How to better a Mini?
Discussion
So here's the quandary, my wife drives a Mini clubman estate, which she loves but is thinking about selling to try something else.
But what, is the question.
The clubman estate is just so useable as a car it's going to be hard to find something even equal never mind better.
Here's the requirements;
It must be a true classic so tax exempt,
It must be an estate/van/shooting brake/large hatch back you get the idea.
No silly prices, the Mini is probably worth 5-6k and I'll put a grand in as well.
We are market traders and sometimes in the summer she will use the Mini, you can fit an entire market stall in a Clubman estate.
It must be able to accommodate 2 large dogs, German Shepherd & Alaskan Malamute.
It must be capable of completing 1 1/2 hr journeys without crippling us.
So there you have it folks, all and any (?) suggestions gratefully received.
Cheers all.
But what, is the question.
The clubman estate is just so useable as a car it's going to be hard to find something even equal never mind better.
Here's the requirements;
It must be a true classic so tax exempt,
It must be an estate/van/shooting brake/large hatch back you get the idea.
No silly prices, the Mini is probably worth 5-6k and I'll put a grand in as well.
We are market traders and sometimes in the summer she will use the Mini, you can fit an entire market stall in a Clubman estate.
It must be able to accommodate 2 large dogs, German Shepherd & Alaskan Malamute.
It must be capable of completing 1 1/2 hr journeys without crippling us.
So there you have it folks, all and any (?) suggestions gratefully received.
Cheers all.
Thanks Stiggy,
That's just the problem, there's nothing really "wrong" with the mini, it's just that she's the only one that likes it. We're both tall 6'1" & 5'10" so not really naturally suited to it and I can't stand the silly little things so we don't go anywhere in it together but it is a really good, usefull car and she likes it. She is however prepared to look at alternatives.
We both like Scimitars but they're not really very spacious despite being a much bigger car and the load area is pretty tiny really. Lotus yes for me but she'd never go for it and let's be honest it'd be broken more often than not.
Desolate, Morris or 2cv, god no I want to get there today not next week. I like the Volvo P1800 though but she doesn't.
Boosted thanks but we're looking for a 70's classic the Saab isn't old enough.
That's just the problem, there's nothing really "wrong" with the mini, it's just that she's the only one that likes it. We're both tall 6'1" & 5'10" so not really naturally suited to it and I can't stand the silly little things so we don't go anywhere in it together but it is a really good, usefull car and she likes it. She is however prepared to look at alternatives.
We both like Scimitars but they're not really very spacious despite being a much bigger car and the load area is pretty tiny really. Lotus yes for me but she'd never go for it and let's be honest it'd be broken more often than not.
Desolate, Morris or 2cv, god no I want to get there today not next week. I like the Volvo P1800 though but she doesn't.
Boosted thanks but we're looking for a 70's classic the Saab isn't old enough.
Edited by Keep_flying on Wednesday 18th April 21:43
Keep_flying said:
Thanks Stiggy,
That's just the problem, there's nothing really "wrong" with the mini, it's just that she's the only one that likes it. We're both tall 6'1" & 5'10" so not really naturally suited to it and I can't stand the silly little things so we don't go anywhere in it together but it is a really good, usefull car and she likes it. She is however prepared to look at alternatives.
We both like Scimitars but they're not really very spacious despite being a much bigger car and the load area is pretty tiny really. Lotus yes for me but she'd never go for it and let's be honest it'd be broken more often than not.
Desolate, Morris or 2cv, god no I want to get there today not next week. I like the Volvo P1800 though but she doesn't.
Boosted thanks but we're looking for a 70's classic the Saab isn't old enough.
I think you budget may be an issue then. I doubt you get a decent P1800 for budget.That's just the problem, there's nothing really "wrong" with the mini, it's just that she's the only one that likes it. We're both tall 6'1" & 5'10" so not really naturally suited to it and I can't stand the silly little things so we don't go anywhere in it together but it is a really good, usefull car and she likes it. She is however prepared to look at alternatives.
We both like Scimitars but they're not really very spacious despite being a much bigger car and the load area is pretty tiny really. Lotus yes for me but she'd never go for it and let's be honest it'd be broken more often than not.
Desolate, Morris or 2cv, god no I want to get there today not next week. I like the Volvo P1800 though but she doesn't.
Boosted thanks but we're looking for a 70's classic the Saab isn't old enough.
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 18th April 21:43
I'd probably be looking at a Volvo estate, but that wouldn't be very quick either.
bstark said:
Volvo Amazon Estate
Merc 200 Estate
Triumph 2000 Estate
Vauxhall Sportshatch
Peugeot 504 Estate
Not that there's a theme here or anything...
Haha, I do like the Triumph estate and very nearly went to have a look at 2500 a couple of months ago, that could be a good fit and should drive well if we can find one.Merc 200 Estate
Triumph 2000 Estate
Vauxhall Sportshatch
Peugeot 504 Estate
Not that there's a theme here or anything...
Keep_flying said:
So here's the quandary, my wife drives a Mini clubman estate, which she loves but is thinking about selling to try something else.
But what, is the question.
