One of the lads at work has just bought one, and I'm now tempted by the idea of having one as a second car. I've never actually driven one before, but the general concensus seems to be that they're good fun to chuck about.

I'm getting a bit sick of putting miles on the S in stop-start traffic on the way to and from work. It just seems like a waste, and I wouldn't mind just saving the S for sunny weekends.

I'm not too bothered about it making things cheaper for me, but what I wouldn't want is for it to be more expensive. Obviously there would be the extra tax and maintenance to think about, but that's all dirt cheap on the Mini. Plus I'd be saving on insurance and fuel bills.

Just wondering what peoples thoughts and/or experiences of Minis might be.

Ta.

 

I saw one yesterday that had an R1 engine in it.

I bet that's fun

 

Don't tempt me.

Actually, one thing that would concern me is that I'd be tempted to mod the hell out of it, rather than use it as a little runaround.

 

I used to knock around in an old 1275, if you're looking for a relaxing commuter an old mini isn't it!

They handle and weigh nothing but they are also noisy and ergonomics wasn't even a consideration when they were designed. I think you should have a drive in one before deciding to go that route.

 

I'm going to have a blast in my mates one at some point. Not really that bothered about comfort, to be honest. Just wanted to stop putting miles on the S for no good reason, whilst still having something that's a bit of fun to drive.

 

Still remember the extreme excitement of being taken out on the Essex marshes by my uncle in his Cooper S in the early sixties. In fact that was probably the first time I had ever been driven at mad speeds in a car.

Don't know if an old mini would suit Gritty in his situation but the potential for fun is there. The names Paddy Hopkirk and Pat Moss immediately popped into my head.

 

I've had a number of them

2 x 1978 Mini 1000 (both Blue)
1 x 1985 Mini Mayfair (another Blue)
1 x 1968 Mini Cooper S (Old English White with a black roof)

My mate has had dozens of them and has 4 now: one a 1990/1 Cooper, a matt black 1275 GT (heavily modified - 1380cc), one he uses for auto-tests and a 1990 Powder Blue Stage Rally Car (they're not competitive in their class any more)...

I thought they were all fantastic they handle well, they're very light by today's standards so there is little or no intertia, the Cooper S I had was quite heavily modified and was quick (a bit quicker to 60 than my mates Mk2 GTI 16V... much to his annoyance). Noisy, uncomfortable, slow (even the 1275's weren't quick by modern standards), not especially economical, and potentially unreliable (mostly in the wet!)...

As I said, I thought that they were all fantastic until I drove one of the last Cooper Sports and it was rubbish...

These days I think that unless you're going for a classic (and can accept the shortcomings) or one of these bike engined conversions (to use for fun) they are overpriced, unsafe, slow, rusty (the last ones were shocking for this - many lacked paint in areas you couldn't see) and thirsty by today's standards, so I wouldn't bother as a commuter car... if I had a garage, I'd be looking for another Cooper S like the one I had...

If you must, go for an early 90's pre-Cat 1300 Cooper. Remember that up until 1985 all (except for the Cooper, Cooper S, 1275GT) had drum brakes front and rear.


When you look at it get around it with a magnet check sills (inner and outer), front wings, front and rear valance, all the floors (including the boot) and the scuttle for rust. If there's rust on the scuttle plate walk away, it means the front bulkhead is rotten. Engine's are relatively cheap, the 1275's are prone to the valve stems leaking oil (and can be a little smokey), the front subframe shouldn't be a problem, the rear subframe is another rust problem but relatively cheap to replace (but can be a ball ache of a job to do yourself).

There's probably a load more I could say but I'll leave that until you're more serious

 

That covers most of the stuff I was concerned about. Mainly the potential for it being a complete money-pit due to unreliability and running issues.
As I said, I wouldn't want it to cost me more than I currently pay with the one car, and it sounds like it probably would.

I do have a friend of a friend who restores them, and he would be happy to look over any for me, to check for any immediate problems.

So far it looks like a then.

Many thanks.

 

Agree with all of the above - not a good rational choice, unless you want it for fun only and don't mind lavishing cash on it...

...but you can mid-mount a rover V8 in them...

I have a rover V8...

I know where i can get a mini...

All i need now is a second mortgage!

 

I aspire to own a sorted Mini. I briefly considered replacing the Volvo with a Mini before I saw sense and got the Alfa ().

They are immense fun, handle like they're on rails, but as Corgi and CR have pointed out, they're noisy, not particularly comfortable, and not the most reliable of cars.

But with a straight through exhaust, flared wheel arches and racing steering wheel, they can look a lot of fun ...