New car on the horizon - maybe?

[DM]

Perhaps but even with a sorted Mk2, isn't rust going to be a huge issue?

Thats the one thing I am also getting concerned with the Mini, it is getting rust in certain trouble spots which are notorious for rust on Mini's. You can't see it in the photos because it is, for example, starting to rust around the roof where water has collected on a rainy day at work. Its always been garaged every night so you can't really win.

This looks great to me: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2123560.htm

That one does look well in that colour, how much will the insurance be then?

 

[Meatball]

I'd say with your budget your best off with a well sorted MK2 rather than looking at the lower end of the MK3 market.

I've only driven the 1.6 and 1.8 MK1s and I love how they drive. Personally I much prefer the styling compared the the MK2/MK2.5 also.

With regards to rust yes it can potentially be an issue but if you find a well looked after example you'll be laughing. If you view any feel for filling around the arches where they typically rust. I travelled all the way to Scotland for my MX-5 as it had been so well cared for, no expense spared. It had already been freshly undersealed by the previous owner to prevent rust.

 

[Blackhawk47]

That one does look well in that colour, how much will the insurance be then?

Hopefully a tad more than I am paying at the moment. I live in a decent enough area, I commute to work etc.

Also, after having a think about I don't even need a hatch back like a fiesta or golf. It is just me driving usually or maybe just passenger (same goes for the mini as you would have to have no legs if you were to sit in the back). Boot space isn't an issue with something like a mazda as we all know the boot space in a mini is limited at best so I end up chucking things on the passenger sit/back sit anyway.

 

[Blackhawk47]

I've only driven the 1.6 and 1.8 MK1s and I love how they drive and much prefer the styling compared the the MK2/MK2.5.

With regards to rust yes it can potentially be an issue but if you find a well looked after example you'll be laughing. If you view any feel for filling around the arches where they typically rust. I travelled all the way to Scotland for my MX-5 as it had been so well cared for, no expense spared. It had already been freshly undersealed by the previous owner to prevent rust.

Really I would like someone who knows what they are looking for with old mx5s if I went to see one. Although at the moment I don't know anyone so could be tricky!

 

[Blackhawk47]

Thinking about it I am will be 21 in roughly 1 year and 7 months so an mx5 is probably the best bet and I just stomach the insurance cost for said time until it goes down even if it is more than what I pay currently, because it will be a better car which I will be looking to keep for a good number of years.

Right, to sum up budget this is what I have as it is a bit complicated:

£6000 - Savings (obviously don't want to spend every penny)
£7000-8000 - when I sell the mini, however I have been told by my parents that I have to split this amount in half and give the other half to my sister. Which I need to follow up because I've looking after it since I started learning to drive at 17 and I've paid for things like insurance, exhaust, stereo, things that need fixing etc.

 

[[TW]Fox]

Is the Mini really worth £8000? I mean will somebody actually come along and give you £8000 for a 14 year old Mini, I dont mean how much are deluded Rover fanboys trying to sell them for on Pistonheads.

 

[DM]

Is the Mini really worth £8000? I mean will somebody actually come along and give you £8000 for a 14 year old Mini, I dont mean how much are deluded Rover fanboys trying to sell them for on Pistonheads.

I can see 5k in that every day of the week not sure about 8k

 

[Blackhawk47]

Is the Mini really worth £8000? I mean will somebody actually come along and give you £8000 for a 14 year old Mini, I dont mean how much are deluded Rover fanboys trying to sell them for on Pistonheads.

Well this pretty much the same as mine bar colour, few more miles and mine is a 97, however mine is more unique (extras).

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2175164.htm

So have a think.

Before going to insurance, is it best staying with same company, ie my mum/dad and me are all with norwich union...so I am going to try them first and see what they say because they know the situation with my accident etc.

 

[[TW]Fox]

Thats a 1 owner car, from a dealer, with half the miles. And you've no idea what price was settled on.

That doesnt make yours worth £8k.

How much did you pay for yours?

 

[DM]

I think it depends how long you want to be selling it for, if you want a realistic fast sale you might have to drop a bit on that.

Yea try your insurance first then Admiral, they were always good with my son.

 

[Blackhawk47]

Thats a 1 owner car, from a dealer, with half the miles. And you've no idea what price was settled on.

That doesnt make yours worth £8k.

How much did you pay for yours?

How is it half the miles, I haven't even reached 25k yet (24841 to be exact) and it is a one owner car that my dad brought new in 97 for my mum. She really didn't use it and ended up getting a smart forfour in 2004. Before the Mini we had a old 1980s bmw 5 series which later got sold for the price of a pint if you must know.