The clubman estate is just so useable as a car it's going to be hard to find something even equal never mind better.
Here's the requirements;
It must be a true classic so tax exempt,
It must be an estate/van/shooting brake/large hatch back you get the idea.
No silly prices, the Mini is probably worth 5-6k and I'll put a grand in as well.
We are market traders and sometimes in the summer she will use the Mini, you can fit an entire market stall in a Clubman estate.
It must be able to accommodate 2 large dogs, German Shepherd & Alaskan Malamute.
It must be capable of completing 1 1/2 hr journeys without crippling us.
So there you have it folks, all and any (?) suggestions gratefully received.
Cheers all.
Is it a proper clubman estate from the 70s/80s or one of those hideous BMW things? Either way you cant go far wrong with a 101 Victor estate as a replacementBut what, is the question.
The clubman estate is just so useable as a car it's going to be hard to find something even equal never mind better.
Here's the requirements;
It must be a true classic so tax exempt,
It must be an estate/van/shooting brake/large hatch back you get the idea.
No silly prices, the Mini is probably worth 5-6k and I'll put a grand in as well.
We are market traders and sometimes in the summer she will use the Mini, you can fit an entire market stall in a Clubman estate.
It must be able to accommodate 2 large dogs, German Shepherd & Alaskan Malamute.
It must be capable of completing 1 1/2 hr journeys without crippling us.
So there you have it folks, all and any (?) suggestions gratefully received.
Cheers all.
desolate said:
Probably our of budget for a decent one and 80s not 70s
I thought that it came out around 1977. What year does it need to be to qualify for free tax?This?
or this then?
Series III Landy/classic Range Rover?
Seems like a bit of a false economy to me though. Free road tax is all well and good but doubtful that will offset the running costs on a 40+ year old car.
white_goodman said:
Series III Landy/classic Range Rover?
Seems like a bit of a false economy to me though. Free road tax is all well and good but doubtful that will offset the running costs on a 40+ year old car.
She's got a series III 88" for winter and currently uses the Mini in the summer but we can't get the dogs in the landy, it's too high and it's a pickup anyway.Seems like a bit of a false economy to me though. Free road tax is all well and good but doubtful that will offset the running costs on a 40+ year old car.
I know what you mean about running costs but with £99 insurance as well and the fact we don't do lots of miles means it works out loads cheaper than running a "normal" car.
We have a works van for regular market/business use this is for her to use as a daily driver or when we want to go out/take the dogs to the beach, that sort of thing.
Not a huge amount of room in a Scimitar
Volvo "Amazon" Estate might get into your budget
Morris 1000 with an uprated engine (anything from an MG Midget 1275 to a Fiat twin cam ) would be quick enough, would have loads of space for two dogs etc but be careful they roooolllll on corners.
For the last 14 year I have run Volvo 740/940 Estates, not tax exempt but could buy about 5 for your budget, and it's the only car that I can get two good size dog cages in without having to drop the rear seats. Can be made quick, handle ok, super reliable, super comfortable, all parts available.....
Volvo "Amazon" Estate might get into your budget
Morris 1000 with an uprated engine (anything from an MG Midget 1275 to a Fiat twin cam ) would be quick enough, would have loads of space for two dogs etc but be careful they roooolllll on corners.
For the last 14 year I have run Volvo 740/940 Estates, not tax exempt but could buy about 5 for your budget, and it's the only car that I can get two good size dog cages in without having to drop the rear seats. Can be made quick, handle ok, super reliable, super comfortable, all parts available.....
Keep_flying said:
Thanks Stiggy,
That's just the problem, there's nothing really "wrong" with the mini, it's just that she's the only one that likes it. We're both tall 6'1" & 5'10" so not really naturally suited to it and I can't stand the silly little things so we don't go anywhere in it together but it is a really good, usefull car and she likes it. She is however prepared to look at alternatives.
We both like Scimitars but they're not really very spacious despite being a much bigger car and the load area is pretty tiny really. Lotus yes for me but she'd never go for it and let's be honest it'd be broken more often than not.
Desolate, Morris or 2cv, god no I want to get there today not next week. I like the Volvo P1800 though but she doesn't.
Boosted thanks but we're looking for a 70's classic the Saab isn't old enough.
It is a 70'ies classic and really well made unlike some of the buckets above lol :-)That's just the problem, there's nothing really "wrong" with the mini, it's just that she's the only one that likes it. We're both tall 6'1" & 5'10" so not really naturally suited to it and I can't stand the silly little things so we don't go anywhere in it together but it is a really good, usefull car and she likes it. She is however prepared to look at alternatives.
We both like Scimitars but they're not really very spacious despite being a much bigger car and the load area is pretty tiny really. Lotus yes for me but she'd never go for it and let's be honest it'd be broken more often than not.
Desolate, Morris or 2cv, god no I want to get there today not next week. I like the Volvo P1800 though but she doesn't.
Boosted thanks but we're looking for a 70's classic the Saab isn't old enough.
Edited by Keep_flying on Wednesday 18th April 21:43
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab_900
Edited by Boosted LS1 on Wednesday 18th April 23:13
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