i was browsing minimania today and i noticed this... http://www.minimania.com/web/id/7625...ale_Detail.cfm
its $7400 american or best offer. im really interested in this baby, and it has most of the work already done. if i can get the price down to 3000 pounds, it will only cost me about $5800, which is not bad at all. tell me what you guys think!

 

How's this, you better buy it before I do! Haha, just kidding, that looks real sharp!

 

If your not outside the US, I'd forget about it. The only way to get it into the US is re-vin'ing the vehicle, and if you get caught, I think its a $50,000 fine, 5 years in jail, and they crush your car. Do a search on this website about the subject, my suggestion is either buy a car already in the US, or look for one abroad that is over 25 years old. Keep in mind though that shipping is expensive, usually around $2000-2500 from what I have seen so far. I have two in the UK now, and decided I'm only bringing one back with me, my truck. My suggestion if you want something cool, look for a van or a pickup. They are out there, and they are always going to be worth more than a saloon.

 

3,000 quid = $6,000 plus shipping ($1,200+) Then you must pay to get it to port $300-$500 minimum and then add miscellaneous fees/charges. You then pay some fees at port in the US and have to go get it. You likely would have to spend $8,000+ to own this car of unknown quality.

1. To import, a Mini must be 25 years old or older. So it must have been registered prior to February 9, 1983 (this is a "rolling" date).
2. Before buying any car in the UK have it inspected by the RAC or AA. Costs about $300. You'll get a full report on the car.
3. DO NOT believe photographs.(ask me, I know) The car will never be as nice as a picture. That said, ALWAYS get a full set of photos on any car prior to purchase. By that I mean at least 15-20 of the outside, inside, undercarriage, under the carpets, in the rear bins, engine compartment, boot floor, etc etc. You can never get too many. If the seller refuses to give you such a complete set, MOVE ON.
4. For shipping check with Phoenix Cargo (Southampton/London) They can arrange pickup of your car, delivery to port, storage -if needed, shipping via RORO and broker in the US (if you want). Excellent & reliable! Cost is about 600 quid just for shipping ($1,200).
5. Newer Mini are not necessarily less rusty. Some of the rustiest Minis you will find are 1990's.
6. A MPI engine Mini is useless for your purposes. You can't service the computer and the block doesn't have provision for a distributor. So you'd need to swap motors.

I do not recommend that a first time Mini buyer try to import. It is very risky and much can go wrong. Even with a contact things go wrong (ask 2phun).

You can find a similar car here in the US (even a 1999, don't ask ) Before buying a Mini, go inspect it personally. Take a knowlegeable Mini owner with you.

Better to spend more $ up front & get a Mini that's done. You'll pay less in the long run than to do it yourself and pay shipping. So take your time. Save your $$$. Learn as much as you can about classic Minis before pulling the trigger. Better to have a reliable, running car that you can enjoy as your first than a basketcase or problematic Mini.

I know of one or two Minis in Tampa/FL that would be suitable and that have some mods already done.

http://www.minimania.com/web/id/7629...ale_Detail.cfm

http://www.minimania.com/web/id/7606...ale_Detail.cfm

http://www.minimania.com/web/id/7545...ale_Detail.cfm

http://www.minimania.com/web/id/7598...ale_Detail.cfm

http://www.minimania.com/web/id/7544...ale_Detail.cfm

 

Thanks for the info, your making me have second thoughts. i didnt know i cant service the computer. those minis all look real nice, especially the first one. thing is they are all out of my price range. im aiming for something less then 10,000 dollars

 

Prices are all "asking" prices subject to negotiation....

You should be able to buy a very nice daily driver Mini for under $10K if you are patient. Best to go to Mini meets, if possible. Spring Thing 13 in Orlando on 2/22,23,24. Then Mini Meet East in Maine in June and Mini Meet West in July. Check with local clubs, too.

 

Says SOLD? Anyone here buy?

 

are there any mini clubs in NYC? i know that theres a guy a few blocks from me that has one- i should try to find him

 

Check out http://www.limeny.org we are on LI and our Feb meeting happens to be on 2/13 in Glen Cove.
Drop me a PM if you want more info. We usually sit around in a diner from 7-9 talking cars, usually Minis and plan to do a few runs every year. Also keep May 17 and 18 open, we run a big MINI/Mini show (info at usminiclub.us) in Bethpage where we usually have 15-20 classics and double the # of new MINIs.

