I want a Mini

"AddMustard" (AddMustard) 09/04/2013 at 18:01 • Filed to: None

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Why are they so expensive? They're so cheap in Britain. Where could I find a cheap one in the US? Anyone had some luck finding a cheap one?

DasWauto > AddMustard 09/04/2013 at 18:04

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Define cheap. There is a dealership near me that's got two in what appears to be good condition for $8k and $9k respectively, though one is an automatic, sadly.

Blondude > DasWauto 09/04/2013 at 18:05

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Wait, that's a thing?

Decay buys too many beaters > AddMustard 09/04/2013 at 18:05

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I know how you feel, I fell in love with this when I saw it this weekend.

Klaus Schmoll > AddMustard 09/04/2013 at 18:05

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How tall are you?

I once had to re-park a Mini to prevent it from getting towed. I was perfectly able to do so, but I also realized that I couldn't really drive it through traffic safely.

I'm 1.95 m, so pretty much Clarkson sized, BTW.

Decay buys too many beaters > DasWauto 09/04/2013 at 18:06

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I think he is talking about the old Mini

AddMustard > DasWauto 09/04/2013 at 18:06

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That's substantially cheaper than what I am seeing, but still so high compared to other markets. I guess what I am asking is, is that the reality? I don't mind working on them, I'd love a project mini, and most of what I see are fully restored and command a premium. I want to do my own! but, I'd like if it ran, as well.

DasWauto > Decay buys too many beaters 09/04/2013 at 18:08

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As am I.

AddMustard > Klaus Schmoll 09/04/2013 at 18:09

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5'11" or 1.8 meters

DasWauto > AddMustard 09/04/2013 at 18:10

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Yeah, I don't think there is much of an in between. You either find a [cheap] basket case or a restored example. You might just have to bite the bullet and grab a shell in hopefully not too poor a condition.

AddMustard > Decay buys too many beaters 09/04/2013 at 18:11

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haha yea, I can actually find the new "minis" for less than 7k regularly... almost bought one. Cheapest one I saw was one of the old Red Bull Mini Coopers for about 4500 bucks.

It was painted and didn't have the large can.

Decay buys too many beaters > DasWauto 09/04/2013 at 18:12

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Wow, I am surprised for two reasons

1. There is a dealership selling more than one old school mini. (I assume it is a specialty dealership?)

2. The Mini actually came with an automatic, never seen one of those before.

DasWauto > Blondude 09/04/2013 at 18:12

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Yep: http://miedemasmotorsales.com/used-car-sales…

They sold the $8k car and now have a $12k manual and the above automatic for $9K.

Decay buys too many beaters > AddMustard 09/04/2013 at 18:13

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I would DD the shit out of that!

DasWauto > Decay buys too many beaters 09/04/2013 at 18:14

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It's not a specialty dealership specifically but I have a feeling they are a fondness of the owner since they seem to have at least one classic Mini most of the time. Here is the $8k car, recently sold: http://miedemasmotorsales.com/used-car-sales…

davedave1111 > AddMustard 09/04/2013 at 18:15

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I don't think they're particularly cheap here, to be honest. You pay a ~100% premium over their actual value as old cars (in my opinion) because they're 'iconic'. Similar to VW Beetles and campers, which are also much more expensive than you'd expect based on comparable vehicles of the same age.

Blondude > DasWauto 09/04/2013 at 18:16

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Huh.

Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder > AddMustard 09/04/2013 at 18:17

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You might like this Youtuber: Madgeordie.

Has't uploaded in a while though....

Decay buys too many beaters > DasWauto 09/04/2013 at 18:18

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I don't think I've ever seen them at a normal dealership here in the U.S.

Also, I am incredibly jealous of your import laws.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > AddMustard 09/04/2013 at 18:18

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I've heard rumor of a Texas based gray market original mini dealer. Seems he could get them in without too many import issues.

DasWauto > Decay buys too many beaters 09/04/2013 at 18:21

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Haha, yea, I'm happy with them. :) I actually considered buying that $8k '93, financially unwise as it would've been, just because of how neat and awesome it would've been. It would also be very funny to watch 195cm (6'5") me get out of it, though I could see the novelty wearing off and getting annoying in the long run.

McMike > AddMustard 09/04/2013 at 18:21

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Define "cheap."

I have looked at a lot of them, and anything under $5-6K is pretty ratty.

