Hello All,
I thought I would introduce myself and ask the first of many questions! I am hoping to buy my first moggy and looking at one this weekend. I have been looking for quite a while because I have so much still to learn!
I have posted the link below for the moggy I am going to look at (I hope this is okay). I wondered if anyone had looked at this car already or had any advice about whether this would be a good car for a Newbie? (I think and hope so.) Any advice would be very greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Hi and welcome to the site! This minor looks really good and clean in the pictures. Check it over carefully for rust, the owner says in the descriptuon that it isnt perfect. Go with an open mind as there are lots of minors for sale and around £2000 should get you something pretty good.
It looks a fairly honest car, with a bit of dirt in the usual places. The engine bay is reasonably clean which shows that the engine gets looked at occasionally. Check the condition of the engine oil.
The light blue upholsery is a difficult colour to clean up and there is a little bit of sagging on the front seat which is a sign that it has been looked after and not tarted up for a quick sale.
Check the underside for rust, especially on the floor pan around the spring hangers and corners of the wheel arches. Be wary if it has been freshly undersealed, it could be hiding some botched repairs. Lift the edges of the carpets and inspect the floor underneath.
The engine should run smoothly but obviously not as refined as a modern car and check for a noisy 1st gear.
Before you go to look at it familiarize yourself with the controls and layout so you don't look as though it is the first car you have seen.
Last edited by mike.perry on Sat Aug 29, 2009 9:52 am, edited 1 time in total.
Ask for a drive in it - even if they drive the car. You can then see if the gearbox is good (no problems jumping out of gear) and see if the brakes work. Test things like wipers/lights etc. She looks a nice car.
Looks like a very nice car all right. Where is it anyone know ?
Gertie, 1962 Saloon, Milly, 1969 Traveller (ex APL 971H) and now KAS 1958 4 Door Saloon.
[img]http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t28/iandromiskin/DSC_0051-1.jpg[/img][img]http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t28/iandromiskin/Picture112.jpg[/img][img]http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t28/iandromiskin/Picture366.jpg[/img]
Looks smart - fresh paint inside the boot would have me wondering what'it's hiding. Lift the carpets front and rear - and test drive is essential. Also insist on at least 9 months MOT. The seller has no 'feedback' - so take care. £ would say negotiate the price down - £1750 may be nearer the mark - but try £1,600 in hard cash in your hand first! And walk away if they won't take it. Only reluctantly go back with a little more.
Theres nothing there that immediatly grabs me. Looks like a tidy, honest car. As others have said, there are plenty out there for around 2k, so give it a good poke!
If you spot one around newbury or south thereof, I'd gladly come and have a poke around with you!
Thank you to everyone for all of the advice - I really appreciate it! I looked at a couple last weekend but was a bit dubious so didn't buy. Fingers crossed this time. I will let you know how I get on.
I am now the proud owner of a Morris Minor! She was in great condition when I went to have a look and clearly really cared for. The drive back to Newbury was wonderful! Hopefully I will see some of you around soon and thank you once again for the advice.
Congratulations on becoming an owner of the best car in the world!
Your best plan now is to plough through the forum's Mechanical, Electrical and Other sections to get an idea about what's involved. You'll be happy to see that the Moggie is beautiful in its simplicity.
Come and ask questions here before parting with money for parts or services.
In your position, I would change the oil and filter, regardless of what anyone has said or dates scribbled on little tags in the engine bay. Then you know for sure. You need to top up a dashpot on top of the carburettor with engine oil. This is very important, and should become a weekly check. It only needs a soupspoonful.
Then there's fuel - has the modification to lead-free petrol been done? If not, you'll either need an additive, or to check out topics on the subject here regarding slight changes to the engine settings to enable running on lead-free to be done safely and without damage to the engine.
But before all of that, load up the picnic basket and shoot off somewhere nice for the day!
Congratulations from Portugal!
Well come to the Morris Minor's world.
Cheers
carlos
MM Lowlight 1949 - Portuguese Registration
Traveller 1964 - formerly AKR 343 B
Convertible1969 - formerly XCH 455 G
Pickup 1971 - formerly BTT 213 K
MMOC 66138
MORRIS MINOR is Forever also in Portugal
I have been looking for quite a while because I have so much still to learn!
