Hey all.
Im new to this site, and im REALLY dying to get a mini for my first car.

And just wanted to ask a few question about this humble little beast:
1) are parts for it expensive? (considering that mini's from UK)
2) whats the insurance like? (being a car made in the 60's-70's)
3) how much does would modded parts cost? (ie. 12inch wheels, exhaust and so on)
4) what would the first necessary changes be to improve the perfomance of the car (suspension?)


Thanks for reading.
dave

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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."

whilst it has been discussed before,
a mini does make a good first car.. IF you get one without rust or mechanical issues.

some parts are really expensive, especially compared to parts for imports or holdens etc.

but pretty much every part is available new, and there is a huge range of aftermarket parts.

havent had any problems with insurance, given the car has a 1 litre engine or the like, did have some trouble getting an agreed value as most insurers go market value off the red book or whatever which under values minis compared to what they're selling for these days.

12" wheels would cost anywhere between a couple hundred bucks second hand to about $1000-1200 for new superlite wheels with tyres.

an exhaust will cost about $200-250, but depends what muffler you want.

the best things to change are to install disc brakes, extractors and 1"3/4 exhaust and a bigger carburettor/twin carburettors

say 750 for brakes, 250 for extractors, 250 for exhaust and 250 for twin carbs.

the suspension on a mini is pretty much perfect. You might want to replace the shock absorbers and bushes, and thats it.

i juz bought mine for 6grand (pics in the mini gallery under tiny) thing has already been modded for me with brakes and suspension and stuff except i wanna now try and put twin carbs on the old 1100 motor, great little car for a first one, juz be mindful its an old car not to be thrashed around and they look sick when cleaned up

unfortunately with mine i got some mild rust around it and it needs a respray but the motor and other mechanicals have been worked

insurence is hard depending ur age i had no choice but to go with nrma cause of my age and where i work and they would agree value it so its now valued for only 4g's

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oil leak?..what oil leak..that puddle under the car is just sweat from all that horsepower

Like the other replies, I think if you can find a good one, you won't be sorry. My 1st car was a mini in 1971. They're fun, economical, roomy, forgiving and most parts are relatively cheap - what more could a new driver wish for? Tricking them up won't cost the earth, but they are fun just as they are, no matter what model.
Go for it!
Peter.

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1969 Mini Cooper S MKII (1330)
1972 Honda 750/4 (his),1976 Honda 400/4 (hers)
1982 Honda CB1100RC (ours)

I reckon you're probally worthwhile spending a bit of money to get one that comes with disc brakes already, and then it will probally come with extractors etc and go quite nice.

I think if you're planning on a mini as first car, expect to spend quite a bit of time working on it and having the occasional brake down here and there. its all good fun though/really frustrating!

My car was too old to be insured with justcars and too modded to be insured with aami, but shannons is good, and cheap too. (im not on my P's now though).

The only real parts i have found expensive are disc brakes

im in eltham too!

The main thing is to remember it's 1950's technology and treat it the same , don't expect a mini to be as reliable as a late model electronic fuel injected and igniton computer fitted car . You will need to do more general maintenence on it but the design is so basic that the maintenence is fairly straight forward . DO yourself a favour though and when you buy a mini , buy a good workshop manual at the same time , it will save you a lot of drama's when it comes to little things .

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I had a squiz through the other posts and noticed no one said anything about 'Mini's and UK'. The mini's you see drving around were either built at Zetland (74 and prior) or Enfield (post, late 74 early 75??), in NSW.

The mini in my 'sig' is my current, and first car. I have spent lots of money but I chose to do that.

For 5 grand, my Dad bought him self a restored (to pretty good I reckon) 75 Leyland Mini. 1100s Motor (1275cc) 8.4 discs, 12ich wheels, twin 1 1/4 SU's, twin cooper 'S' fuel tanks. some jap cars seats, and front hi-los. I think that is about all worth mentioning. That I reckon was a good deal. A great, fun to drive mini, with all the good bits.

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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

Nothing beats an older Japanese car for cheapness and reliability (eg: an old corolla)... A mini will be far more expensive and difficult to work on. However, if you really have your heart set on a mini then yeah, i suppose they aren't the worst cars out there to choose as a first one.

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- Simon -

Under 19?

Vigil will insure you for a good decent value for yor car. If it's pretty stock, then you'll get off pretty cheap. I'm under modified, yes my car is insured for 10 grand, which is good I guess, spent more, but anyways....

Over 19?

Go Shannons!

I noticed you asked about upgrading the suspension, for performance.
Have you ever been in a mini? There is no need, probably one of the best handling cars on the road. Will out corner all your average family be a long shot. Will it out-drag them? Not a hope.

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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

Hey thanks for using me in your Sig block Dave!

that rocks.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

^^^
Thats alright mick, verry true tho

Thanks ALOT everyone for the replys!
You've all cleared up alot about it.

As opposed to the extra added maintenance mecahnical wise, im currently doing one of those VET Pre-Apprentiship courses in automotive mechanics, soo i gather it would not soo much of a bit thing taking care of the little beast.
and one more thing about the extra maintenance,

Deleted:
when you mean that there there could be the odd breakdown...do you mean MAJOR breakdowns or just belts breaking? because i mean no matter what your job is or how easy you find to repair your little guy, it still would be a preatty big let down if it just crap itself when you need it.


Thanks again everyone for the help

oooh and PS. and also deleted: do you have any pics of your little beast?
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Peace out,
Dave

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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."

Darkie...we are dealing with old cars here (and old technology)...you can spend a good deal of time getting a Mini very reliable and it may still let you down....its all part of the fun....However, the grin factor compensates for all the little dissapointments. Make sure you get a good tech manual and maybe think about joining a Mini club...have fun

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"Show me the Mini!"

Not to mention when it does let you down you can normally fix it with whatever bits and bobs you carry in the boot , very rare to have to stick it on a tilt tray .

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hmmm....yeah, kind of having second thaught's now on it.
i know that there old cars = old technology, but if its REALLY going be that bad then i could imagine it to be a bitch if it will cause me to be late to work or what not in the future because of the break downs or just sh*t ups.

currently in the maby section of cars to get

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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."

a lot of people here have minis as a daily driver. we're always going on abou the doom & gloom side of mini ownership, but if you get a decent one and look after it you'll be fine.

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