Hey,

After driving my friends 68 Cooper S a few weeks ago i've been hooked on the drug that is the mini, and have been keeping an eye out for one of my own.

I saw an ad for a 76 clubman today so I rang up and asked a few questions, the guy doesn't know an awful lot about it as its his daughters car, but from what he said it seems to be in decent condition, no visable rust, no known accidents, and it was used as daily and driven several times a week with no major breakdowns, so its at least reasonably reliable, and he thinks it has the 1275 engine, but isnt sure.

I've searched this site and read through mowogs and the Minifinity guide to buying used minis, so i have a reasonable idea of what to look for, but i'm still a little unsure (if it was a late 80's onwards jap car i'd be fine), any extra advice on what to check/look for?

he's asking low 2's for it, which depending on how it checks out seems fair, of course i'll try and bring it down to the lesser side of 2 though.

Cheers - Eeno.

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Keep Left <--

Low 2K range for any mini with little to no rust is a bargain, even more so if it ends up being a 1275 with discs

Here's a top guide to looking for rust by a fellow ausmini member - JAM.
http://www.users.bigpond.net.au/brigidine/JAM/rust.html

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One should never skimp on the zip ties.

Want me to have a proper looky on your behalf?
I will gladly do this.

Not to be rude, William, but i wouldn't let you have a 'proper' look at my letterbox. You'd still get it wrong. Hahaha

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Cheap, Fast, Reliable. Choose two.

Even if its a reasonably neat Clubby, with a healthy motor, the trim is in good nick, and it hasn't got any rust, surely around the 2k mark is a good buy.

Anything special (discs, 1275) is just a bonus...

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Cheap, Fast, Reliable. Choose two.

Print this out and take it along. http://www.hotbricks.org.au/files/engine.txt

Will help you ID the engine and body.

If it has a 1275 engine, by law it has to have disc brakes.

Other than that, I think you've been educated on usual rust areas.

$2k for a decent Mini, no matter the engine, is a good buy!

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U could also have a look at mine which is for sale.

JIM

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(60 hp @ 5700 RPM) in my old mini.

you cant really go wrong for 2grand mate. check out all the major rust spots (it will talk about them on those websites) cos rust is your big killer

was cruising through the trading post and i spotted this;

Mini S 1974 Good engine and body, mags and flares, please phone for more details, $850 or near offer, SUH-838 WOODCROFT 0419-29 2320.
STATE: SA FIRST PUBLISHED: 31 Aug 2005 SOURCE: Private Classifieds (Weekly Trading Post (Adelaide))

so i called the guy about it, and surprise surprise it sold the night the ad was put online, before the ad was even published in the trading post itself. he seemed surprised how quickly it sold anyway, somehow i knew it was too good to be true, but with a possability like that i had to call :p

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Keep Left <--

Someone offered the guy more than the advertised price and didnt want to inspect the car first, so the guy sold it to them. Fair enough really, i would have done the same thing :p

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Keep Left <--

You guys have made me feel better.
I paid 2K for my 72 clubby recently and thought I might have paid too much.
It is completely original (apart from bonnet pins) and has bugger all rust.
At this stage a new carbi and uni-joint to get it going.
So good luck Eeno they are out there.

It was a pretty nice offer of willy.. even if he isn't the most 'mechanical' person on the forums or whatever, I reckon anyone who has owned a mini would be good help to check one out. Anyone who owns a mini will know the common problems and things to look out for.. Also after buying a mini and finding new problems, I always think to myself "next time I'll make sure that is working before I buy another one" etc.. Anyway good luck eeno