Advice for New Buyer

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Hi everyone

Looked around the site and love it. I am after buying a moggy (preferable convertible ) to use o na daily basis for short journey to and from work - about 10 mins each way but it does include a steep hill. Anyway I really have no idea what sort of price I should be paying, I want something that looks good and runs well but it doesn't have to be in perfect condition as I would be willing to put some work in on it. Anyway I have seen this one(http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1957-Black-an ... 500wt_1156) on ebay and was wondering whether the buy it now price(£3600) is reasonable and how does it look to you folks who know your moggys from your elbows!? Thanks in advance for any help - a hopefully future moggy owner.

Tez

[ASL642]

Firstly welcome to this site. Take a look at the thread at the top of General Discussion. "Advice for new Buyers" Read this before you go to inspect the car it's very useful especially if it's your first venture into Minor ownership

Having looked at the photos of the car on Ebay my observations would be :-

1. The engine bay is very scruffy for the buy it now price asked

2. The Driver's seat has collapsed and needs attention (owner admits this)

3. On the one photo the rear side 1/4 panel under the window seems to be missing as does the wheel arch cover.

I would go and inspect and then make an offer. Good luck

[bmcecosse]

Note - 'always garaged and never goes out in the rain' - there's a good reason for this! Are you going to keep it 'always garaged' and just walk to work on wet days?? Convertible is really really not suitable for everyday use - it will suffer badly - as will you, with the cold! It will be drafty and damp - it only has the early (pretty much hopeless) heater. If you want a daily commute car - better with a saloon. So saying - I agree with the above - the engine bay is well below standard for that BuyNow price. It suggests the rest of the car was pretty much in that state - and has been 'done up' externally. The hood doesn't look a great fit either - and that hood colour will get horribly dirty very easily. It has an Austin engine fitted - with the mechanical fuel pump. Actually a GOOD thing (no 'fit of the vapours') but I mention it just to point out it's not the original engine and so who knows what other changes have been made. I reckon the BuyNow price is very 'hopeful' - but who knows - someone may like it enough! As with any Minor - the underside is where it matters - that's what makes or breaks (literally) these cars.....

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Thanks for your advice, since I do intend to drive it to work "raining or not!" your advice on getting a saloon instead sounds good so I will looking into that. Have taken your advice and am reading through the thread you mentioned. Again thanks a lot

[hanvyj]

You can also get a much better condition saloon than convertible... My advice is to buy the best you can afford. Any work you do will be much more expensive than if you got a car with it already done.

[youngcamper]

I agree, the 2 door saloon is a lovely little car, try to get one built after 1964 as it will have a better heater ! . both my dad and my brother use Morris minors daily its do-able. For £3500 you could get a lovely saloon.

[beero]

I'm no expert but have found this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MORRIS-MINOR- ... 415c52da46

This one looks very similar in condition, even down to the scruffy engine bay and it went for £2600