RE: SOTW: Mini 1000
Discussion
Gazzab said:
When the outer sills on my 1976 mini went in 1985 I stuffed them with newspaper, filled them , sprayed them with underseal , drove it round a muddy field, went to another MOT station and it passed.
(a) Let us know where you live in case I am ever thinking of buying a second hand car from you, (b) Mini - I'll get slated for it I suppose, but I wouldn't buy one myself and I couldn't see the circumstance where I'd ever recommend one to anyone:
If it's a small cheap car you're after, a Mini is going to be neither cheap to buy or keep on the road. If it's a quick, fun classic you want then get a Pug 205. And if you want to have a remote chance of coming out of any kind of scrape with a heartbeat and two legs, get something bigger and less likely to be made of brown powder underneath the paint.
These are presumably "new" (i.e. not rotten) Minis:
http://www.roadtransport.com/blogs/big-lorry-blog/...
http://www.theminiforum.co.uk/forums/index.php?sho...
useyourdellusion said:
^^I see the government have got to you then. 
Think you're any safer in a 205? Think on.
For the record, they are both great cars. They are also for driving, not for worrying about crashing in them.
Another one of these for good measure...
Not the government, but I went to a session at work run by a woman whose job it is to counsel the bereaved after road deaths. Made me think. Think you're any safer in a 205? Think on.
For the record, they are both great cars. They are also for driving, not for worrying about crashing in them.
Another one of these for good measure...
Having seen the condition of (a) my mate's 205GTi, and more importantly (b) my mate after he corkscrew rolled it, I'll go for the Pug. (FWIW he walked out suffering a grazed shoulder).
The Mini and Pug 205 where Designed before Health and Safety got involved in Car Design too much!
If its my Legs, and my Heartbeat and I'm heading into oncoming traffic, I'll take my chances in the Pug, most probrably would have to cut pieces of me out of that, but at least there is a good chance the sills won't be Paper Mach'et.
have one of these too
Next week on SOTW the Austin Princess.
If its my Legs, and my Heartbeat and I'm heading into oncoming traffic, I'll take my chances in the Pug, most probrably would have to cut pieces of me out of that, but at least there is a good chance the sills won't be Paper Mach'et.
have one of these too
Next week on SOTW the Austin Princess.
djbobbins said:
Having seen the condition of (a) my mate's 205GTi, and more importantly (b) my mate after he corkscrew rolled it, I'll go for the Pug. (FWIW he walked out suffering a grazed shoulder).
Well if you mate was in a Mini he'd have made it round the corner, no need for grazed shoulders.Yeah because Minis' taught all car manufacturers how to go around corners.
I am all for underpowered cars that are fun to hack around in, but these for me where skitish,Bouncy understeered when pushed too hard, and completly unreliable and rotten> the ingredients for a great Iconic car.
I remember having this argument with my Lecturers at Uni after they went all starry eyed talking about Issi, thingy ma jig that designed this (on a knapkin)
Give me a s
tREON ax GT/Visa GTI, Golf GTI, or Fiat 500 Abarth, But Minis are a dreary sad experience to own as a daily hack.
(Nothing like waking up in the morning and wondering if the bloody thing will start and get you into st with the Boss at work?)
Do you have to be the size of a Race horse jocky to get into a decent driving position on these things?
Yet again> No offense to the Owner of this car.
I am all for underpowered cars that are fun to hack around in, but these for me where skitish,Bouncy understeered when pushed too hard, and completly unreliable and rotten> the ingredients for a great Iconic car.
I remember having this argument with my Lecturers at Uni after they went all starry eyed talking about Issi, thingy ma jig that designed this (on a knapkin)
Give me a s
tREON ax GT/Visa GTI, Golf GTI, or Fiat 500 Abarth, But Minis are a dreary sad experience to own as a daily hack.(Nothing like waking up in the morning and wondering if the bloody thing will start and get you into s
t with the Boss at work?)Do you have to be the size of a Race horse jocky to get into a decent driving position on these things?
Yet again> No offense to the Owner of this car.
Belfast Boy said:
Yeah because Minis' taught all car manufacturers how to go around corners.
I am all for underpowered cars that are fun to hack around in, but these for me where skitish,Bouncy understeered when pushed too hard, and completly unreliable and rotten> the ingredients for a great Iconic car.
