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I have talked to several new MINI owners lately that have expressed an interest in the classic.If you would like info on classics I have been involved in Minis for 32 years and would be glad to help any way I can.From simple questions to helping someone find one.
At the risk of being "me too".....ME Too! Bought my first in 70. Glad to help answer questions. Thinking of importing? I've brought in 4 myself & #5 is on its way soon. Info on how to do it is readily available.
OK, I'm intrigued. How maintainable are they? I mean are they true do it yerselfer's? I get the impression that they have solid reliable engines and don't require "hi-tech" maintenance.
"What are your thoughts Hobson?"
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Mini Cooper S
May 2002
30K Miles as of June 2005
Mini Madness Intake
Cowl Vent Mod
Magnecor Wires
Alta Ignition Coil
Iridium Plugs
Skid Plate
... (what else can I buy?)http://www.quasc.com/notebooks/mini.jpg
Out of curiousity (and the wife mentioned that we might need one after seeing TIJ last night), what kind of money would I been looking at for a 90s Mini in the southwest USA area? Ballpark is fine.
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2003 LY/B MCS. 15% pulley. K&N HAI. One-ball exhaust. Fireballed ECU. Yellow tinted & stone-guarded factory rally lights. Black scoop, grille & boot handle. Yellow roof stripes & antenna. Rubber chicken antenna topper.
Would I get better milage if I had less fun?
I'm no expert, but from what I understand to bring a classic Mini into the country it must be 27+ years old...considered a classic or collectible car. Significant rebuilds can be done in the UK for a car coming over, but watch out for cars that are newer but are sold as an older car. (...replaced serial #s or something like that.) That's kinda illegal. Still, working through the right channels, bringing a MINI over can and is done all the time. Classic Minis are awesome, but a significantly rebuilt model can run $12-15K or much, much higher, say for a relatively original MkI. IMHO, for a bit more $$$ just get a new MINI...the safety features and AC are worth it. But for those who like to (or must) tinker, why not do it on a car that's simply awesome!!!!
Classics range in price from around 4K for a runner to 15K for a (late) model.Yes there are alot of illegal cars in the states.Something to be very careful of.Miniguy is a great source for the left coast.On the right coast your best bet would be Dion in Fl or Turky in Charleston S.C.Most anything legal you import from the UK is going to be a rust bucket.
My policy on buying a late car(less than 25 years old) is do not buy from someone importing a large number of cars.If you do when they get caught you will also be in their paper trail.There are cars out there that were imported on a one time basis by the cars only owner.Right now the legal car would be pre 1976.But there are several that have had the VIN changed.
If you were to get serious about a classic we should talk off the board.Some of this should not be discussed on a public forum.
A slight correction. The Fed regs are EPA = 21+ years old, DOT/NHTSA = 25 years old. Therefore DOT takes precedence. The newest "legal" car you can bring in is a 1978 registered on or before today's date. So it'd be 5/31/78 on the V5. This is a rolling date. I currently have a 1978 Mini Clubman Estate awaiting transport as it was first registered 11/1/78. So it'll be shipped in October. Watch out for your state's regs. CA is different regarding emissions and that's where you need an older car to be exempt. BTW< You can have a car inspected in the UK by the RAC or AA for around $250.
Shipping. None better than Phoenix Cargo http://www.phoenix-cargo.com/. Terry & Emma Pittaway are super and can arrange to pick up your car anywhere in the UK deliver it to port, store it, ship it RORO (roll-on, roll-off) to major US ports on Wilhelmsen Wallenius Lines, and assist in the paperwork & customs clearance. Or you may wish to do the paperwork yourself. It only takes 1/2 hour or so at customs.
You need a bill of sale stated in USD, the bill of lading from the shipper, and the either a V561 Certificate of Permanent Export, or the V5 registration document. Pay 2% customs duty on cars and pay port charges ($70). Tow or drive off in your Mini.
Prices. hotel is pretty accurate. But I think you can buy a 90's "reshell" now for $8-$10K. A local bought a very clean Equinox for about $8K from a dealer in Bradenton, FL. With the economy Mini prices are soft currently. It depends on what you want. A real classic Cooper S will bring mini of pittsburgh's figures. hotel's US dealer list is the best. Even if you buy in the US go see it or have someone inspect it.
Cruise ebay UK cars, the British Mini Club site, & other Mini club sites in the UK. Check out dealers such as Barnhill Minis & planetminijohn. Get a feel for real prices. Often there are deals. I've never paid more than 1,500 pounds ($2,500) for a car and have gotten daily drivers. But I'm willing to buy a clubman model which up until recently were somewhat less.
An example at 1,500 pounds (sans custom rims/tires):
>>OK, I'm intrigued. How maintainable are they? I mean are they true do it yerselfer's? I get the impression that they have solid reliable engines and don't require "hi-tech" maintenance.
The Mini is an extremely fundamental auto. Remember points & condensers? SU carbs? Parts are actually pretty reasonable compared to US cars. Also readily available especially in CA with access to Mini Mania, Seven Enterprises and also Craig's Auto in Vancouver. Then also Mini City Ltd in Rochester NY and DJ Minis in Ocala (MiniSport dealer). You also can import parts (even used) directly from the UK and sometimes the savings about pays for shipping.
A basic set of tools and some mechanical aptitude and you can make a Mini a daily driver. I used mine for 30,000 miles before selling it. Watch out for late model cars which are fuel injected & computerized. No one that I'm aware of has the diagnostic machine for them. So if something goes awry you may be stuck replacing sensors & parts until you stumble on it. But you can always convert it back to carbs.
Reliable? Yes. Most fundamental is to keep the oil changed in them as the engine & gearbox share the same 20W50 oil. Of course there's the Lucas (prince of sudden and unexplained darkness) electrical system. There are some challenges sorting an old Mini out, but an immense sense of satisfaction when done and you can't imagine the huge grin when driving it. Take a MINI grin squared!
There are some challenges sorting an old Mini out, but an immense sense of satisfaction when done and you can't imagine the huge grin when driving it. Take a MINI grin squared!
