"Classic" Mini's - tell me more?
Discussion
I learnt to drive when I was 8 in an old Austin Mini - it was great fun then. Anyway, now I'm 22, have had my MX-5 for 12 months and looking to add a second car to the garage.
A friend is selling a 1990 Mini - which is "stage 1" tuned - so I guess it has around 50/55bhp. It's got the full Cooper Sport bodykit and so it looks like the below photo. No rust (complete rebuild 2 years ago), 12 months MOT and 6 months tax.
Iis it just going to break down every day etc, etc. Your thoughts welcome please!
A friend is selling a 1990 Mini - which is "stage 1" tuned - so I guess it has around 50/55bhp. It's got the full Cooper Sport bodykit and so it looks like the below photo. No rust (complete rebuild 2 years ago), 12 months MOT and 6 months tax.
Iis it just going to break down every day etc, etc. Your thoughts welcome please!
1275?
A friend of mine had a mint 1998 tahiti blue cooper sportspack. Was an amazing little thing, would put a smile on your face regardless, clung on for dear life in the twisties epic fun at 17
.
Though it is really important to bare in mind that they are 40/50 years old in terms of design now and all the complications/downsides that brings to ownership.
Be prepared to look out for/take action against rust, 4 gears does get tiresome after a while especially on a long motorway journey. If you can live with these and are prepared to put money into keeping it working fine then go for it.
A friend of mine had a mint 1998 tahiti blue cooper sportspack. Was an amazing little thing, would put a smile on your face regardless, clung on for dear life in the twisties epic fun at 17
. Though it is really important to bare in mind that they are 40/50 years old in terms of design now and all the complications/downsides that brings to ownership.
Be prepared to look out for/take action against rust, 4 gears does get tiresome after a while especially on a long motorway journey. If you can live with these and are prepared to put money into keeping it working fine then go for it.
ambuletz said:
I would love one of these.. real shame about the price though. They're even more expensive then a BMW mini. you're looking at anywhere between £2000-9000 for one of the nice cooper sports.
Ditto, been looking at the classified ads today. I'm tempted by some in the £3k price budget. Is it the 1275 or the 998?
If it's been restored to a good standard and, most importantly, had every bit of new metal Waxoyled, you shouldn't have rust problems. If it's been done badly, or only had some bits done, you'll discover new bits of rot every time you look at it. Check the floor, the sills, the scuttle, the boot and the front wings very thoroughly.
They are great fun. But be prepared to sort something out on it regularly. Depending on how well the previous owners have maintained it, you may have to replace lots of bits. Also, the 13" wheels apparently take away from the handling.
If it's been restored to a good standard and, most importantly, had every bit of new metal Waxoyled, you shouldn't have rust problems. If it's been done badly, or only had some bits done, you'll discover new bits of rot every time you look at it. Check the floor, the sills, the scuttle, the boot and the front wings very thoroughly.
They are great fun. But be prepared to sort something out on it regularly. Depending on how well the previous owners have maintained it, you may have to replace lots of bits. Also, the 13" wheels apparently take away from the handling.
rfn said:
I learnt to drive when I was 8 in an old Austin Mini - it was great fun then. Anyway, now I'm 22, have had my MX-5 for 12 months and looking to add a second car to the garage.
A friend is selling a 1990 Mini - which is "stage 1" tuned - so I guess it has around 50/55bhp. It's got the full Cooper Sport bodykit and so it looks like the below photo. No rust (complete rebuild 2 years ago), 12 months MOT and 6 months tax.
Iis it just going to break down every day etc, etc. Your thoughts welcome please!
Great cars, easy to fix. Regular TLC and stay on top of the rust and they'll likely last forever IMO.A friend is selling a 1990 Mini - which is "stage 1" tuned - so I guess it has around 50/55bhp. It's got the full Cooper Sport bodykit and so it looks like the below photo. No rust (complete rebuild 2 years ago), 12 months MOT and 6 months tax.
Iis it just going to break down every day etc, etc. Your thoughts welcome please!
Extremely reliable if looked after Properly. Pile of s
t if neglected. Bin the points if the previous owner hasn't already. They ALL rust EVERYWHERE most were rusty when they left the factory so bear that in mind. They're so much fun to own and drive and everyone will doff their caps in respect to you driving one - buy it like alfas, you're not a petrol head unless you had your heart broken by a mini
t if neglected. Bin the points if the previous owner hasn't already. They ALL rust EVERYWHERE most were rusty when they left the factory so bear that in mind. They're so much fun to own and drive and everyone will doff their caps in respect to you driving one - buy it like alfas, you're not a petrol head unless you had your heart broken by a miniEdited by morgrp on Saturday 28th August 16:30
Edited by morgrp on Saturday 28th August 16:33
i had a 1990 cooper for a decade or so
as already mentioned, rust
also not that well made, so expect the odd electrical issue ( not that there's much to actually go wrong ) and bits falling off
ime quite difficult to work on as everything's so squeezed-in
can struggle to keep up with modern traffic, almost regardless of what's been tweeked
but the good news is more character and better handling than you'd believe possible
parts prices and upgrades are ridiculously cheap
everyone should have a mini once in life
as already mentioned, rust
also not that well made, so expect the odd electrical issue ( not that there's much to actually go wrong ) and bits falling off
ime quite difficult to work on as everything's so squeezed-in
can struggle to keep up with modern traffic, almost regardless of what's been tweeked
but the good news is more character and better handling than you'd believe possible
parts prices and upgrades are ridiculously cheap
everyone should have a mini once in life
I got my Mini back in March and honestly its the worst car I have ever owned. Some days I despise it and wish I had never bought her. I'm forever fixing it, sorting things out, finding parts, attending to rust issues, cleaning it and checking everything before taking it out.
HOWEVER when on a good day and your in the right mood and on the right road they are nothing but magic. Alot of people hate them but I don't think these people have ever driven them properly and in anger.
Chuck them into any corner and they will just plough on through. If you have a properly set up engine your nearly always in the right gear on a run and you hardly have to touch the brakes. The noise they make also appeals to me. Its a nice deep burble that makes you just want to drive and drive.
Its because of the way they drive that I can forgive and forget all its problems and just have fun. They really do have huge amounts of character and charm. This is the reason I would be very sad to part with it.
Heres mine on the left with the old mans.
HOWEVER when on a good day and your in the right mood and on the right road they are nothing but magic. Alot of people hate them but I don't think these people have ever driven them properly and in anger.
Chuck them into any corner and they will just plough on through. If you have a properly set up engine your nearly always in the right gear on a run and you hardly have to touch the brakes. The noise they make also appeals to me. Its a nice deep burble that makes you just want to drive and drive.
Its because of the way they drive that I can forgive and forget all its problems and just have fun. They really do have huge amounts of character and charm. This is the reason I would be very sad to part with it.
Heres mine on the left with the old mans.
Edited by roscozs on Saturday 28th August 17:26
vit4 said:
Must admit if I ever find it where I don't need a big boot one of these would be high on my list. Only thing is, how are they for taller people does anyone know? 
(6'2-3ish)
i'm 6' 2" - you'll need these http://www.minispares.com/Product.aspx?ty=pb&p... (6'2-3ish)
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