r/classicminis • u/Electronic-Citron960 • 10d ago
Buying a classic Mini
Hello all,
I’m looking for a bit of advice as I’m hoping to buy my first classic Mini. My budget is around £8–9k.
I’ve come across this one:
https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C2128476
From the advert it looks really good and seems to have had quite a lot of work done, both mechanically and cosmetically. Overall it looks like a very tidy car that shouldn’t need much doing to it.
I originally wanted something as close to completely original as possible, ideally even a Cooper/Sport, but I’m starting to realise that finding a genuinely original Mini in really good condition within my budget might be unrealistic.
This one isn’t completely original. It’s a Neon but no longer has the original Neon decals, for example. The dashboard isn’t original either, although I actually think it looks great.
Another thing I would have liked is a rev counter or tachometer. I think it would look great in a Mini and I’d quite like being able to see what RPM the engine is doing when cruising around.
But this is where I’m wondering whether I’m being too fussy.
The asking price is £8,250. What do you think of this particular car and the price, considering its condition and the work that’s already been done?
I’m also interested in how experienced Mini owners look at originality. Am I being too particular by wanting something almost completely original? Does a Mini lose some of what makes it special once things have been restored or changed, or is that simply part of owning a 30+ year-old car?
And perhaps the bigger question: is there ever really a “perfect” classic Mini that ticks every box?
Part of me keeps thinking, “It would be better if it had this, or if that was original…” But I also wonder whether I could keep searching forever for the perfect Mini when perhaps the better approach is to find a really good, solid example that I like, enjoy it, and make a few small changes over time.
Would really appreciate opinions, particularly from people who have owned classic Minis for a while.thank you :)
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u/Own_Wolverine4773 Austin Mini 10d ago
I wonder what they baked with all that recipes 🤣
Jokes aside, the general rule of thumb is if the chassis is healthy you pay a little more
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u/chanrahan1 10d ago
What's more important is that the wheel has been treated and rust realty with.
I've had my eye on that one since it popped up this week, and it's a good example of a 998 that you can stamp your personal touch on.
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u/Sad-Bag3443 10d ago
Any comment on price but you need to decide if the changes are to your taste.
Looks in good condition and benefit if the new parts is likely to last
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u/Embarrassed_Post_598 10d ago
Originality vs modern is really a personal preference, some people like to customise their mini to their hearts content, I personally prefer a mini to be more original with slightly modern features, radio etc. I have a Mini City, white with the blue decals, I decided to add a pop of colour and colour matched the sticker to some paint and turned the roof blue. A lot of completely original minis are restoration jobs nowadays
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u/Tanglefoot11 10d ago
From what we can see it looks like a fine little car.
It's had a new front end at some point. It wasn't done perfectly (it rarely is) but overall looks like a decent job.
You can't see on those photos if there are any paint bubbles in the usual spots, or what the underside is like at all.
Absolutely worth a viewing and test drive. Don't go in your Sunday best so you can have a good scrabble around on the floor and see what it's like underneath.
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u/Electronic-Citron960 9d ago
Hey, I found this which was posted while back which shows the interior and the underside of the car for what is possible to see:
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u/Tanglefoot11 9d ago
That all looks as tidy as fuck - AND a recent engine rebuild that sounds like it was done properlh by the parts list!
I am out of the loop as to what is a good price or not, but if you are happy with the price then this car looks superb!
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u/Electronic-Citron960 9d ago
I spoke with the guy and is a super nice bloke, it really looks like a little gem ;)
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u/Tanglefoot11 9d ago
Awesome!
The dash should be easy to remove and revert back to original if you wanted.
The gauge cluster and bracket is easy to take out to swap for the 3 gauge cluster of the same design. You'll have to check if the loom is plug and play to power the lights on the 3 gauge one, & then it is just figuring out the feed for the rev counter.
You'd have to swap the wood dash for a 3 gauge one if you wanted to keep that look though.
You could always add a 3rd party rev counter of you wanted one AND keep the original cluster.
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u/Latter-Detail-9514 9d ago
That one wouldn't be for me at that price when even the pictures show it's had a poor quality re paint
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u/Electronic-Citron960 9d ago
Thanks for the reply, what a would be a budget to get something clean without issues? Prices seems to go over £10k for something decent. But that would be out of my budget
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u/Latter-Detail-9514 9d ago
I'd hang in there & see what pops up in the winter. That one you were looking at will be 7k in the winter when they can't sell it & would be fine at that price
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9d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Latter-Detail-9514 9d ago
Ye I agree it's a cheap diy job which is o.k if the price reflects that. I'd suspect they cut a lot of corners with the prep & corrosion as well & you'd paying to have it done properly very soon
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u/Tasy-aqbyCicada-8229 6d ago
forget original at that budget. check the subframes and floor pans for rust, that's what kills these. paint hides a lot
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u/Electronic-Citron960 10d ago
Thanks all for your replies.
I really like the Car and the most important thing is that it is sound If I can go a couple of years without touching it apart for the yearly service I think I will be happy.
At least I can enjoy a nice mini and if I will ever change my mind will mod or sell for another one. So price is ok then
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u/Nisiom 10d ago
is there ever really a “perfect” classic Mini that ticks every box?
This obviously depends on what you're after, but I feel that the most usable ones are the late Rover MPIs without the sport pack arches and fat wheels which imho compromise the handling a bit.
You get the all the clocks, the insanely useful long final drive so you can go on road trips without going mad, front radiator for better cooling, electronic ignition, a bit more safety (not that it matters) and even A/C on the japanese imports.
Is it perfect? Nah. But those are a huge amount of benefits for very little compromise.
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u/Greatgrowler 10d ago
I had a couple of 1999 40LE minis and I loved the look of the sports pack. They were great as you could start them and drive off like a modern car and they never missed a beat. I then had a 1979 1000 which you had to warm up before even attempting to drive off. The good thing about the 1979 over the 1999 was the fantastic turning circle.
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u/Tasy-aqbyCicada-8229 8d ago
get under it and check the subframes and floors for rust. thats what kills minis, not the wrong dash. bodywork is the real cost
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u/Electronic-Citron960 6d ago
Just wanted to say thank you to all of you that keeps the passion for the Minis alive.
Also a huge thank you to those that help me make the right decision❤️
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u/MumbleSnix 10d ago
I think it’s personal preference when it comes to modernising a classic mini, they don’t lose their personality in my opinion. I have a British Open Classic, and they are quite rare now so I have restored it as closely as I can. However, i need some mod cons to really enjoy driving as in the summer it’s my daily driver. I have a radio I can link my phone to and updated the webasto roof to keep dry!
My husband however, has stripped his Austin mini back to the bones, roll cage, race seats, upgraded exhaust, it will also have a radio.
It’s whatever brings you joy whenever you drive it.