What to expect from a Classic Mini?
1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Denver, CO
you guys make me laugh, ive had several classic minis and all I can say is that they are the greatest cars ever. I personally would suggest that you go and buy one that is not perfect. If it has a few rust spots and needs stuff like interior or paint then thats the one you want. Owning one that doesnt look like it just rolled out of the factory will allow you to take it to wherever you want to instead of worrying about door dings and scratches and large puddles....after owning one like that, you will get to know every square inch of the car and all of its mechanical aspects....once you do that then go out and buy that perfect classic you have always wanted...or make the one you have into the one you always wanted. I drive mine every day, my ''regular'' car only gets used when the weather gets nasty and cold.
Lucas electrics arent that bad. The factory wanted to keep the cost low but still wanted the Lucas electrics, being that they were the ones supplying the electrical parts during the war. All the problems ive ever encountered with electrics have been bad grounding points, a good wire brush and some sanding pads will fix everything....although there are only 4 fuses and a handful of wires to worry about.
Anything that breaks or wears out can be replaced very very easily. If you dont want to be doing the work and have a shop do it for you, it will cost you, but not as much as your 07 would if you had to have work done that wasnt under warranty. lets see, 1hr to change water pump at 100$ per hr vs 6hrs@dealer price for a new car.....
They dont have to be loud. My current classic is very quiet. Most owners like to stick on performance exhaust systems without thought to noise, they think noise is equal to performance, well just stick to the stock exhaust and you will be pleased, then go get yourself some soundproofing material and stick it to every metal surface inside of the car including the trunk and you will be pleased at how quite it can get.
The bumpy ride can be softened with the new coil spring suspension kits offered by the large suppliers of classic mini parts. some gas adjustable shocks and swaybars will make it ride like you 07 but handle just like it did before.
IF you need A/C it can be installed. Dont expect it to work as well as your 07 but it can be done, however a sunroof works quite well to circulate the air around.
Finally: Its an old small underpowered car, everyone driving around you will expect it to be slow and will blow past you regardless of your speed. I built a race motor for my last mini and it was fast but after a while I realized that it was pointless. Drive it as an old small fun car and you will enjoy it with the benefits of 40mpg
Lucas electrics arent that bad. The factory wanted to keep the cost low but still wanted the Lucas electrics, being that they were the ones supplying the electrical parts during the war. All the problems ive ever encountered with electrics have been bad grounding points, a good wire brush and some sanding pads will fix everything....although there are only 4 fuses and a handful of wires to worry about.
Anything that breaks or wears out can be replaced very very easily. If you dont want to be doing the work and have a shop do it for you, it will cost you, but not as much as your 07 would if you had to have work done that wasnt under warranty. lets see, 1hr to change water pump at 100$ per hr vs 6hrs@dealer price for a new car.....
They dont have to be loud. My current classic is very quiet. Most owners like to stick on performance exhaust systems without thought to noise, they think noise is equal to performance, well just stick to the stock exhaust and you will be pleased, then go get yourself some soundproofing material and stick it to every metal surface inside of the car including the trunk and you will be pleased at how quite it can get.
The bumpy ride can be softened with the new coil spring suspension kits offered by the large suppliers of classic mini parts. some gas adjustable shocks and swaybars will make it ride like you 07 but handle just like it did before.
IF you need A/C it can be installed. Dont expect it to work as well as your 07 but it can be done, however a sunroof works quite well to circulate the air around.
Finally: Its an old small underpowered car, everyone driving around you will expect it to be slow and will blow past you regardless of your speed. I built a race motor for my last mini and it was fast but after a while I realized that it was pointless. Drive it as an old small fun car and you will enjoy it with the benefits of 40mpg
Last edited by dhaines; Feb 28, 2008 at 08:37 AM.
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,539
Likes: 0
you guys make me laugh, ive had several classic minis and all I can say is that they are the greatest cars ever. I personally would suggest that you go and buy one that is not perfect. If it has a few rust spots and needs stuff like interior or paint then thats the one you want. Owning one that doesnt look like it just rolled out of the factory will allow you to take it to wherever you want to instead of worrying about door dings and scratches and large puddles....after owning one like that, you will get to know every square inch of the car and all of its mechanical aspects....once you do that then go out and buy that perfect classic you have always wanted...or make the one you have into the one you always wanted. I drive mine every day, my ''regular'' car only gets used when the weather gets nasty and cold.
