thinking of buying an old shape mini, advice wanted.
Discussion
Hey, i'm seriously thinking of getting a late old shape mini to replace my E36 bmw.
basically the BM has had a few probs and the 28mpg average i get is starting to break my wallet.
i really wanted a new shape copper s but rather than taking more finance out i thought maybe save a few pounds and pay off some current debts would be a better idea!
firstly would i fit in a old shape mini at 6 foot 2? my friend has one so i could try and see if i fit in his!
also i'm looking at late jap imported coopers as they have air con. i'm looking at a 98 model onwards really.
just after general advice, what mpg can i expect? what are they like as a daily driver? mine will do about 12k miles a year. i'd save a shed load of cash on just car tax and insurance alone! so it's something i'm seriously considering in the new year.
thanks for any advice really!
basically the BM has had a few probs and the 28mpg average i get is starting to break my wallet.
i really wanted a new shape copper s but rather than taking more finance out i thought maybe save a few pounds and pay off some current debts would be a better idea!
firstly would i fit in a old shape mini at 6 foot 2? my friend has one so i could try and see if i fit in his!
also i'm looking at late jap imported coopers as they have air con. i'm looking at a 98 model onwards really.
just after general advice, what mpg can i expect? what are they like as a daily driver? mine will do about 12k miles a year. i'd save a shed load of cash on just car tax and insurance alone! so it's something i'm seriously considering in the new year.
thanks for any advice really!
You'll fit in one fine. I do and im the same height as you. You'll not save much on fuel and road tax though.. Archaic engine design isnt the most frugal, especially if driven briskly, which you'll want to do in any mini because its fun!
Tin worm is of course the worst enemy of these cars. I've taken more than a few of them apart (even tried to put 1 or 2 back together again as well
) and there is shockingly little rust protection on these cars. So if its as rust free as it can be, then you are onto a good start already. Worry about other gremlins later, as on the scale of things, mechanical issues are less fuss to sort than rust.
You are going to feel a little cramped and vulnerable in there compared to your BMW mind.. Classic Mini's are great and fun second cars, but I wouldn't want to drive one as a main car daily.
Secondhand 'new' Mini's have come down in price quite a bit now. Well into classic mini prices territory in some cases (Although perhaps not for an 'S'). Might be worth looking at a early 'new' mini instead? Plenty of them to choose from now, and many were fitted with decent AC along with other mod cons and safety gubbins.
P,
Tin worm is of course the worst enemy of these cars. I've taken more than a few of them apart (even tried to put 1 or 2 back together again as well
) and there is shockingly little rust protection on these cars. So if its as rust free as it can be, then you are onto a good start already. Worry about other gremlins later, as on the scale of things, mechanical issues are less fuss to sort than rust.You are going to feel a little cramped and vulnerable in there compared to your BMW mind.. Classic Mini's are great and fun second cars, but I wouldn't want to drive one as a main car daily.
Secondhand 'new' Mini's have come down in price quite a bit now. Well into classic mini prices territory in some cases (Although perhaps not for an 'S'). Might be worth looking at a early 'new' mini instead? Plenty of them to choose from now, and many were fitted with decent AC along with other mod cons and safety gubbins.
P,
Do you want a comfy, modern car to listen to Radio 2 in whilst you waft along to work?
-->Buy something else.
Do you want something which is like being in a "proper" car that lets you feel every stone in the road through the steering wheel, suspension, smell the stand-off from the carbs, hear the pulses of every beat of the engine, hear every tooth of every cog touching and moving and watching the car in the rear view mirror vibrate to the dug-dugu-dug-dug of the engine, having no 5th gear, having kids pointing at your car and going "Daaaaaaaaddy Looook", the most grin making cornering machine that you pay £100 fully comprehensive (1380cc) and no tax for which is going up in value? Knowing you have a car which will be about as quick as they come on a very twisty road.
--> Get a Mk1 which has been tuned and restored by someone else.
I used a Mk1 Cooper with a mad engine for work every day and apart from it steaming up in the winter, which was a pain in the arse, I loved it. If I had to go anywhere near a motorway, I would avoid it like the plague.
The later mini's are heavy and lost a lot of their zippyness with a 2.76 final drive which makes them sluggish. The Mk1 is light, pure and a good choice if you choose fun over practicality. If you are the sort of person who does like their creature comforts and something which doesn't go AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA at 80mph, stay well away from a mini.
-->Buy something else.
Do you want something which is like being in a "proper" car that lets you feel every stone in the road through the steering wheel, suspension, smell the stand-off from the carbs, hear the pulses of every beat of the engine, hear every tooth of every cog touching and moving and watching the car in the rear view mirror vibrate to the dug-dugu-dug-dug of the engine, having no 5th gear, having kids pointing at your car and going "Daaaaaaaaddy Looook", the most grin making cornering machine that you pay £100 fully comprehensive (1380cc) and no tax for which is going up in value? Knowing you have a car which will be about as quick as they come on a very twisty road.
--> Get a Mk1 which has been tuned and restored by someone else.
I used a Mk1 Cooper with a mad engine for work every day and apart from it steaming up in the winter, which was a pain in the arse, I loved it. If I had to go anywhere near a motorway, I would avoid it like the plague.
