does anybody drive their mini daily and if so how do you like it? what are your opinions on using a classic as a daily driver...

 

I've had mine for a bit over a month as a daily driver - the purchase was planned for a daily driver for the next 5 years so I'm on the front side of the experiment rather than the posterior. That being said, it is fun to drive but it's rustic. I'm fortunate to be in a position of having alternative transport if the need arises or the desire to drive something quiet and smooth develops, I can drive a spare and that matters for me...the comfort of insurance, so to speak.

In summary, what I love about my Mini (SmallZilla) may one day tire me (tight suspension, unrefined nature and characteristics of the car, all ***** style of driving, the conversation piece wherever you go, etc). Time will tell.

Keep in mind SmallZilla is Honda powered so I might not have A series oil leaks or Lucas wiring issues, BUT I'll still have a car that requires tinkering not all that dissimilar to a cat that demands to be petted.

 

When I had my Mini Pickup, it was used as a daily driver the majority of the time during days when it wasn't expected to rain or the temp was below 85. I had a leaky windshield and the slider windows didn't allow a whole lot of air movement. But on those days when the weather was reasonable, there wasn't a more fun commute around. As Meno stated, these cars do have charming characteristics about them, but those same characteristics can be annoying if you are looking for more creature comforts.

 

I too am daily driving my Mini, but I don't have the benefit of a Japanese engine like Meno - in fact, with all the dooh-dads he has on that thing, I'm not even sure he's in the same class as the rest of us. AC? Sound system? VTEC engine? Sheesh!

With me: so far, (over a month) so good. Great gas mileage and plenty of fun, but I don't plan to keep drivig the classic when the rainy/snowy season begins (November/late March here) I need a stereo BAD though...

 

I used to drive my 998cc powered car quite frequently. With a "cone" style filter on the carb and a "Cherry Bomb" exhaust (only a single resonator - no real muffler to be found!) it was rather loud. If you were at anything other than part throttle you couldn't talk to anyone in the car without yelling. Sure sounded cool - but 45 minutes into a long drive it would get rather tiring.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TR8oljSXeY

It sounds a little bit tinny in the video. It was a bit more bassy in person. Used to poop little flames under engine braking though. I always thought that was cool. Well, in a dangers "too much gas going through" kinda way, but still cool.

Minis can (and are) driven daily. It just comes down to what you're willing to sacrifice in creature comforts. If having a fun drive is more important than a really comfortable drive, then I'd say go for it!

I'm planning on driving my "new" Mini at least once a week to work plus small trips here and there - of course Mini meets and things like that. I was told I can't make it loud. Hahahah.