cooper sport, last 500, worth keeping ?
Discussion
My Wife is the second owner, it's done just under 50k miles, we've got the full box of stuff they came with. But it needs a bit of body work doing and probably some stuff for the MOT. We are fortunate enough to have other cars, so it's not really needed.
Any views on what it might be worth as is, or is it worth spending on to get it sorted and keep it for another 5 years ?
My wife is ready to part with it, but i wonder if we could regret it in a few years time ? although not from a driving experience as it doesn't do a huge amount for me.
Any thoughts ?
Any views on what it might be worth as is, or is it worth spending on to get it sorted and keep it for another 5 years ?
My wife is ready to part with it, but i wonder if we could regret it in a few years time ? although not from a driving experience as it doesn't do a huge amount for me.
Any thoughts ?
These seem to be going for silly money. Take a look on e-bay, especially at completed listings as this will give an indication of what they have been selling for. If you have the room to keep it and can afford to then it's best to keep it, even for the occasional joyous blast. We are thinking of buying another Mini soon as we haven't had one for about 8 years 
I know of the no1 demo car that BMW used as the comparison car when lauching the BMW MINI. It has everything, every bell and whistle every conceived.
I think your hanging on to a gold mine. If you can spare the little money it might raise now, in 20 years time you'll be looking at x5 the money.
Put it to sleep for a while, do it properly; and rediscover it with much fun in a decade.....
(buy some spares now though before they get silly money!)
I think your hanging on to a gold mine. If you can spare the little money it might raise now, in 20 years time you'll be looking at x5 the money.
Put it to sleep for a while, do it properly; and rediscover it with much fun in a decade.....
(buy some spares now though before they get silly money!)
They made millions of Minis, and this is one of the last 500 cooper sports models. Right now people are not silly excited about this car; however there popularity will always grow, i.e what ever you sell it for now, it will be worth significantly more in the future. Other then the Downton Sport 40 (which they made 5 of only!!!) I can't think of a more valauable mini, indeed anything with the spec level and rarity that the last 500 Cooper S's have.
Whilst they are still affordable people are buying up pre 72' cars for the tax exemption, once that vein has dried people will start looking at other desirable models, the 500 of which is a very good one.
Thats just my 2p worth, from what i can guage in the community.
Gwiz
Whilst they are still affordable people are buying up pre 72' cars for the tax exemption, once that vein has dried people will start looking at other desirable models, the 500 of which is a very good one.
Thats just my 2p worth, from what i can guage in the community.
Gwiz
Bought my Xreg CooperSport for just under 6K a few years ago and that was a very good price then. Similar models were going for almost 7k, and a 500 plate could add another grand on that. Prices have crashed over the last year as with everything else, but still a very valuable model.
Spec is less of an issue with the 500 series, as a standard CooperSport like mine has almost all the same trimmings, whistles and bells, and mini enthusiasts often have a few choice words about all the modern technlogy (and yes, fuel injection) being put into a true classic anyway; but the rarity and swan-song label of this last model is the thing that will hold value.
I would try to keep it safe and warm, running if you can afford it, and then get a good restoration done in a few years time.
Sadly bodywork will always be an issue on one of Rover's late offerings though, and even the best resto' will not last a very long time - the steel rover started to use at the end was pretty poor and late minis often end up rusting faster than much older models.
And if you're running it, keep those ball-joints greased
Spec is less of an issue with the 500 series, as a standard CooperSport like mine has almost all the same trimmings, whistles and bells, and mini enthusiasts often have a few choice words about all the modern technlogy (and yes, fuel injection) being put into a true classic anyway; but the rarity and swan-song label of this last model is the thing that will hold value.
I would try to keep it safe and warm, running if you can afford it, and then get a good restoration done in a few years time.
Sadly bodywork will always be an issue on one of Rover's late offerings though, and even the best resto' will not last a very long time - the steel rover started to use at the end was pretty poor and late minis often end up rusting faster than much older models.
And if you're running it, keep those ball-joints greased
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