Prices for old Minis - barmy!
Discussion
Gotta laugh at the crazy prices being set on old Minis these days! What's going on??
I realise that no more are being made but really.................
I've had loads over the years, vans, standard cars, Cooper S, re-engined late cars and - yes - of course they are iconic & good to drive but welcome to a world of inevitable rusting!
No, no more for me - I've seen the light and run a classic Peugeot 205 GTI, every bit as much fun to drive, much more 'modern' and no great fear of rust.
Don't expect to change the way things are but do question the craziness out there.
I realise that no more are being made but really.................
I've had loads over the years, vans, standard cars, Cooper S, re-engined late cars and - yes - of course they are iconic & good to drive but welcome to a world of inevitable rusting!
No, no more for me - I've seen the light and run a classic Peugeot 205 GTI, every bit as much fun to drive, much more 'modern' and no great fear of rust.
Don't expect to change the way things are but do question the craziness out there.
You think Minis are becoming expensive? Take a look at the asking prices for Mk.1 Cortinas, E-Types, top condition VW Beetles, etc.
All classic cars are increasing in value.
There are still a few 'affordable' classics out there. These include the Jag XJS, the XJ6 Mk.1, MGB-GT, Triumph Herald and a few others.
The Mini is a true classic and was once called 'the ultimate classic', so it's always going to be expensive, increasingly so.
All classic cars are increasing in value.
There are still a few 'affordable' classics out there. These include the Jag XJS, the XJ6 Mk.1, MGB-GT, Triumph Herald and a few others.
The Mini is a true classic and was once called 'the ultimate classic', so it's always going to be expensive, increasingly so.
Edited by Cooperman on Monday 5th May 20:46
Exactly what Cooperman says about the price of old Fords
And when you compare the price for a new wing/grill etc for a Mini against that for a Ford you'll get another shock!
If you can actually find the old Ford panels.
All this said, genuine "S" fetch huge sums, my old Clubman has been for sale for a while with no bites.
And when you compare the price for a new wing/grill etc for a Mini against that for a Ford you'll get another shock!
If you can actually find the old Ford panels.
All this said, genuine "S" fetch huge sums, my old Clubman has been for sale for a while with no bites.
I have been looking at the possibility of bringing a Datsun 240Z in from the USA. There are good rust-free ones requiring virtually no welding, just the more straightforward mechanical work, for around $8000 + shipping.
They do make an excellent classic over here and are more motorway-friendly than a Mini. And, if fitted with triple 48 DCOE Webers, that 6-cylinder sound is awesome. I am very tempted and, if I didn't have a workshop full with 2 Minis & an MGB-GT, plus a Sunbeam Tiger arriving for 6 months shortly I think I would just go for one. When fully restored probably worth over £16k here.
They do make an excellent classic over here and are more motorway-friendly than a Mini. And, if fitted with triple 48 DCOE Webers, that 6-cylinder sound is awesome. I am very tempted and, if I didn't have a workshop full with 2 Minis & an MGB-GT, plus a Sunbeam Tiger arriving for 6 months shortly I think I would just go for one. When fully restored probably worth over £16k here.
mmatthej1 said:
Quite agree with observations about equally mad prices on old Fords etc - many of them viewed as junk back in the day! (hence relative rarity now, I suppose.)
Said the same of old Peugeots. 
Hang onto yours - don't reverse it through a hedge and you'll have a classic with accumulating value in years to come.
Whilst an 80's icon, I'll eat my shorts if a pug 205Gti reaches Mini levels of classic status.
Edited by FWDRacer on Wednesday 7th May 12:31
mmatthej1 said:
classic Peugeot 205 GTI, every bit as much fun to drive, much more 'modern' and no great fear of rust.
anyone who claims pug 205's don't rust is either mad, blind or has never poked at the thick rubberised underseal with a screwdriver.......they can rot for England, all the boot floor, the sills, inner sills, rear seat pan, jacking points, inner wings, front panel etc - just like a mini, but you cannot get nearly as many repair panels for them!!!!
then there is the rear beam, which costs a fortune to fix when it seizes solid!
don't get me wrong, great cars, but crumble away with the best of them!
my 205 has just died!
mmatthej1 said:
RIP your 205, sorry to hear about that!
ach, it had had a good innings (not as good as my old fellas, that did 750,000 plus miles before it was just too rotten to keep on going)I bought mine off ebay (for £205) as an mot fail four years ago, I got 40,000 out of it, but its already had one good welding session and I just cannot be arsed to do the work it needs for the mot - im going to stash it away in storage though, I cannot bear to just scrap it!
In Mini vs. Pug discussion, I'm bound to agree that Minis are great fun to drive and reflect that this might stem from relatively low power, meaning that full-throttle driving is do'able much more often than on the more powerful Pug Gti.....................
My 'last' Mini had a Metro 1275 engine, plus chassis upgrades that made it a real hoot, tho' enthusiatic driving gets frowns from others these days, let alone overtaking!!
My 'last' Mini had a Metro 1275 engine, plus chassis upgrades that made it a real hoot, tho' enthusiatic driving gets frowns from others these days, let alone overtaking!!
Gassing Station | Classic Minis | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff