Hi all, I am new to the forum and looking to buy a Mini.
for around 10K. Prefer a round nose however will look at others.
would appreciate any info on what to look for when I am looking in car.

what models gave any issues or whereabouts to look for rust etc .
Also what to look for in the way of suspension, gear selector issues etc.


I have other old cars so I am not totally new to the vintage car secne, but knew to the Mini.

I live in the Hunter Valley /Newcastle Area.

thanks for your assistance.

regards
Pete

10K puts you in the market for a roundnose that is nice, but not concours, doesn't have any serious performance modifications and isn't a sought after model (cooper / cooper s) etc.

they're about the same for problems as other old cars, rust in seams, leaking rubbers etc. roundnose cars were all dipped in a rustproofing from the factory so as long as they didn't live near the ocean or had bad repairs they're reasonably sound.

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

RUST AND SMOKEY EXHAUST

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"Show me the Mini!"

Mechanicly their isn't any one thing to look out for, the whole ignition side can play with you if it's not maintained but that's the same with any classic car. Look under the front carpets for rust, along the sills and around the rear of the boot.
10k will get you a good tidy mini with rego. A plain jane 1275cc can be found in that price range fairly easy but it proably won't be an "orgional" car. If you want a genuine orgional matching mini then you'll have to settle for the smaller engines (morris 850, mini K, mini delux etc).

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Respect mine and I'll respect yours.

If you're keen, over the last year I've seen a fair few that need a little bit of work go for $4-5k.
Oddly they all seem to be in Vic.

That leaves you up to $6000 to spend on restoring it to your taste.

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Mini-less ... for now

Thanks for all the advise. Ill keep looking.
I agree nearly everything I see is in Victoria!!!!
The longer I wait the more I will have in the piggy bank.
Regards
Pete

There is plenty of info online around what to look out for with minis, example here from Vic min club http://www.mini.org.au/buying-a-classic-mini maybe try contacting you local mini enthusiasts club and go tot heir next meeting. Often members have cars for sale and are always happy to talk to like minded enthusiasts.
As mentioned above, $10K should get you a reasonable round nose but will not be enough for a show winner or the more sought after cooper and cooper S unless you want to do a restoration. If you don't mind the look of the clubman they are generally cheaper than the round nose, so $10K should get you something with very little work needed. Have a think about how you want to use it, what you want from it etc. A car that is nice to cruise on a sunny Sunday is going to be very different from something you can Hill climb or do motokana in.

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1972 Leyland Mini Clubman
2000 Honda CBR929RR

Welcome Morris,
Have you looked at many cars, for sale, at shows or other events?
What part of Newcastle are you based?

Cheers Scott

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Why is it the things that make me tick, are also the things that make me go boom?

thanks for all the advice.
Scott I am in the Wallsend/Maryland area.

regards
Pete