Views on automatic classics

[ClaphamGT3]

Hi all

We need a new run-about for our au pair and, rather than yet another disposable Peugeot106/Citroen Saxo/Vauxhall Corsa/Nissan Micra, I am taken by the idea of a classic mini. Only problem is, the current au pair only has an automatic driving licence.

I have never driven an auto classic so what are they like and are there any particular things to look out for when buying?

Thanks all!

[Cooperman]

First of all look out for rust, then look out for rust, then for rust!!!

After that, check for smooth operation of the auto box. If they go wrong it can be difficult to get them fixed these days.

Then check for overall mechanical condition of engine & suspension.

If you run a Mini be prepared for some large bills if you can't do the work yourself. The Mini is a classic car with all the limitations of any classic. It does not drive like a modern car and has no-where near the in-built reliability. Servicing needs doing very regularly.

However, the Mini still gives a huge amount of fun.

[ClaphamGT3]

Cooperman said:

First of all look out for rust, then look out for rust, then for rust!!!

After that, check for smooth operation of the auto box. If they go wrong it can be difficult to get them fixed these days.

Then check for overall mechanical condition of engine & suspension.

If you run a Mini be prepared for some large bills if you can't do the work yourself. The Mini is a classic car with all the limitations of any classic. It does not drive like a modern car and has no-where near the in-built reliability. Servicing needs doing very regularly.

However, the Mini still gives a huge amount of fun.

Thanks. I have a Range Rover classic and a type 2 VW camper that I do as much to myself as time permits, so know the limitations of classics.

The car I am keen on is a 1994 1275 Mayfair at Paul Higgs in Dudley. It's on a carb so, hopefully a little easier to work on than a fi car

[Cooperman]

Sounds as though you'll have no ndifficulty in maintaining and servicing it then.

Just a really thorough check for rust and for good smooth gearbox operation will be needed.

[guru_1071]

the trouble with mini autos is that the parts to repair the box are next to impossible to find, so its often a faulty box that signs the death warrant of the car

they need regular oil changes, every 3000 or so, with normal 20/50 - nothing fancy as it ruins the clutch bands. you also need to let the car warm up before you set off, but once you get into the habit of gentle driving they are great, very good round town.

the last one I drove was hilarious, it was a 1000 auto, and the time it took to change (smoothly) up from bottom to top was so quick it literally couldn't be measured, it was like, setoffonetwothreeohmygodiminfourthletsgo!

as much as im a fan off minis, I suspect that something sensibly modern like a micra auto would probably be a better choice for your needs (and I feel dirty suggesting this!)

[ClaphamGT3]

guru_1071 said:

the trouble with mini autos is that the parts to repair the box are next to impossible to find, so its often a faulty box that signs the death warrant of the car

they need regular oil changes, every 3000 or so, with normal 20/50 - nothing fancy as it ruins the clutch bands. you also need to let the car warm up before you set off, but once you get into the habit of gentle driving they are great, very good round town.

the last one I drove was hilarious, it was a 1000 auto, and the time it took to change (smoothly) up from bottom to top was so quick it literally couldn't be measured, it was like, setoffonetwothreeohmygodiminfourthletsgo!

as much as im a fan off minis, I suspect that something sensibly modern like a micra auto would probably be a better choice for your needs (and I feel dirty suggesting this!)

I am almost embarrassed by my ignorance here, but do the engine and gearbox share oil in the same way as the manual?

[fergie666]

ClaphamGT3 said:

I am almost embarrassed by my ignorance here, but do the engine and gearbox share oil in the same way as the manual?

Yes the auto's share the oil, just like the manual's

I bought a 1985 mini 1000 auto last year and I have put 13000 mile on it since with absolutely zero problems of breakdowns (touch wood)

I love the auto, make for a great little town cruiser

[T70RPM]

Love my mini automatic, it's a laugh a minute.
Advice as below; low mileage, make sure it all shifts correctly (top gear by 22mph!)Fresh oil.
Lot's of fun.
Knackered one....don't go near it.

[ClaphamGT3]

Here's a photo of the one we bought, parked behind a modern Mini.

Not the tidiest in the world but structurally solid, mechanically strong & only £1400

[FWDRacer]

Lovely.

Now go and source a manual ready for the inevitable conversion.

Edited by FWDRacer on Tuesday 12th November 20:24

[squirejo]

As or when you need some work doing, the london mini centre in Putney did some good work for me. Scruffy, dirty and slow nut the owner started working at the Austin factory in the 60s and has been working on minis ever since. Cheap too.

We should compare notes, some similar cars....

[rogerhudson]

ClaphamGT3 said:

Here's a photo of the one we bought, parked behind a modern Mini.

Not the tidiest in the world but structurally solid, mechanically strong & only £1400

I love seeing classic minis parked near a mini-barge, the true epitome of automobile bloat.

[rogerhudson]

fergie666 said:

Yes the auto's share the oil, just like the manual's

I bought a 1985 mini 1000 auto last year and I have put 13000 mile on it since with absolutely zero problems of breakdowns (touch wood)

I love the auto, make for a great little town cruiser

The AP automatic, getting a hot shifting auto gearbox in a sump was a miracle of British engineering, won prizes. Drive it like a manual for maximum effect.
Just look after them, change oil and filters regularly.

[ginettajoe]

guru_1071 said:

the trouble with mini autos is that the parts to repair the box are next to impossible to find, so its often a faulty box that signs the death warrant of the car

they need regular oil changes, every 3000 or so, with normal 20/50 - nothing fancy as it ruins the clutch bands. you also need to let the car warm up before you set off, but once you get into the habit of gentle driving they are great, very good round town.

the last one I drove was hilarious, it was a 1000 auto, and the time it took to change (smoothly) up from bottom to top was so quick it literally couldn't be measured, it was like, setoffonetwothreeohmygodiminfourthletsgo!

as much as im a fan off minis, I suspect that something sensibly modern like a micra auto would probably be a better choice for your needs (and I feel dirty suggesting this!)

I would agree with this post in its entirety, having specialised in Minis for 17 years, when they were the norm on the road!!
Yes, it is a fun car, but a very expensive car when it comes to repairs, that is excluding the fact that the gearbox can fail at anytime!! If that happens, you will be left with a bodyshell to dispose of!!
It would be far cheaper in the long run to find a more modern automatic, and certainly less frustrating! As Guru suggested, a Micra or similar! HTH

[annodomini2]

ginettajoe said:

guru_1071 said:

the trouble with mini autos is that the parts to repair the box are next to impossible to find, so its often a faulty box that signs the death warrant of the car

they need regular oil changes, every 3000 or so, with normal 20/50 - nothing fancy as it ruins the clutch bands. you also need to let the car warm up before you set off, but once you get into the habit of gentle driving they are great, very good round town.

the last one I drove was hilarious, it was a 1000 auto, and the time it took to change (smoothly) up from bottom to top was so quick it literally couldn't be measured, it was like, setoffonetwothreeohmygodiminfourthletsgo!

as much as im a fan off minis, I suspect that something sensibly modern like a micra auto would probably be a better choice for your needs (and I feel dirty suggesting this!)

I would agree with this post in its entirety, having specialised in Minis for 17 years, when they were the norm on the road!!
Yes, it is a fun car, but a very expensive car when it comes to repairs, that is excluding the fact that the gearbox can fail at anytime!! If that happens, you will be left with a bodyshell to dispose of!!
It would be far cheaper in the long run to find a more modern automatic, and certainly less frustrating! As Guru suggested, a Micra or similar! HTH

It's a 4yo post, I'm sure he's shacked up on some desert island with her by now.

[ginettajoe]

annodomini2 said:

ginettajoe said:

guru_1071 said:

the trouble with mini autos is that the parts to repair the box are next to impossible to find, so its often a faulty box that signs the death warrant of the car

they need regular oil changes, every 3000 or so, with normal 20/50 - nothing fancy as it ruins the clutch bands. you also need to let the car warm up before you set off, but once you get into the habit of gentle driving they are great, very good round town.

the last one I drove was hilarious, it was a 1000 auto, and the time it took to change (smoothly) up from bottom to top was so quick it literally couldn't be measured, it was like, setoffonetwothreeohmygodiminfourthletsgo!

as much as im a fan off minis, I suspect that something sensibly modern like a micra auto would probably be a better choice for your needs (and I feel dirty suggesting this!)

I would agree with this post in its entirety, having specialised in Minis for 17 years, when they were the norm on the road!!
Yes, it is a fun car, but a very expensive car when it comes to repairs, that is excluding the fact that the gearbox can fail at anytime!! If that happens, you will be left with a bodyshell to dispose of!!
It would be far cheaper in the long run to find a more modern automatic, and certainly less frustrating! As Guru suggested, a Micra or similar! HTH

It's a 4yo post, I'm sure he's shacked up on some desert island with her by now.

Haha ha!!!! I never even looked at the date, but yes, probably gave her a nice GT3, and a knackered old Mini auto to the wife!!!