Newbie looking for a bit of direction :D

Post by **lilou** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 9:09 pm

Hello All!

Been lurking on this forum for a while now

and as a "moggy owner wannabe", I thought this might be the right time to introduce myself and ask for a little bit of guidance from everyone on this message board.

I have relocated to the Manchester Area from San Francisco about 9 months ago and it looks like I'm here to stay!

I am starting a business and I'm looking for an everyday car (mostly local driving), but who wants to turn up in a mercedes when one can show up in a Minor?!

Every time I see one go by, the little kid in me is unleashed and I can't help but giggle and drool in admiration, I just think they are so cool!!

That being said, I don't know that much about them and need to get a bit of an education before making the jump!

2-door vs 4-door, just preference or more issues? Some years better than others? What to look out for when buying?

I am very leery about buying from ebay, I would prefer to buy from a forum member. I don't want a project, I just don't have the time or space for it.

The only other car that has the same effect on me is the Austin 40 Sommerset...but I know even less about them and they seem scarce.

Any help/advice is greatly appreciated

Cheers,

Ingrid

Post by **pao7psb** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 9:17 pm

Been lurking on this forum for a while now

I think we should have an amnesty on forum lurkers! Come out of the shadows, comrades!

(Admittedly this won't help Ingrid much)

Post by **ASL642** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 9:53 pm

Hi Lilou, We have 2 Manchester branches, I suggest you pop along to the nearest to you and ask some questions. One is around the Holmes Chapel area and the other is Chester based. If you post which is nearer I'll PM the numbers

Post by **d_harris** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 10:12 pm

Hi Ingrid!

2 door or 4 door is personal preference really! The trick (as with any car) is to buy the best you can afford

Any of the 1000 derivatives are fine for everyday use really (948cc or 1098cc - with 1098 being introduced in 1964) Just don't expect to set the road on fire because performance cars they aint!

Post by **lilou** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 11:31 pm

HaHa!!

Yeah, I wasn't expecting to leave rubber marks...I drive like a granny anyway!

I am actually not very far from Holmes Chapel...would love to stop by on a weekend.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 11:57 pm

In the For Sale section - yes it's in London - but a very fair looking starter car. http://www.mmoc.org.uk/index.php?name=P ... ic&t=25313

Having been in SF (twice ) as visitor - why on earth would you come over here!? I would go back there in a minute.
But welcome to the Forum anyway.

Post by **mike.perry** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 12:18 am

Read up on Minors then decide which age and model you want to go for. The price you are willing to pay will depend on how good you are with a spanner (wrench?)

Wed Apr 29, 2009 5:59 am

Welcome Ingrid

The only advice I could add is take one of each i.e. 948 and 1098 out for a test drive and see which suits you best. A popular mod is to fit an engine from a marina/ital which was 1300cc this does not seem to affect prices too much either way, the condition of the body work is what tends to control the price you will pay.

As for a 2 door / 4 door it depends.. if you regularly take lots of passangers and they need to jump out at the cash point etc a 4 door makes sense.. if you have children and do not want them to be able jump out a 2 door makes sense.. there is nothing different in running costs or reliability or spares.

The big advantage of the 2 door is it can be easily converted to a convertible at a later date if you decide to keep the car for a long time and you fancy like going down that route. I would say you can not make a 4 door convertible but some one posted pics of one recently but i do not think it was straight forward.

Post by **alainmoran** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 7:54 am

For a second there I thought you meant 'take one of each' ... I thought to myself "Haha, right-on, might as well tell it like it is!!"

I have a two door and a pickup, quite a few other people on here seem to have at least a traveller and a saloon, you'll find that once you start you just cant stop, they will take over your life if you let them

Post by **dalebrignall** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 8:12 am

the sort of car you want is solid underneatth.thats the critical thing.to make the car shiney you can do that at a later date.the good thing with the moggy is that all the spares are readily availiable.along with engines and gearboxes.no car tax to pay.go along to a branch meeting im sure that someone will go with you to look at a car.insurance is cheap too.good luck and let us know how you get on.

Post by **lilou** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 9:12 am

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome

Yes, SF is a beautiful place...but living in the US comes at a very high price, I would prefer to visit now and again!
I am originally from Belgium (my husband is from Gloucester) and we were simply charmed by the relaxed and friendly way of life in the Northwest....what can I say?! Must be the weather!

Back to the Minor, my budget is around 2000, but obviously would depend on the car I am buying. One I have been lurking at on this forum.....

http://www.morrisminoroc.co.uk/index.ph ... ly&t=25318

Surprised it hadn't sold....wondered if I missed something

The one in London looks nice as well...I think my main concerns are:
A good engine/gearbox (ie. reliable), a sound body (no rusty bits that can't easily be fixed) and a reasonable interior.

Btw, I've been meaning to ask: Does the Minor require it's owner to stand with a blow dryer each rainy morning before it will agree to start? Or is that a thing of the past? It will not be garaged, but I am planning on getting a breathable cover for it.

A lot of the moggies seem to have MG engines, or some equivalent....good/bad?
I don't recall the MG being as reliable....I did drive one years ago and nearly wetted myself when it came time to stop at the stop sign!!

