WTB a Mini

[MiniRnL]

 I'm in the market for a mini. 
Looking for something that is up and running with the need of  some tlc.
Please contact me if your selling your mini or even know of someone selling a mini at [email protected]
832 630 7373..  My name's Rene by the way.

[BritBits]

Rene,

There are cars out there, you need to keep searching on all the different sites.. Craigslist, Hemmings, Mini Mania, etc.   I'll send you the pictures of the Pumpkin but it's a complete restoration job, nowhere near running.

I found my first Mini ('63 Cooper 997) in the Dallas morning news.  Found the rest either from people seeing me drive my car, or from people who knew I was into Minis.   These days with the new MINI more people have figured out what the old car is.  Beats having people call my Cooper a Trabant at gas stations.

If you're not picky, the newer of the classics are a better bet, less rust/bodged repairs to deal with, nicer interiors, wind up windows.  The last of the line fuel injected cars can be a problem if any of the FI bits fail, as replacements are sometimes an issue. 

All of my cars are Mk Is, so it's not a Mini to me without sliding door glass.  And twin SUs and points are easy to troubleshoot at the side of the road.

Cheers, and good hunting!

Jim
McKinney

[Wings]

I found mine on e-bay. If nothing else it's a good place to get an idea of what's out there. Like always though, 'buyer beware'.

Good luck!

Paul

[MiniRnL]

Hello guys ,

Still no luck on my mini hunt.

[THolt]

It took me 6 months of searching the internet to find mine.  I wanted some specific things though right hand drive, center speedo and it had to be blue.  I finally found mine in Florida on Mini Mania.  I had to have my dad who lives in Florida go and check it out for me and then I shipped it here.  Don't give up you will find something and it will be worth the time you spend looking for it.

[MiniRnL]

I must say you have lots of patience, unlike me
I really prefer to purchase one here in Texas, I'm not to fond of having a vehicle shipped to me.
Plus i'd like to see the car in person first before I actually make a purchase too.

[BritBits]

There are cars around, and some are still quite reasonable for what they are.  Last year there was a great late model Mini... only about 5 miles from where I live.   My problem was that I needed a family mover more than another toy.  And after buying a family mover, no $$ left for toys

The internet makes it easier to find cars, but it also increases the competition.  My first car ('63 Cooper 997) came out of the Dallas Morning news.  The next closest bidder was low balling the seller, saying it was only good as a parts car.    I've driven it quite a bit, and all it's needed so far was new brakes, tires, and a carb rebuild.   Now 20+ years later it is time for a complete drivetrain overhaul.   But definitely no parts car.

A fair number of the cars were imported when they were still legal (pre-'68).   Since then lots have been brought into the country, either by military types returning from Europe or by the reVin specialists in the past 15 years or so.   I had a co-worker in Denver who used to live in Dallas, he and a friend had buddies in the UK loading cars and they'd pick them up in Houston.   I suspect that the UK has been pretty well picked over by now.   

Is there anything specific you are looking for?   Any particular vintage, or just a good running clean car?

Cheers,

Jim
McKinney

[MiniRnL]

Ok.
Well I'm really looking for a pre 80's mini. I'd say no rust in it but we all know that's next to impossible to find.
As long as the car is somewhat solid to daily drive with minimal rust. I don't  mind driving out to Dallas, Austin or San Antonio to pick up. I really need a daily and I'd hate to just settle for your common car.

[MPlayle]

Be sure you understand what you may face using a classic Mini as a daily driver.  They do require regular. routine maintenance and care.

Some good discussion of this is in this thread over on Mini Mania:

http://www.minimania.com/msgThread/115238/1/1/Common_faults_when_using_a_Mini_as_a_daily_driver

[BritBits]

lots of good points in the MM link.  The one I'm not so sure of is the "paint it day glow (whatever) for maximum visibility".   In 1999 I looked as a '60s Spitfire that'd been heavily rear ended.   The owner had painted it bright yellow in the hopes of avoiding that fate.

Part of whether it'd work or not depends upon your normal driving environment.   My daily commute now is 17 miles each way, mostly country and rarely do I sit for more than 2-3 minutes at a stop light.   Low traffic volume, constantly moving, overheating not a concern.

