Classic mini as a first car?
Discussion
Hi guys,
This is my first post but my dad is an avid supporter of pistonheads and contributes in the good old' TVR forum.
I need some advice and help in looking for classic minis. I have always had a love for the little beasts and would love one for a first car. My dad is somewhat untoward the idea as they come with their problems.
However I was wondering whether anyone knows any good places to look for minis and whether EBAY in particular is worth avoiding when looking at minis or not?
Any help will be much appreciated!
This is my first post but my dad is an avid supporter of pistonheads and contributes in the good old' TVR forum.
I need some advice and help in looking for classic minis. I have always had a love for the little beasts and would love one for a first car. My dad is somewhat untoward the idea as they come with their problems.
However I was wondering whether anyone knows any good places to look for minis and whether EBAY in particular is worth avoiding when looking at minis or not?
Any help will be much appreciated!
I have been doing my own research to some extent however I am unsure where to look online in terms of research with the exception of PH. You said you bought your son a mini for a first car? What mini was it? And if you don't mind me asking what did you pay so I can base a budget on what others people have spent on them as a first car? I am aware of the rust and break issue as minis are well known for this right? MINIMAN, would you say are a good first car without the tinkering side of things?
Well, the absolute newest cars are 12 years old now so they are all going to need a little more maintenance than your typical Fiesta / Corsa / s
tbox but not excessively so. Fantastic handling, terrible comparatively in safety terms.
In your shoes I would be looking at a 998cc and ignoring age and mileage - buy on condition alone. Steer clear of rotten shells - eg a post, scuttle corners, footwells. The oily bits are much easier to fix than bodywork IMHO.
tbox but not excessively so. Fantastic handling, terrible comparatively in safety terms. In your shoes I would be looking at a 998cc and ignoring age and mileage - buy on condition alone. Steer clear of rotten shells - eg a post, scuttle corners, footwells. The oily bits are much easier to fix than bodywork IMHO.
OK that's understandable, are all the minis of that age in roughly in the same condition or would you say there are a few that are in decent condition? In terms of safety what about the coopers and their airbags? or is it best not to trust them? OK thank you for your advice,
Would you be able to send me the link for your item please?
Would you be able to send me the link for your item please?
Horrible little things - I test drove a late model Cooper just after I'd passed my test and it was like driving a post box with that little windscreen.
Add to that the ancient A-series engine, 4 speed gearbox and all the suspension travel of a hardtail chopper, and you have a very disappointing driving experience. This is before starting on the seating position and steering wheel which is at the same angle as that in a National Express coach.
Then they rust. Rampantly.
I can almost see the point in one as a toy - and I've seen some really rapid examples at track days.
As a daily driver and first car. Forget it.
You won't get classic insurance on one and you can forget insuring a Cooper until you've got a bit of NCB behind you.
Add to that the ancient A-series engine, 4 speed gearbox and all the suspension travel of a hardtail chopper, and you have a very disappointing driving experience. This is before starting on the seating position and steering wheel which is at the same angle as that in a National Express coach.
Then they rust. Rampantly.
I can almost see the point in one as a toy - and I've seen some really rapid examples at track days.
As a daily driver and first car. Forget it.
You won't get classic insurance on one and you can forget insuring a Cooper until you've got a bit of NCB behind you.
I've had 5 minis of my own. If your into minis, you get them. My sons first one was a Mayfair, cost me about 1.2k, sold if 3 years later for about the same. The cooper cost me about 3k, but I reckon over the last 4 years, I've spent 4-5k on replacement body parts re-spray and an engine re-build. If and when we ever buy another one, I will steer clear of the MPI's, to much electrics to go wrong.
Insurance, think when my son was 17, cost about £800 for fully comp. Now he is 22, the cooper costs £500 fully comp, so not too bad.
I have tried to get my son to get a modern car, but he loves the mini, and its a cool car to drive :-)
Insurance, think when my son was 17, cost about £800 for fully comp. Now he is 22, the cooper costs £500 fully comp, so not too bad.
I have tried to get my son to get a modern car, but he loves the mini, and its a cool car to drive :-)
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