My foot had to be pried off the brake pedal after that episode!

I will test drive both engine types, I guess 150cc does make a big difference on a small car...I hadn't really thought of it. Were there other significant changes along with the newer engine (ie. gearbox, etc.)? Or is it simply a matter of a little more Ummph?!

I must admit the 4-door looks very civilized for some reason, but I do worry about more rust issues, since that seems to be their weak spot under the doors...and since I don't have friends that have to frequently jump out to cash machines.....2-Door sounds adequate!
Especially after mentioning that little detail about the convertible bit.....

I'm afraid the addiction might have already begun, y husband is already talking about buying a traveller for his painting/decorating business......what have we started?!!

Post by **lilou** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 9:16 am

dalebrignall wrote:the sort of car you want is solid underneatth.thats the critical thing.

Hi Dale,

Yes that seems to bit a BIG part of what makes a good Minor....which brings me to the following question:

A lot of them have the under carriage covered up in goop, presumably to protect it?
But how can you get a good assessment of what's happening underneath, if it's all covered up?

Post by **alex_holden** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 11:08 am

lilou wrote:we were simply charmed by the relaxed and friendly way of life in the Northwest....what can I say?! Must be the weather!

Back to the Minor, my budget is around 2000, but obviously would depend on the car I am buying. One I have been lurking at on this forum.....
http://www.morrisminoroc.co.uk/index.ph ... ly&t=25318

I don't think that's the right link.

Btw, I've been meaning to ask: Does the Minor require it's owner to stand with a blow dryer each rainy morning before it will agree to start? Or is that a thing of the past? It will not be garaged, but I am planning on getting a breathable cover for it.

My traveller is a daily driver all year round, kept outside in all weathers, and it starts first time every time.

Were there other significant changes along with the newer engine (ie. gearbox, etc.)? Or is it simply a matter of a little more Ummph?!

The gearbox is a bit stronger and the differential has a lower ratio, which means the engine doesn't have to spin as fast when you're cruising along on the motorway. The front brakes are bigger and better, and the later 1098s have separate flashing indicators, a better heater, and the windscreen wipers clear more of the screen (mine is from the transition period where it got the later engine, brakes, and diff but not the other stuff).

The brakes, transmission, and indicators can pretty easily be upgraded if you fall in love with an earlier car but want to make it a bit more practical for everyday use.

A lot of them have the under carriage covered up in goop, presumably to protect it?
But how can you get a good assessment of what's happening underneath, if it's all covered up?

Yes, that is a definite problem. You can poke at with a screwdriver (with the seller's permission!) and if it goes through that area is badly rotten. You can also try using a magnet to detect areas of filler/fibreglass/chicken wire etc. Even an expert won't find it all though - I've often scraped thick underseal off a good-looking panel to find rotting metal hidden underneath.

Post by **mike.perry** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 11:23 am

Just keep looking and if you have any suspicions walk away, Don't get sentimental, there are plenty more for sale. The next Minor Matters comes out soon and that should have a selection of cars for sale.

Post by **lilou** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 11:44 am

Oopppss...

Is this the right link?

http://www.morrisminoroc.co.uk/index.ph ... ic&t=24208

Post by **ASL642** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 11:54 am

Thst looks a nice well looked after car. Go and have a look!

I'm certain they may be someone on here who may live near enough to go with you to check it out.

Post by **mike.perry** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:26 pm

I'm a little concerned that the B post isn't strong enough to take the top seat belt anchorage point

Post by **PSL184** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 3:53 pm

Hi Ingrid

I just drove past a nice one for sale in the Midlands area. I've posted details here

http://www.mmoc.org.uk/index.php?name=P ... ic&t=25333

pm me if you want the owners phone number.....
Rich

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 4:36 pm

That looks a fine car (but I see it is now SOLD) - until you study the underbonnet shot which perhaps shows a less glowing side of the car. However - don't let that put you off too much - just be prepared to get under the car and inspect it all very carefully before buying! Cars in UK need an MOT (safety test certificate) annually - make sure ANY car you buy has a NEW one - ie less than 2 or at most 3 months old. Any older than that - ask the seller to put it through a new test so you have some assurance the car is reasonably solid and safe, and get a full year of use before worrying about the next test!

Post by **alainmoran** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 5:23 pm

MOT's however arent any guaruntee of solidity ... I had one minor that 3 months after it's MOT I was removing the front suspension and the chassis leg collapsed before my very eyes, took it somewhere with ramps and they found another three areas of MOT failure rust.

Other MOT stations can be amazingly efficient, I've found this one place in Preston who really knows his stuff ... I've yet to have my car passed by him, but another station just down the road passed the same car with flying colours (I've since stripped the bits it failed on and fixed them, I'll be taking my minor to the tough MOT man before I put her back on the road properly)

Nothing beats talking an existing minor owner into coming to view the car you have set your heart on and having them poke about the usual problem spots with a screwdriver ... if the owner wont let you poke about gently then walk away as they may be trying to hide something expensive.