Should I buy it?

[Mr POD]

Okay, me and the wifey have 3 cars. Mx5 (Hers) Cavalier (Hack) and 998 mini (Which I sometimes allow my 17 year old son to drive, and MIGHT give him on his 18th (who knows - I can't think of anything better)

I work away in the week and take the cavalier but I'd rather leave that at home and take the mini that a bloke at work has offered to sell me.

F reg mayfair, MG metro engine and box, restored, but has an earthing fault and 2nd gear is 'hard to find' should pass mot but he's had it in his parents garage for 18 months whilst he rebuilds a mk1 RS2000 and his house and gets sent abroad alot with work.

Price £1100.

Question is : What sort of commute can I expect on a monday morning at 5.15 am in the winter in the dark doing 110 miles from Liverpool to Derby (Although after christmas it could be anywhere, depends on next contract)

[DanGT]

One were you end up in the caviler a lot. If the body is good earth problems are notmaly not to hard to find (Earth cable from battery damiged, earth point problem loss etc, battery tuminal not good). The gear box would need fixing. It is hard to say but I think you may need to do some work on the box befor a lomng drive?

[bubblehead]

If it's rust free(well for a mini) thats a very decent price. The mechanical/electrical faults should be cheap and easy if you can swing a spanner and a properly maintained and regularly used mini will be reliable. Go on you know you want to...........

[GingerWizard]

2nd gear could be a worn or mal-adjusted remote gear selector, or more seriously the syncro mesh in the box its self.
The earthing problem (if it is this) is an easy fix.

If it is the gear box, then a replacement would be about £600, fitted. If the shell is straight/rust-ish free then you could be quids in. (+£500 at resale)

When you say metro engine i take it you mean a 1275 lump. Regarding the 0515 starts and 110 drive i cannot see a problem as long as all is in order, reliable engines given a little care, and cheaper to fix then current cars. They are so simple if it does not work you have a much higher chance of mending it so that it does then with your cav. If its a strong car then seriously consider it.



Oh and offer 1k cash.

Gwiz

[Mr POD]

GingerWizard said:

2nd gear could be a worn or mal-adjusted remote gear selector, or more seriously the syncro mesh in the box its self.
The earthing problem (if it is this) is an easy fix.

If it is the gear box, then a replacement would be about £600, fitted. If the shell is straight/rust-ish free then you could be quids in. (+£500 at resale)

When you say metro engine i take it you mean a 1275 lump. Regarding the 0515 starts and 110 drive i cannot see a problem as long as all is in order, reliable engines given a little care, and cheaper to fix then current cars. They are so simple if it does not work you have a much higher chance of mending it so that it does then with your cav. If its a strong car then seriously consider it.



Oh and offer 1k cash.

Gwiz

It's the 1275 MG metro lump so should have 75 bhp as standard.

Once the gear box is repaired I can see no real issues as it'll have electronic ignition as standard. Obviously the mini mechanics will require constant attention - ball joints, etc but It's worth a look.

[Pixel-Snapper]

Mr POD said:

Question is : What sort of commute can I expect on a monday morning at 5.15 am in the winter in the dark doing 110 miles from Liverpool to Derby (Although after christmas it could be anywhere, depends on next contract)

I love mini's but 200 odd miles and 4 hours a day sat at 65mph on the motorway..... Your nuts man!!!!!

[Mr POD]

Pixel-Snapper said:

Mr POD said:

Question is : What sort of commute can I expect on a monday morning at 5.15 am in the winter in the dark doing 110 miles from Liverpool to Derby (Although after christmas it could be anywhere, depends on next contract)

I love mini's but 200 odd miles and 4 hours a day sat at 65mph on the motorway..... Your nuts man!!!!!

You misinterpret what I think I meant.
I am not THAT nuts.

I drive to Derby on a Monday Morning and I drive back on Friday afternoon.
I rent a room monday to friday in a house share with 'Gunman-Gavin' and Mr Singh, and walk to work the other 3 days as It's only 10 minutes walk.

[DanGT]

I did 20K a year in a mini (1998) 2+ h a day 5-6 days a week. This was for 2 and half years. Mini city 1L, not that bad but none of it was on motorways.

[Pixel-Snapper]

Mr POD said:

You misinterpret what I think I meant.
I am not THAT nuts.

I drive to Derby on a Monday Morning and I drive back on Friday afternoon.
I rent a room monday to friday in a house share with 'Gunman-Gavin' and Mr Singh, and walk to work the other 3 days as It's only 10 minutes walk.

Oooow i'm with you well in that case sounds like a winner once fixed as mentioned above.

[Mr POD]

All on hold whilst I try and find the deposit for this :


http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prope...