I wanted to introduce my self after lurking for over a year now. I'm a long time Honda guy, who has always loved the Mini (original and new alike). I currently dd a 98' Integra Type R and I'm thinking about getting rid of it after finding out my wife and I are expecting our first child. The rather high insurance and never ending fear of theft has given me reason enough to look into something else. My question to this amazing group of motoring enthusiast is... Will driving a classic cooper ever compare to the overwhelming joy of my Type R?

Lets keep in mind that I'm not made of money and I'll be limited to a $10,000 budget. So please don't tease me with unaffordable B18C swapped coopers, as I'm sure the excitement would surpass any stock Honda.

 

I would recommend browsing Classic Mini Talk. Maintaining a classic tends to be quite a bit of work, and is not for everyone. But browsing around will help you decide.

You could probably find a higher-mileage Cooper in your budget, if you were patient!

Welcome to NAM!

 

With a budget of $10,000 you will probably be looking at '04 Cooper or older, although you might find a higher mileage '05. The "S" types will have superchargers, the automatic tranmission base Coopers will have CVT type gear box which you should avoid as replacement cost will be $6,000+ and there is a good chance with an older car that it will go bad.

I wouldn't think you would want a Classic Mini, they tend to be project cars hardly what a family needs for reliable transport.

If it were me and the Acura is paid off I would continue to drive it, MINI's get stolen also and I'm not sure the insurance savings would be enough to justify selling the Integra.

 

Thanks for the comments. I got a quote from insurance and it turns out $161 a year will fully cover a classic mini. I've ran across one with just over 10K miles. He's had it for over three years and "says" he's never had any problems. But it's an automatic. I'm not exactly thrilled about that, but beggars can't be choosers. I get to check it out this Friday, so we'll see if they are as much fun as everyone claims.

 

You can be a chooser. If you settle from something, you won't be happy. Keep waiting and searching. You never know when the right one appears.

Also, I just got back yesterday from a week long trip in Houston. While there, I made the monthly Houston MINI Motorin Society club meeting. Contact them and they can set you straight.

 

Your right about settling. But I can't pass up the opportunity to test drive it just because it's an auto. Plus this way I get to pick the owners brain, and I've got the "Minifinity" buyers guide printed up and ready to go, so I'll know what to look for.

I wanted to hook up with them, but they had their meeting (last Saturday) the same day we were finishing production on a short film called Influenza. Here's the trailer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2PIVKCXXww

I plan on going to the next meeting, as long as my schedule is clear.