Here's the ad:



1987 MINI COOPER, 46000 km, red ext, showroom condition, all orginal, imported from Germany, all service records, government inspected, runs excellent, must see to appreciate, serious inquires only, $11000 CAD obo.

That price is CAD by the way.

I know absolutely nothing about these cars. I love the new coopers but they are way out of my price range. The older ones look just as cool I think and would be a blast to drive. I also saw one run at a hillclimb race today and it DESTROYED most of the other cars there. It ran something like 1:35 and a lot of other pretty heavily modded cars were running 2:00. Obviously it wasn't stock but still.

I've been looking around the internet for some information on these cars but can't find too much.

I have a few questions that hopefully a few people on here can answer.

1. 1987 and low kms. Would it be fairly reliable?

2. What kind of engine does it have and how fast are they?

3. Stock. How is the handling compared to other, newer cars?

4. Are they livable as a daily driver? I'm 19 and don't have any need for a big car. Just want something that is unique and cool.

5. Is that a good price? Anything else anyone wants to throw in would be great.

 

You can check out the "Cars For Sale" section of the Mini Mover site (A Canadian site!). Some of these are in Canadian $ for 1980's MINIs. This may give you some ideas of pricing, etc.

http://www.big-al-minimover.com/cars_for_sale.htm

Otherwise, I can't help. Sorry.

 

You may have problems importing a car that new into the States. The newer cars all have to meet the government safety standards and your state may have additional pollution control requirements. For a novice it would be much easier to look for a car that's already imported.

As for a daily driver, it depends. If you can maintain the car and your daily use isn't too demanding it might be do-able. Remember it's still an old car and will have countless little things that could wear out...

 

stopatredlights is in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, and presumably would be driving the car there.

I believe the Canadian import rule is 15 years, which means anything 1990 or older is okay!

 

try this Mini club - its members can help you out...http://www.vancouverminiclub.ca/forsale/ads.html

 

The only requirement that I know of for importing vehicles into the states is that the vehicle must be 30 yrs or older. If it meets this requirement you do not have to modify the vehicle. If it is newer, as you mention your's is, then you have to make the vehicle meet specs for whichever state you are shipping it to.

-Not Paul!
(submitted via Paul! by BGBADWLF)

 

Read the thread. stopatredlights lives in CANADA!!!

 

25 years for US


my '79 made the trip from UK last year

I've previously posted a link to the DOT form that provides the exemption details and options.

First block says the vehicle is built 25 years ago or more.

.... & yes, he's in Canada .... different rules