I used to live in Northern Virginia, where you could count on stop/go traffic on a 5 lane major highway.   I had issued with my Opel Manta there, no way a Mini would be happy in that scenario.

Also, the sliding window exposed hinge cars are classic and normally fun.. but in hot weather you never get more than 1/2 the door window opening "open".   The downside to winding windows is you lose that inner door space, necessary for me and my gangly elbows.

I have a friend in the Triumph club that for all of the 90s drove a '72 Spitfire Mk IV (1300cc) as his daily driver.   Picked up for a couple of hundred dollars originally, it got him to/from work, club events, and even Triumph National Conventions in Seattle, North Carolina, South Carolina and Minnesota.  No major problems.  He was aware of what the car was doing and towards the proudly demonstrated starting it without giving it any gas... after a few seconds enough oil had circulated that the rods wouldn't knock when you gave it gas.   So you do have to pay close attention to how it's running, and be ready for possible problems.


Cheers,

Jim
McKinney

[THolt]

What about this one here in Texas and from the pictures looks mostly done.

http://www.minimania.com/cars4Sale/12102/1970_Austin_Cooper_Sedan

[MiniRnL]

Thanks for all the information on minis guys. Looks like I have to keep lots of things in mind when having a mini as DD.
If I do end up purchasing a mini,  I plan on buying extra parts ahead of time. Hopefully that'll save me some time when having troubles with the mini.

What price range does a mini fall into? I found one but I don't know if its a good deal or not.
It's 1979 with supposedly 69000 original miles. It has an 850cc. Doors have rust at the bottom of them and on one of the rear seams has some slight rust. It is a right hand drive as well.

[Velopackrat]

Rene,

I'm new to your thread but wanted to offer an opinion too, as I'm restoring a Mk1 that spent most it's life in the UK.  If this Mini you mention is RHD, is it from the UK?  Rust at the bottom of the doors will be the "tip of the iceberg".  Keep searching until you can find a car from Australia or somewhere dry and hot - less rust.  I've seen Mk1's that lived here in Texas, AZ or CA with very minimal rust.
Another possibility is the Tulsa guy who builds Minis to suit his customers.  RestorationMini on the web I believe.  I do not know him but have seen pics of his cars and it appears he's good at it.
As my hair is grey now, I don't have the courage to drive one daily.  Hats off to you!

Chris

[Wings]

Another thing to consider is that classic Minis are not the vehicle to be in if you have an accident. If you get hit by an F-150 or a Tahoe the Mini will fold up like an empty beer can. A friend of mine wanted a classic for a daily driver but reconsidered after thinking what might happen to his children if the car was hit while taking them to school. I love my car but I drive it with a major does of 'fear' when I'm in traffic.
JMHO

Paul

[BritBits]

Mini Mania has a car from Oklahoma for about $6k, give or take.   Leaves a few dollars more for repairs.   From the seller's phone number seems to be in Oklahoma City.

If you spend any time on the highway you want either a 1275 or to do a Honda transplant.  When I ran my race Mini on the street (it was registered/inspected) I could easily outrun traffic while merging.   The 997 Cooper is scary on the interstate as it's top end is 85 (did it once) and it overheats on 60mph+ long runs.   

And even then, if some moron is texting while driving his 3/4 ton pickup or SUV while you're stopped at a traffic light the Mini may crumple around you and save you, but it'll be gone.  20 years ago I had a co-worker get rear ended while stopped at a traffic light.   She was in a Buick GNX, the idiots were in a Mustang which didn't slow from 55 mph.   She was lucky to walk away with only a badly sprained arm.

Prices?   Look at the MM classifieds for an idea of range.   I get told I'm living in the past any time I try to quote "normal" prices...  Then again, most of my cars were purchased at 1/2 or less of the original asking price.   Just depends on how anxious the seller is to get rid of it.  And how patient you can be in looking.

Although I still never understand how people can either claim they spent or paid $40K plus on a Honda powered Mini.  Most of those folks I talked to were in Colorado.. pre-legalization but we were above 5000 ft.   So yeah.. they were high.


Cheers,

Jim
McKinney