Lucas electrics arent that bad. The factory wanted to keep the cost low but still wanted the Lucas electrics, being that they were the ones supplying the electrical parts during the war. All the problems ive ever encountered with electrics have been bad grounding points, a good wire brush and some sanding pads will fix everything....although there are only 4 fuses and a handful of wires to worry about.
Anything that breaks or wears out can be replaced very very easily. If you dont want to be doing the work and have a shop do it for you, it will cost you, but not as much as your 07 would if you had to have work done that wasnt under warranty. lets see, 1hr to change water pump at 100$ per hr vs 6hrs@dealer price for a new car.....
They dont have to be loud. My current classic is very quiet. Most owners like to stick on performance exhaust systems without thought to noise, they think noise is equal to performance, well just stick to the stock exhaust and you will be pleased, then go get yourself some soundproofing material and stick it to every metal surface inside of the car including the trunk and you will be pleased at how quite it can get.
The bumpy ride can be softened with the new coil spring suspension kits offered by the large suppliers of classic mini parts. some gas adjustable shocks and swaybars will make it ride like you 07 but handle just like it did before.
IF you need A/C it can be installed. Dont expect it to work as well as your 07 but it can be done, however a sunroof works quite well to circulate the air around.
Finally: Its an old small underpowered car, everyone driving around you will expect it to be slow and will blow past you regardless of your speed. I built a race motor for my last mini and it was fast but after a while I realized that it was pointless. Drive it as an old small fun car and you will enjoy it with the benefits of 40mpg
Lucas electrics arent that bad. The factory wanted to keep the cost low but still wanted the Lucas electrics, being that they were the ones supplying the electrical parts during the war. All the problems ive ever encountered with electrics have been bad grounding points, a good wire brush and some sanding pads will fix everything....although there are only 4 fuses and a handful of wires to worry about.
Anything that breaks or wears out can be replaced very very easily. If you dont want to be doing the work and have a shop do it for you, it will cost you, but not as much as your 07 would if you had to have work done that wasnt under warranty. lets see, 1hr to change water pump at 100$ per hr vs 6hrs@dealer price for a new car.....
They dont have to be loud. My current classic is very quiet. Most owners like to stick on performance exhaust systems without thought to noise, they think noise is equal to performance, well just stick to the stock exhaust and you will be pleased, then go get yourself some soundproofing material and stick it to every metal surface inside of the car including the trunk and you will be pleased at how quite it can get.
The bumpy ride can be softened with the new coil spring suspension kits offered by the large suppliers of classic mini parts. some gas adjustable shocks and swaybars will make it ride like you 07 but handle just like it did before.
IF you need A/C it can be installed. Dont expect it to work as well as your 07 but it can be done, however a sunroof works quite well to circulate the air around.
Finally: Its an old small underpowered car, everyone driving around you will expect it to be slow and will blow past you regardless of your speed. I built a race motor for my last mini and it was fast but after a while I realized that it was pointless. Drive it as an old small fun car and you will enjoy it with the benefits of 40mpg
Excellent comments on classic Minis! Spot on!
Neutral
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Yes, great viewpoint.
I'll make a few amendments though. Get a running car. Doesn't matter if it's an 850 Mk I or a 1275 MPI. If it's not running... you'll never learn enough to enjoy the car before the wife/SO makes you get rid of it.
4 fuse? Which Minis had 4 fuses? I got cheated... all my Mk Is only had *2* fuses. Made trouble shooting easy.
The problem with the old english cars wasn't the Lucas electrical pieces... it was the budget wiring harnesses. First lesson. Do not try to fit 10000 watt driving lights by wiring them into the headlight circuit. All you'll get is a tow truck ride home after dark. And hours of replacing melted wiring.
Don't drive the Mini to a first date unless you think you're new friend will appreciate the car more than the smell of oil/gas fumes will detract. If you can give her a ride in the car then the grin factor comes in and who cares if you use eau-de-Castrol for cologne.
