Mini prices

These cars seem much cheaper in the English magazines, about the same price as other small saloons like Morris Minors, but they are really expensive in North America.
Can anyone explain?
Simon.

Because they made minis up until 1999 in the UK and quit importing them into the US back in about 1968 or so.

That pretty much sums it up.

There are 40+ years of Minis to pick through in the U.K. A fair number of the Minis you see around the U.S. today are cars recently imported. There are quite a few Canadian Minis that have moved south and several importers on the east (and west) coast have brought in cars from the U.K., Oz, and NZ. These recent transplants are easily spotted because of their "roll up" windows. Sliders were standard on the Mk1/Mk2 cars originally sold into the U.S. market.

Minis are and were "regular" transportation in the UK. Hence they sat outside and were subjected to normal wear and tear. You'll find these cars for sale right next to restored cars. Don't think for a moment that they are all showpieces. I have seen a number of so-called "rust free" cars come across the pond only to immediately go to the body shop for rebuild! (Apparently the phrase "rust-free" is open to conjecture or doesn't have the same meaning as it has here) So, yes you can find some inexpensive cars in the UK, including a few genuine bargains. However, I wouldn't buy a car from across the pond without seeing it first. That is too much like purchasing a pig in a poke.

I see you're in Canada. You have a genuine advantage over those of us further south as Minis were imported and sold in Canada untill 1980. There are many of these available and (from my point of view) seem to be as good a bargain as the UK cars. I would stick to the ones I can see and touch to be sure they are of acceptable quality.

Done properly, shipping, taxes, duties and registration can cost upward of $1500.00 to get a Mini from across the pond. Have you added that to the costs of purchasing a car from the UK?

Thom has some good advice.......you need to be able to see the car before you buy. Yes, you can pick up a tremendous bargain but you can also buy a money pit. It would be more cost-effective to fly over, take a vacation and look at some cars. Cost less than ending up buying a rust-heap.