ausmini :: View topic - Worth getting?

Hey,

I'm a school student, and have a friend who is willing to sell me a Mini Leyland 1972 for $250. I'm very interested in doing up a Mini, but I'm not sure if this would be worth it.

It has a very damaged and rusted roof, which will most likley need to be replaced (maybe pannel beating and patching it in places could be an option?). The floor pans are also rusted, and will need replacing (I'm sure I could do this myself). Other than that the body is in ok condition.

The engine however apparently is not working and needs reconditioning - the car was last registered/driven in 2000, so it has not been tested since then, so there is a posibility that it still works. Also the gear box apparently has so troubles.
i think it would be wiser to buy a better base for your project , as the more you spend to start with the better and more original car you will get , how far does ya buget stretch?

I've been told that the Mini's arn't good cars, and that they only last for around 50,000kms then start falling apart. But from what I've researched and heard, if it's done up properly they'll last for ages. I am really excited about getting it and doing it up. But if it's going to cost too much, or wouldn't be worth it, then I might look for another one.

Any info/sugestions would be appreciated.

h0nk

Author:	h0nk [ Sun Apr 04, 2004 8:12 pm ]
Post subject:	Worth getting?
Hey, I'm a school student, and have a friend who is willing to sell me a Mini Leyland 1972 for $250. I'm very interested in doing up a Mini, but I'm not sure if this would be worth it. It has a very damaged and rusted roof, which will most likley need to be replaced (maybe pannel beating and patching it in places could be an option?). The floor pans are also rusted, and will need replacing (I'm sure I could do this myself). Other than that the body is in ok condition. The engine however apparently is not working and needs reconditioning - the car was last registered/driven in 2000, so it has not been tested since then, so there is a posibility that it still works. Also the gear box apparently has so troubles. I've been told that the Mini's arn't good cars, and that they only last for around 50,000kms then start falling apart. But from what I've researched and heard, if it's done up properly they'll last for ages. I am really excited about getting it and doing it up. But if it's going to cost too much, or wouldn't be worth it, then I might look for another one. Any info/sugestions would be appreciated. h0nk

Author:	ausminis4u [ Sun Apr 04, 2004 8:17 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Worth getting?
h0nk wrote: Hey, I'm a school student, and have a friend who is willing to sell me a Mini Leyland 1972 for $250. I'm very interested in doing up a Mini, but I'm not sure if this would be worth it. It has a very damaged and rusted roof, which will most likley need to be replaced (maybe pannel beating and patching it in places could be an option?). The floor pans are also rusted, and will need replacing (I'm sure I could do this myself). Other than that the body is in ok condition. The engine however apparently is not working and needs reconditioning - the car was last registered/driven in 2000, so it has not been tested since then, so there is a posibility that it still works. Also the gear box apparently has so troubles. i think it would be wiser to buy a better base for your project , as the more you spend to start with the better and more original car you will get , how far does ya buget stretch? I've been told that the Mini's arn't good cars, and that they only last for around 50,000kms then start falling apart. But from what I've researched and heard, if it's done up properly they'll last for ages. I am really excited about getting it and doing it up. But if it's going to cost too much, or wouldn't be worth it, then I might look for another one. Any info/sugestions would be appreciated. h0nk i think u would be better off spending more on a base car for a resto as u will get a more sound and mechanically healthy vehicle, how far is ya buget gonna stretch?

Author:	h0nk [ Sun Apr 04, 2004 8:20 pm ]
Post subject:
Well currently I only have around $2000 to spend on it... But still working and saving up. I have heard that an un-restored but registered Mini is worth around $1000 is this true? In which case I guess it would be cheaper getting one already registered, and restor that... The only trouble is I havn't seen many other Minis for sale recently.. I might be looking in the wrong places however.

Author:	poeee [ Sun Apr 04, 2004 8:20 pm ]
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As a complete car, it's probably worth the $250... but. Because your starting out, i'd recomend, like ausminis4u has said, buy a better base to start from.

Author:	poeee [ Sun Apr 04, 2004 8:24 pm ]
Post subject:
h0nk wrote: Well currently I only have around $2000 to spend on it... But still working and saving up. I have heard that an un-restored but registered Mini is worth around $1000 is this true? In which case I guess it would be cheaper getting one already registered, and restor that... The only trouble is I havn't seen many other Minis for sale recently.. I might be looking in the wrong places however. Anything with a RWC (or what eva it's called where ya from) for $1000 should be snapped up FAST! You could probably get a regoed car for $1000, but 95% of the time it wont pass RWC. This would be a good base though. You ultimatly want something that is relively rust free, and an engine/box that doesn't need a complete rebuild. I doubt you would get anything that cheap that doesn't need a respray and a refreshed interior.

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Author:	MINIRO [ Sun Apr 04, 2004 8:24 pm ]
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word of advice! small dint and bog (body filler) are alright, but rust is a real b!tch! i think most mini owners and panel beaters will tell you something similar! but mini's if done up correctly will last for a long time (if you dont crash them ) Rohan

Author:	Meck [ Sun Apr 04, 2004 9:46 pm ]
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Have to agree with the others. Got any pics to show us how bad it is?

Author:	h0nk [ Sun Apr 04, 2004 10:18 pm ]
Post subject:
Yeh, I think I'll take all your advice and look for a better Mini. Thanks for the posts. Don't have any photos of the car on me, but I'll get the camera out and go take some photos in the next week.

Author:	Mike [ Mon Apr 05, 2004 2:49 am ]
Post subject:
Dont rush, first read a bit about the mini and try to understand the little points and differences bw the models, which one you want etc. For $2000 - $2500 you can prob get a RWC mini which would pass RWC again wth good maitenance. Being in school and if you've got your licence you might enjoy the option of actualy driving around in your car. The most expensive thing in a resto is body work which is incredibly expensive and if done at home is very time consuming. The cost of restoring a rusted out car bought for $250 even to the level of a $2500 car would probably cost more than the difference in price. No offence to anyone here but just a clubby (not being an SS, LS or GT) is just not worth the cost of restoring from scratch if you've got better options. Its prob an overkill to take up a major panel replacement, and serious body work as your first resto. Buy the car for parts - panels, wheels, block, trim, glass etc. but get another to actualy restore. BTW about the point about the mini being a crap car which falls apart - its due to the number of crappy, botched restos out there - if everything is done well it will stay so. And how many 35 year old cars can take the level of abuse that a mini can?

Author:	drmini in aust [ Mon Apr 05, 2004 7:05 am ]
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I agree with Mike- it's worth buying it as a parts car, but find a better one to `do up'. As for Minis wearing out- mine has now done 130,000 miles and still has original 1970 steering rack (with oil in it!), also front & rear knuckle joints/suspension and hydro bags. I've put 65,000 miles on it since it went back on the road 10 years ago. Minis only wear out because (some) people neglect servicing and drive them into the ground, IMO.

Author:	Mike [ Tue Apr 06, 2004 4:01 am ]
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Amen

Author:	min13k [ Tue Apr 06, 2004 10:49 am ]
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i bout 1 car and 3 or 4 parts cars makka

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