An 850 or a 997 will have to strain to run with today's traffic (but once up to speed are peppy) but it's good to have enough grunt to keep up. Once you drive a classic Mini you'll be the ultimate Defensive Driver... always looking around to make sure none of the idiots will run you over.
Personally I wish we could make every Pickup truck, Suburban, and Hummer owner drive an 850 Mini for a month before taking their new rides home. I think we'd have more courteous drivers.
Just my opinion of course.
A well prepped 1275 is a different animal... but you'll still probably be beaten off the line by a "fast n stupid" wannabe. A race prepped 1275...well maybe you can teach the moron how to actually control their car. :D
Cheers,
Jim
Dallas
Land of big Hair and Bigger Pick-em ups
I'll make a few amendments though. Get a running car. Doesn't matter if it's an 850 Mk I or a 1275 MPI. If it's not running... you'll never learn enough to enjoy the car before the wife/SO makes you get rid of it.
4 fuse? Which Minis had 4 fuses? I got cheated... all my Mk Is only had *2* fuses. Made trouble shooting easy.
The problem with the old english cars wasn't the Lucas electrical pieces... it was the budget wiring harnesses. First lesson. Do not try to fit 10000 watt driving lights by wiring them into the headlight circuit. All you'll get is a tow truck ride home after dark. And hours of replacing melted wiring.
Don't drive the Mini to a first date unless you think you're new friend will appreciate the car more than the smell of oil/gas fumes will detract. If you can give her a ride in the car then the grin factor comes in and who cares if you use eau-de-Castrol for cologne.
An 850 or a 997 will have to strain to run with today's traffic (but once up to speed are peppy) but it's good to have enough grunt to keep up. Once you drive a classic Mini you'll be the ultimate Defensive Driver... always looking around to make sure none of the idiots will run you over.
Personally I wish we could make every Pickup truck, Suburban, and Hummer owner drive an 850 Mini for a month before taking their new rides home. I think we'd have more courteous drivers.
Just my opinion of course.
A well prepped 1275 is a different animal... but you'll still probably be beaten off the line by a "fast n stupid" wannabe. A race prepped 1275...well maybe you can teach the moron how to actually control their car. :D
Cheers,
Jim
Dallas
Land of big Hair and Bigger Pick-em ups
Neutral
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
MINIxB,
That's cool. I gave a g.f. a ride at the local autocross 12 years ago... after the run she turned to me and said "your driving used to scare me, but now I can see how well you control the car".
Granted, 55hp on a small lot only meant 30ish speeds.. but all negotiated without incident.
Cheers,
Jim
That's cool. I gave a g.f. a ride at the local autocross 12 years ago... after the run she turned to me and said "your driving used to scare me, but now I can see how well you control the car".
Granted, 55hp on a small lot only meant 30ish speeds.. but all negotiated without incident.
Cheers,
Jim
Coordinator :: South East - Florida
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,603
Likes: 0
From: Tampa, FL
Right on with the 1275. Before my conversion while she was running the 1275 was amazing for a Mini. There are parts of me that miss that motor greatly and I now have double the HP.
Do however expect to hate 2 lane highways if you have a RHD vehicle. Now this can be helped with horsepower and leaning to the center of the car to see around the car in front of you. That said on an interstate I can see far further than in anything I drive of car height because I am on the right side of the lane and everyone else is on the left side.
Many other good points by many people more informed and experienced than me. Just remember it is NOT a MINI. There WILL be issues, and they may not go away after the first repair. This is an issue with all vintage cars though.
I love mine, and in getting rid of my Cobra I am more settled than ever to keep it till it falls apart.
Do however expect to hate 2 lane highways if you have a RHD vehicle. Now this can be helped with horsepower and leaning to the center of the car to see around the car in front of you. That said on an interstate I can see far further than in anything I drive of car height because I am on the right side of the lane and everyone else is on the left side.
Many other good points by many people more informed and experienced than me. Just remember it is NOT a MINI. There WILL be issues, and they may not go away after the first repair. This is an issue with all vintage cars though.
I love mine, and in getting rid of my Cobra I am more settled than ever to keep it till it falls apart.
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