NPOCP: 1998 OG Mini for $18k

"Tyler's SVT Focus Hates Him" (tylerssvtfocushateshim)
03/08/2014 at 16:44 • Filed to: NPOCP

Jesus Tap-Dancing Christ the want is strong with this one:

http://www.minimania.com/cars4sale/1203…

Now I know 18k is a lot for a fifteen-year-old hatchback with 80,000 miles, but you have to remember the original Mini, especially this vintage, is an extraordinarily rare beast here in the States and as such, good examples trade anywhere from the low to mid-twenties depending on originality. Sure, there's a small dent in the trunk and a bit of rust on the rocker sills, but you're essentially saving seven grand for what couldn't cost more than a grand or two to fix. Hell, you could probably knock this guy down to 16 just because of those two issues. Selling the sound system could net you even more savings.

Spares are still plentiful and dirt-cheap in Old Blighty, so even if it does break down you won't go broke or mad trying to source parts, a problem I'm already starting to have with my five-years-newer Focus. It even has Corbeau seats and a 5-speed with straight-cut gears (because fuck yeah straight-cut gears)! And I know $18k is dangerously close to used FiST or 500 Abarth money, and that those two would be the safe and obvious choice. But just look at this walnut dash and tell me it wouldn't be a difficult decision.

DISCUSSION (27)

Goshen, formerly Darkcode > Tyler's SVT Focus Hates Him
03/08/2014 at 16:47

Price is about right, in fact.

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > Tyler's SVT Focus Hates Him
03/08/2014 at 16:47

Kinja'd!!!

"Honey, where's my horn?!"

Brian Silvestro > Tyler's SVT Focus Hates Him
03/08/2014 at 16:47

$18k is new Abarth money.

But this car is so damn cool....

I'd get it over an Abarth...

McMike > Tyler's SVT Focus Hates Him
03/08/2014 at 16:52

I think it's CP, since I'm not a fan of the SportPack cars. Flares, huge wheels, and all that interior bits... I'd rather have a clean original car (which is why I bought one)

I wonder what year is on the registration? Had better be older than 1989 if it's going to be registered in the US. I bet it is, since it looks like it has CO plates.

Goshen, formerly Darkcode > McMike
03/08/2014 at 16:58

They can sell for €12K and up here, so I don't think the price is far-fetched.

McMike > Goshen, formerly Darkcode
03/08/2014 at 17:07

Oh, I think sportpacks can trades for that kind of money.

They have always been right on par with well sorted, restored non-Cooper 1275 cars, or a scruffy Cooper or CooperS.

Then again, that was 10 years ago when I bought mine. Back then, these were low mileage "1978 cars restored to 1998 specs" 10 years later, and they're more?

I should see how much mine would sell for.

Pockets > Tyler's SVT Focus Hates Him
03/08/2014 at 17:20

I'm always dubious about cars where someone's replaced an airbag'd steering wheel but in this case it's probably about as much use as jumping out of a plane holding a pillow though, so probably doesn't matter much. Silly money of course, but I guess that's just the way things are over there.

Anyway, this leads me onto a thing; I was thinking a while back, how much of a demand is there for novelty car rentals? Say, if I were to start a hire business near Heathrow renting out MGs and Minis, how many tourists would actually be interested or would the widespread availability of the new Minis kill off any demand, do you think?

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura
03/08/2014 at 17:21

i can't be th only one that thinks shifters like these are hideous.

Mikeado > Tyler's SVT Focus Hates Him
03/08/2014 at 17:31

OMG THIS IS PERFECT. I NEEDS IT!

AM3R > Tyler's SVT Focus Hates Him
03/08/2014 at 17:45

Kinja'd!!!

Seen this morning at C&C.

Looooooove it

Tyler's SVT Focus Hates Him > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
03/08/2014 at 17:53

I actually agree with you on that one. I'd replace it with something like this:

Kinja'd!!!

Tyler's SVT Focus Hates Him > McMike
03/08/2014 at 17:57

Man, you can't talk about about having an original Mini without posting pics! And I actually like the wheels and fender flares SportPack cars; they just make the car look so damn cool, if a bit ridiculous.