The later mini's are heavy and lost a lot of their zippyness with a 2.76 final drive which makes them sluggish. The Mk1 is light, pure and a good choice if you choose fun over practicality. If you are the sort of person who does like their creature comforts and something which doesn't go AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA at 80mph, stay well away from a mini.
The later 98 on Minis rust around the scuttle panel, as far as I know. I know a fella over here who was selling a Jap Cooper for about 3 or 4 grand. Will check if it's still going.
I drove a Mini for my daily driver. Grand for the summer - but when you drive through a giant puddle...heart will be in your mouth! As far as mpg - well to fill the tank it was £25 quid (2 years ago for me, so say £28 now?) Not sure how many miles I was getting as there was no trip computer and the fuel guage is pretty basic! They're not that fond of the cold though, so beware, give it a while to warm up in the mornings. They go fine at about 70mph but will be LOUD!
Parts etc are cheap as chips,and they are easy to work on ( I'm a female and worked quite a bit on mine). There's loads you can do to modify them and it feels great when you beat a chav in a race off the lights! When I say basic, they are basic!! If you're going for one of the newer ones then they are more comfortable. The heater in them is great but they don't clear the windows that quick in the winter.
As said before, rust is the killer. It would even be possible for you to drop a new engine in if you found one with great body work. If you can, bring someone with good knowledge of Minis with you when you're looking to buy. Places to look for rust - under the headlights,subframes,scuttle,boot floor and bottoms of doors. You get the idea!!
I now drive a MINI as my daily driver, but have kept the Mini as I'm doing it up. The community aspect of Minis is also great, there'll be a club near you and they'll do runs and you'll meet loads of people who'll give you a hand with it when you need it.
I drove a Mini for my daily driver. Grand for the summer - but when you drive through a giant puddle...heart will be in your mouth! As far as mpg - well to fill the tank it was £25 quid (2 years ago for me, so say £28 now?) Not sure how many miles I was getting as there was no trip computer and the fuel guage is pretty basic! They're not that fond of the cold though, so beware, give it a while to warm up in the mornings. They go fine at about 70mph but will be LOUD!
Parts etc are cheap as chips,and they are easy to work on ( I'm a female and worked quite a bit on mine). There's loads you can do to modify them and it feels great when you beat a chav in a race off the lights! When I say basic, they are basic!! If you're going for one of the newer ones then they are more comfortable. The heater in them is great but they don't clear the windows that quick in the winter.
As said before, rust is the killer. It would even be possible for you to drop a new engine in if you found one with great body work. If you can, bring someone with good knowledge of Minis with you when you're looking to buy. Places to look for rust - under the headlights,subframes,scuttle,boot floor and bottoms of doors. You get the idea!!
I now drive a MINI as my daily driver, but have kept the Mini as I'm doing it up. The community aspect of Minis is also great, there'll be a club near you and they'll do runs and you'll meet loads of people who'll give you a hand with it when you need it.
cheers catmartin i think i'm going to go for a new mini, we get them now and then part ex'd at work. i wanted a cooper s but i may settle for a nice cooper in black or silver (with stripes gotta have stripes hehe) unless i can stretch to a cooper s.
i'd love an old mini for a weekend hack though and my lil sis wants an old shape mini still for her first car so i may do a deal and let her drive mine if i can drive hers if she does
i'd love an old mini for a weekend hack though and my lil sis wants an old shape mini still for her first car so i may do a deal and let her drive mine if i can drive hers if she does
mini life is a fun life, ive owned my mini for 1 month now and have spent the last few wks spending lots of money changing all engine components, wheels/tyres, interior, stage 1 kit, fuses, bulbs, a rolling road session etc-etc. its not cheap although it cost half as much as a modern day car. there is now a big hole in my pocket but i dont care cuz the smile it puts on my face. as soon as i get in her i start to feel excited. The sound through my exhaust when i fire her up sends a barbling fealing to my belly as i sit and wait inpatiantly for her to worm up and then were off WOOOOOHOOOOO. there is no comparison to how an old mini makes you feel (like a cheeky little teenager again) its great. also the look on peoples faces as you drive past, every 1 whos anyone will smile and point at you this just make you feal even cooler.
I had a new mini not long after they first came out (51reg) her name was wendy. she was a cooper with chilli pack and she was fantastic but if i had a choice out of the two i would go classic because the new mini has lost its spark, they was great when they first came out but the old mini will allways be a all time classic car.
today i bought a vw polo of an old man for pennys in great condition, its always best to have a second car when you have an old mini just incase. But to sum up, which ever mini you go for you will enjoy every mile you drive. long live the GB mini. GOOD LUCK WITH WHAT EVER YOU BUY. neale
I had a new mini not long after they first came out (51reg) her name was wendy. she was a cooper with chilli pack and she was fantastic but if i had a choice out of the two i would go classic because the new mini has lost its spark, they was great when they first came out but the old mini will allways be a all time classic car.
today i bought a vw polo of an old man for pennys in great condition, its always best to have a second car when you have an old mini just incase. But to sum up, which ever mini you go for you will enjoy every mile you drive. long live the GB mini. GOOD LUCK WITH WHAT EVER YOU BUY. neale
Gassing Station | Classic Minis | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff