so there is one for sale 70k miles
RECENTLY REBUILT 1275 CC 4 CYL ENGINE IN GREAT SHAPE INSIDE AND OUT.
only for 7200$... i am going to go see it this saturday
any advice? things to check for? how to know if its in good shape. its my first time looking into classic minis

 

That sounds very good -- presuming of course that the car is actually in good condition. One might ask why the motor needed rebuilding at 70K. Usually only valve work is needed at that mileage, but perhaps the age is more of a factor than the miles. But for $7200 you may have found yourself a very good buy.

I hope its a good one -- post pictures please.

You want to look mainly for rust. Take a good magnet and check the panels under the doors, ahead of the windshield, and along the lower edges of the rear windows. You also want to listen carefully to the gearbox -- see if there are any crunching noises -- and listen for driveline "lash" which could mean the outer axles will ned attention soon. But the main thaing that would kill a deal for me would be rust or a lot of bondo in the car. Everything else can be replaced or rebuilt. But rust is insidious -- once it starts, it seems to progress through the entire structure with a vengeance. Don't be put off by dull paint, and don't fall in love with paint that is too shiny (Maaco style).

Gosh, I hope its a good one. If it has two SU carburettors -- buy it, or send me a note, and I'll buy it.

I hope to be in the market for a classic myself someday (assuming that I'mm not too classic myself by then)

 

i already have a 09 Cooper S, modded. But i really hope i can grab this mini its my favorite in the world. Its yellow too which is my favorite color. Im just hoping its not going to give me too many problems, because im not too good with fixing cars myself.

 

totally missed the middle part of your post lol sorry.. thanks for all that great advice.. and for the magnet i should hope that it does or doesnt attract? ( sorry im a big noob ) and what are those carbeutturs you were talking about?

 

Hope it does attract. If not, that means rusty areas have been filled with bondo instead of metal.

 

Im just hoping its not going to give me too many problems, because im not too good with fixing cars myself.

Unless you plan to learn - and have a place to work on the car - and the $ to buy parts and tools as needed I'd recommend you give this some thought b4 you leap.

No matter what's been done repair wize you are talking a 39 year old machine that was originally designed to be a low cost product. The question is not "will I have problems?" the questions are when and what first!

However if you head down the road with your eyes open, it can be plenty of fun. Since getting OC I've been able to learn about engines, brake systems, suspensions, welding, body repair, carpet installation, wood refinishing, seat recovering, automotive electrical systems and increased the size of my tool collection many fold: welder, compressor, grinders, air tools, buffers, paint guns, stands, jacks. UPS guy now knows me by name and announces his arrival, "more Mini parts!" My 'need to do list' is plenty long an seems to add at least one item for every one I complete.

Recommended first buys: AAA membership and subscription to MiniWorld (excellent technical articles)

 

Now THAT'S some good advice!

 

i went and saw it. it was beautiful , the motor ran great, he pushed the pedal and nothing seemed wrong. hopefully i can get my dads approval and buy it quick. you guys think the value for it will go higher later in the years?

 

In this economy, its hard to say what might happen to future values. But when the car was new, no one would have ever imagined that a used one could command $7K.

If you buy it, you will have a lot to learn. If you learn it, you will have something that you can be very proud of for a long time.

And the skills you acquire will transfer to almost any mechanical endeavor.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the little beastie will put a smile on your face every time you light its fire.

Go for it.

 

Just make sure you either have a budget for repairs and a shop to take it to, or a place to work on it and the appropriate tools and someone to help you....

It's not just that it's a Mini, it's a 40 year old car - anything that old is going to have it's issues unless it's been totally rebuilt from stem to stern - and even then......

 

hopefully i can get my dads approval and buy it quick

we've discussed a new driver having a classic b4 and the above suggests you are just that

a classic is a terrible car for a new driver

zero crash protection

go find something with air bags and side door beams. An early Miata is a good place to start. Plenty of sportiness, air bags and all the modern safety goodies. And rock solid reliable as compared to a Mini . . . similar price range.

If I was your dad I'd be saying bad idea . . .

 

Do some research on the years so you know what differences to look for, also hidden spots you can look at to verify years. There are a lot of re-vins running around over, and I wouldnt touch them with a 10 foot pole. Basically people circumvent the import laws by switching vin plates and registrations with older minis so that they can get them over here past customs & epa. Perfect example is on ebay right now: 1964 updated to 2000 specs. 1964 had external door hinges 2000 didnt for an easy example. Good luck!

 

He says he has an 09 Cooper S too.....

 

He didnt let =( i was about to cry when he said no. He just kept complaining on how he doesnt want to pay insurance on another car. and how it would just be a luxury bla bla.
there goes my dreams

 

you can still have dreams

just accept that a classic is a toy - a somewhat expensive toy - and better had when you are paying your own bills

remember the bla bla part when you have kids of your own . . . my son got a Cooper S when he bought it - albiet at a reduced price from you know who - and was able to pay his own insurance and maintenance. Suddenly he has a new appreciation for things like burn outs, door dings, and traffic tickets (of which he has yet to rec'v the first but knows what it would do to his premiums )

 

So, go earn enough money to pay your own isurance, buy the car, pay your own repair costs, and while you're at it your own place to live. Then he'll have nothing to say about it, will he?

Till you can do all that, like every other adult, your "dream" will just have to wait a bit I guess. Anything worth having is worth waiting for, isn't it?

 

The nice part with classic Minis is that they were made for 40 years, so there will still be plenty around for folks like us to get our hands on one day. Don't fret too much if you can't get it today. Come up with a plan for how to pay for it all on your own, learn all you can about them in the meantime so you know exactly what you're looking for, and when the day comes that you get your own you'll be that much more proud of it.

 

A mk3 cooper S engine IF orignal would have 10 studs and 1 bolt (11 stud) head, tappet chest covers on the back of the block, Twin 1.25" carbs....

 

All of the above comments are right on target, and should be required reading for anyone thinking about buying a classic, whether as a DD or not.

However....I had one back in the day, and like anyone else who owned one then, mine was my DD, and I really had very few problems with it using it that way. But, for mine and most of the others back then the difference was, they weren't 40 years old, in fact they were almost new.

My point is, that if you want to spend the money for one that has been properly restored or if you want to do the same work, it can be a fairly reliable car. It will probably not be DD reliable, but it will be pretty good especially if you rust proof it properly, use modern ignition components, modernize the brakes and so on.

BUT, it will fold up like a paper fan in an accident, it wil never have even 10% of the safety of a modern car, it's easy-peasy to steal and it will require a pretty hefty investment to get it to a good driveable point. Fun for weekend rallies and such, and makes a lot of sense as a city car because of it's size and ease of finding a parking spot, but in no way comparable to the cheapest modern car.