I saw this on Chattanooga Craigslist. Are these dependable? automatic reliable?

1982 Mini Cooper - Awesome Car - $9999 (Hixson)

Absolutely fantastic1982 Mini. This fabulous car has a 1275cc engine, 12 inch alloy wheels, cold A/C and is automatic. This beautifully maintained Mini is black and white and has absolutely NO RUST. Has been garaged always. Mileage is 42,000 km, which converts to only 26,097 miles. Amazingly quite roomy inside and the interior is tan and is in excellent condition. Non smoking owners. This Mini has been very well cared for and is a steal at this price. This is a fantastic car and lots of fun to drive around town. Great conversation starter too. Am moving, need to find a new owner for this fun car. Call and come see/drive this lovely Mini today! Serious calls only.


I am unwilling to ship or accept unusual financial offers. Cash and drive. Call and come see this absolutely fantastic car. Make me an offer today!

Location: Hixson
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Posting ID: 3800009675 Posted: 2013-05-12, 1:45AM EDT Updated: 2013-05-29, 3:35AM EDT email to a friend
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well, let's start with a couple of basic facts

remember that the Cooper and S were limited production models. Only something like 3% of Mini's were Coopers

the 'true' Cooper and Cooper S models were produced from 1961 thru 1971. The later Rover Cooper came around in 1990, and a Mini must be 25 years old to import legally. So either the seller just does not know (iow it is not a Cooper, but another model), or this IS a Rover Cooper and a re-vin // grey market car. The later is probable IMO since the word air conditioning appear . . .
{reference May 2013 Miniworld, Special Issue: 50 years of the Cooper S. Article: Mini Cooper and Mini Cooper S Spotter's Guide}
in the reference, I don't see mention of ANY Cooper being offered with the automatic; but I'm not sure on that . .

The Mini with an automatic is usually described as a 'dog' - the auto tranny is a crude design and the power from the engine is low which adds up to 'not fast acceleration' .. add an a/c and well, do the math.

Here's a thread from MiniMania forums about Mini Auto http://www.minimania.com/msgThread/1...Automatic_Mini
there are more discussions there, look for yourself.

Then I'd look at the common repair manuals and parts outlets. Haynes only provides some basic trouble shooting tips and suggests problems be taken to the dealer . . .

I've seen articles about pulling the auto for a manual and for the most part it appears 'easy'. I don't think I've ever seem a parts house offering a rebuilt auto tranny - 4 speeds, yes and even aftermarket 5 speeds.

Some parts (beside the tranny itself) are unique to the automatic. For example the oil filter:
http://www.minimania.com/part/GFE104...AUTOMATIC-MINI

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on the other hand - if this IS a good looking and very drivable Mini I'd say $10k is a price in the ball park and maybe even a decent price depending on the car. Of course a used car is worth what a buyer is willing to pay and no more . . . IMO $7000 is the entry point for a safe to drive Mini. You can buy mine for $12,000



NO Mini is rust free unless it has just completed a 100% restoration and that car will cost you $35,000. So read up on the common rust places so you know where to look. Some rust is no problem and some is BIG problem . . . like real estate the key is location location location.

+++++
is a Mini reliable? Search here for the threads about wanting to buy a Mini for 'daily driver' . . .

got a link to pictures?

 

Haha, having delt with an 81' Automatic (including a full swap to another automatic unit after the 1st one failed..).. I'd never, ever buy one... It was suuuuuper slow..

 

Thank you for the information.
I don't think I will bother with it.

There is a photo on CL

 

Japanese export Rover Mini Coopers in the 1990's were available as automatic and with air conditioning.......however neither option was offered or available on Mini Coopers sold in the UK home market.