Seriously... is getting an old mini a good plan financially?
Discussion
I'm a student and I've worked out I can just about afford a car next year... something around the £1000-1500 mark. Question is, is it even worth contemplating a mini? For that price would you expect to be able to pick up a car that will work for at least a year, or is that a pipe dream?!
I don't mind getting my hands dirty, but without getting my dad to travel 100 miles to give me a hand I'm not exactly flushed with expertise.
Any opionions welcome!
gill
I don't mind getting my hands dirty, but without getting my dad to travel 100 miles to give me a hand I'm not exactly flushed with expertise.
Any opionions welcome!
gill
If you can find a good, basic car for that money then there's no reason why it should go wrong if you look after it properly (i.e. oil changes, keep an eye on the plug gaps, leads etc.) I'd go for a basic 998 that hasn't been mucked about with.
Trouble is, finding a good one for that budget is getting harder and harder...
Trouble is, finding a good one for that budget is getting harder and harder...
If you are happy with a bog standard 998, then £1500 will still buy you a minter.
But you need to be prepared to hunt them down.
There are loads of overpriced, rotten, shagged out Minis out there, so you just need to be selective and patient.
If you know how to use a spanner, then a Mini is still the most cost effective way of having four wheeled fun.
If you like cheap, simple, reliable motoring and are not in a hurry, then you might also want to look at Citroen 2CVs.
But you need to be prepared to hunt them down.
There are loads of overpriced, rotten, shagged out Minis out there, so you just need to be selective and patient.
If you know how to use a spanner, then a Mini is still the most cost effective way of having four wheeled fun.
If you like cheap, simple, reliable motoring and are not in a hurry, then you might also want to look at Citroen 2CVs.
Pat H said:
If you are happy with a bog standard 998, then £1500 will still buy you a minter.
But you need to be prepared to hunt them down.
There are loads of overpriced, rotten, shagged out Minis out there, so you just need to be selective and patient.
If you know how to use a spanner, then a Mini is still the most cost effective way of having four wheeled fun.
If you like cheap, simple, reliable motoring and are not in a hurry, then you might also want to look at Citroen 2CVs.
But you need to be prepared to hunt them down.
There are loads of overpriced, rotten, shagged out Minis out there, so you just need to be selective and patient.
If you know how to use a spanner, then a Mini is still the most cost effective way of having four wheeled fun.
If you like cheap, simple, reliable motoring and are not in a hurry, then you might also want to look at Citroen 2CVs.
Or the pleathora of small Euro-boxes out there.
The primary concerns are generally Body rust and rear subframes rusting through.
Be prepared to have to do some work to the car and budget for it accordingly (in time and money!)
Look at plenty before making a descision and if in doubt, find a mechanic or mechanically minded mate to come with you to offer advice, as 2 pairs of eyes is generally always useful.
All mini's are now decidely long in the tooth if this is a heart ruling head call go right ahead but if you're on the budget max and need a reliable daily runner a euroshopping trolley is probably a far better call - Polo's being perfect for the purpose - you'd get a very decent P or R plater within budget (although bland & without any character / fun factor whatsoever - I know I use one as a commuter every day - but they are amazingly rustproof and reliable). Mini's are without doubt the best cheapo fun on 4 wheels but not exactly blessed where security, carrying ability, reliability or rustproofing are concerned and the days of popping down to the local scrapper and getting anything you need for a fiver are sadly long gone. Unless I'm conforming to perception of stereotype as a student I'd guess car would be pretty well neglected and left on the street (see security above - especially as various scumbags like to pinch & break them).
That said if you know what a spanner is and can stretch to a haynes manual go for it !!!! just please ignore my next post!!
That said if you know what a spanner is and can stretch to a haynes manual go for it !!!! just please ignore my next post!!
annodomini2 said:
Pat H said:
If you are happy with a bog standard 998, then £1500 will still buy you a minter.
But you need to be prepared to hunt them down.
There are loads of overpriced, rotten, shagged out Minis out there, so you just need to be selective and patient.
If you know how to use a spanner, then a Mini is still the most cost effective way of having four wheeled fun.
If you like cheap, simple, reliable motoring and are not in a hurry, then you might also want to look at Citroen 2CVs.
But you need to be prepared to hunt them down.
There are loads of overpriced, rotten, shagged out Minis out there, so you just need to be selective and patient.
If you know how to use a spanner, then a Mini is still the most cost effective way of having four wheeled fun.
If you like cheap, simple, reliable motoring and are not in a hurry, then you might also want to look at Citroen 2CVs.
Or the pleathora of small Euro-boxes out there.
The primary concerns are generally Body rust and rear subframes rusting through.
Be prepared to have to do some work to the car and budget for it accordingly (in time and money!)
Look at plenty before making a descision and if in doubt, find a mechanic or mechanically minded mate to come with you to offer advice, as 2 pairs of eyes is generally always useful.
Scour eBay for low mileage cars owned by the proverbial little old lady.
Every couple of weeks you will see one come up for sale and they are often a good prospect, though they tend to be automatics.
I bought this one last year.
One owner, 12,000 miles from new, tax exempt. I gave £1500 for it and sold it 12 months later for over £2000.
With insurance coming in at £89 Fully Comp unlimited mileage, it really is motoring for free.
tim-d said:
if this is a heart ruling head call go right ahead but if you're on the budget max and need a reliable daily runner a euroshopping trolley is probably a far better call
Oh, its definately heart ruling head! Given that everything I need is within walking distance, I really have no real need for a daily runner! Its just something I've wanted to do for ages, and finally insurance is just about within financial reach
Pat- that car is beautiful! I'd be over the moon if I found something like that for £1500. Is that the condition it was in when you bought it?
thegill said:
Pat- that car is beautiful! I'd be over the moon if I found something like that for £1500. Is that the condition it was in when you bought it?
More or less.
Cosmetically, all it needed was a new carpet.
But it hadn't been used since 1985, so mechanically it needed a few jobs.
In short, it needed new wheel cylinders, new master cylinder, battery, petrol tank, water pump, thermostat, a few hoses, plugs, filters, oil, antifreeze and a headlamp bulb.
The parts cost a couple of hundred quid in total and it took a weekend of fettling to get it back on the road.
It needed one small weld on the driver's sill, which was neatly done by an acquaintance.
The car was a peach and I should have kept it, but it was reluctantly sold to make way for the next project....
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