Classic mini for first car?

Philz0r

Philz0r

Philz0r

Associate
Joined
3 Apr 2011
Posts
1,912
Location
York
so, last week my wife passed her driving test and we've been doing some quick number crunches for insurance's.

at the minute we have a few options.

1 being, my mothers old 1998 fiat 1.2 brava is sitting in our back yard with an MOT but needs a couple of odd jobs doing and a major service (probly self service)

did an insurance quote and was comming up about £900-1100 with various options and various drivers all with her as main.

(we realised by mistake her quote went down if we increased the vehical value)

our 2nd option is a 1982 mini for sale.

we havent viewed it yet, it has been upgraded to disks and servo, full exhaust just done a few months ago and he says its registered with a 1littre but has a 1.3 refurb in.

hes asking for £2600 for it,

a quick confused quote we were getting quotes of £530 with all the modifications done.


i think anyone would prefer a mini over a brava anyways but anyone with any information on the upkeeping of a mini?.

i did some google-ing and theirs tons of sites dedicated to replacement parts which i bet we'll go through a lot of.

so the million dollar question,

should we play it safe and just fix up the brava and insure that or take a risk on a quirky 29yr old car?.


oh, shes 24 and the car will probly be 5000miles a year and not essential for work.
 
Last edited:
Get the mini if you are happy about its safety, as anyone can repair it and spares are plentiful, and they ooze a charm the new minis can only dream of.
 
Minis are simple to repair (like any car that age) and have oodles of charm. Downside is if you crash the only crumple zone is your legs...
 
she takes the train to work, and its only a short walk to the station so probly stay garaged in the bad weather.

but yea, she is a new driver but whatever i put her in it will probly get knocked, lets be honest
 
But wouldn't you feel better about putting her in something with safety features from (at least) the last decade?

She's passed the test, the next few years are about learning to drive.

If it was my girlfriend I'd want as many driver aids and safety features as I could get on the car. Besides looking at, cheap to fix, cheap to run as other priorities.

I'm thinking Mk 3 Clio, Mk 5 Fiesta, even the Punto...yes the insurance will be higher, but that is to be expected. But that should not be a governing factor. In my opinion :)
 
Last edited:
i just realised i've been saying girlfriend, we actully got married on saturday and hasnt sunk in yet :S. best edit that >.>
 
Go buy, should be everyone's first car, was mine..............if somewhat longer back in time. Lowered steering column a must and then some KC Daylighters or Lucas 20/20's, its the law............oh and a Peco, gotta have a Peco.....and put a board in the back because when you go for a late night curry it works as a table between you and the girlfriend.
 
I get the impression that women must stay chained to the kitchen sink while the man decides which car to put her in.

Does she not have her own mind as to choose her own car!
 
Buy her a Mondeo for £1,000 and let her live a pleasurable life over winter. She'll love you for it.

I am biased though, I don't have much time for Minis. A Triumph Dolomite, on the other hand. Well, they've got proper heaters, comfy seats, room for four, decent boot space, are easy to drive, cruise at motorway speeds with ease, are quick off the line, well supported, economical...

Here's the million-dollar question(s). Do you know anything about cars, and are you happy with the idea of getting a call from her when she's stuck on the A1 at 12AM broken down in the pouring rain and on her own.
 
Last edited:
LeeUK said:
I get the impression that women must stay chained to the kitchen sink while the man decides which car to put her in.

Does she not have her own mind as to choose her own car!
Click to expand...

the mini was her idea, the brava was mine lol. Ill be paying for the bugger lol
 
Last edited:
Lashout_UK said:
Here's the million-dollar question(s). Do you know anything about cars, and are you happy with the idea of getting a call from her when she's stuck on the A1 at 12AM broken down in the pouring rain and on her own.
Click to expand...

yep, my dads a mechanic and i know a thing or too, but the car will be for town use, unlikely to be going far init
 
If you go for a Mini, make sure you get a post 85 one as they all have servo'd disc brakes )unless it's been previously upgraded like the 82 one you're looking at).

Apart from that, they're a fantastic first car - everyone should own a Mini once! Safety is a bit issue but if you're comfortable with that, go for it.

A Mini was my first car and my gf's first and only car and were enjoyed thoroughly. They had comfy seats (full leather in the gf's), heater that heated and cooled and was used for anything and everything.

The main thing you need to worry about is RUST. They're nearly all rusty unless you're looking at properly decent money. My recommendation would be to buy on condition but try and get a post 97 Mini if you can as they come with Multi point injection, a longer final drive so cruising on the motorway is easier, a bit more refinement and leather if you look hard enough!
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom