Looking for a mini...

[RossP]

My wife had a couple of classic minis when she was younger. My daughter will also be learning to drive next year. So we have been considering buying one as a bit of fun. However I do now have a couple of concerns...

- Reading some of the things on here and other online buying advice, it seems it's all doom and gloom when buying a mini and that they are all full of rust and breakdown all the time!

- Also I do have some concerns about the safety aspect.

However I don't really want to give up and go down the route of a corsa/micra etc... as they are just so dull.

We did look at a 1998 car that was up for just over £3k. It was owned by a mini enthusiast and has had a frotn end respray. Again after reading all the doom and gloom, I'm worried that it would turn into a pile of rust before the spring arrives.

Am I mad? Any advice?

[PetrolTed]

Hi Ross

I'm no expert, but it's fairly easy to read up on the weak spots and go have a good prod at a car.

The safety aspect concerns me so I wouldn't take the whole family down the M4 in one, but for nipping about locally I'm happy enough. Not sure I'd stick a new driver in one these days as a collision with anything modern wouldn't be pretty.

[Cooperman]

PM me. I have a beautiful 1997 Cooper MPI which I guarantee is rust-free, totally restored with re-built engine & gearbox. Virtually everything is new or restored.
It's an ideal 1st Mini.
Price is right too and it has 12 months MoT.
Loads of photos of restoration.

[FWDRacer]

Get a good one (^see above) and you and your family will treasure the car and the journeys and fun times you have in the car. Safety - always seems to be a prospective buyers question - Crossing the road isn't safe in some cities. All down to personal risk exposure.