29 replies to this topic

[rodandtom]

First rule of Mini Club - NEVER ADD UP THE BILLS

[IainStallard]

I find my Mini is the cheapest car in terms of upkeep! My fiesta daily is constantly breaking and my TVR takes money like it's going out of fashion...

[rusty30]

First rule of Mini Club - NEVER ADD UP THE BILLS

Second rule of Mini Club - NEVER ADD UP THE BILLS

[gronkjor]

Most parts are very cheap and if well looked after Minis are relatively reliable. I had never done any work on cars when I bought my Mini, but I manage to change oil and all service relating parts myself - easy to learn. 

 

That said I do have a savings account for trips to the garage when I need more serious stuff sorted. I think I spend 2-600 pounds a year on garage bills and maintenance parts on average so not too bad really. I do about 10.000 kilometers pr year. 

[surfblue]

My estimated annual maintenance costs for a '71 Mini are very close to Flying Scot's, this also does about 2,000 to 3,000 miles a year.

 

About £250 a year on maintenance sounds right:

- £50 on couple gallons oil plus oil filter (one change plus top-ups)

- £50 for MOT

- £150 a year for 'consumables' such as brakes, exhaust and tyres

That sounds realistic. Mines a fair weather car and some years sees less than 500 miles. Its in show condition but not concours. It gets what it needs which isnt that much really. Biggest job to date was a replacement gearbox but that was a good used one which cost less than £100. Having the ability, tools and facilities to carry out necessary work on a Mini is a big help. Haven't had to pay for anyonelses labour except for a small amount of paintwork.

[Gr4h4m]

I would hate to think what I spend!

[DJS911]

If you are looking at total cost of ownership you should also consider depreciation.
If you buy a classic Mini wisely and maintain it properly you should have near enough zero, or even negative, depreciation dependent on the market.
Just think what would happen to your capital if you bought a modern saloon!

[Carlos W]

 

First rule of Mini Club - NEVER ADD UP THE BILLS

Second rule of Mini Club - NEVER ADD UP THE BILLS

 

Third rule of mini club - NEVER SHOW THE MRS THE BILLS OR SHE'LL ADD THEM UP

[Alex_B]

In parts I have spent about £4000 in 4 years, in that time I have completely upgraded the suspension to fully adjustable items on both my daily and my minus "fun" car, kept the daily on the road with bits its needed, upgraded other areas such as brakes and upgraded bushes all round. Just put a new rear subframe on the minus with new brake lines and bushes / mounts and also built up a full straight cut gearbox thats going into the fun car once I have built my engine. 

So in that time I would say I have probably spent 30% of that money on parts that were needed and the rest are upgrades to improve the car whilst also taking care of slightly aged parts that needed doing at some point in the future. Then just add on road tax, insurance, and the usual car finances and I would say you are likely to spend more in the first couple of years to get the car to a nice standard then after that the running costs will come down to just fixing parts as they wear out. But I do all my own work as I am a historic race mechanic / engineer so I have no need to pay garage costs so factor standard garage rates for fitting of more complex jobs if you're not comfortable with every job you may need to undertake. 

[Mini-Mouse]

If you are looking at total cost of ownership you should also consider depreciation.
If you buy a classic Mini wisely and maintain it properly you should have near enough zero, or even negative, depreciation dependent on the market.
Just think what would happen to your capital if you bought a modern saloon!

Good point! You could end up making money in the long term! Providing everything's done properly, that is.

[Mini-Mouse]

Thanks everyone, it's interesting to hear your replies. Maybe a mini is do-able after all for an occasional drive and/or an investment! 

[Fast Ivan]

Thanks everyone, it's interesting to hear your replies. Maybe a mini is do-able after all for an occasional drive and/or an investment! 

its perfectly doable

[Dusky]

 

If you are looking at total cost of ownership you should also consider depreciation.
If you buy a classic Mini wisely and maintain it properly you should have near enough zero, or even negative, depreciation dependent on the market.
Just think what would happen to your capital if you bought a modern saloon!

Good point! You could end up making money in the long term! Providing everything's done properly, that is.

 

Wait till you see the ridiculous offers you get when you sell a fully rebuilt mini.
And I mean fully : all rust cut out, new candy blue paintjob, all new brakes, rebuilt engine, all new suspension parts etc etc.
 

[dyshipfakta]

 

If you are looking at total cost of ownership you should also consider depreciation.
If you buy a classic Mini wisely and maintain it properly you should have near enough zero, or even negative, depreciation dependent on the market.
Just think what would happen to your capital if you bought a modern saloon!

Good point! You could end up making money in the long term! Providing everything's done properly, that is.
 

Wait till you see the ridiculous offers you get when you sell a fully rebuilt mini.
And I mean fully : all rust cut out, new candy blue paintjob, all new brakes, rebuilt engine, all new suspension parts etc etc.
 

That's why If your going to do all that you don't sell it.

[Ethel]

I would never buy with the intention of driving it and call it an investment, anything that requires compulsory insurance has to be risky.

 

Minis can give cheap motoring, but I don't think they can reliably be run on a shoestring any longer. They're all over the 13 years that's supposed to be the average life expectancy for a car - based on more modern technology too. 

 

At some point you will need major body repairs to keep its value, and on the road. You can have the money you'd have lost in depreciation in the bank, but you will need it sooner or later if your Mini isn't going to meet the same bean tin fate as a non classic hatchback.