With Minis, the best advice I've ever received is:

"When they say 'rust-free Mini' what that really means is that you get all the rust for free!"

 

Hahaha... that's a good one. But honestly, what would yall offer this guy for the mini? I'm thinking of offering him $6800. I mean, it's in good condition, and it may run well, but it does have some rust, it needs new tires, and it has the small 998.. so, I think that 6800 - 7000 is a good offer. What do you guys think? What would you offer?

 

ask him whats the least he'll take and work him from there.....asking prices are just that. Take into account how much it'll cost you to get it home, don't buy sight unseen.

 

So what do yall think? $6,800 sound like a good offer for it?

 

The fact they did not paint under the front bumper tells alot. I would bet the boot has got the original paint as well. To further guess I would bet it has covercills.

As for not asking for tons of photos, What other multi thousand pound purchase would you make w/o all of the details.

I have bought dozens and dozens of minis long distance, I can tell alot from a few photos as all minis basically rust the same but I normally asked for about 12 key spots and even then the sellers would try and leave out the part of the shot I asked for.

One shot of each area under the headlights,
One shot of each roof corner
One shot of each floor with carpet pulled up and soundproof mat (if applicable) lifted, Also a photo of the back floors ALL THE WAY to the back where it meets the back seat base. A perfect floor can have holes back here even if otherwise perfect as the water sits back here.
A clear shot (use a light if needed) behind the battery box in the corner behind the tailight. The battery when charging releases a gas which is highly acidic and even a very nice car can have metal here which is almost rotted away completely. I have seen a few cars with only the paint forming the very back of the floor in this area.
A panels where they meet the top of the wing/skuttle, Also at base
Both inside and outside of the base of the doors and door opening base.
Inside both rear bins with cardboard liner removed.
Base of bood lid whilst open showing bottom seam.
Right in front of both rear wheels on bodywork.
Photo of both sides under doors to show if covercills or not.

You get the idea.

Peter

 

As for your offer price, I would not offer a dime until many more photos where shown, If the engine smokes or is an 850 then its way too high.

The economy in the states is in the dumper and there are tons of minis that are either for sale or going to be one sale when folks can't meet their mortgage payments.

Not being mean just being a realist.

pete

 

Take Pete's advice, he knows whereof he speaks...

 

well it looks like he's got an offer on the black one, so I'm looking into another one. I'll be posting some pics pretty soon, thank you guys can give me another round of good commentary. I asked the guy for some good pics of some very specific trouble areas. Hope to see as good of comments as the last one brought about. Thanks again to everyone.

 

Here's some pics of one of the cars I am looking at right now.

 

The interiour is an improvement!

 

MyMotus, check out the guy's full website for a history of the collision repair on that car.

 

in pic 7.....where's the headliner?.....looks like there might not be one.....or the rear corner panels are missing .....actaully you can see it in pic 6 if you look at the top of the pic....No headliner

 

yeah, Norm you are right. This car needs a little more work. I posted these pics before looking at the one you referred me to norm. I am seriously contemplating that other car, but I might need to make a flight to its location to take a first hand look at it.

 

if your talking about the one i refered you to, it's definatly worth the money.....i also know of another one in my area the has a 1275 and disc brakes....in very good condition for 7500.00, so if you make it to town get ahold of me and we can meet up and i can show you where it's at and arange a test drive for you....but i think the one i refered you to is worth it more than the other

 

Norm, that other one is sold. Thanks for the lead. I just couldn't get funding together and I'm so far from it that I would have needed to get a plane ticket to go see it. What are your opinions on this one that I posted above. I know it's missing the headliner and the panels on the back pillars. How hard would it be to track down those parts? I checked a few mini sites that I know of, but I haven't found the pieces anywhere. Besides, I can use those points to lower his asking price. And it's only about 3 hours from my house. So all honest opinions are really appreciated. I am getting VERY serious about buying one of these little guys and this one looks fairly promising. I don't mind doing some repairs. I am very car savvy, and I LOVE doing work on the car. Even if it's small things every day. I'll list the specs I was given on the car in my next post.

 

1992 spec Mini Cooper with valid Indiana title as 1966 Austin Mini. No rust. New panels, new paint, new custom interior. Burl wood dash and trim. Spring suspenion and hi-lo struts. New rear subframe, new 13 x 6 wheels and tires.
Mini
Cooper
Sedan
1275
manual
US $8,000

Any help is very greatly appreciated. ALL of you guys have been so helpful. It is really making the process of buying one of these little guys so much easier.

 

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