What to do

[Blades]

Dear All

For many years i have wanted to buy a Morris Minor, my technical knowledge is limited on cars but would you be able to advise on the price and spec i would be looking for so more help the better, i would be looking at some thing that is in good condition so not a project but might just need one or two things tweaking with

It would be used mostly at week ends as i catch the tram to work, but would cover around 3 - 3,500 miles per year, during the course of a years motoring we go up to the Yorkshire Dales a couple of times a year for a least a week at a time so it would need to be able to cope with this kind of driving. What kind of speeds will a MM get up to on the motorway?

Can you help with any pit falls to look out for, once i have got my MM

What kind of running costs per year would i be looking at, at the moment i am driving a Mk 5 Ford Fiesta which just requires the usual cover for wear and tear, would i be looking at some thing similar in terms of out lay to what i am at present, i have it serviced every year and at the same time have any bits and bobs sorted that need doing usually in the region of £300 - £400 per year

I keep on top of things so that it's never anything big that needs repairing rather than letting things slowly get worse

Regards Nick<br><br>

[alex_holden]

A later Minor 1000 with a 1098 engine will cruise comfortably at 60MPH+ on the motorway. I use a traveller as my daily driver and did over 12,000 miles in her last year, including a rally around Ireland with three occupants and far too much luggage. They cope fine with driving around the Dales, though you should be careful to keep the brakes in good condition and you need to remember to use engine braking when descending long steep hills to avoid overheating them.

Not really sure about maintenance costs if you're not planning to do the work yourself. I would recommend servicing it twice a year even with your low mileage.

Note that 'MM' usually refers only to the early cars.

[mike.perry]

My technical knowledge of modern cars is limited to knowing which openings to put the various liquids in and how to inflate the tyes.
With the Minor everything (well almost) is where you can find it so you soon learn to become used to carrying out your own servicing, so that is one cost that can be reduced, remembering that service items need checking more frequently than on modern cars, don't expect to go between services without topping up the oil.
The Minor is of course tax exempt which is another saving and insurance may well be cheaper.
On the down side if you do not buy carerully you may find yourself with some expensive restoration work. So when you have found your ideal car take someone along who knows about these things and can point out the holes in the floor pan.
For travelling up the hills you may wish to consider a modified Minor with a 1275 engine, 5 speed box and improved brakes. However it is important to know what non standard parts have been fitted or you could be in trouble when you need to buy service replacements.
You would probably be looking for post 1963 and you would have a choice of convertible (expensive), traveller (not quite so expensive), 2 and 4 door saloons.

[Blades]

Alex and Mike

Thank you for the tips, with regards to servicing i could change the oil and filters but not some thing like the brake pads, but a friend of mine does all the usual jobs so that shouldn't be a problem.

Even in my modern car i usually only do 60 m.p.h. on the motorways so a Morris Minor will be ok

I am in the process of saving up, at the moment i have got £850 saved but am aiming to get up to £4,000, i'm not to bothered about a convertable but do like the look and shape of the saloon and traveller

Are there any advantages to either or is it just a case for personal preference

Cheers Nick

[alex_holden]

The advantage of the traveller is they have more luggage space. The disadvantage is that they are more expensive and you have to look after the wood or it will rot.

[Blades]

Alex

Thank you, i think i will finally decide once i have got my money saved up, it could be down to what is for sale at the time, i do for some strange reason slightly lean towards the traveller, not sure why

Nick

[simmitc]

Nick, the Minor is a superb car for every day use, but when buying for the first time you really do need to know what to look for in order to avoid later problems. I strongly advise that you joint your local branch of the MMOC. It will be only a few quid, you don't have to own a Minor, just have an interest in the cars. You'll find a friendly welcome and, more importantly, a wealth of practical knowledge and cars in various states of repair. Then, when you go to buy, someone will probably be prepared to go with you.

You'll get loads of advice on this forum, but there's nothing like seeing things "in the flesh"

[aupickup]

also at the moment with the credit and recession, it is a good time to buy one a bit cheaper

[mike.perry]

You will not have any trouble changing brake pads on a Morris Minor as there aren't any. The brakes are drums all round and the brake shoes are easy to change. In fact there is very little of the regular maintenance that you will have difficulty with if you follow the instructions in the manual and if there are any problems you can always ask. Running a Minor has never been easier.
£4000 should buy you a nice traveller with very little work needed unless you are a perfectionist, and a saloon should be in excellent condition.

[ASL642]

You can pick up a saloon for around £3000 in very good condition at present.

[aupickup]

like this one

[dalebrignall]

you should get a decent one for the money you are prepared to spend.join the club and get some to go with you when you go looking for a car.i have a traveller and i use it a lot.lots of space,cruises comftably at a mile a minute,will go faster but its noisy and whats the point of getting to a traffic jam faster.easy to work on if i can do a basic sevice any one can.good on fuel as well.they are a great car.

[kas279n]

I'd go for the traveller any time - loads more practical, we were thinking of getting something like a mini van for moving furniture around etc, but the traveller does the job just fine! Mine cruises nicely at 70mph on the motorway and has no problems with hills etc...

[Blades]

Many thanks for all the advice, sorry for not posting sooner, i went on a works field trip down Boulby Salt mine on Friday (very interesting)

Reading sites like this will improve my knowledge on Morris Minors by the time i have got enough money together, i would need to take some one with me though who knows what to look for and what to ask

One question i forgot to ask, what kind on m.p.g. would i expect to get from one in good working order?

Regards Nick

[mike.perry]

It depends on your boot size. Probably a bit over 30mph in heavy traffic to 40mph plus on a gently country drive.
Now I will just wait for the replies that say they have got 65mpg downhill in neutral with the wind behind them.

[dalebrignall]

it does depend on how you drive,but mikes figures are on the money,i have had about 43mpg but that was a steady 55mph,going up to yorkshire.

[Blades]

Up to 40 m.p.g seems pretty good to me , if i get that now in my Fiesta i'm more than happy

What with cheaper insurance, no road tax, and good mileage it bodes very well

Regards Nick

[Cam]

On a run I tend to get around 40-42 MPG, in a standard 1098cc saloon.

I think this is pretty good but may be not that brilliant compared to modern cars. We towed Gill's van back from Bristol (about 135 miles) using a twin axle trailer and got the 2.0 Tdi Mondeo to return 42 MPG!! I was amazed to say the least.

I was happy with the Minor's MPG up to that point.