what would a reasonable mini matic cost? looking for something that needs little work like a respray or just a couple of bits and pieces. what roughly would i be looking at?

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Regards Kermit (TadPole)

I bought mine 5 years ago for $4500 running but not registered, and needing rust repairs repainting and hydro lines replaced. Not sure what they are actually selling for now though

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88 Rover 1.3i "Reggie"
99 Rover 1.3i “Grover”
12 Mini Cooper S "The shitter"
17 Mini Clubman JCW “Noddy”

Thanks for the reply. Ah ok just wanna get a rough idea of what I'm gonna be up for. Since building mine my Missus wants one now but can't drive a manual haha. So the alternative a mini matic.

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Regards Kermit (TadPole)

Many Matics (mine included) are now manuals, because back in the 70s auto tranny shops would run a mile before they'd fix a Mini auto.

I've had 2 Matics, the 1st one (a 1970) I paid a bottle of Scotch for (it was a garden ornament and incomplete) 20 years ago.
The 2nd one (a 1969) I paid $500 for; had been parked 10 years, I got it running and sold it for $1200. It had a 1275 in it but wasn't registered, and needed paint.

Autoboxes are still expensive to fix, these days I'd look at a Rover auto if you really want one..

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

thanks for the reply, yeah i was aware that mechanics wouldn't touch them years ago. I just need a mini with an auto in it basically. want something i can work on and make pretty. not really worried about the maintenance side of it cos i understand they take a lot. will be only driven on weekends. if she could drive a manual it woudl be easier

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Regards Kermit (TadPole)

Rover auto boxes are also expensive to fix and i'd imagine you're even less likely to find a mechanic who'd want to work on one in Australia. Although how different are they from a Morris one?

We had a Rover auto in the UK, took them so long to fix that we went out after 1 week of being car-less and bought ourselves a little Rover Metro so we didn't have to lug our shopping home by foot. Think it took about 5 weeks all up and the guy spent most of that time scratching his head. This guy was an auto transmission specialist and his workshop was next door to Minispares in Potters Bar, so it's not like he had to go far to get parts or advice.

when you say expensive to fix, are they prone to breaking? or are they pretty good unless you flog them?

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Regards Kermit (TadPole)

Steve, the main reason I suggested a Rover is it's newer to start with, should be less things to fix and it has more creature comforts.

They are not prone to breaking, IF you do regular oil + filter changes (like, every 1000-1500 miles).
If you don't, the clutches etc stuff up.
Some places here still do autoboxes up (eg Mini Classic) and yeah the Rover boxes aren't much different, the late ones do have a Park feature unlike the `Matics.

Good luck with the search Kermit, I hope you find a good one.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

ah ok so same as any gear box really? keep up with the maintenance and theyll be fine. that's cool i can handle that. cheers for the help. so for a good one im looking at about 3k?

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Regards Kermit (TadPole)

Yep, to be fair, we'd taken that car which had been a low mileage granny car for about 8000kms round europe in 30 days, then it drove up and down the UK quute a few times over the next year and a half until the box gave up. It was serviced in that time, but probably not as often as it should have been.

And although it seemed expensive at the time, it was only about 750 GBP to get fixed, which isn't too bad, that's about my annual fix/servicing costs from Mini Classic for the last few years for my car.

teach her to drive a manual

they only made 900?

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65 panel van Sprog
73 panel van Iggy

your 6 months to late mate!
I bought a matic in great condition in 2010 for 3k unregistered full working order no rust. - off an old bloke in Orange NSW who had it garaged for 20 years!

But, I never wanted it. haha

At the time I was looking for a manual & just couldnt find one that wasnt full of rust! so when I found this I bought it - then I tried putting it on here to swap for manual shell but no1 was interested (was offering to see if anyone wanted to save the matic - I no some people get a bit precious when people like me butcher them!)

http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic ... highlight=

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1970 mini K
1966 850 van

Tried teaching her many times she just can't get her feet and hands working to do everything at once. Plus she has given up and doesn't want a manual. She said only wants an auto now.

Wish I had of seen that 6 months ago1 ah well too late now haha

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Regards Kermit (TadPole)

PM me as I have a mini matic for sale

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Andrew@Minisport, South Australia
Ph: 08-8177-1275
Skype: minisport.au

www.minisport.com.au
Minisport for all your mini parts

I too bought our Mini Matic back in the early 90's as my missus would not drive a manual!

- is this figure for real?? I heard more than that but was wondering how many were actually produced

and as for gear box probs, yep, was like trying to find a go go mobile mechanic when mine went pfft years ago, but luckily I found someone nearby that used to own one. That was around 1995, and I bumped into him again recently at the Minis in the Gong Show & Shine at Dapto a few months back too and didn't think to get his bloody phone number!!! He told me he has retired but still has a few Minis including a Matic