whoa!! thats huge!! I think for us mature blokes it's around $350....

Thanks for all the advice, guys... I was thinking $7k was gonna be too much for me to spend anyway. Besides, called him yesterday, and he had driven it home from the North Shore in the traffic and the front-left original (!) brake hose had basically disintegrated... had to limp it home with no brakes. He was thinking of either just getting newer drums all 'round or doing a disc upgrade on it.

So the general idea seems to be get one for a grand or a couple grand, keep the Falcon, and do the Mini up? Main problem is, I don't know the first thing about doing Minis up...lol. Probably rely on lots of help/advice from you guys...

What's best to look for? A roundnose, not too much rust, engine preferable? I know there was another post on this, but for higher-price-range cars.

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"If a kid asks where rain comes from, I think a cute thing to tell him is 'God is crying.' And if he asks why God is crying, another cute thing to tell him is 'Probably because of something you did.' " - Jack Handy

Plus, I paid about $250 for rego in October, along with about $600 for third-party-property insurance with Allianz... and it costs me about $50-60 a fortnight in petrol.

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"If a kid asks where rain comes from, I think a cute thing to tell him is 'God is crying.' And if he asks why God is crying, another cute thing to tell him is 'Probably because of something you did.' " - Jack Handy

Ahhh the joys of youth...NOT For the record my greenslip was $268 (the joys having all policies with the one company)

All parents just worry there teenage kids will go and do something rash without putting thought into it so just show them you are serious and willing to be responsible..

Good luck with it..I'm sure the guys here will help ya out they're a gorgeous bunch of fellows..

For 7k i would call ozcooper and buy the late model(carb not fuel injected) ex japan mini for 6k and have the rust and paint sorted for another 1k. for that you will have a very neat mini, with a 1275, with disc brakes, with air conditioning and a very nice car. That my opinion, spending 7k on an older model you would expect it to be really nice, that one looks like a flow coat paint job with a big tacho! Interior is pretty well std ect etc, you can do better.

Cheers

aaron

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Six months ago, my parents were totally against me getting a mini, but I still joined the Victorian mini club bought tons of models and magazines, etc.
The other day, my dad came in to look at minis for sale when I was on the internet. He took interest in the imports with aircon, and said if I got one, he might kick in a small amount of funding in exchange for driving it during the week.

If you can convince your dad that he wants one, it'll make life easier.

He's already got a 100 Series V8 LandCruiser to drive during the week! Now why would he ever want to drive anything that handles like a Mini, when he's got a LandCruiser?!? 2-and-a-half tons of sheer sportscar-handling-like brilliance...

* Wipes up the dripping sarcasm *

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"If a kid asks where rain comes from, I think a cute thing to tell him is 'God is crying.' And if he asks why God is crying, another cute thing to tell him is 'Probably because of something you did.' " - Jack Handy

I like the idea for someone like you to get a late model one, but learning mechanics on a mini is dead easy, they're really simple, the guys on here from sydney seem to be really generous with their time and will help you - we're all for preserving minis, and keeping interest in them up amongst as many people as possible - cos when the "get the old cars off the road" bastards come along, we're gonna need an army!

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

What about this one? http://carpoint.ninemsn.com.au/DesktopDefault.aspx?UsedCarID=681942&TabID=3328&Alias=carpointau

Or there's the http://www.miniclub.com.au with a couple of cars around the $5k range if that's to your dads liking.

My wife was the same... "why does it have to be a mini?"... "can't it just be any car?" but I think she saw the look on my face when she asked those questions. she finally gave in

EDIT: oops... change the img to url

I think the Mini is unique (or rare, at least) in being a car that you can love, but will also love you back...lol

How 'bout this one, off miniclub.com.au -

Mini Deluxe 1968 25th- November-04

Cooper S running gear. 1275 engine with unleaded head. Engine and gearbox rebuilt 16 months ago through Mini specialist at Seven Hills receipts). New rubbers, tyres(yokos), brake booster, windscreen, bumpers. Also has disc brakes, twin tanks, extractors, Delorto Carb, Oil Cooler. No rust in doors, bonnet, boot. All receipts available. Does have some rust in body repairable). Wife says it must go for new kitchen.

I'd prefer to keep it but will except $5500 ONO.

Contact Dave on 88164508 or Glenn 96215113.


...? Disc brakes with a booster...must stop well. I guess depends on the extent of the rust and condition of the suspension/shocks, as it doesn't mention those...

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"If a kid asks where rain comes from, I think a cute thing to tell him is 'God is crying.' And if he asks why God is crying, another cute thing to tell him is 'Probably because of something you did.' " - Jack Handy

lol...that one has been selling for ages too, if it isn't sold already.

The good ones go real quick....(Doogie buys 'em all.... )

I agree with Chris

Join the Mini Car Club of NSW. There is so much of a wealth of knowledge out there in the club, and on here that you can't go wrong. Also, I notice you live in Illawong - there are SOOO many of our members that live down that way and are extremely generous with their time and expertise - as everyone says, we're all about trying to preserve these cars and get as many people interested in them as possible.

We have a meeting on this Friday night check out http://www.miniclub.com.au or email me if you need any info, you should come along and meet some of the people there. (plus we have one of the new cabrios there on this Friday - sweeeeeeet )

This will show your old man you're serious and it's not just a passing fad. Also, there is usually a list of cars for sale read out at the General Meetings, so you may snare a bargain there.

Hope to see you there.

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Bob Slattery
Duffman Says A Lot of Things - OH YEAH!!

good idea Bob!

Can't take credit - Chris told him to join - I merely agreed!!

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Bob Slattery
Duffman Says A Lot of Things - OH YEAH!!

Didn't even see this before...lol. He used to have a Mini when he was around my age as his first car (can't remember the year/model though)... I think he said it ran like crap though...



I'll see if I can make it on Friday, my Falcon's getting a service (probably long overdue) in the morning, but it should be rearing to go by the afternoon...we'll see. It's not hugely far from here anyway...

_________________
"If a kid asks where rain comes from, I think a cute thing to tell him is 'God is crying.' And if he asks why God is crying, another cute thing to tell him is 'Probably because of something you did.' " - Jack Handy