How would a Mini could with the daily drive?
Discussion
Hi my little brother is looking at getting a Cooper. He does about 5000 miles a year. Can these little gems still hack daily use without out too much hassle and expense?
He is looking at the last models from 2000s something like this
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/878515.htm
Seems like a better way of spending money than any of the latest superminis which will depreciate like crazy.
He is looking at the last models from 2000s something like this
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/878515.htm
Seems like a better way of spending money than any of the latest superminis which will depreciate like crazy.
Edited by BeerForBreakfast on Tuesday 3rd February 12:22
Hell yes, 5k miles a year?
I had a 1983 Mini 998 as a "sensible" car as I had done 38k miles in the Westfield and wanted to cut back a bit. Did the daily 60 mile round trip down the A14/M11 for two years, OK I did blow up one engine but a whole replacement one cost me £250 and I only paid £700 for the car in the first place. It even managed a trip up to Scotland with luggage without any issues other than struggling a bit on the hills! However as your brother is looking at the 1275 Cooper that should have no bother. The little cars are great fun to chuck about, parts are easy to find and are dirt cheap. The only downside is occupant safety in this modern cotton wool wrapped world, but they have been around for years and the majority of drivers are still alive contrary to what the masses would have you beieve.
I had a 1983 Mini 998 as a "sensible" car as I had done 38k miles in the Westfield and wanted to cut back a bit. Did the daily 60 mile round trip down the A14/M11 for two years, OK I did blow up one engine but a whole replacement one cost me £250 and I only paid £700 for the car in the first place. It even managed a trip up to Scotland with luggage without any issues other than struggling a bit on the hills! However as your brother is looking at the 1275 Cooper that should have no bother. The little cars are great fun to chuck about, parts are easy to find and are dirt cheap. The only downside is occupant safety in this modern cotton wool wrapped world, but they have been around for years and the majority of drivers are still alive contrary to what the masses would have you beieve.
That seems about the going rate from a dealer, especially for that mileage.
Although, strictly speaking, the car in the advert is actually a Cooper with the Sports Pack. The Cooper Sport was another model.....but lets not go there...subject of another thread....
Over the years I've driven to work on a daily basis using a standard 998 carb mini, a 998 twin carb mini with JCG kit, a standard 1275 Spi and a 1275 Mpi with JCG kit. This was doing anything from 20 to 70 miles a day.
As long as its well maintained, regularly serviced, looked after and you're prepared to get stuck in and have a go at sorting out problems, then it should be ok. A decent tool kit and a bag of spares, jump leads, etc in the boot is always advisable !!!
But remember, these cars are getting on a bit now and even the later ones were still very much based on a 1959 design, so don't expect to jump in it everyday and not be surprised when something has worn out or broken. You must be patient and forgiving, as the rewards are immense. So get out there any enjoy it.
At least we've all got mobile phones these days to get help if we need it....no such luxury in the early 90's when I first started driving a mini....you were on your own !!! Ha ha..
Although, strictly speaking, the car in the advert is actually a Cooper with the Sports Pack. The Cooper Sport was another model.....but lets not go there...subject of another thread....
Over the years I've driven to work on a daily basis using a standard 998 carb mini, a 998 twin carb mini with JCG kit, a standard 1275 Spi and a 1275 Mpi with JCG kit. This was doing anything from 20 to 70 miles a day.
As long as its well maintained, regularly serviced, looked after and you're prepared to get stuck in and have a go at sorting out problems, then it should be ok. A decent tool kit and a bag of spares, jump leads, etc in the boot is always advisable !!!
But remember, these cars are getting on a bit now and even the later ones were still very much based on a 1959 design, so don't expect to jump in it everyday and not be surprised when something has worn out or broken. You must be patient and forgiving, as the rewards are immense. So get out there any enjoy it.
At least we've all got mobile phones these days to get help if we need it....no such luxury in the early 90's when I first started driving a mini....you were on your own !!! Ha ha..
For £7000, if the car is completely as described, it's not a bad price. Make out a check list of all the things to look at before buying and make sure it is 100% OK and rust free. At that mileage it should be 'as new'.
The alternative would be to buy, say, a 1990/91 Cooper 1275 with a carb (the best of the later cars, IMHO) and spend a bit on making it perfect, which could easily cost another £3000 unless you do all the work yourself.
The car advertised does look great and with car sales as they are for larger dealers you could offer, maybe, £6250 cash and see what happens. Don't be afraid to make a low offer - they may just accept.
The alternative would be to buy, say, a 1990/91 Cooper 1275 with a carb (the best of the later cars, IMHO) and spend a bit on making it perfect, which could easily cost another £3000 unless you do all the work yourself.
The car advertised does look great and with car sales as they are for larger dealers you could offer, maybe, £6250 cash and see what happens. Don't be afraid to make a low offer - they may just accept.
Unless it's one of the very new ones (2000ish) I would actually say no.
They're great cars to drive and really good fun to own but as an owner, if you're doing proper mileage, I'd say it's actually better to go a buy something old and boring (I've gone from Rover 216's, through to Turbo Diesel Zx's, to a Clio) for under £500 as a daily hack and then you can have really fun with the Mini!
They're great cars to drive and really good fun to own but as an owner, if you're doing proper mileage, I'd say it's actually better to go a buy something old and boring (I've gone from Rover 216's, through to Turbo Diesel Zx's, to a Clio) for under £500 as a daily hack and then you can have really fun with the Mini!
I'm averaging about 9000 miles a year at the moment, commuting 40-odd miles aday including junction 18 to 19 on the M4 each day and, to be honest my 99 car is running better than when I did 6 miles a day. Servicing every 3000 miles seems to come around quickly though. Agree with the comments about trying to get a rust free care - good look on that search! I get about 38 to the gallon sitting at 70ish (no need to go any faster when you're going to work!), and keep an eye on the oil level. Enjoy!!!
Edited by Cooper1999 on Thursday 5th February 21:09
I had a mini city and did 50k in 4 years. There was a bit more work than a new car but still no problem. If the car is good and you look after it no and you like driving minis no problem. If you get a bad car (what ever it is) it will be no end of problems. As tlked about already rust is a problem more on minis than other cars of the same year. But if you get a good one and look after it will be ok. The mini I have now is from 1978 and has done 98K. Hope you find what you are looking for and have fun.
I've owned my 1993 Italian Job for 12 years. Bought with 22K miles and now has 92K on the clock. It's been an only car and a second car but is currently my everyday car, come wind, rain, shine or heavy snow! It does the 30 mile round trip for work Mon to Fri plus weekend pottering about.
Some wise words already said. I've spent big ££££ restoring mine over the last 4 years. Absolutley essential to Waxoyl it or other rust treatment. If you pay someone to do it, make sure they know Minis and know all the nooks and crannies of the car.
In addition to the manufacturers service schedule, do an extra oil change, i.e. every 3K. Also grease the radius arms and swivel joints regularly, maybe every 1500 miles. As said, these are 1950/60s cars and as an ownership proposition they need to be viewed as such.
But... GO FOR IT! They are an icon.
Some wise words already said. I've spent big ££££ restoring mine over the last 4 years. Absolutley essential to Waxoyl it or other rust treatment. If you pay someone to do it, make sure they know Minis and know all the nooks and crannies of the car.
In addition to the manufacturers service schedule, do an extra oil change, i.e. every 3K. Also grease the radius arms and swivel joints regularly, maybe every 1500 miles. As said, these are 1950/60s cars and as an ownership proposition they need to be viewed as such.
But... GO FOR IT! They are an icon.
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