Sorry but this reply crossed current thread lines so I added another.....

"What is this classic worth?"

It is worth what you are willing to pay for it. Not a cent more.

IMHO, if you are aking others to justify the cost, you already know the answer....NO.

These are not cars that have a Kelly value, that you can take to AutoMax and unload in 15 minutes.

When people ask me what mine is worth I just ask, "what are you willing to give me."

If there is no buyer willing to meet your price the car has NO value...... I may believe my car (house) is worth X but if after 6 months with no offers, MAYBE I need to reconsider.....

If you can buy it for X and feel confident you could sell it the same day for the same, or better, price; buy it. If not; don't.

On the other hand if you are happy with the price but want to know about supportability, fine...ask those questions. A very late (illegal re-VIN) Rover MINI may .... MAY .... be unsupportable due to lack of US dealers / mechanics. Can you DIY if/when something goes wrong????? The older models are pretty simple and very DIY'able. One with injection and an ECU ...... maybe a bit less. Your choice .

Do note that the current 'word' on classics is that the prices are going up....see the latest issue of Classic MotorSports..... {but is a 1999 Rover Mini a classic?????}

Was it built before BMW sold the first new MINI? Yes.

Prices on classic Minis are all over the map. There's a thread on it over at Minimania right now. You can get a decent driver for around 5k, but to get a "nice" car I'd guess you're looking at closer to 10... 15-20k if it's a restored Cooper S.

You're 100% correct though - it's worth as much as somone'll pay for it.

Shhh! Don't let this get out. If everything is worth what someone will pay for it, people who are appraisers of homes, autos, antiques, etc will be out of business. This could really throw a wrench into the already turbulent real estate lending industry.

Exactly - I was recently told by several experts that my house was priced all wrong

It sold in 4 hours for full price (and more)

I was then told the price I offered on my desired property was "improbable" but the offer was acepted w/out counter in 15 minutes.

Market research baby.....

[/quote]{but is a 1999 Rover Mini a classic?????}[/quote]

Here is my two cents on the debate of what a true classic mini is.
As it was explained to me by my English mini friends, the true "Classics Minis" are the black plate 1972 or older (MkI, MKII) models. All others from 1973 - 1995 are simply "Minis". In 1996 BMW took over Rover's Mini division and started building the "Modern Mini" These minis can be identifed by the ECU under the bonnet. The 1996 - 2001 (Y-Reg) are widely excepted by British mini community as minis because they kept the same traditional body style. The new BMW style minis (2001 - Present) are known as "BINIs"

Take this for what it's worth as I'm just the another miniac.

Cheers,

Ash

See and in my novice eyes, any Mini in the older body style (not BMW MINI) is a classic, regardless of whats under the hood. It keeps things nice and simple for my little brain.

What does this do for you?

It’s true that a mini is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it, as Kelly Blue Book has no listing for classic minis. Having said that, below is a simple pricing guide based off my three years experience searching mini venues in the UK for classic twenty-five year old minis. These minis were for Armed Forces service members who wanted them for shipped back to the states.

A true Classic (1959 - 1972) will cost the most around 5,500 pounds ($13k) fully restored. Where as the Modern mini (1973 -1990) fully restored can be had for 2,500 pounds ($5k). The (1991 - 2001) models will run 15,000 pounds ($30k) Usually these minis are re-Vinned as 1969 models to pass U.S. Customs. These prices are the top-end and the actual can be lower depending on what state the mini is in. {HINT} “Bubbles” means you will need to replacement the panel. No reputable British mini owner would use filler on a mini.

Another thing to consider is 99% of all minis on E-Bay have a hefty markup price. This is due to supply (UK) and demand (US). The UK sellers know we here in the US will pay through the nose for a classic mini, so they jack up the price.

I like the term "Bini". Works much better than "MINI", which I think is now being phazed out--right?

I'm a "classic Mini" novice, too, and it makes sense to me to call the 10'-long versions classic minis. Granted, it's a contradiction to call a 1999 vehicle a "classic", but in context to differentiating the 10 footers from the 12 footers, I'll stick with classic minis and MINIs-- unless enough people refer to MINIS as Binis, which IMO is certainly better.

You're certainly entitled to your opinions, but I believe a classic Mini is anything that was produced between 1959 and 2000. Breaking it down further only compartmentalizes what should be a good bunch of people. I don't think you're doing it, but I've seen others that take a really snotty eliteist stance on their partuclar mark vs others, and that's unfortunate. We need to attract MORE people to classic cars in general and not drive 'em away.

I have no idea what you mean by that. I must be a non-reputable Mini owner as well as a LOT of other people I know in the hobby.

You're a Mini hobbyist? That's like having kids and calling “parenting” a hobby. Minis are a way of life.

It is your responsibility as an owner to properly maintain the minis.
So, what are your plans for your minis? Do you plan on collecting them? Maybe do some auto-x racing? Or simply rebuilding them to original spec?

Do you plan on selling them when you get bored with this hobby? I hope not, as I would be pissed to buy a mini full of filler.

The most important thing the Brits taught me about fixing rust in minis was, filler is no substitute for metal. Minis flex and filler falls out. If your floor pan has rust holes, let me know how the filler hold the mini together.

Ahh... ok. I see whatcha mean now. Yes - replacing rusty panels with metal is a good thing!

My SPi car is the cruiser. I've got to work on the suspension a bit, as right now I think I have 4 worn out cones and shocks. Blech. I hate changing cones! My '66 S, (if I keep it) is going to be my little autocrosser. I may have to part it out though. :( We'll see how the next few months go on that.

I would agree with the logic of "classic" being the version prior to BMW acquisition of the Label-regardless of the age. Annoying to me is the internet search that turns up a BMW version dealer that has NO idea of the classics, but, is listed as "Classic MINI".

It seems to me that what muddies the water in this conversation is that there are really two definitions to "classic". . . . whether autos, airplanes, or boats, most organizations will define "classic" with age . . .25 years old or older let's say. . . that's fine with me on minis as well. . . .but when you talk about 1959 to 2000, it seems to me you are now talking about the "classic" design. . . or ORIGINAL design, body, shell, overall design. So when I think about my 77 Mini 1000, I consider it a classic by age / and the original Classic design. By all definitions, my 06 MCS is neither, but it is a super vehicle. I have had this discussion regarding aircraft and boats as well. . . it is good to recognize our "source" and then our "age" . . . works in a lot of places.

MaxfieldMini's Caregiver - Tom in Wheaton