Not any cars for sale on LI I know within the club, but a few of us always have our eyes open.

 

damn, im in school on the 13th, but on the 17th and 18th, its the weekend. ill make sure to get out there with my dad- might just make him more enthusiastic about me getting one

 

You guys are great with all this information. I went out on the LIME website and see they have classics for sale. Please anymore information you have... keep it coming.
Thanks!

 

http://www.minimania.com/web/id/7638...ale_Detail.cfm

Just found that beaut- anybody got any ideas on it? thats my ideal car right there (price and features wise)

 

Nice looking car. Here are some more pics of it...
http://mynewmini.com/minis.html
Not sure if the owner bought this from Jimmy Singer (the link I attached) or if he works with him. You may want to talk to Jimmy either way. I talked with him a bit back when I was looking for my car a few years back... seemed like a good guy.

 

Wow, considering the seller fully acknowledges it's a '96 that has been registered as a '71, wouldn't that also make the purchaser culpable in case a DMV person found out and decided to do something about it? Might be a bit risky, since it has been posted on a public forum and all. That is, if the re-vin'ing issue is as taboo as it was earlier mentioned (this is the first I've heard about it, just pointing out the potential risks).

 

thanks for the pics. the engine looks pretty odd and clustered to me so i may swap it for a 1380 if i get it.

 

the motor is a 1275 SPI (nice mix of "modern" electronics and 1960's engineering.) Actually a very good motor as Mini's go. Pretty reliable in it's stock form plus you have the ability to go back to a carb setup without too much work.

 

Thats good, since i prefer carb over injection. what HP this have?

 

What I've gathered from reading ReVin debates on various forums, it appears to be a theoretical debate without actual experiences to support either side. (I'm not sure I would want to step up to the table and openly discuss that matter if I had such a car).

FWIW, I was tempted by '96 model a year ago located in a southwestern state. Amazingly, it was registered and titled as a 1996, including it's real vin number. But after talking to a mini-enthusiast, who's also a retired state highway patrolman, he talked me out of it--logic being that if "The Feds" were ever to "crack down" on gray-market cars, this particular one would be the easiest to find, as it already exists in the DMV databases as an illegal. He did not recommend ReVinned minis, but commented that at least they are "under the radar" and don't show up in DMV databases. Sounds like some states are very relaxed. This person had regular name brand auto insurance and said that the insurer noted that it was a gray market car-- but no big deal. Somehow I can't imagine it would be so relaxed where I live.

 

how about for new york? so far what ive been hearing is theres no REALY legal way to register one of the newer models... why not?

 

Foreign trade agreements (or lack thereof). The Mini was not a car that had legal rights to be sold here in the US. Importing a vehicle manufactured by a company that doesn't have the right to sell a vehicle here is looked at by the government as a way for that company to avoid paying tariffs and a way for the govt to miss out on more $$$. Therefore they won't allow vehicles to be imported that were never legally sold here.

The way to get around that is for the vehicle to be more than 25 years of age (or have a VIN that meets those requirements). At that point, the limitations are lifted.

 

I've seen the Blank VIN Plates, how would i go about revinning a car? (what vin number etc). is it legal? dont people do this when they build a car up from scratch?

 

http://www.minimania.com/web/threadi.../msgthread.cfm

 

not really sure how that thread helps me, mind elaborating?

 

this thread started with you looking for a mid-90's Mini. Well, there's one there (a 93)...and vouched for by a couple stalwart Mini owners whom I know & trust their judgement (Hugh-Dr Mini, David-hotelcalif)

 

i sent him an email askin for some pics. I might end up bying my great grandmothers mini, which im pretty sure is an MK1 in AMAZING condition, one owner garage kept all its life with window seals armor alled to avoid cracking etc etc (this is a GREAT thing to do). if i cant buy that one, then ill buy something else seeing as how they dont like them very much in Malta and can be bought for about 150 bucks or less, but dont go buying them all lol.