I see there is a Mini for sale here in DFW

[BruceK]

Just found this on Craigslist, posted 3 days ago:   http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/4590541250.html 

Looks like a very solid Mini with a good price.    Is it being sold by a MOT member here?

[MPlayle]

The same car is posted in the San Antonio craigslist as well.

[BritBits]

Overall it looks pretty good.   I didn't like the look of the boot lid though.   How do you do that?  Open the trunk lid too far?

Michael says I'm living in the past.. I think it's a good $3k-$4k car, nothing more.   The photos didn't show anything underneath, I'd be looking for either rust or bodged repairs.

There was a much nicer car here in Allen last year for much less $.   If I'd had the money to spare, I would have bought it, I had to buy a car for my wife to use daily at the same time.

Cheers,

Jim
McKinney

[BruceK]

Michael says I'm living in the past.. I think it's a good $3k-$4k car, nothing more. 

Ummm.... ah..... how do I say it?  I think the days of good, solid $4K Minis are gone and will never return.    With the price of everything else (other than tech goodies) goes up, why wouldn't Minis too?

Granted this is not science because the value of a car will always be what someone will actually pay to purchase it. 

But, having said that, here is what a $3K Mini for sale looks like on MiniMania's site, and it's not pretty: 

http://www.minimania.com/cars4sale/11722/1976_Austin_1000_Sedan

Or this one for $4K:

http://www.minimania.com/cars4sale/12327/1976_Mini_Cooper_S_Sedan

[BruceK]

On topic, looks like there is another Mini for sale in DFW right now.   I just spotted this one while poking around at MiniMania's site:

http://www.minimania.com/cars4sale/12332/1976_Rover_Mini_Cooper_Sedan_1275cc

[BritBits]

Forrest was an MOT member, or tried to be.   We met him at the SCCA rally in April in Plano.

I wonder if he found another Mini? 

It's a nice car, from the limited poking around I could do before the rally started. 


Cheers,

Jim

[BritBits]

As to values... well, patience is often rewarded.   It's different now with people finding a larger market via the web, but I still know people who hate to sell things in general because it means dealing with some of the less balanced people out there.   And forget posting things on a website.

I've had my own lessons selling cars online, I've had people show up unannounced because my ad had enough info for them to yahoo my address (won't make that mistake twice).   I've got other horror stories, as does anyone who has ever tried to sell old English cars.   

There was a really nice $5k late model classic in Allen last year.   If I didn't have other priorities (and bills) I would have picked it up.  The Van down in San Antonio needed a starter (or was it generator) and was also in the $5k range.  It had come from the UK and while all the rust was patched, I've seen neater work on bulldozers in the floor pan fixes.

I do tell people new to classics to look at the MM site for an idea of what's out there and prices.  But I don't take the prices as a bible.   The "3K" piece of junk.. I was offered something similar near Ft Worth last year..  $900.  Innocenti with most of the pieces there.  Didn't have the tow vehicle or the room at the time.   I normally try to look when I hear of something in the off chance it'll be something really neat.

At the same time, I've had the "experts" at Mini Mania tell me my '63 Cooper 997 (original drivetrain, solid unmolested shell, Rokee Dash, 100+ period rims and Paddy Hopkirk low back buckets) is worth no more than $5k.   That was 4 years ago when I floated the idea of selling it to pay bills.   

That's when I stopped considering MM a serious source of information.


Cheers,

Jim

[BruceK]

At the same time, I've had the "experts" at Mini Mania tell me my '63 Cooper 997 (original drivetrain, solid unmolested shell, Rokee Dash, 100+ period rims and Paddy Hopkirk low back buckets) is worth no more than $5k.   That was 4 years ago when I floated the idea of selling it to pay bills.   

I disagree strongly with whoever those "experts" were.   I've never seen your car, but based upon your description, if you really wanted to make some money selling it, you should advertise it in the UK.   They really appreciate the rarity and unique features of early Minis.  It is said that there are many more Mk. I and Mk. II Minis remaining here in the US than in the UK where they were most often junked when worn out - or converted to race use.  And, based upon my trips to the UK to attend various Mini functions, I am certain that is true.  Any genuine Cooper model, whether it is a 997, 998, 970, 1071, or 1275 is very highly regarded and respected there.   

For example:

Here's a nice 1969 Cooper 998, for £16K  (about $27K)    http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/mini-classic/all-mini-classics/morris-mini-cooper-mk-ii/240776

And here is a 1967 regular Mk. I Mini 850  for £7.5K (about $13K)   http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/mini-classic/all-mini-classics/a-delightful-morris-mini-minor-super-deluxe-850-with-an-incredible-two-owners-from-new/2261642

Quite a difference in value compared to the US market for Minis.

And likewise, a run of the mill 1990s era Mini is worth perhaps £3K (about $5K) there, but over here they are often priced in the teens or higher.

[BritBits]

Yes, having been involved in Triumphs for too long... A $2k Spitfire here would get several multiples in the UK.  I've been tempted to load my barn into a couple shipping containers and retire.

I've noticed a bias on the MM list against Mk Is, unless they something really unique.  There are those who will try to talk people out of butchering original cars, but it's at best 50/50.

When I first bought my Cooper I'd talked to many people about what to do with the car... the best advice was from one of the Mini Mania order takers who suggested that original unmolested cars are rare and I'd do better to keep mine that way.   This was in 1992.  In 2002 at the Zippo Grand Prix (Mini was the featured marque) my brother looked at all the red cars (after I'd asked him to paint my car red/white) and asked what the original color was.   It seems to be surf blue, although I haven't spent the $$ for the BMHT certificate.  My car is still in the burgundy (with pinstriping :O:O:O) as when I bought it, but when it gets painted it'll go back to original. 

As you said Bruce, a car is only worth what someone will pay to buy it.   At this point with decent employment, I don't have to consider selling the Cooper, or any of my favorites.   If I could move the pumpkin though...


Cheers,

Jim, Diana and Jimmy
McKinney