9 replies to this topic

[buckers]

Hi all. Having just joined the forum I'm eagerly looking for a mini with my little bag of cash (5-7k).

I've been spooked a bit by reading some of the threads, especially frequent comments that price is no guarantee of quality. It usually has been in my car buying life, so this time I'm thinking of buying from a dealer to try and remove some of the risk.

 

So which dealers are the best in the NW?

 

I'm in Stockport, and found Huddersfield Spares, P&L In Thurscoe and AllMini in Glossop. Anyone had good or bad experiences with them? Prices seem to vary quite widely across dealers for similar spec cars, never mind the private market! 

Cheers for any insight

[Anthony30]

£5K-£7K is a bit of a tight budget really. Are you looking for a project. Hope you find a better than showroom model. Have you considered an ERA turbo? Don't know how much they're worth, but must be able to get a decent example within your budget.   

[Jordie]

£5K-£7K is a bit of a tight budget really. Are you looking for a project. Hope you find a better than showroom model. Have you considered an ERA turbo? Don't know how much they're worth, but must be able to get a decent example within your budget.   

 

Who is this guy???

 

A decent ERA turbo is well over 15k

 

For 5-7k you should be able to get a quite mint MPI (1998-2000 registered) which has creature comforts (no choke, air bag, nice seats etc)

 

P&L cars are expensive, the ones they have restored in the past seem to be good, but I dont think they restore all the cars they have for sale, so still worth checking.

[Anthony30]

 

£5K-£7K is a bit of a tight budget really. Are you looking for a project. Hope you find a better than showroom model. Have you considered an ERA turbo? Don't know how much they're worth, but must be able to get a decent example within your budget.   

 

Who is this guy???

 

A decent ERA turbo is well over 15k

 

For 5-7k you should be able to get a quite mint MPI (1998-2000 registered) which has creature comforts (no choke, air bag, nice seats etc)

 

P&L cars are expensive, the ones they have restored in the past seem to be good, but I dont think they restore all the cars they have for sale, so still worth checking.

 

I did mention that I don't know the value of them TBF.  A mini MPI will be a good option, there's plenty to choose from.

[Anthony30]

 

£5K-£7K is a bit of a tight budget really. Are you looking for a project. Hope you find a better than showroom model. Have you considered an ERA turbo? Don't know how much they're worth, but must be able to get a decent example within your budget.   

 

Who is this guy???

 

A decent ERA turbo is well over 15k

 

For 5-7k you should be able to get a quite mint MPI (1998-2000 registered) which has creature comforts (no choke, air bag, nice seats etc)

 

P&L cars are expensive, the ones they have restored in the past seem to be good, but I dont think they restore all the cars they have for sale, so still worth checking.

 

Just checked Ebay, and you might have a point. ERA turbo's are going for around £20k    ​ 

[some1158]

I wouldn't discount buying privately. Yes - there is a risk. But at the same time there's no real guarantee with a car from a dealer.  No Mini is now less than 15 years old and the car is a 1950s design with a tendency to rust if not well looked after, as all cars of that era did.  Just because a Mini is at a dealer doesn't mean that it won't have been bodged at some stage in the past.

 

The most important thing when buying is to take your time and look very carefully at any car that you see. Don't rush! Have a look at threads on here, and the Minifinity downloadable buyer's guide, to see where the usual problem areas are. What you need, when you're spending this sort of sum and whether buying privately or at a garage, is evidence that someone has looked after their car, ideally with the history to prove it. Bodywork is more important than many ways than the mechanical side of things, which is easier (and usually cheaper) to put right.

 

Try websites such as carandclassic and be prepared to travel if a car looks promising. For your money you should be able to get a very good 1990s car.

Edited by some1158, 27 January 2015 - 07:59 AM.

[MaxAndPaddy]

As above, with your budget you should be able to pick up a good quality late MPI and I would look for a private sale but take your time to find the right care and inspect carefully. All you are doing going with a dealer is sticking a couple of grand in their pocket for no real guarantee of quality. 

[Ethel]

I agree, any Mini offered by a "dealer" will have been in private ownership before they got it. You'll be paying extra to cover their profit, or they'll have got it cheap for a reason and any repairs will have been done with an eye on being able to sell it on for a profit.

 

The difference between a private and trade sale is that a trader is expected to understand cars and can be held to account if it isn't fit for purpose i.e. roadworthy. Both must try to be honest so ask all the relevant questions and have the answers recorded (make a receipt and get it signed before you hand over the cash). It still won't do you any good if you can't get them to pay up if something does go wrong. Get money out of dealers is only guaranteed to be easier if they offer a warranty that's underwritten by a third party - rare on a 15 year old car. 

 

 

To not paint all the motor trade as rogues... Some small garages are run by genuine car enthusiasts who have a restoration project on the go for when business is slack, Minis are ideal for this. Viaduct Motors in Todmorden have sold Mins like that.

 

It's also a little less unlikely that a regulated business, like an MoT testers, will declare bankruptcy to avoid debts on what is just a sideline.

[buckers]

 

£5K-£7K is a bit of a tight budget really. Are you looking for a project. Hope you find a better than showroom model. Have you considered an ERA turbo? Don't know how much they're worth, but must be able to get a decent example within your budget.   

 

Who is this guy???

 

A decent ERA turbo is well over 15k

 

For 5-7k you should be able to get a quite mint MPI (1998-2000 registered) which has creature comforts (no choke, air bag, nice seats etc)

 

P&L cars are expensive, the ones they have restored in the past seem to be good, but I dont think they restore all the cars they have for sale, so still worth checking.

 

Yes I couldn't tell from their website as they price restoration cars at 10-15k, but then sell other ones at 5k and say they will be through their workshop. Confusing.

[djsmith74]

Have a chat with Craig at Mini Technique:

 

http://www.minitechnique.com/#

 

He always has a good range of Minis for sale, in various stages of condition from a project car to Japanese imports which are in very good nick. The place itself is well worth a visit, just to see how many Minis & parts he has!