Hi. I have been looking through the forum here and appreciate all of the good info here. I have a 1972 Mini 1000 with a 1275 engine from a 1967 cooper s. It is not road worthy now, I have had it for about 6 years now and have not had the time to work on it. It needs alot of work. Most of the parts needed are with the car, though. Shortly after I bought it we had children (3 now). There just has not been any time for me to work on it. So I am considering buying a 2002-2006 mini for getting to/from work(currently driving a van that gets around 18mpg) and for weekends (i would store it in winter) and selling the old mini. I know someone who wants to buy it, so no problem there. Thanks for any advice you can offer.

 

I had a much modified, but still street, '63 Mini, with a 1275 motor. I like my new MINI, but I wish I still had my old one too. Keep your original Mini and make it like new. Get a new MINI later.

Dave

 

I own an 87 classic as well as a couple of the new MINI's. The classic is a Sunday driver, and I always thank my lucky stars when it makes it back home without some kind of problem. Definitely a high maintenance child. Go with the newer MINI's as your daily driver, and if you have the time and desire to restore the classic, go for it. If not, consider yourself lucky that you have a buyer.