Where can I start looking for a classic mini
Were do people over here get them from?
I'm sure someone on Nam has done it and I was hoping for some help
Thanks

 

Hey ducho99,

I'm no expert at this... I'm only 5 weeks in front of you in the research process of finding a classic mini. But, FWIW, I would steer you to minimania.com, where you can check their classifieds for both private sellers and 6-8 different dealers spanning the US and Europe. There are lots of listings. You'll be entertained and confused for hours while surfing the world of umpteen classic mini variations

Don't know if I would consider looking abroad for a Mini. Depends on your personality. I think it could be stressful, risky. Looks like there's a lot of late model cars with mismatched VINs which, apparently, in certain states the DMV is sloppy enough to allow titling/registration of these amazing 1970 Minis that have airbags and electronic fuel injection...

Lots to learn and pretty fascinating. I bought two books from Amazon. Complete Classic Mini, and the Original Mini Cooper and Cooper S. These are great guides to the vast world of classics. I HIGHLY recommend them. If you haven't looked into it already, you may be surprised to find how many variations have been built in various countries other than the UK, as well as the variations of cars shipped to different countries. It's a lot more complicated than going out and buying a '68 VW beetle. Well, it can be, if you get caught up in the history, authenticity of particular models, etc.

Good Luck!

 

I have two '93's and am selling one. Shipped in from Germany, left hand drive, 1300 fuel injected, webasto tops, Black and 63,xxxkm/39,xxxmiles. Drives great, don't need two. Wives stopped potential buyers when getting them to Chicago.

 

Hard to find the right car and risky to do on your own. Photos do not always tell the truth. You can arrange inspection through the AA or RAC of your purchase for $300+-. Shipping can be arranged via Phoenix Cargo (London/Southampton).

I suggest you have the help of someone there. Try www.westpaminis.com

Also, contact Phil
http://www.sunshineminis.org/forums/...2004&highlight who is helping a couple FL SunshineMinis members with cars & parts. You might wish to contact 2phun on SSM as he is in the process with Phil and has most recently done the transaction completely on his own, too.

BTW, I've imported four on my own and this is my best recommendation for a novice.

 

www.classiccore.com is a good place to start with overseas. People successfully import cars from overseas, and it can be cheaper than finding a comparable car in the US. It will just take more work on your part.

 

I'v looked at the minimania and it seems that people want to much money for there classic and the classic mini sites are good but I rather cut out the middle man and save some money
Sure it would be more work to import but It's also nice to have a import and be the first to drive it here
I will contact Phil and Westpaminis also
Thanks for the info

 

This some great info
Thanks

 

hey ducho99. welcome to the clasic mini world..
I got my gem from riverhousemini.com in the Netherlands . its a 1998 spec saloon and if i had to do it again i would in a heartbeat. I dealt with the owner directly till the car arrived here in MD, from there Frank from mini Obssesion "his broker" in pa. picked up the car and did all the paper work and took the car to his shop and went over it ,after that 7 days later i had it thrucked down for $625.00 to south florida. I would recomend these guys any time. THERE IS A DEALER IN THE CAROLINAS STAY AWAY FROM HIM.
BAD STORIES ARE COMMING FROM CUSTOMER I KNOW PERSONALLY.
PS : FEEL FREE TO VISIT US @ minisofmiami.com you can pm: me for phone # we can go futher . joe j..

 

I checked the riverhousemini.com site as well, but they seem to sell quite high, and that's before shipping. Their cars all look great and all, but I see plenty of other cars that are already here in the states in the $13k-$16k range, and they all look every bit as immaculate in the photos (for whatever that's worth).


I must just not be seeng the "great overseas deals" that others are, I guess... Of course, I'm having little luck so far through MiniMania EITHER, so...

 

I just looked at river house also I can't do 13k
I don't want a rust bucket I want pretty solid body evey thing else I can fix myself
I would love to get a classic to track it and drive around town
Every mod on my cooper s I did my self I also changed my frount end that I killed at the Dragon this year so I know I would not have a proplem putting one back together plus a guy in my club own's one that he's had since he was a kid and he told me that that he would help me work on it

 

Keep it coming guy's the info has been great so far
Thanks

 

Looks like of you check UK and other European classified ads (sort of like MiniMania but specifically intended for UK drivers) then you can get prices about half of what River House charges. Maybe I'm not seeing the "big picture", but it seems like classics come in two "flavors":

1. Minis purchased by a large reseller like River House, which are cleaned up/repaired/God knows what else and then marked up 30%-50% for resale. Dealers here in the States seem to do the same thing at about the same markup, it seems like. Or...

2. Minis owned and put up for sale by private individuals. All such ads seem to promise "No rust!" (or at least "Minimal rust!") and are sold as-is. Scarier, since all you have to go on are photos, but I've seen prices as little as 1500 GBP, which even after the exchange rate and shipping is pretty good (about what you pay for a privately-listed Mini here give or take).

I'm in the same boat as you, Ducho - I can't afford the "restored" Minis and to be honest I'd rather do at least SOME of the restoration work myself.

Good luck to you - I'm having difficulties finding just the right car in my price range, but people tell me that it's just a matter of perserverance and time. I hope they're right...