Hey guys, it is with mixed emotions I'm posting here. I've been on NAM for a few years learning and contributing what I could about my 05 MCS. Unfortunately, my baby, my poor poor baby, has been totalled. The silver lining in this seems to be that I'm probably going to opt for a classic Mini as a new summer car. So, I suppose my learning curve is starting over at zero.
I've found a car that I'm pretty excited about on MiniMania and have been dealing with the owner for a few days. I like what I've seen so far, and thought maybe one of you had heard of the gentleman, or his car. Here's the link to the mini mania page. Let me know if you have a feeling one way or the other. (As long as you don't BUY IT FIRST!!!) I appreciate anyone's input and look forward to getting to know this Mini community.

http://www.minimania.com/web/id/8427...ale_Detail.cfm

Thanks,
Matt

 

the owner is well known @ Sunshineminis.org

http://www.sunshineminis.org/forums/...ic.php?t=20064

 

John is a long time Mini owner and quite knowledgeable. I haven't seen the car recently, but John upgraded it a lot.

 

Thanks for the feedback, guys. John has been very upfront about the car, and I'm really excited to make it down and check it out. I'm in wisconsin, but plan to fly down and road trip back. Sounds like it could all come together!

Matt

 

Well if you do decide to buy this mini, you're getting a great deal. If I had the money, this is the kind of mini I would have bought. A well built 1380 will give you the scoot you want, and it's a well kept car. Keep us updated on this. It's always nic eto have a beautiful mini from our community stay in our community and not go off to some random person never to be seen again.

 

when I bought OC in Fl I too planned a road trip to get it back to my then home in Norfolk. Things happened and I was unable to get that accomplished while at the same time being strongly encouraged not to try it. I eventually booked the AutoTrain as a very cost effective compromise which you may wish to consider. It would take away some of the miles at much lower cost then trucking.

AT meant I needed to drive from St Pete to Orlando the first day....I made it almost 50 miles before I was broken down the first time . I eventually got to Norfolk, with several new life experiences under my belt.

This link is an AutoTrain story that isn't mine. I found it B4 my trip and it turned out to be WAY too accurate.

http://tinotopia.com/things/cars/austin_intro.htm

One of our other classic owners around here bought his in Ohio and decided to drive it back to Vegas I recall. Didn't he make it about 3/4 of the way before loading it in the back of a Yall'haul cuz the rear subframe snapped in half at highway speed?????

Classics can be in "great shape" but not ready for a cross country drive. It IS a lot to ask of a 30+ YOA used car.....and your body!

OC waiting to board the Auto Train in Sanford FL

 

Well, it looks like I'm committed. (or should be) My wife and I booked a flight down to Jacksonville for friday. I'm pretty excited!! I don't know that I could find a Mini that's more mechanically sound than what John's appears to be. He has also generously offered to do the regular maintenance on the Mini on saturday with me just to show me the ropes.
Capt, as for your advice, I'm gonna have to blindly and optimistically ignore it! Due to money and time circumstances I think I'm going to need to roll the dice. I figure, regardless of how well the road trip home goes, I will have formed a significant bond with the car! I'll let you guys know how it all works out!

 

Hey man, I hope all goes well for you please keep us updated on how you like it and what you think.
Kyle

 

Yeah. Please keep us updated, and take lots of pictures. We ALL love pictures.

 

ROFL that auto train story is hilarious. I love to sounds he uses to describe the car. So accurate.

 

Good luck with your new classic, and I hope your ride home is exciting, but uneventful.

 

I picked up my first classic mini this past weekend and I love it. I previously owned a 2005 EB MCS and enjoyed that car immensely. I'm looking forward to learning all about working on the classic minis and hopefully upgrading some parts in the future to boost the handling, braking, and speed.

The classic is a red Italian Job Edition with a 1275cc engine. The car is pretty stock other than a wood trim dash that I believe is not original to that particular model and a couple other minor trim effects. I've been told that its been switched to a carb from the fuel injection which i've also heard is a good thing? I'm a noob when it comes to all the engine stuff, but I'm excited to learn and looking forward to the adventures to come.

Can anyone point me in the right direction for manuals, information, or websites that can help me figure out what everything does from boot to bonnett. Any other tips or maintance information would be greatly appreciated. How often do you generally add oil to your classic mini? It seems to get low quickly. What performance parts do most people do first? I was thinking wider tires and suspension. Thanks for your help.

Ryan

 

Well, I did it guys. Flew down to check out the Mini on Friday. I was definitely NOT disappointed! The car was just about perfect for me. It was mechanically and structurally in very good shape, but could use some cosmetic TLC. This should allow me to mess with the interior while (hopefully) slowly learning the mechanics of the motor and electrics. Anyway, enough rambling, here's a pic!

 

Looks like a winner. Have fun with it on the way back to Wisconsin!

 

AWESOME!!!! I'm pumped for you. Hopefully some better pics and interior pics soon. I LOVE when people get a new mini. weeee.

 

Awesome Mini! Are you driving it back home or having it shipped?

 

I think his plan is to drive it back.

 

That's a really long drive...

 

Yeah. Seems like it would be a bit shy of 20 hours... yikes.

 

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Have faith-that Mini will get you home...eventually.

 

That's going to be a HOT drive. No A/C :(

 

Every Mini has A/C. Just roll those windows down all the way.