Oh and Cass - if you get a mini, make sure it has disc brakes. Especially for someone who is just out on the road.

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Starlet Conversion:
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15484

another thing is whether you buy a good one or not.. you could buy a POS commodore or corolla even...

theres plenty of s&$tbox minis out there, with "custom" wiring and tasteless and thoughtless modifications.. but thats true of many other types of cars.

buy a good semi-restored classic one or a late model low kms rover, get an independent inspection and you'll be right.

Why do i keep getting the impression that if i owned a mini and drove it every day not thrashing it, just driving it, it will have many problems and break down just about every week...sorry but thats what it sounds like.

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Quoat: Mick
"If drugs tell you that a society has too much money, then burnouts in commodores tell you that tyres are too cheap."

not at all, but you have to buy one thats not fu^%$d in the first place.
they are 40+ years old!

If you buy a crap one to start off with then yes you most likely will have many problems. If you buy one in good condition and regularly check/replace the oil and water then you'll be fine.

Ok. Well. I've been talking to dad and my brother, both car and mini enthusiasts.

I've decidded when I get my car and licence, that I probably will be wanting to drive into sydney on the highway. I'll have a 90km speed limit on me as a red P plater.
Over the last few days, dad and I have come to realise how much the train system sucks in reguards to the station we need to stop at (Rhodes), so driving for an hour vs taking the train combined with waiting around for 2+ hours. It makes difference when you start at 8am.

The discussion with dad troy and matt went along the lines of can I have a mini to drive on the highway etc.

It's been decided yes. Something about a different diff and I deffinately won't go with out disc breaks.

I'm not a thrashing car kind of person. I dont trust my driving ability if something did happen to go wrong, and I also understand the physics bit where you can't fit two pieces of stuff in the same space at the same time otherwise things can get messy.

So being someone that cares for their stuff, and wanting to maintain my car regularly and learn all that stuff. What do you guys think? Would the mini go the miles if it was the right mini, picked carefully and really looked after?

Cos I hope so.

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Talk is Cheap because Supply Exceeds Demand

For a daily commute along the F3 plus the 20-30 minute battle down Ryde Road to Rhodes, I would not be choosing a mini. Think about what you will do in summer (when the fires close off the road), or on Friday afternoons when the traffic jam to Gosford starts at 3pm on all the roads leading to the F3. You will end up regretting buying the car as there are far more comfortable options out there.

Get something japanese with air-con, it's the sensible thing to do.

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One should never skimp on the zip ties.

Yes and no.

things will go wrong, that freeway drive is a long trip that takes it's toll on ANY car.

breaking down on the highway is not a nice thing when you're a long way from home and there isn't anything around.

That said i would do it in any of my mini's no problem.

Spiro has driven to melbourne and back and drive me to work most days when it's not raining and i've had no real probs.

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Starlet Conversion:
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15484

What, like your little speedy beast?

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Starlet Conversion:
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15484

^^^ ROFL

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Ha, I didn't even think of that when I wrote it as I was thinking Corolla or 323. However I have taken my Rover up to Ozcooper on the F3 and I was basing my advice largely on this experience.

Minis are great fun to drive, but on a freeway sitting at 110 or sitting in a 4 hour gridlock, there are far better options out there in terms of getting you to and from work reliably and comfortably.

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One should never skimp on the zip ties.

I'm not too worried about air con and all those comforts.

I just want a mini.

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Talk is Cheap because Supply Exceeds Demand

1 - you want a mini

2 - you're not gonna thrash it

3 - your dad, bro and that chunkaspunk of yours have said yes it's gonna be fine

4 - looks like you've made up your mind already so there's no need to ask all these other silly people

22 KMs to school for me. 2/3 of the way is 100kph zone. Mini sits at 3500ish rpm in the 100kph zone, yes it's loud so crank the cd player.

Can anyone say 'La Grange by ZZ Top at 100kph'? Oh yeah.

Cass, you'll love it. Get a mini and have some fun!

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1964 Morris 850, 1330 Supercharged - 81.8hp atws.
1975 Leyland Mini S 1100S powered - Nice and reliable.
1977 Leyland Mini LS - Project LS-T

Cass,
I say DO IT. But be warned that

1) it will cost you some money to get started, lets say around $6000
2) it will cost you money to maintain, how much will depend on how good you are at point 3
3) learn to do the maintenance yourself. It's pretty simple if you start with the basics
4) expect that you will break down, but opefully if you do well on point 3 and learn the basics you will stay out of trouble

At the end of the day it will be ALOT of fun and will be rewarding! But don't expect it to be extremely cheap...

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K