How much would you pay?

[tesser53]

I love minis but would seriously have to think of spending £25k on one(even if it was a W&P Margrave 50). Have found over 12 low mileage cars including 3 identical Anthracite Cooper Sport 500's, one with 23 miles recorded for £17995, one with 26 miles for £22995 and the third with 24 miles for £24995!!! all for the same model!! why pay £23-25k if you could get the same version for 5 or 7k less?

I also found others that have between 57 - 4900 recorded miles ranging from £17k to 22995,but with all the modern cars available now for less money that have more efficient engines,ABS and such luxuries like central locking,air-con and electric windows included - what's the point of buying a 12 year old car with ancient mechanicals that hasn't been used, and doesn't have any warranted cover!

In my opinion a used one with an average mileage or just below would be a sounder purchase such as a 500/40/30LE or a John Cooper S 5 for example at a cost of £8000 - 10000 or less and there are loads to choose from.

I know the Issigonis Minis are considered motoring icons but some dealers are taking the mickey are they not?

[haynes]

if you want a true classic, and a bit of a project, theres always this one at bids around £15K:

http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Cooperman]

tesser53 said:

I love minis but would seriously have to think of spending £25k on one(even if it was a W&P Margrave 50). Have found over 12 low mileage cars including 3 identical Anthracite Cooper Sport 500's, one with 23 miles recorded for £17995, one with 26 miles for £22995 and the third with 24 miles for £24995!!! all for the same model!! why pay £23-25k if you could get the same version for 5 or 7k less?

I also found others that have between 57 - 4900 recorded miles ranging from £17k to 22995,but with all the modern cars available now for less money that have more efficient engines,ABS and such luxuries like central locking,air-con and electric windows included - what's the point of buying a 12 year old car with ancient mechanicals that hasn't been used, and doesn't have any warranted cover!

In my opinion a used one with an average mileage or just below would be a sounder purchase such as a 500/40/30LE or a John Cooper S 5 for example at a cost of £8000 - 10000 or less and there are loads to choose from.

I know the Issigonis Minis are considered motoring icons but some dealers are taking the mickey are they not?

Those cars are, effectively, zero-miles new cars. As the Mini is a true Classic in every sense you have to see those cars for what they are - unused pieces of history. They have a value as such and there are those in the fortunate position of being able to afford them and to put them away for only very occassional use.
Imagine you had a 1964 Cooper 'S' with, say, 2000 miles on it in all-original condition and just like new. What would that be worth, bearing-in-mind that restored 'S's are fetching up to £20k? of course, if yuou want a 'daily driver' a 'zero-miles' late car would be the wrong thing to get. Those cars are strictly for serious collectors.