-
Hey Guest!
British Car Forum has been supporting enthusiasts for over 25 years by providing a great place to share our love for British cars. You can support our efforts by upgrading your membership for less than the dues of most car clubs. There are some perks with a member upgrade!**Upgrade Now**
(PS: Upgraded members don't see this banner, nor will you see the Google ads that appear on the site.)
Hey - did you know if you click on the title of a thread it will take you to the first unread post since you last visited that thread?
but were afraid to ask: 
STOP!! Never post your email address in open forums. Bots can "harvest" your email! If you must share your email use a Private Message or use the 
smilie in place of the real @
Pretty Please - add it to our Events forum(s) and add to the calendar! >> 
Buying an older mini. What would you do differently?
- Thread starter huck6
- Start date
Share this page
I love mine, and I don't think I'd do it differently next time. I originally planned to buy a modest project car as a rolling restoration project. After careful consideration, and an honest assessment of my mechanical skills, spare time and budget, I decided to get a car built to my specs so I could drive it from day one.
I'm glad I did. As a 30 year old car, it needs enough TLC to keep me interested, and there are always little things I can do to customize it. If I had bought a project, it would probably be sitting in my garage in pieces waiting for parts, money or time.
I admire those who take basket cases and turn them into works of art. As much as I'd like to do the same, I realize my limitations. For now, I'm content to drive my beautiful little car.
One of the most common pieces of advice I hear is to make sure the body is solid. The mechanical systems are pretty simple, but body work can take a big chunk of time and money.
Good luck!
I'm glad I did. As a 30 year old car, it needs enough TLC to keep me interested, and there are always little things I can do to customize it. If I had bought a project, it would probably be sitting in my garage in pieces waiting for parts, money or time.
I admire those who take basket cases and turn them into works of art. As much as I'd like to do the same, I realize my limitations. For now, I'm content to drive my beautiful little car.
One of the most common pieces of advice I hear is to make sure the body is solid. The mechanical systems are pretty simple, but body work can take a big chunk of time and money.
Good luck!
OP
huck6
Jedi Trainee
Offline
Thanks Zanzibar. My hope is to get a runner with zero rust that I can then use to learn. I am not much of a mechanic, but I have heard that the engines are pretty simple.
I have seen some from some dealers going for $4K to $7K. Nice cars, but not show winners. Did you go through one of the larger dealers or buy local?
I have seen some from some dealers going for $4K to $7K. Nice cars, but not show winners. Did you go through one of the larger dealers or buy local?
Huck, I bought mine from Barn Hill Minis. I guess it's safe to say they're one of the "larger" dealers...of course "large" is a relative term when applied to Mini dealers. When I bought mine, I think they had shipped 3 Minis to the U.S. They've sold a lot more since then, but they still know every car and every buyer on sight.
Great guys! Before I started talking about buying a car from them, I didn't even know them. Now I consider them good friends. A lot of other customers feel the same.
Best of luck in your search. If you get a chance to get to one of the big Mini events,it's well worth the time. Spring Thing 3/7-3/9 in Florida. Mini Meet East 7/1-7/4 in Quebec. Mini Meet West 8/11-8/15 in Victoria, British Columbia.
$4000 - $7000 USD would get you a car ranging from decent and driveable at the low end to pretty nice at the upper end.
[ 02-26-2003: Message edited by: zanzibar ]</p>
Great guys! Before I started talking about buying a car from them, I didn't even know them. Now I consider them good friends. A lot of other customers feel the same.
Best of luck in your search. If you get a chance to get to one of the big Mini events,it's well worth the time. Spring Thing 3/7-3/9 in Florida. Mini Meet East 7/1-7/4 in Quebec. Mini Meet West 8/11-8/15 in Victoria, British Columbia.
$4000 - $7000 USD would get you a car ranging from decent and driveable at the low end to pretty nice at the upper end.
[ 02-26-2003: Message edited by: zanzibar ]</p>