my Haynes now and willing to learn..sure il get there :)
In the end it's all worth it for my beautiful car!
Also this forum is great, really appreciate all the help on here!




1 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users