Buying your first Mini
When buying your first Mini you need to consider which type is best for you. This depends on your budget, your technical abilities and your facilities. There are plenty of Minis from which to choose and they range from highly collectable, rare cars through modified cars to good useable cars and to very rusty restoration projects. Some are really worth the money, some will be overpriced, some will need a lot more money spending on them and some, sadly, are not what they claim to be.
The first thing is to decide is which mark, age, model and indeed type of Mini you would like: a saloon, Estate, Van, Pick-up or even Moke. Saloons come in round-nose, Clubman-front, Cooper, 1275 GT plus the Wolseley Hornet and Riley Elf. Then decide if you want a modified or standard Mini. The age and degree of modification will in many ways determine if the car will be a pure classic or one for more regular use on club runs or perhaps even for everyday or occasional daily use. If it is to get a lot of use then a more recent Mini will usually be a better bet.
Do as much research as possible, decide upon your model, your budget and the level of work (if any – although there is always something to do to a Mini) you would like within that budget.
A good tip is to join a Mini club. Club members often have very good knowledge of Minis and will be able to help tell good from bad and allow you to look over a few options too. You cannot be too careful. Never shy away from getting another opinion from someone in the know. It is vitally important really to know about Minis in order to assess them accurately. Think about whether you have the restoration and mechanical skills to carry out any work needed or if you know someone who has, or whether you can and want to afford to pay a professional to do the work for you.
Do remember that major restorations and re-shells require a lot of skill, space, commitment and money. This guide will help you identify the marks of Mini, followed by a technical checklist to work through when assessing a Mini.