I remember having this argument with my Lecturers at Uni after they went all starry eyed talking about Issi, thingy ma jig that designed this (on a knapkin)
Give me a stREON ax GT/Visa GTI, Golf GTI, or Fiat 500 Abarth, But Minis are a dreary sad experience to own as a daily hack.
(Nothing like waking up in the morning and wondering if the bloody thing will start and get you into st with the Boss at work?)
Do you have to be the size of a Race horse jocky to get into a decent driving position on these things?
Yet again> No offense to the Owner of this car.
Interesting outlook.I am all for underpowered cars that are fun to hack around in, but these for me where skitish,Bouncy understeered when pushed too hard, and completly unreliable and rotten> the ingredients for a great Iconic car.
I remember having this argument with my Lecturers at Uni after they went all starry eyed talking about Issi, thingy ma jig that designed this (on a knapkin)
Give me a s
tREON ax GT/Visa GTI, Golf GTI, or Fiat 500 Abarth, But Minis are a dreary sad experience to own as a daily hack.(Nothing like waking up in the morning and wondering if the bloody thing will start and get you into s
t with the Boss at work?)Do you have to be the size of a Race horse jocky to get into a decent driving position on these things?
Yet again> No offense to the Owner of this car.
Yeah OK ..... an old poorly maintained Mini will be a bit of a dog .... but then so will any old banger.
It is worth remembering though that if it wasn't for Issigonis we wouldn't have ever had the Citroen AX, or (later model) Fiat 500, or Peugeot 205, or Golf, or 306, or Focus, or Clio etc., etc., because they all use the basic Mini design of a compact car with wheels pushed out to all four corners and a transverse engine integrated with the gearbox. Things always move on ...... but the Mini DNA is in most present day small cars.
By the way ...... if you hate them so much .... why did you have three?
I would never have one as my own car for daily driving now ...... but I at least recognise their importance to the development of cars in the last 50 years.
Owned quite a few, from standard 998 upto 1380 with twin 45 webers. Fun cars but seeing one on the road now hell dont they look small?
Rust always will be the killer of Minis, and also I had to laugh to myself as I spotted an old rusty one that was crabbing so badly, I suspect he would have got a better view by looking out of the side window (honestly it was that bad).
There used to be a chap round these parts, that had a 1450 road going version with hydrolic(sp?) handbrake and 13" wheels.
For extra fun points, try changing the bypass hose by a main road in the poring rain.
Rust always will be the killer of Minis, and also I had to laugh to myself as I spotted an old rusty one that was crabbing so badly, I suspect he would have got a better view by looking out of the side window (honestly it was that bad).
There used to be a chap round these parts, that had a 1450 road going version with hydrolic(sp?) handbrake and 13" wheels.
For extra fun points, try changing the bypass hose by a main road in the poring rain.
Fantastic little cars. Mine is now just used for weekends as the MX5 has become the daily hack.
On an everyday basis, I never really had a problem with both minis I've owned. My 1275 would go through fuses regularly but that was about it. 3 times a week I would drive mainly the motorway for an hour and the rest of the time it was used for short commuting. For that it was a bit loud but fine, maybe a bit intimidating on the motoraway with trucks but other than that it never let me down. Since it being used less regularly problems do crop up but they are easily fixed by my basic mechanical knowledge.
Overall I would change the MX5 out in a heartbeat before ever cosidering loosing the mini. The MX5 is fun and handles well but there is something about the ability to chuck the mini around with ease that makes it so fun.
On an everyday basis, I never really had a problem with both minis I've owned. My 1275 would go through fuses regularly but that was about it. 3 times a week I would drive mainly the motorway for an hour and the rest of the time it was used for short commuting. For that it was a bit loud but fine, maybe a bit intimidating on the motoraway with trucks but other than that it never let me down. Since it being used less regularly problems do crop up but they are easily fixed by my basic mechanical knowledge.
Overall I would change the MX5 out in a heartbeat before ever cosidering loosing the mini. The MX5 is fun and handles well but there is something about the ability to chuck the mini around with ease that makes it so fun.
I was given the the 1275 and the clubmancountryman by my Dad as he loves Minis and I aquired the Mayfair somehow, I think as a favor owed to me.?
Yes the 1275 was pretty st nick as my Dad used to carry the bloody gundogs in it, the estate too.
I also understand the design behind the car but I do think they are over-rated for what they are, as a student, roll cages , minilites, big carbs where out of my budget, I had to eat and run the car.
But then if I could off afforded it I seriously would of bought something nicer, and at the end of College I did.
