11 replies to this topic

[jjb60032]

I was thinking of getting a mini as a first car and was wondering if there were any particular types to look out for.

[Midas Mk1]

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item5d51f901ce

 

 

;)

[(philip)]

City or Mayfair

[jjb60032]

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item5d51f901ce

 

 

;)

  lol

[KernowCooper]

Buy what ever model is in the best condition you can afford and insure, would be where I'd start the Mini is old enough that a model won't be worth it more about condition unless you have £20k to spend on a Last Model with 3 miles that appear on ebay

[lyndseyp27]

Automatics are cheapest but they're auto so swings and roundabouts

[Tamworthbay]

Unless you are handy with a spanner or looking for a project, then anything less than £1500 would need looking over very carefully. £2000-£2500 seems to be the going rate for a decent mini in good, but not perfect condition and needing little work. If your budget is less than that then I would save up if you can as it will work out cheaper in the long run. Cheap minis usually end up expensive by the time you have got them right.

[sledgehammer]

I was thinking of getting a mini as a first car and was wondering if there were any particular types to look out for.

 

just keep looking

 

go on condition & price rather than a particular model

 

later models are prone to rust , and are SPI / MPI injection engines

 

I would go for a 70/80's model , usually better metal & simpler engines & brakes

 

earlier than 70's is mk1 & mk2 so will be more expensive

 

areas to look out for are - heel board - rear arches - boot floor

 

inner / outer sills - avoiding over / cover sills (rust traps)

 

vent area of dash / scuttle / scuttle closure plate

 

don't worry so much about front panel / front wings - as they are quite easily replaced (if you can weld)

[PlugExploits]

Unless you are handy with a spanner or looking for a project, then anything less than £1500 would need looking over very carefully. £2000-£2500 seems to be the going rate for a decent mini in good, but not perfect condition and needing little work. If your budget is less than that then I would save up if you can as it will work out cheaper in the long run. Cheap minis usually end up expensive by the time you have got them right.

I learnt that the hard way. Thought I got my 1996 cooper spi cheap at £1650 knowing nothing about minis or this forum, only other prices that I had seen. Got it up on my mates ramp and my bank balance plummeted. The cars suspension was pretty none existent and that was the tip of the iceberg

[mab01uk]

I was thinking of getting a mini as a first car and was wondering if there were any particular types to look out for.

 

If cost is all important then you might be better off getting something like a cheap Ford Fiesta or similar small hatch as a 'throw-away' car to gain your early driving experience while saving up for a decent Mini, rather than buy a cheap classic Mini 'project' which spends more time off the road undergoing expensive repairs /restoration or perhaps becomes an abandoned project.

Edited by mab01uk, 23 November 2014 - 10:49 AM.

[jjb60032]

Thanks for the advice. What sort of price would you pay for a decent mini?

[Ben_O]

Thanks for the advice. What sort of price would you pay for a decent mini?

Like has been said above 2-2.5k for a presentable solid car. 3-3.5k and beyond for a restored car in perfect condition.

 

always be vigilant when looking at Mini's to buy. Even if they are lot's of money, look great and have been restored recently, that doesn't mean they are worth buying.

 

so many people restore Mini's but not everybody does it properly and is honest about what has been done.

 

Ben

Edited by Ben_O, 23 November 2014 - 11:07 AM.