Buying your first mini
Discussion
I'm currently 17, near to passing my test and have a real interest in mechanics, i'd really love to further this knowledge, so I though maybe i should buy a classic mini so i can get to grips with the engineering and mechanics within them, obviously as i'm only 17 money is a large factor in buying one, so was curious whats everyones thoughts on particular makes and models and which would suit my situation best, im looking to spend initially >£1750 and obviously road worthy would be nice(im not sure if certain years age better/worse then other) for the actual car, and i realise that as i'll be a relatively new driver so insurance will be high but maybe nothing obscene? Im coming here with relatively little knowledge on the subject as i realise i could've researched it, but who better to ask then the people who live, breath and eat them, much thanks.
At around £1750 you will have a car needing work. The Mini is indeed a true classic car and as such the prices are on the increase.
You will almost undoubtedly have to do some welding of new body panels and you need to do this yourself as to pay someone will be very expensive. After welding some re-painting will be needed, and not using those horrible rattle cans.
Don't buy one without getting an expert to have an in-depth inspection as the possibility of lots & lots of rust is very high.
For a really rust-free Mini expect to pay well over £3000 and at that it might still need mechanical work on engine, gearbox and suspension.
My Grandson bought a 1997 Cooper 1275 MPI to be his first car about 5 years ago. It had a current MoT and we paid £1600. It needed a huge amount of body work including front wings, front panel, inner & outer sills, one door skin, a rear valence, a screen scuttle panel and lower screen inner rail with some repairs to the top of the front bulkhead, new A-panels and all this followed by a full re-paint. It cost us £1500, but we did all the work ourselves including welding.
On top of that we did an engine re-build, fitted a centre oil pick-up in the gearbox, put in new suspension bushes, re-built the brake callipers and put on a second hand set of SPAX dampers.
New track-rod ends completed the job.
After it was done he drove it as a first car for 6 months before deciding it was really not ideal and he sold it for £4500 and bought a Fiesta 1.25 Zetec - a superb little car and almost totally reliable. Or it was until some idiot in a big 4 x 4 drove into it from a side road on a snowy day.
I don't want to put you off of the classic Mini, but remember it is a 58-year-old design and that is where the problems come from really.
They are not cheap to buy or to restore.
You will almost undoubtedly have to do some welding of new body panels and you need to do this yourself as to pay someone will be very expensive. After welding some re-painting will be needed, and not using those horrible rattle cans.
Don't buy one without getting an expert to have an in-depth inspection as the possibility of lots & lots of rust is very high.
For a really rust-free Mini expect to pay well over £3000 and at that it might still need mechanical work on engine, gearbox and suspension.
My Grandson bought a 1997 Cooper 1275 MPI to be his first car about 5 years ago. It had a current MoT and we paid £1600. It needed a huge amount of body work including front wings, front panel, inner & outer sills, one door skin, a rear valence, a screen scuttle panel and lower screen inner rail with some repairs to the top of the front bulkhead, new A-panels and all this followed by a full re-paint. It cost us £1500, but we did all the work ourselves including welding.
On top of that we did an engine re-build, fitted a centre oil pick-up in the gearbox, put in new suspension bushes, re-built the brake callipers and put on a second hand set of SPAX dampers.
New track-rod ends completed the job.
After it was done he drove it as a first car for 6 months before deciding it was really not ideal and he sold it for £4500 and bought a Fiesta 1.25 Zetec - a superb little car and almost totally reliable. Or it was until some idiot in a big 4 x 4 drove into it from a side road on a snowy day.
I don't want to put you off of the classic Mini, but remember it is a 58-year-old design and that is where the problems come from really.
They are not cheap to buy or to restore.
Hi
If you need to use the car whilst working on it then you would need to increase your budget quite substantially I'm afraid.
The later cars do suffer much worse from rust issues so, as these would be your entry vehicle be very very careful as a car that looks really good can hide a lot of problems.
If you need to use the car whilst working on it then you would need to increase your budget quite substantially I'm afraid.
The later cars do suffer much worse from rust issues so, as these would be your entry vehicle be very very careful as a car that looks really good can hide a lot of problems.
I didn't really the work neccasary on them would be quite so extensive, maybe I'll consider buying one as a project car when I have more funds available? I'm not really into the whole 'modified car scene' so a mini or other classic seemed appropriate for me, but thank you for your time and careful consideration on the subject
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