The Tale of Two Minis
Discussion
I had no intention of buying a new car, let alone two.
Down the pub one day a friend mentioned they were looking to get rid of their R52 Mini One convertible. It was basically shed money and less than WBAC were offering. The car was tatty but the price was good as was the history and it stopped and started as it should. The price was because the roof didn’t work, I cleaned the switch in the boot and padded it out and it worked as it should……for all of three weeks. Then the passenger side mechanism buckled. I proceeded to drive the car with the roof manually wound up into place. I took the motor out and I unclipped the middle latches so I could put the roof up and down manually. Not sophisticated, but it worked. Despite the short comings of the car I wasn’t annoyed as the price was good and I still enjoyed driving with the roof down. As did our Golden Retriever (seat belt and harness attached)
I actually found the car quite chuckable (not sure if that’s a word but it feels like it fits) and mentioned to another friend who had an R53 Cooper S how much I enjoyed it. Through a sequence of less than desirable life events this car ended up for sale as it had been SORN and I was offered first refusal. Again, not perfect but it has been looked after annd cherished in the later parts of its life and it’s last owner and the price was fair and I do believe in karma so didn’t even haggle. So, I took a gamble, bought another car, a battery and booked an MOT, which it passed with only two minor advisories. At first I was a bit jarred by the ride and ability of the car to lose composure on less than perfect roads but on the right road the car comes alive and it put a massive smile on my face. We recently lost my Mum and I had a life is too short, it’s only money moment and I now I have too many cars but after a decent drive and pulling up with the fan kicking in and a grin on my face I felt happy. I really need a better photo of the Cooper S.
Down the pub one day a friend mentioned they were looking to get rid of their R52 Mini One convertible. It was basically shed money and less than WBAC were offering. The car was tatty but the price was good as was the history and it stopped and started as it should. The price was because the roof didn’t work, I cleaned the switch in the boot and padded it out and it worked as it should……for all of three weeks. Then the passenger side mechanism buckled. I proceeded to drive the car with the roof manually wound up into place. I took the motor out and I unclipped the middle latches so I could put the roof up and down manually. Not sophisticated, but it worked. Despite the short comings of the car I wasn’t annoyed as the price was good and I still enjoyed driving with the roof down. As did our Golden Retriever (seat belt and harness attached)
I actually found the car quite chuckable (not sure if that’s a word but it feels like it fits) and mentioned to another friend who had an R53 Cooper S how much I enjoyed it. Through a sequence of less than desirable life events this car ended up for sale as it had been SORN and I was offered first refusal. Again, not perfect but it has been looked after annd cherished in the later parts of its life and it’s last owner and the price was fair and I do believe in karma so didn’t even haggle. So, I took a gamble, bought another car, a battery and booked an MOT, which it passed with only two minor advisories. At first I was a bit jarred by the ride and ability of the car to lose composure on less than perfect roads but on the right road the car comes alive and it put a massive smile on my face. We recently lost my Mum and I had a life is too short, it’s only money moment and I now I have too many cars but after a decent drive and pulling up with the fan kicking in and a grin on my face I felt happy. I really need a better photo of the Cooper S.
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