Hey Guys,
My beautiful MINI was just totaled in a car wreck so as I was searching for a replacement, I ran across a 1982 with new engine (only about 40,000 miles). I'm very interested simply because of the aesthetics and nostalgia but it would be my only car and I have about a 40 mile commute to work each day (one-way), so I'm worried about dependability. Does anyone have experience with these classic cars and any advice? I've been very impressed with the people on this forum. Thanks SO much!

 

My advice - don't use it as a daily driver.

 

I wouldn't use a 28 year old car a a daily. Maybe if everything was brand new on it?

 

Dependability was NEVER the hallmark of the classic Mini. 1982 is a middle year in the production of them, for what that means.

Daily driver? Uh, no way.

Toyota, Honda and Nissan (or was it Datsun in 1982?), maybe. Anything else, nope ....

 

Please take a few minutes to read through the posts here. We typically answer these questions about once a month. It's easy ... just skim through the posts in the classic mini forum and thoroughly read all posts that ask how well a classic mini would be as a daily driver. Not trying to be impolite, just offering advice on how you can find answers to your questions.

Here's a couple of examples I found after reading your post and searching for the text 'daily':
* I want a classic mini, but......
* Largest Shot in the Dark Ever
* So a Few Questions for the Experts

Sorry ... tried to post URL links but they weren't working.

Cheers,
Jeff

 

My beautiful MINI was just totaled in a car wreck

Were you driving? If so, wanna guess what your situation would be if you were driving a classic instead of a MINI????? No airbags, no door beams, little roof strength, gas tank easy to damage, no crush zones .... face it, they are death traps.

My roll cage ain't just for looks, nor is the fire extinguisher mounted were I can easily reach it!

Bad choice for commuting in today's traffic.

 

i agree with others abt ot using as daily driver... weeknde only

 

Let the insurance company buy you another MINI, then of you want a Mini, get one for weekends and club events and such.

BTW, 40K on a Mini motor means it's a long, long, long ways from new - if that's what you meant.