Shall i get one?

Post by **bolehaps** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 9:41 pm

Hi All

Im brand new here, but not new to the car forum scene, ive recently been made car-less and being a poor teenager ive been generally searching around for car insurance (as you may know its rather expensive) and i was very very happy to find that i can insure a minor for around £450 which may seem expensive, but compared to other quotes (£2000 for a general 1litr hatch of any modern kind) its great, ive got a friend who works at a specialist minor garage and they can sort me out a decent one running with fresh MOT service ect for a nice price, but what i would like to know is, am i going to love it or hate it? i know you cant answer that question but is there anyone else on here that has one around my age who could maybe give me thier views?

Thanks in advance for your time,

Peter

Post by **Dean** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 9:49 pm

Well you've come to the right place....

Put it this way, I was never that keen on Minors, but for some reason after taking on my dads I can't get enough of it.

Take one for a test drive, remember they are an old car so don't expect the cruise control to work too well.

Post by **alex_holden** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 9:49 pm

I got my first Minor when I was 19 and loved it.

Post by **Dean** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 9:52 pm

Sorry Peter how rude, welcome to the forum. There are quite a few teenagers posting on here who have Minors so I'm sure they will be along shortly.

Post by **bolehaps** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 9:52 pm

Thanks for the quick reply Dean, and yeh i think i will take it for a quick test drive, in all honesty i have a feeling this will be the perfect car for me, i am looking for something i can work on, and im not an expert on cars but have been a fanatic since a young age, and if im not mistaken these arnt the most complicated cars, but im still just doubtful as im a rather impatient person and dont want to rush it, im going to take a look at it in a few days hopefully and going to take along a decent mechanic to make sure its all in good nick n wont fall apart

Post by **Dean** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 10:13 pm

You are right these are easy cars to work on, I'm no mechanic but I've been trying to restore mine since the summer. It's been great fun, helped by the great spares back up service so, just about every bit you will want you can get hold of.

Keep us posted how you get on, post some pics if/when you buy, they are a great helpful bunch on here.

Post by **bolehaps** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 10:18 pm

Will do mate, trying to arrange a viewing but its hard because they are only open weekdays and im currently working 9-6 so ill have to try sort something out, i know the company who its coming from, a good friend has worked there for a while now so he knows the cars inside out too, hes going to take a load of pictures of it tommorow for me so ill stick some up to see what you guys think, also about the price, fresh MOT and service and its for £750, obviously you can say more when you see pics but is that about right for one in decent condition?

Post by **rayofleamington** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 10:31 pm

Got my first one at 17 which was a bit of a wreck, but never regretted it.
They're great cars for working on and for learning , and reasonable fuel economy etc... and have a personality of their own.

Post by **Dean** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 10:32 pm

Best to wait until your mechanic friend takes a look, £750 sounds ok to me. It may look good on the outside but you need to have a good look under carpets and inside all the nooks and crannies where rot can be hidden. I'm sure your mate will be aware of all this so.. we'll be routing for you!!

Post by **bolehaps** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 10:35 pm

Yeh, hes a good mate, and he personally has worked on the car and promises me that its in perfect working order, but i just wanna get in there n have a look round me self and get a second opinion, cheers for all the notes so far

, sorry forgot to add, are you using these cars as ur main daily run around?

Post by **toginthemog** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 10:40 pm

Welcome Peter warning these cars are an addiction once you get one you will always have a soft spot for one. dead easy to work on like the others say. Got my first one at 17 years old with a break of about 15yrs still got one or two 55years old and a self confessed addict. Good luck

Post by **Kevin** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 10:44 pm

Welcome aboard Peter and glad you are so enthusiastic just 2 points if its from a specialist ask if you can see it up on a ramp that way you can see many of the weak points and take lots of pictures, then you can post them on here for peoples thoughts, but don't expect an excellent car for that money unless you pal has managed to do you a real favour.

Post by **bolehaps** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 10:59 pm

Yeh thanks again, nice to see so many friendly people about here, im not 100% sure if they have a ramp there but i will definetly have a good look round underneath, the guy im taking with me will find anything bad whatsoever anyway.

Post by **alanworland** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 10:59 pm

Got this when I was 17 - still got it 38 years later!! enough said.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 11:08 pm

fresh MOT and service and its for £750, obviously you can say more when you see pics but is that about right for one in decent condition?

If the outside looks a bit tired but the structure and mechanicals are good then that's probably about right.
To fetch high prices they need shiny paint and no visible rust - however many shiny ones can still be a wreck!

Post by **bigginger** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 11:20 pm

WHS. Doesn't matter what it looks like, it's the structure that matters. That said, go on, buy one

Post by **Longdog** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 5:31 am

Hi, for what it's worth I got my first Minor at 16 and have owned 6 altogether all bar a pickup.As a rule if there is something you don't like about the car you can always modify it (handling,brakes,engine etc).
The Minor must be one of the best served classics in this field so the sky is the limit.
I've been into minors for 25 years and still love the shape.
If you like the style of the car then go for it, you will have hours of fun and can learn as you go.Good luck!

Post by **markc** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 6:50 am

You go for it...whatever you do make sure its solid underneath.

Post by **wibble_puppy** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 9:03 am

Welcome to the forum, and good luck with the car, I hope it's a good 'un and I hope you feel you can make the right decision for you about whether to buy it or not

Ask about the history of the car, whether it has ever been in any collisions.

Post by **bolehaps** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 12:01 pm

thanks guys, seems really good so far, im 99% sure i will go for it now, just want to have a look mechanical wise to see if its solid, and if it is ill be buying it, also wibble_puppy just wondering how much that paint job set you back mate, looks really nice