You can find some pretty nice examples for 9-10K

They are so cheap in EU because they were always on sale, and there is no shortage of them. Here, they stopped importing them after '67. Anything after that was imported. (some creatively)

Some people in EU can wheeler-dealer them and ship them over here for a profit.

Grindintosecond > AddMustard 09/04/2013 at 18:21

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I have one but it needs some welding/rust fixin. If your inseam is more thsn 34" you'll start to have problems with the heal toe...or I just lean the foot over to squeeze in gas. Anyway, it costs more because of intrinsic cost to get it here where you live. $1, 000 to $1, 500 on top of purchase price. Somewhat solid running 1000cc example in your driveway will be about $4k in the usa. Big engine 1275? Start adding up desireability costs.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > AddMustard 09/04/2013 at 18:22

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You might have better luck with a Morris Minor. There hasn't been the run on those in the States that there has been with the Minis, and they're by the same designer with a lot of the same character.

AddMustard > McMike 09/04/2013 at 18:30

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That's what I am getting at, I suppose. I'd be surprised if there was no way to import them. They're old enough that it should be fairly easy, right? It never is...

AddMustard > Grindintosecond 09/04/2013 at 18:31

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Now 4k is reasonable. Did you import yours?

Dogapult > AddMustard 09/04/2013 at 18:36

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you could just import one that's over 25 years old. that really seems to be the best way to go.

Decay buys too many beaters > DasWauto 09/04/2013 at 18:39

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And my amazement continues, I had no idea they were made that late either.

Hell, I could own an "old school" Mini that is newer than my Jetta.

McMike > AddMustard 09/04/2013 at 18:43

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A lot of them have an older VIN. Keep an ear open for phrases like, "1985 Mini restored to 1998 specs"

But you're right. The more times goes by, the more and more of them are easy to import. Just make sure the car has a valid state title before paying for it. That way someone has already gone jumped through the appropriate hurdles.

Your boy, BJR > AddMustard 09/04/2013 at 18:43

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I remember when I was hunting for my first car (like '08-'09) there was a place on Ebay that imported them. They were mad decent condition, $7-8k. They would convert to LHD for another $800-$1000

DasWauto > Decay buys too many beaters 09/04/2013 at 18:46

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Yep, they were sold in various markets that aren't America until 2000, so there are definitely clean ones to be had. If there was any car you could make a grey market import easily, it'd likely be a newer 'classic' mini. Someone else mentioned a dealer in Texas importing them. It might be worth checking into. Also, McMike has one, he could provide insight as well.

Slave2anMG > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 09/04/2013 at 19:47

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And the Minors can be upgraded with Midget front disc brakes, a 1275 cc engine and a Datsun 5 speed to make them more happy with modern conditions. And a 1275 can be made to give you 90 reliable (well, relatively reliable) horsepower.

Grindintosecond > AddMustard 09/04/2013 at 20:00

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Nope. It was previously $5k on ebay in the mid-west but has since degenerated with some rust. Anything you do import in a mini retains that cost especially if it runs because where else are you gonna get one? You'll have to import it. If you do wish to import one, just check autotrader UK and search for em. find one. call em up and buy it. A friend has used Phoenix importers in the past and you can pick it up in Baltimore. and on its UK registration you get 30 days to get it where you need to go driving around on UK plates and a reg. form that says "by the order of the queen..."

http://www.minimania.com/Cars4Sale_List… (scroll down and look all over for one near you)

where are you located? this one is in TX an might actually be a good one to look at: http://www.minimania.com/cars4sale/1163…

But this one in Colorado....looks right up your alley as far as a DIY project; http://www.minimania.com/cars4sale/1095…

AddMustard > Grindintosecond 09/04/2013 at 20:32

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That's fantastic info. I'm in Portland, OR so far from most importers. It's worth a look, I've spent some time looking at them on the usual UK pages and the prices seem right. I'll take a look at Phoenix and similar importers. Thanks for the information!

Grindintosecond > AddMustard 09/04/2013 at 21:48

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Don't forget they were sold in japan, new zealand too...can import from there as well. There's a bazillion in west coast cities too so keep lookin there. Let them do the hard work getting it and buy their project. Lurk on minimania's forum too to get a feel for everything.

JasonStern911 > AddMustard 09/05/2013 at 01:12

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I don't get it... it's a wrong-wheel drive volkswagen bug with the motor in the front. :?

still cool, though. still cool.