Buying a Morris Minor 1000

Post by **SueBell** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 11:02 am

Hi,

I'm new to this, and searching for a Morris Minor 1000 saloon (1965 onwards/2 or 4 door/1098cc/tax exempt(?). I owned one in my youth (many years past!) and had to sell it - no money to repair 'cos major welding needed. Over the years I have driven my hubby mad with my nagging about wanting another Morris Minor, he has stopped saying 'no'.
I have up to £2000 to spend. Not a lot of technical knowledge - would I be better to buy from a specialist trader or go privately armed with the MMOC 'Buying a Morris Minor' guide that I've printed off the site?
Any help would be gratefully accepted

Post by **Orkney** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 11:13 am

Hi Sue & welcome,
you might do well to join the club - worth it for enthusiasts well kept cars in the magazine ad's section - also will get you a preffered insurance rate as a member which more than covers the annual subscription.
Try a want ad on here and keep an eye on the cars for sale.
Dont think 2k will get you much from a specialist trader - buying a well loved car from an enthusiast will always give you better VFM.
Good luck and keep us posted,
kevin

Post by **chickenjohn** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 11:33 am

Ask Steve4063, he is allways doing up cars to sell.

Post by **dunketh** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 11:33 am

Buy the best you can afford! If you find a 1098 model for 2k chances are its gonna be a good one.
Best bet would probably be to buy off someone on here, they're all enthusiasts and you can read up on the car through searching previous postings by its seller.

Post by **chickenjohn** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 12:38 pm

http://www.mmoc.org.uk/index.php?name=P ... ic&t=16710

Or join your local branch- often cars for sale there too.

Post by **DaveC** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 12:46 pm

you might do well to join the club

Very good advice from Orkney there Sue. There were several saloons for sale in the classified section of the last issue of Minor Matters within your price range. Take someone with you who knows a bit about them too, you can always ask on this forum, and see if you can find someone near to where you are. Where are you by the way?

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 12:55 pm

But don't ignore ebay - there are bargains out there although you do need to be careful. Cars from traders are always going to be more expensive - although you should get some 'guarantee' from a trader! Main thing though - insist on a new MOT, and have a really good look underneath - take a trolley jack, a good bright torch and some old carpet with you!

Post by **Orkney** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 1:08 pm

Second what bmcecosse says about being careful on ebay - do look at the thread about Dodgy Auction in the Cars for Sale section and take it for the warning it is.

Post by **wibble_puppy** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 3:43 pm

Hi Sue! and welcome to the forum

Your best bet would be to join the club, and then your local branch. Your branch will be able to advise on buying a car, and also find someone to go along with you to view potential purchases - you do really need an experienced person to pick up on all the potential pitfalls. A good condition saloon is not too expensive, but repairing one which is in bad condition certainly is.

So it's wise to get all the info and advice you possibly can before you part with your money - whether to a trader, a private sale or something on ebay.

People always say "don't buy the first one you see" but sometimes that can work out okay - as long as you've got a good experienced person with you to check out the vehicle with you...

As bmcecosse says, your money will go further with a private sale, but you should get a guarantee from a trader (make sure it's an absolutely watertight one - not all Minor specialists are quite as thorough as they could be when doing up cars to sell).

And yes, all Minors are tax exempt unless they have been really radically rebuilt, which won't apply to the car you buy.

Best of luck! and I hope you end up with the car of your dreams

wibble xx

Post by **SueBell** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 9:40 pm

Hi,
many thanks for all your comments - message to DaveC - I'm in the wilds of Norfolk - would put a smiley face but can't get it to work***!
I have been to look at a morris minor for sale in Peterborough - Black/2 door/ registration CFL 302C/chassis number MIA255D1109694 It looks good - starts first time, doesn't sound too bad, had a test drive - brakes ok, doesn't jump out of gear, checked reverse gear, she's got restoration paperwork..... have agreed to buy for £2200 - lets hope it's as good as it looks!! I'll keep you posted

Sue

Post by **uax6** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 10:44 pm

Hi Sue,

Where in Norfolk are you? I'm in West Norfolk (near Downham Market), and if you want advice or someone to check it out I'm happy to help. I've had minors all my driving days (ok the last 10 years) so know what to look out for. (you could pop round on the way back from Peterborough!)

Andy G

Post by **rayofleamington** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 11:23 pm

lets hope it's as good as it looks

It often pays to get a good inspection done before parting with that kind of money! I've sold Minors for £600 with full MOT and good engine, brakes and gearbox... the expensive stuff is the rust/rot and how well (or badly) it has been restored.
One man's "fully restored" is another man's "botch job"
I've done this on other cars and ended up renegotiating the price afterwards - with each type of car it takes someone with a LOT of experience to spot the good from the bad. Despite trusting myself to check out most cars - I really needed an inspection on something I wasn't familiar with.

Post by **DaveC** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 1:28 pm

Hi Sue
Don't get too carried away with it, and as the folks say, get a proper insepection done. if there is anything wrong it will be costly, and would seriously tarnish your enthusiasm!
Been there done it

Cheers and good luck
Dave

Post by **DaveC** » Wed Aug 29, 2007 1:12 pm

How did you get on Sue? Did you buy CFL?