I am thinking very seriously about purchasing a CMC sometime in the near future.
For the past couple of months I have studied & made phone calls to CMC web sites.
My question: Any members own a CMC, & if so, give me some feedback on their
drive, safety, ride, etc.
Thanks!

 

Well, if you like the way your New MINI handles and drives you'll love a Classsic Mini.
Mind you it's a bit more raw and unrefined. You know you have the feel of the car when you grip the steering wheel. If you think the MCS with stiff suspension is hard, it's nothing to a Classic suspension. You will feel everything in the road. But more importantly is that there are many forms of the Classic Mini. In that I mean a MKI Mini is not as refined as say a late model 97 to 00 Rover Mini. Although Minis 59 through 00 may look the same, suspension, engine, and interior make them very different, add to that the infinite number of modifications that are available and have been done the difference from car to car is amazing. The best thing to do if your interested in a Classic is find a club in your area and drop in on a meeting or event and talk to and even go for a ride in a Classic and see for yourself. As far as the safety thing goes, remember early Minis were built when seatbelts were considered the only safety item one needed. The last point is maintenence. The Classic Minis are older cars and older cars need more attention. I've seen a number of people get into Classic Minis only to find out something always needs to be fixed and they have to try and find someone to work on it and after a brief period of time it becomes to expensive to keep. That's where clubs come into play. Being a member of a Mini Club helps an owner with numerous questions. In our Club (Arizona Mini Owners) from time to time members help out other members in locating parts and helping with working on other members Minis.
It's all fun, it's all MIni.

 

I used to own an Austin Healey Sprite, and when she was running, she ran great! Keeping her running good did take some time, and it was expensive. doing the work was fairly easy (keep an extra bucket of cuss words around for changing the oil tho

 

Good advice pflashinasz. My suggestion would be to surf around the www for a forum or one of the mailing lists on the classic mini. I'm in holland and have a new coopers and a old one from 1991 and that's not old yet but a nightmare to maintain. I have owned 6 classic mini's now but a really good one I still have to own one. I'm building one from the ground up at the moment but it's scarry what you come across and she looked very solid when I got her. So don't be scarred of now but realize what you getting into!! Good luck on your chase to the real mini feal.
miniac91

 

Hey, dbwilldo, thanks for the miniguy.com site link...I didn't know about it and it's actually local to me (So. Cal)...Coincidentally, I just past a classic cars dealer in Riverside yesterday that had a couple of classic minis on its lot....but it was late and dealer was closed, and there wasn't any price stickers...I guess that makes sense. Thanks

 

>>Hey, dbwilldo, thanks for the miniguy.com site link...I didn't know about it and it's actually local to me (So. Cal)...Coincidentally, I just past a classic cars dealer in Riverside yesterday that had a couple of classic minis on its lot....but it was late and dealer was closed, and there wasn't any price stickers...I guess that makes sense. Thanks

Yea, local to me too

 

Hey, local to me, too!

>I've actually thought about getting a group of New MINI's together and making the drive up

This would be big fun...I'd be there! Alfie's finally passed his break-in period and is ready for some serious motoring!!!

Cheers,

Leslie

 

Cheers!
Clover

 

dbwilldo: Thanks for the miniguy.com web site. Lots of good looking cars. Another
good one is Texasminis.com. I just type in Mini Coopers in Texas. Joey has some
great looking cars. I am planning a trip from Georigia to Texas sometime in April.

 

pflashinez: Thanks for your very correct imput. I believe I would want a classic built
the 90's. I am going to a MINI Club meeting & show in Florida in March. I am told
there will be at least 30 CMC's at this show.

 

Just remember to be legal, a classic Mini must be 25 years old or more. Yes, there's plenty of late model ones around. The cars have had a VIN swap. But, you assume the risk that the car won't ever be found. The penalty? Customs can crush it or you can ship it back to the UK. Got 10-15K to risk? Many do it. Chances are you won't get caught. The risk is on you.

There are "re-shelled" Minis also. It is legal according to a points sytem in the UK to transfer certain parts from an old Mini to a newer shell and keep the old registration. Be careful though.

For more info, you need to go read & search threads at Minimania.com. You will find this topic extensively discussed. You will also find many importers & dealers for classic Minis there. There is also a private sellers list of cars. Look for the Vancouver Mini Club also. MiniCityltd.com. The classic club in your area is MOALA they have a site and meet monthly.

Miniguy in Ca has an good rep. I have not heard anything bad about cars he's sold on the boards. In FL is DJMINS.com and pmustang@mindspring.com (Barnhill Minis)

 

MINIMAn: Thanks for sharing your knowledge. You sould like you have quite a bit of experience with the old Mini. I will certainly check these web sites and ask many
questions before I purchase one. This is something I will not rush into, as I have just now pushed my new MINI over the 3000 mi. mark.
If you don't mind, at a later date I will probably be sending a PM.
Many thanks again!