I dont hate them!?, I just find them one of those "cute cars" that people protect like a pet and you cant say a bad word about them.eg Figaro, KA, Fiat 500.And I bet the owners name there cars too!?
I think that every car has a certain charm to them, be it Lada Riva or Alfa C8 COMPETIZION.
But for £750, I would buy a 406 coupe,BMW 525,Celica GT,FTO,Supra or Lotus Eclat or something along those lines.
But then I want to keep my days of rolling around under a car to a minimum now!
Yes the 1275 was pretty s
t nick as my Dad used to carry the bloody gundogs in it, the estate too.I also understand the design behind the car but I do think they are over-rated for what they are, as a student, roll cages , minilites, big carbs where out of my budget, I had to eat and run the car.
But then if I could off afforded it I seriously would of bought something nicer, and at the end of College I did.
I dont hate them!?, I just find them one of those "cute cars" that people protect like a pet and you cant say a bad word about them.eg Figaro, KA, Fiat 500.And I bet the owners name there cars too!?
I think that every car has a certain charm to them, be it Lada Riva or Alfa C8 COMPETIZION.
But for £750, I would buy a 406 coupe,BMW 525,Celica GT,FTO,Supra or Lotus Eclat or something along those lines.
But then I want to keep my days of rolling around under a car to a minimum now!
Belfast Boy said:
Yeah because Minis' taught all car manufacturers how to go around corners.
I'd say. The agility of a good mini is something to be experienced and beats any fwd I've driven.Belfast Boy said:
understeered when pushed too hard
But brake hard into the corner or lift off and the oversteer is remarkably controllable. LuS1fer said:
Most expensive car I ever owned - they seem to be built to a quality where every single part has a finite shelf life so I had new outer sills, new rear subframe, new brake pipes, new brakes all round, new engine stabiliser bushes, new bumpers, it was a constant recycling exercise so it ended up as a "trigger's broom". It also deafened you on the motorway and struggled to hit 70 on the inclines.
I replaced it with a MK II Scirocco GTI which never went wrong and which I sold for more than I paid for it so it proved to be far more economical to run.
For buying the Mini maybe it`s your fault for buying one without checking it out properly ?I replaced it with a MK II Scirocco GTI which never went wrong and which I sold for more than I paid for it so it proved to be far more economical to run.
Every car made in the last 30 years has been built to last a certain length of time, usually they last for about 10 or 12 years.
Did you consider getting out and checking some cars out rather than spending you money on the first one you see?
It must have been an old Mini if the subframe was rusted, they last for at least 8 years.
MK II Scirocco GTI horriblr 80`s car, no style whatsoever, this is reflected in the price of secondhabd ones these days, not like the mk2 Golf now is it?
vrooom said:
Mini dont really handle but they have very direct quick steering and loose rear end.
that what makes minis fun.
What are you on?that what makes minis fun.
\/Read this\/
vpr said:
I guess many of you guys dissing the Mini have never owned one.
They are a superb fun car to zip around in.....I have more fun in a mini than many a supercar,
Some of you guys haven't lived
Well said vpr!They are a superb fun car to zip around in.....I have more fun in a mini than many a supercar,
Some of you guys haven't lived
all I'm going to say is had 3, wasn't terribly impressed, got the feeling it was over rated(not the only car)-but-(some people think that Kate Moss is a stunner!!)
Never would own one again.
Sure if your daily ride is a Dodge Ram, Cerb etc its going to feel "nimble" but as I always say, dont knock it till you tried it, I had 3 so am qualified to knock them.
Question?
are all these "Fantastic" Minis, with go faster bits and the ability to satisfy die hard driving enthusiasts (like me) for £750, or is it on the wrong side of £2500? and does that qualify for SOTW?
Never would own one again.
Sure if your daily ride is a Dodge Ram, Cerb etc its going to feel "nimble" but as I always say, dont knock it till you tried it, I had 3 so am qualified to knock them.
Question?
are all these "Fantastic" Minis, with go faster bits and the ability to satisfy die hard driving enthusiasts (like me) for £750, or is it on the wrong side of £2500? and does that qualify for SOTW?
Morningside said:
Cars are still referred to as a 'Supermini'.
Says everything I think.
Says everything I think.
Edited by Morningside on Sunday 18th October 23:17
Says everything, like, WTF are you doing on this forum??
read and learn, its not even the same class of vehicle.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supermini
"Origins of the term Supermini"
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