I'm really wanting to learn more about the Classic MINI's such as the variations, how they differ from year to year, what the 80s and 90s models are like, etc. Could someone please suggest a link that would be a great crash course for me on the Classics, what years are the best to look for if I were to buy one, what issues I should be aware of if I buy one, etc. etc.

I just don't know where to start. Any help would be appreciated. THANKS!

 

Great information can be found here:
http://www.minimania.com/ArticleV.cfm?DisplayID=1797
and perhaps even this for more details:
http://www.minimania.com/web/SCatago...1/ArticleV.cfm

 

LOL go to the Free Classic Mini thread. I seem to be answering alot of peoples questions there

 

Theres some history here http://austin-rover.co.uk/

You want to look out for rust, everything else can be dealt with pretty easily with a little time and money. Theres that buyers guide at the top of the forum that should help.

You need to come to terms with what you want it for, speed,track, sunday driver, etc.

You also should determine what you are willing to spend. It's almost always cheaper in the long run to buy a nice one than to buy a project. If your budget is low at the moment, you could spend 2 years fixing a cheap one or you could spend 2 years saving for a nice one. Same result in the end but one route requires alot of work. Just some things to think about.

 

Thanks for the help! Basically what we (my dad and I) are looking for is one that has already been restored and in excellent shape. Little to no additional work would be required. It would be a Sunday driver primarily. We just don't know where to start!

 

I've been having issues with my internet for some unknown reason, but both of those links turned up to be dead links for me. Is it something on my end I need to take care of or are the links in fact dead?

 

opened for me at 0750 eastern

 

Still opened fine for me also- The page with 100's of cars for sale in various states of restoration or complete can be found here:
http://www.minimania.com/Cars4Sale_list.cfm

 

Now I've gotten it to work. Thanks! Some great information to look at.

 

If money was no object, I would go here and have one custom built and shipped to the USA. http://www.plmini.com/ex.htm
In fact, I'm thinking that my next Mini I will have done by them.