As you may have gathered I'm itching to get something else in the garage that's not a kit car. Thought about a 205 gti, but still long for another Mini.

So, to the Mini experts out there, what will I need to pay to get one that DOESN'T need a full restoration and won't biodegrade into a pile of rusty bits over the winter? Oh yes, and it needs to be a sporty one too

As much as you can afford.

I paid £800 for a shell which needed new heel plates and some repairs to the floor, but it was in bits and a bit of a bargain. As it happened, i replaced the rear subframe for a lightweight (pick up with one finger) beam axle, roll cage and 1380 engine so the repairs needed to be done anyway.

If you want one already finished, then be prepared to pay top dollar.

I paid £1450 for a brown 79 auto with full history, and 20K on the clock!
If it was a red manual then double that easy!
Its mint everywhere, could not believe how good
If your making it your own then buying something "less desirable" can get you a much better base car.

For one in decent spec, don't expect much change out of 3 grand really, though you may find for as little as 2.

i sold my 78 with a 1275 tuned mg motor, cobra bucket seats and 12inch 7.5 mini lites with yokos on, on ebay, it was stripped to a shell and needed alot of welding..and then rebuilding..i got 36quid for it.....that was only 4months ago....

Yeah - I don't want to have to do any real work apart from basic maintanence and the odd upgrade ....

I think Darren W, was looking to sell his with a carbon flip front, sure it was a 1.3 mpi

Too much work, and too far up North .....

Mind you, it does look good, and cheap, and there's not that much work needs doing .......

[Edited on 10/12/09 by Jasper]

My 1990 Cooper was bought about 10 years ago, it had only done about 14,000 miles and was mint throughout, no work required on it for several years as regards the bodywork. That was £2800 and a bargain if you ask me, it's the same shell that I am putting a bike engine now and it only needs a new scuttle, door skins and boot repair doing. I hope this gives you a rough idea, I would say in today's market 3k will probably get you a very nice example with clean bodywork.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1382066.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1381368.htm

This is a belter:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1297702.htm

I recently sold a Mini on ebay, mildly tuned 1275, basicly solid but scruffy body & mechanically sound. I got £770 & think it went for little money, in the right time place more like £1000-1100.
The mechanical stuff is easy to do & you dont need to spend a fortune to build something nice, buy the best bodywork you can!

a chap at work just got a rather nice 1.3 cooper, quite new, maybe 96? with loads of cooper bits and bobs, red and manual for 3.4k, very nice condition.

Any thoughts on this one? Seems like the guy has spent a fair bit on it already:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320449225287&_trksid=p2759.l1259

That last one on PH is gorgeous, but I'd then have to spend £££ on making it all sporty which would be rather a shame....

[Edited on 11/12/09 by Jasper]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jimbob
I paid £1450 for a brown 79 auto with full history, and 20K on the clock!
If it was a red manual then double that easy!
Its mint everywhere, could not believe how good
If your making it your own then buying something "less desirable" can get you a much better base car.

---

Well, just bought a Mini - got her down to £4100, gonna pick it up on Monday

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2000-ROVER-MINI-COOPER-SPORT-MULTI-COLOURED_W0QQitemZ220521889812QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAutomobiles_UK?hash=item3358210014