G'Day,

Long time listener, first time caller. Been loving Mini's for so long now as I'm sure you all understand. Was very close to buying one as my first car but bought a Swift GTi instead. Now the time has come to sell the GTi and buy a project car. My very first thought was Mini! Then I found out about the wacky engine conversions going on through some of the fellas doing GTi conversions. But my heart is set on the Starlet conversion (wow, just wow they are).

Saying that though, I keep feeling like I should buy something else. Something small that handles well, like the Mini, but different somewhat. I'm not too sure what's out there though so I thought why not ask you good folk what rivals a Mini?

If I do get a mini (clubman) my budget is about $1500 for the car which doesn't seem to be enough. I think the highish prices may be what's holding me back...

Now I know you guys will be (somewhat) biased, but give me some options.

Regards,

Gordo

well, like you say, we are going to be biased.
But even so, once you have bought and experienced a mini it is impossible to go back, it's like some sort of disease. I've driven a few cars and none of them give the feeling of having a mini. They are still very unique. Since I've owned my mini several of my friends have decided to buy minis of their own after experiencing the mini.

And of course as you can see there are so many things you can do to them.

And if you don't like it (god forbid) then they resell very easily too.

This is biased aswell.
But to make the up your mind a little bit easier, find someone to take you for a spin in there mini and see how it feels. Also some minis can be a challenge in itself just to drive, and that is half the fun!

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The best cars in the world come in small packages!

1964 Mini 850

If you end up getting a mini I dont think you will regret it.
They are a heap of fun.

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The best cars in the world come in small packages!

1964 Mini 850

There's no other car that handles and feels/looks like a mini. $1500 will get you one but it won't be in good nick, not a problem if you don't mind a bit of hard yakka.

And a good way to learn mechanics

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Too many cars, and too little time.

keep the gti.... get the mini... one day... they might end up as one car..

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I got a daihatsu sirion GTVI for a daily road car (Smaller than the new mini????). It was the closest I could find at the time to a mini that will be ultra reliable(cheap thrills). 4 years 80,000kms never had a day off.
My mini project is for the real fun of a mini. It will never be reliable enough for my daily driver. I made the mistake when I was younger of trying to rely on my toy mini for daily use and I got so frustrated I sold it and vowed never to mini again. But I have been lured back by the fun. I take a different approach now though.

In summary run both.

But be warned. I had a daily driver, but got a Mini as a project, then sold that project and bought another roadworthy mini, then got another project mini, then sold that project and got another roadworthy mini van... then realised there were mokes out there cheap and got a moke..!!

Its a very very very very very bad disease...

Ok I'll say this again, minis CAN be a reliable form of transport as long as they are well maintaned and parts are replaced before they completely break. Modern doesn't automatically mean reliable, I've passed alot of broken down late model cars in my mini. Yes a mini does require more frequent servicing but hey at least you can do it all yourself given tools, space and a manual.

I agree, looking after your car is the key and spending money on part's before they break.

My mini has been a reliable daily driver for the last 3 years, with only one major problem, and over 20k km's a year... After 8 year's it's time this motor had a rebore though

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

Oh thats a bit harsh Joshy...

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

Well the GTi has been put for sale now and soon i'll be ready to buy a car. So far no-one has given me any other options but a mini, so geez what choice do I have? I better get a mini

There's a clubman just near my house that I see multiple times everyday and I've been trying to gather the courage to go ask him about it (it used to be for sale) but it looks in the condition that's out of my price range anyway.

When I buy something I'll let you fellas all know. Might have to make ausmini my new home.

You dont actually have to own a mini to call ausmini home. You're welcome here whether regardless. Its just great that you're interested in minis, and seeing us more...

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