Well, in a similar story to 68matic here, I'm still wondering where it is that I want to go
with my car and all the money it is likely to eat up.
I have run a few numbers in all different scenarios, and it looks as though im going to have to put around $5k into the 850 to have that mobile again, however by not doing things unnecesary (like rover dash, back seat retrim, etc), I could get out of it for 3. Those numbers won't include paint.
Other thoughts have been to get rid of the daily hack and buy another mini to
use each day, something ready to go. I could then attempt to repair my 850 myself, learn a few things along the way, get it mobile and put it onto club rego. My problem with club
rego is that when the car rolls out of the garage after a month of no use,
something is more likely to go wrong with it than identfy a problem earlier on in shorter random trips around town.

I'd like to work out soon what I'd rather do out of big bucks into the 850 (no mutant, but
something pretty cool) or a similar cost into another car.
Another problem (apart from lack of funding) is the insurance. To re-insure my car
if fixed on the cheap would be $800 minimum (doubled), and if I go a bit nuts on stuff to make the more expensive interms of insured value, it only goes up again.
I had a quote for insurance on a mini worth say $15k for round numbers,
and varoius companies want over 1/3 the car price.

Just for your reference people, "on the cheap" still includes new wheel bearings, shocks, tyres, safety first!

So much to think about. Just typing this out helps me a bit.
Thoughts, Comments?

Fact: $5K doesnt go very far when you're buying nice things.
Its sad, but true.
Yeah you can stretch this money by doing lots of the stuff yourself, but it really doesn't go far... as you know.

how soon do you need transport? Resto's take time...even rebuilds do too.

If you need daily transport, a rebuild may not suit.

Insurance is always a killer....but you MUST have it!

When I was 21 I bought a Commondore for $17 000. I was out late one night and put it into someones front yard and around a tree. No insurance. I sold the wreck for $7000. Total loss was $10 000 in 4 months

Harley, you know which way I would go with your options......but that's the most costly

Nothing is quick - my engine swap blew out from 6 weeks to 6 months. so if it is a daily then I'd be seriously looking at a reliable daily to replace it so that you can concentrate on doing a proper job of the resto.

Spend 3k on a daily driver and take the 850 off the road. you have 2 k to start the resto or tool up and then an unlimited amount of time to complete it to your satisfaction [your time being the only thing that is free in this equasion]

I already have an excel I use each day, so transport is no issue. I'm just thinking
of the possibility of selling it. It is worth a couple of thousand, however for what I can sell it for wouldn't get ma a mini reliable enough to use day in day out, without having
to spend more.

How old are you?

When I was looking at a Cooper S replica with a bunch of mods, Shannon's quoted me $970 with it insured for $15K full comp and I was 24yrs old.

_________________
Morphias.
_______________________________________________
If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space...

when you deal with old cars, you need to hang on to at least one form of reliable transport. keep your excel, save money along the way and you wont be out of pocket nor stranded.

im lucky because herman wasnt my primary form of transport
ive got the train, trevor, brothers car, parents car or brothers bike

since i have other forms of transport
4 years until im 25
3 years until my accident record clears
and the $4K would be more use in the mortgage

i thought i'd slowly save money up for it
and learn on the way

_________________
Inconspicuously Conspicuous
Appreciation without Depreciation
forever chasing clearer skies...

Im 19 and a rating 5 I think.
Another $15k mini from the 60's I could handle, the price above applied to anything
built in the 90's as an example. I'm thinking I'd still like a rover mini eventually.
(like I was looking for originally).

I'm running on a $6500 budget foe cheezel to do motor and interior. Am doing most of the interior myself except seats and headliner! $5000 alone for the motor grand and a half left for the rest! All on a loan from credit union. Have Hyundai Accent am running at the moment but once cheezel rebuilt she is daily. Doing what I can when I can! Think bout it! Motor fix no probs just maintenance then do the rest slowly! If no rebuild constant spend to fix probs and blow your money to quick!!!

Well, it appears I'm halfway to a solution.
I've been refused car insurance by a few (won't name) companies, and what was left was rediculously high on any car I may want within the 15 yo, $15k brackets.
So much for upgrading the excel. Not that I hate it.
Guess I'll just have to spoil the 850.