Not mine, Mrs Grrs.

As much as she likes her Fiat, she's got it into her head she wants a Mini.

Not the new (since 2001 anyway) type, but the last of the small ones

so a 1999 or slightly newer. Can't go any older as she wishes to keep her

private plate which is a T3 prefix. So 1999 is the oldest she can go.

I believe this variant of Mini was a Rover . She's after the Cooper which again

if I recall was a 1.3i.

Anyone had one? Anything special to look for? In particular she'd like British Racing Green

with the white roof, mirrors and bonnet stripes.

Look out for rust. They have all the crash protection of a wet egg box. She may end up looking Like an east German shot putter if she needs to do a lot of parallel parking.

Can you get any with power steering?

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Yup rust was standard from the factory, seen them in the dealer's showroom brand new with rust all over lol

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Check the list of standard safety features, then consider how much you love her / your kids (if any) then decide.

There is a reason "they don't make em like they used to"

If you have ever been involved with crash repairs or restoration you would avoid them like the plague. If you haven't been involved in that particular side of the motor industry please listen to somebody that has! My biggest issue would be the Minis safety standards.

I have rebuilt (shell up) and rallied them in the past, rot is your biggest issue as you will be looking at a 12+ year old car, if you can find one that has been loved and is not rotten then go for it.

Yes safety items are not up to todays standards, but then not many 12+ year old cars will be anyway, at times i wonder how we all survived without all these driver aids :think:

Engines are a 1.3, gearbox is probably just a 4 speed (not sure if the 5 speed box ever went into production?) smiles per mile they are hard to match, let alone beat.

I have rebuilt (shell up) and rallied them in the past, rot is your biggest issue as you will be looking at a 12+ year old car, if you can find one that has been loved and is not rotten then go for it.

Yes safety items are not up to todays standards, but then not many 12+ year old cars will be anyway, at times i wonder how we all survived without all these driver aids :think:

Engines are a 1.3, gearbox is probably just a 4 speed (not sure if the 5 speed box ever went into production?) smiles per mile they are hard to match, let alone beat.

This is quite true, even modern cars (French ) of the mid 90's are pretty poor. I have done the mature "they are not safe bit" but, I have to say, what massive fun to drive.

In an examination of accident crash stats about 8 years ago the original Mini had the highest percentage of deaths and serious injuries of any car on the road.

Personally there is no way I'd want my other half in one.

Basically if you have a big smash in one your getting steering column added to your lungs not really ideal

I'd have one mysel but never for the mrs.

The one Hammond drove in the top gear Indian special would be great.

Iconic motoring at its best.

Tell her to stick with a 500, they're cracking cars and I'd love an Abarth.

Try and get a Mini ERA.Very limited edition that came out when i worked for Rover back in the day.It had the MG Metro Turbo engine in it.They are as rare as chickens teeth though.

http://www.eraturbo.co.uk/

I'm with Bossfox. Avoid old minis at all costs as they're potential death traps, especially if involved in an accident with another car- search out the crash 5th gear did with one, so they shouldn't be considered as a daily drive. If she's really set on a mini get her a modern one and another private plate. It's just not worth the risk IMO

I'd also add that since those figures were produced the number of taller SUV type vehicles on the road has multiplied by a considerable amount.

I dread to think what would happen if an old mini hit a Yeti, never mind something like a dozy mummy driving an X5 bumping into you...

Not great cars. I had mates with a few of them, old 'uns right up to the last of the Rover Minis. Plagued with elctrical problems, unbelievably heavy steering, slow, death traps etc.

If she wants a classic car there are better options.

I loved the Mini. Iconic, easy to maintain and a hoot to drive.

And like many cars of its era, very prone to rust.

But park one alongside a BMW Mini and you quickly realise how small and vulnerable the Rover Mini really was.

It's design dates back to the 60's, long before crash protection became a consideration.

I'd have another Mini in a heartbeat - but only as a show car and not a daily driver.

from Gizmo68

"at times i wonder how we all survived without all these driver aids"

An awfull lot of people didn't, lost a few friends and workmates in the 70s - 80s, and was very lucky not to have joined them, Tractor vs mk2 Cortina in 1973, Tractor 1 - Cortina 0, JT week in hospital and 2 months off work.

I had a few mini's. 1275 GT being the one, we made all sorts of tweaks to it, went rather well too, it was white with a dk green roof. MNC646P if it is still out there somewhere.

Anyway, if you are looking for a proper Mini and not a BMW, check out these guys, the have some extremely well sorted examples of Mini's.

http://www.minigenuinecars.co.uk

re MNC 646P, 'white'.

It looks like it was 1991 it was last on the road.

Still showing, but as unlicenced.

I hope its still sitting someplace and complete.

http://www.minimart-gateside.co.uk

george

I know a few who are a bit rose tinted over Mini's and I've only seen one perfect one recently. Plenty of David and Goliath type stories about them but that was a awfully long time ago. Most are have rot in them standard. Both my parents had them growing up and loved them. Both have said the Swift is the closest they've come to some similar because it's light, fairly basic and handles well. Never driven a 500 but guessing it's similar. Safety wise they will be crap. I wouldn't be surprised they would be as potentially dangerous as a bike but a bike has the power and size to avoid stuff quickly. A mini wouldn't. I did contemplate getting one a few years ago but were silly money. A Morris 1000 was also on that list but I'd have to upgrade to disk brakes all round though

I'd avoid one for all the same reasons I didn't get the other half a 106 Ralleye/GTI as a runaround when mini-DBW #1 arrived and we had to get rid of the MX5.

I have a 1979 mini pick up,i only use it as a weekend fun vehicle & its a bit of a investment,it puts a smile on my face every time i drive it,i wouldnt use it as a daily driver though. You are at risk in any classic car if your involved in a accident with a modern one but it would be a boring world if people didnt keep classics on the road & use them to enjoy them.