Tyler's SVT Focus Hates Him > AM3R
03/08/2014 at 17:57

That's so cool.

AM3R > Tyler's SVT Focus Hates Him
03/08/2014 at 18:00

There was another one too, I didn't get a picture of it though. The RS7 next to it was really catching my dads eye.

McMike > Tyler's SVT Focus Hates Him
03/08/2014 at 18:04

OK.

Kinja'd!!!

Tyler's SVT Focus Hates Him > Pockets
03/08/2014 at 18:06

Yeah, original Minis aren't exactly known for their safety anyways, were they. Still, it has the racing seats I wonder if the guy has harnesses as well? The British are lucky that Minis are so prevalent in their car culture even today; these cars are very hard to find over here, so it's basically collector car pricing even for a car that's not that old or particularly desirable.

Though I can't speak for other tourists, I'd pay more to rent an original Mini vs. a newer BMW one just for the novelty of cruising around England in one. The problem is most of the tourist crowd go on vacation to be driven around (buses, cabs, etc.) in an unfamiliar country, so I dunno how much business you would get besides the car crowd. That being said it would be seriously cool if a few hire car companies had a "Heritage Collection" of vintage British sports cars and the like, but I don't think a rental business based solely on classic cars would work, unfortunately :(

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Tyler's SVT Focus Hates Him
03/08/2014 at 18:09

that would be great. I'd love a nice real wood knob but they are pricey.

Tyler's SVT Focus Hates Him > AM3R
03/08/2014 at 18:18

Can't blame him, the RS7 is the best-looking Audi on sale right now IMO. Well, in America at least (love the RS6 Avant). Got any more pictures you're going to post? Always love seeing C&C photodumps.

Tyler's SVT Focus Hates Him > McMike
03/08/2014 at 18:22

Dude that's so awesome! You're definitely right that an original one is a lot classier than a SportPack, especially one as clean as yours. Is it a weekend car or a DD? I've always been curious about how these cars fair in everyday duties, especially the older ones.

Tyler's SVT Focus Hates Him > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
03/08/2014 at 18:32

Man, even regular shift knobs are kind of expensive. I was looking around for a weighted knob since mine's getting a bit old and scuffed, and quality ones go for upwards of $75 sometimes. That being said, a wooden shift knob like that is probably worth the price, even if it is a lot of money.

McMike > Tyler's SVT Focus Hates Him
03/08/2014 at 18:52

They are all geared pretty short. (which is why that 5 speed is nice)

Simple pushrod A-series motors are pretty bulletproof. Carb, ignition points.. etc..

They are small, but no reason they can't be a DD.

My DD is a '87 vanagon

AM3R > Tyler's SVT Focus Hates Him
03/08/2014 at 20:08

I've got some average pictures from my iPhone. I can get them posted if you'd like. My camera was dead (my dumb self forgot to charge it) and I was in a rush this morning.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Tyler's SVT Focus Hates Him
03/08/2014 at 20:31

I bought my current knob from an ebay seller called twistedshifterz. dispite the corny name they make good stuff at a reasonable price. And they put in an actually metal insert that fits your car. None of that generic three plastic inserts bullshit.

this is the knob I currently have and I love it

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pearl-Teal…

but I might replace it with something more like this. to match the wooden Momo steering wheel I bought a few months ago. Still waiting to buy the hub boos though. I'm on a part parts allowance. lol

http://mpcmotorsport.storenvy.com/collections/25…

Tyler's SVT Focus Hates Him > AM3R
03/08/2014 at 22:09

I'd love to see them, and I'm sure other people will appreciate them as well!

AM3R > Tyler's SVT Focus Hates Him
03/08/2014 at 22:12

Will do, I'm gonna have my dad send me the pictures he took too because I think he might've taken more than I did. If I don't get it tonight it'll be up tomorrow morning.

Tyler's SVT Focus Hates Him > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
03/08/2014 at 22:22

I had no idea these guys existed, thank you! And that wooden shift knob is classy as hell, haha, you're going to have to post pictures if you get it.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Tyler's SVT Focus Hates Him
03/08/2014 at 23:43

oh believe me I will.