Classic mini or Mk1 VW Golf

[PedigreeChum]

I will be turning 17 at the start of next year and have been planning to get a car fixed up for when i sit my test. I would like either a 998cc mini or some kind of mk1 or even a mk2 golf. I have worked out that they will cost roughly the same price to buy and insure..as the golf will be the cheapest to buy but most expensive to ensure whilst the mini will be the most expensive to buy but cheapest to insure.

What would be the better option? which one is cheaper and easier to get parts for/ get fixed up?

Thanks, Aaron

[LiamB]

Mini.

Not like i'm biased.

[S1_RS]

Everyone should drive a Mini at some point in their life!

[rumple]

Mini

[sturobturbo]

I'd always have a Mini, and always have, but there's going to be someone who comes along who swears by a Golf as much as I love a mini.

[Strawman]

Go and look at a few examples, Golfs have better rust proofing than mini's, but both are old enough to be rusty now.

[PedigreeChum]

hmm...was leaning more towards the mini side but decided to re-think cause i'm in a band, so transporting guitars, basses and even a few cymbals will be alot harder in a mini..if a bass could even fit in one haha

[LiamB]

PedigreeChum said:

hmm...was leaning more towards the mini side but decided to re-think cause i'm in a band, so transporting guitars, basses and even a few cymbals will be alot harder in a mini..if a bass could even fit in one haha

They are like tardis'.

If my fat ass staffy can fit in the back of one, then so can a bass.

[PedigreeChum]

DILEMA D':

[sturobturbo]

Whichever you truly want, you would buy. Men buy a mini for example, then worry about fitting their guitar in afterwards!
Get some retro roof bars = laughing!

[PedigreeChum]

would the insurance go up alot from a 998cc to a 1275 gt?

[checkmate91]

At 17? Yes. A late mini (i.e 93 or 94) will have a 1275 engine anyway which may be better bet. A genuine 1275gt should not be a first car IMO (they're getting scarce)

You can fit a bass in a mini, just need to think about taking out the passenger seat if you've got a 15" cab or similar

[sturobturbo]

Insurance is a magical, mythical subject, with soooo many variables, not to mention which figure the company has pulled out their arse that particular morning, so you're best off getting quotes for both to be sure. I had a Clubman though, so I'd be going for the 1275gt.

[PedigreeChum]

if the opportunity cropped up for a 1275 gt then i wouldn't even consider a golf..and don't think i'd be transporting cabs

[sturobturbo]

I wouldn't consider the Golf anyway - VW's, to me, have always been over rated and over priced.
Get on the classifieds on here, aswell as eBay, and car and classics website.

[checkmate91]

I don't know if you've checked out the mags (Minimag, Mini World) but there are very few 1275gts about. Most 1275 minis have metro engines in them. A genuine square front 1275GT is collectable. Better bet for you would be 998 for a year or so, followed by stage 1 kit for a year or so then either engine swap or replace. In any event you'll need around £5k for a roadworthy mini and first year insurance I think

[McHaggis]

Golf has more room [in the back] for girls.

Mini is more fun as a drivers car.

Both are good cars.

As you are 17, they key question should be, which will get me laid more AND be a fun/cool car?

[sturobturbo]

YOU can get you laid, why buy a car on what a, 9 times out of 10, clueless woman is going to 'dig'

[PedigreeChum]

i've seen alot of near mint mini's go for around 1500-2000 and insurance costs around that too..where's this extra 2 grand coming from?

[300bhp/ton]

PedigreeChum said:

I will be turning 17 at the start of next year and have been planning to get a car fixed up for when i sit my test. I would like either a 998cc mini or some kind of mk1 or even a mk2 golf. I have worked out that they will cost roughly the same price to buy and insure..as the golf will be the cheapest to buy but most expensive to ensure whilst the mini will be the most expensive to buy but cheapest to insure.

What would be the better option? which one is cheaper and easier to get parts for/ get fixed up?

Thanks, Aaron

Hi Aaron. The Mini is very cool, but they are tiny and do rust. That said they hold their money well and parts are cheap and easy to get for them.

The Golf... I just can't see the appeal. The MK1's ok if you need practicality. But I just don't see the appeal of the MK2.

I also don't understand why you'd want a Golf if you could have one of these for similar money: