Anyone own a classic mini?

[Seventimesaday]

As in the original 60’s version.

I have always, always wanted one. There is one come up for sale nearby which looks great (££££ though, which I know they are).
It would be just for a fun, weekend car, not for daily commuting, I would be selling a more modern, but still classic fun car to buy it.

If you own one, or have done recently, what are the pros/ cons?
Would you recommend it or tell me to steer well clear?

Unless you’re married/related to a mechanic, I’d say they’re a money pit! I owned a lovely old C reg Mini, but it was so expensive to repair and failed it’s MOT every year!!

Agree with above.
Go for a drive in it first anyway. If you're used to modem cars you may find it's not as fun to drive as you expected

*modern

I would only own a classic if I had or knew someone closely that had specialist knowledge.

I've got a 1965 Austin Mini - deteriorating body/sub frames aside, there are bigger money pits out there as there's a lot less to go wrong on a basic Mini than a modern car, and if you're that way inclined, they're simple enough to maintain yourself. The biggest difference is that there's no power steering, no modern suspension no radio, no rear screen wipers, no air con, no heated seats, no sat nav and not much sound proofing, so you really do feel as if you're driving a go-kart, and you can feel very tiny in traffic.

Absolute death traps.

If anything modern hits you, or you crash into the scenery, the car will be a write-off and you'll be fortunate to escape serious injury. They don't have crumple zones like modern cars, no airbags, the engine comes straight into the passenger compartment in the event of a frontal collision, and the steering column acts as a a giant steel spear.

Cheap to run and probably wins you cool points, but you are taking a wholly unnecessary added risk to your health and wellbeing, and continued breathing, any time you set out in one.

@XDownwiththissortofthingX

Absolute death traps.

If anything modern hits you, or you crash into the scenery, the car will be a write-off and you'll be fortunate to escape serious injury. They don't have crumple zones like modern cars, no airbags, the engine comes straight into the passenger compartment in the event of a frontal collision, and the steering column acts as a a giant steel spear.

Cheap to run and probably wins you cool points, but you are taking a wholly unnecessary added risk to your health and wellbeing, and continued breathing, any time you set out in one.

^^ to be honest, this is also true - things have changed a lot since I was driving mine on a regular basis. And I am 20 years older and more aware of how easily accidents can happen.

Definitely agree with Downwiththissortofthing, mine was a death trap by the time I got rid of it. I just didn’t feel safe in it. Couldn’t wait to get a new car. You wouldn’t want to do any motorway driving in it

Ha ha well you have all talked me out of it. We did have a Mini for a short time many years ago and I actually loved driving it, it felt like a dodgem car.
Husband isn’t a mechanic, but loves tinkering with cars and motor bikes, he has driven / ridden old bangers since the age of 17 and had to learn how to fix them in order to keep them going.
Probably need to let the dream go and keep the current modern car, which to be honest, has never let us down or cost any money.

I own over 250 classic minis, admittedly they are die cast models but I love them anyway. I swoon when I see a classic on the road, bit of an anorak tbh