 

[Meatball]

If you're looking at MK1 MX-5's maybe look for one of the limited editions, they're all based on the 1.8 MX-5 though so I'm not sure how much that will effect your insurance. With me the insurance difference between the 1.6 and 1.8 is negligible. All the limited edition ones can be found here.

I went for a Berkeley. Not only do I love the colour and interior but they were the last of the MK1s to roll out the factory in 1998. Here's my one: (The Astra is not ours! )

The buyer's guide for the MX-5 MK1 can be found here .

 

[Blackhawk47]

If you're looking at MK1 MX-5's maybe look for one of the limited editions, they're all based on the 1.8 MX-5 though so I'm not sure how much that will effect your insurance. With me the insurance difference between the 1.6 and 1.8 is negligible. All the limited edition ones can be found here.

I went for a Berkeley. Not only do I love the colour and interior but they were the last of the MK1s to roll out the factory in 1998. Here's my one: (The Astra is not ours! )
http://i51.tinypic.com/viiukw.jpg[IMG]

The buyer's guide for the MX-5 MK1 can be found [URL="http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/forums/t/425.aspx"]here[/URL] :).[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I did have a read of your thread when you were getting an MX5. For me it would have to be in red. :p

Do they have aircon and decent heater etc?

If I got an MX5 mk1/mk2 I would probably get a hard top as it would be my daily and weekend toy. Are these fairly expensive (or not) and available?

If I am honest, I prefer the interior of the MK2 but the body of the MK1.

Going do some quotes with norwich union in the week with a list of different cars and see what price they can do. Does joining a members club help, ie like it can with the mini? :)

 

[Blackhawk47]

Wow.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1452228.htm

 

[Lashout_UK]

It's an automatic

 

[Blackhawk47]

It's an automatic

True, though it makes the mk3 look even better value for money.

Its weird as you can a mk2 for £6000 with so many miles on, or a mk3 for exactly the same price.

What are engines like with 80,000 or something miles, is it a lot on these kind of engines or will it be reliable for years to come?

 

[Joshy]

True, though it makes the mk3 look even better value for money.

Not really, that auto is just a very highly priced car (more than likely because it's a fresh import) and doesn't represent the market as a whole in anyway.

MK2s can be had for as little as a grand.

Its weird as you can a mk2 for £6000 with so many miles on, or a mk3 for exactly the same price.

Again, more overpriced cars. MK2s CAN be had for as little as a grand. I'd personally expect a good, relatively sorted one for half that £6k...

What are engines like with 80,000 or something miles, is it a lot on these kind of engines or will it be reliable for years to come?

Reliable for years to come. Reliable, cheap to buy parts for and very forgiving for a DIY mechanic. Seriously, people slap big turbos on 80k engines without a second thought.

They really are awesome little cars. I'd have one in a heart beat if I weren't so fat!

 

[Blackhawk47]

Not really, that auto is just a very highly priced car (more than likely because it's a fresh import) and doesn't represent the market as a whole in anyway.

MK2s can be had for as little as a grand.



Again, more overpriced cars. MK2s CAN be had for as little as a grand. I'd personally expect a good, relatively sorted one for half that £6k...



Reliable for years to come. Reliable, cheap to buy parts for and very forgiving for a DIY mechanic. Seriously, people slap big turbos on 80k engines without a second thought.

They really are awesome little cars. I'd have one in a heart beat if I weren't so fat!

Running some quotes online though now under my own policy and to be honest its not as bad as I was expecting. Just done one for mk3 and admiral came out top. Now going to try mk2 etc.

should have stuck this in the OP oh well here it is - I am not looking for the worlds fastest car at my age, just looking for something decent. For me, my Mini was quick enough, and looking at mazdas they have got much better top speed/acceleration while it might not wow people on here it is more than enough for me, for now.

Dandycars seem to have some lovely looking mx5s:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2091219.htm

 

[Blackhawk47]

Okay so for example, I am getting online quotes through for a mk2 mx5 (2000 x reg) at £2308 fully comp with Admiral. Thats my own policy with parents just as named drivers. With my accident added as well. Its not to bad I think but I am no expert at insurance.

In theory should adding additional drivers increase or decrease price wise?

Only other good prices were from elephant and bell. Tempted to give herts a ring one day and see what they can do it for. All the rest such as Kwit fit, swinton all wanted closer to £5k, and one called green insurance wants £10k!

 

[DM]

Elephant is Admiral i think Bell are too.

Adding your mum and dad should help a bit.

Phone them you will be able to knock Admiral down a couple hundred quid with any luck.