Classic mini as first car, bad idea?
Discussion
I have had lots of classic minis and they are not really suitable as a first car unless you can use a spanner and have the tools / facilities to fix them, know someone that can / or are prepared to learn.
I would spend part of your budget on a modern mini or small hatch, take someone with you that knows what they are looking at it when you buy it and get it serviced properly.
I would spend part of your budget on a modern mini or small hatch, take someone with you that knows what they are looking at it when you buy it and get it serviced properly.
Cooperman said:
Do NOT 'whack in a cage'. A roll cage has hard steel tubes and should only be fitted when bolted-in seats and full harness belts are fitted and ideally a crash-helmet worn t all times. Cages are for motor-sport and are combined with other safety equipment to FIA requirements..
The auto-design philosophy has been to remove sharp and hard steel from the inside of vehicles, not to add more.
In a modern car yes I would agree but in a mini you're surround by hard steel regardless. Hitting your head on the roll cage is preferable to just getting squashed without it. The auto-design philosophy has been to remove sharp and hard steel from the inside of vehicles, not to add more.
Lotobear said:
...and notwithstanding insurers don't like them on road cars and will load your premium if fitted
35%. My full race 66 cooper was a hoot to drive. If you have a head on, the a posts fold and you end up with the dash on your lap. I used that as a daily for a few years. Good fun. I have a classic mini as a second car and although over the years it's been the most reliable out of the four cars we have had over the years it's been off the road since Nov 2018 and needs extensive work. That said once it's back on the road will be relatively cheap to repair. On the insurance, my step sons partner tried to get insured on it and they wouldn't insure him so like someone able said - check the insurance out first. And they do break down! That said I've only been towed once in nearly 12 years when the seal to the water pump failed. Again agree with some of the comments above, they are easy to repair yourself.
They are the best thing to drive to put a smile on your face
but I think I would go for something a bit more reliable, maybe look at a Hyundai i10!!!
They are the best thing to drive to put a smile on your face
but I think I would go for something a bit more reliable, maybe look at a Hyundai i10!!!I had a classic mini as a first car in 1977 (1967 mini).
It wasn’t a good idea then, can’t see it being better now!
Failed MOT, paper back then. The faults filled up the box & around the edges too!
A romantic idea, but they are POS in reality
Coupled with a row of switches, knee height, no airbags
It wasn’t a good idea then, can’t see it being better now!
Failed MOT, paper back then. The faults filled up the box & around the edges too!
A romantic idea, but they are POS in reality
Coupled with a row of switches, knee height, no airbags
You definitely need to be handy with spanners and more importantly enjoy spending time doing so .
Insurance may be a problem - compare with Fiesta 1.25 , C1 or similar to get an idea how much of a problem
As stated safety was very poor - not much protection and any corrosion erodes what there was
Better to get an Aygo and wait til you can own one as a second car . Great fun to drive though
Insurance may be a problem - compare with Fiesta 1.25 , C1 or similar to get an idea how much of a problem
As stated safety was very poor - not much protection and any corrosion erodes what there was
Better to get an Aygo and wait til you can own one as a second car . Great fun to drive though
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