I'd say a 2 door saloon for a tall bloke like yourself!
Provided the front and rear screen seals aren't leaking then it'll last you for years on end, used and sat outside in all weathers.
A tatty looking (but mechanically sound) saloon will be cheap compared to a shiny looking rot box, and you don't have to be paranoid about getting a ding in the supermarket carpark etc..
You can pick up Minors with a 1275 engine + disk brakes for not much difference in price from a standard car - knowing your tendency not to leave things alone you may as well get something uprated and avoid doing it yourself... Just a suggestion.
Personally I find a standard 1098 to make a perfect every day car. They aren't quick, but if driven carefully on a run they'll give great mpg, and if serviced properly they can give good reliability. You'll be at the mercy of the occassional idiot needing to overtake for no reason, although it's less hassle in a 1275 as you can ward them off much easier ;-)
Ray. MMOC#47368. Forum moderator.
Jan 06: The Minor SII Africa adventure: http://www.minor-detour.com
Oct 06: back from Dresden with my Trabant 601 Kombi
Jan 07: back from a month thru North Africa (via Timbuktu) in a S3 Landy
June 07 - back from Zwickau Trabi Treffen
Aug 07 & Aug 08 - back from the Lands End to Orkney in 71 pickup
Sept 2010 - finally gave up breaking down in a SII Landy...
where to break down next?
2013... managed to seize my 1275 just by driving it round the block
I was using the mog every day, up to 500 miles a week on occasions for over 10 years. A failed head gasket and a cooked engine meant a swap to the eurotrash. I've missed her so much and my weekend fix is just not enough I'm in the process of swapping back!
Life is too short to own only one Minor
Gulliver 1969 Traveller, Green Machine 1967 2 door, Roxy 1967 4 door, Delilah 1960 convertible, Pheonix 1958 4 door, Francis 1953 4 door, Marilyn 1949 lowlight (1970 pick up & 1971 van both awaiting restoration)
Hi and thanks for all the replies
Very interesting.
MarkyB wrote:What kind of a drive is this 8 mile commute?
Traffic all the way, empty A roads or a quick motorway blast?
It's mainly on single track roads not much larger than farm tracks but they are used as a rat-run so hedge diving is a regular occurence.........
The only hill is a level crossing at the half-way point!
Thanks again
Martin
MMOC Nationals Custom Class Winner 2011!
1966 V8 Convertible now reborn
Im not really adding much to this other than to say I have used Minors daily for years. Just be strict with the maintenance, skimp it and you will be using more fuel and risk losing reliability.