mk1-forum.net

Wise words and a good idea there Ronaldino. Same idea here too. That's why I bought a new RCSport in '01

Going to have to agree to differ here, I don’t want my ‘fun’ car to be quiet and comfy, I want it to be an ‘occasion’ when I drive it, my everyday modern car is what I want to be quiet and comfy, so at least when I am stuck in traffic on the commute I’m stuck somewhere nice.

Reliability is a different matter, that requires effort and reactive maintenance, plus very good quality parts, I’m all up for that

…£28k is a lot of money for such a highly modded road car like this, limited market, likely take a long time to resell as well.

Would love to have a blast around in this, would certainly put a smile on your face but, I would not pay much more for this than the sum total of the bits…..which is, what about £12- £15k ?

Ok...... here's what I think would be a good all-round response to the over priced mini on offer and answer to the respondents. If you want a really good, tractable and reliable road car that will eat its boy-racer competitors for breakfast, look good and be as unobtrusive as it gets, then forget that mix-and-match mini.

Get yourself a cheap Mk2 Golf GTi 16v. With me so far.....? Take the GTi 16v badges off it and replace them with some mediocre 1400cc Golf Driver badges. Now you've got yourself an easy to maintain Q car at 1/4 the price. It's not a mini of course but it's a reliable and trusty old VW that goes like hot-snot WHEN YOU NEED IT. For the rest of the time, you can use it as a sensible unobtrusive easy to drive family car.

£30k buys a proper car, not that thing.

A 205GTi, a 106 Rallye or even a Fiesta RS Turbo. All decently fast and uncouth and all appreciating in value.

A Mini is a death trap as an 850 but within reason I'll take that chance. 100 bhp is enough for it to be decently quick. After that you have the law of diminishing returns where a car designed for 34 bhp becomes absolutely horrible to drive. I've been in a few and none of them impressed me. Fast? Not as fast as a 911 Turbo and you can buy one of those for 30k as well. 0-100 in about 13 seconds, 200 mph, prodigious grip, serious brakes. 30 mpg, use it every day.

Spend £5000 on a used Jap superbike if you really need that sort of thrill.

Just buy a Tesla and be done with it

If its a classic Mini you're after a well sorted Mk1 Cooper S would probably be the thing that you can have the most fun in, use on occasions and it should (if bought right and built properly) retain its value based on relative scarcity.
As good as the green car looks I suspect it would be less than easy to resell and very likely lose half its money by the time you get fed up with it. Expensive modified cars like that fall in to a very niche market

I would put that sort of money into a nice S1 Elise. Far nicer drive than a Mini, better handling on normal roads and values increasing all the time plus you can drive it every day in all situations. If you want, drop in a Vtec to make it more lary then the option is there. Get one now as the dealers are hoovering up all of the good ones and prices are becoming a bit less attractive.

eg. https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1651968

111Robin wrote: ↑Thu Dec 28, 2023 12:21 pm I would put that sort of money into a nice S1 Elise.

There's no such thing.

They're a vicious bastard plus it has a K Series which is rarely a good idea. The second one with the Toyota engine is vastly better no matter what anyone says.

The M100 Elan is a fantastic car and grossly undervalued. I sold Lotus stuff when they were new and cannot understand why they haven't (yet) taken off. But they will.

Or as OP suggests, just buy the GR Yaris, definitely a future classic, how many WRC homologation specials do you see these days ? Looks great fun

I have learned over the years that its best to keep it simple .I have had lots of minis in all guises from standard S mk1 and mk2 , 130 hp rally Clubman , 160 hp supercharged Mini and of course 230 hp R53 and daily driver F56 with works pro kit .and I eventually realised that the most fun is to be had with a lightly modded Mk1 or Mk2 998 Cooper . Agree re Peugeot 106 Rallye and I am actively looking for a decent one at present . Yaris GR is a really well sorted car and possibly just too perfect . had the opportunity to drive one over the famous Healy pass in Cork / Kerry border and came away very impressed . so for what its worth its the 998 Cooper for me . G

Costafortune wrote: ↑Thu Dec 28, 2023 1:01 pm

111Robin wrote: ↑Thu Dec 28, 2023 12:21 pm I would put that sort of money into a nice S1 Elise.

There's no such thing.

They're a vicious bastard plus it has a K Series which is rarely a good idea. The second one with the Toyota engine is vastly better no matter what anyone says.

The M100 Elan is a fantastic car and grossly undervalued. I sold Lotus stuff when they were new and cannot understand why they haven't (yet) taken off. But they will.

Ok well I've had mine for twenty five years now and it is an exceptional driving car but then I'm not trying to be a hero on the public roads and the K series has been faultless. As with the Mk1 Mini, the first versions are rarely the most technically proficient but are more sought after for their "purity of design". Ofcourse the Toyota engine is better but the S2 is also heavier and softer overall than the S1. I have had three S2 Elises including a supercharged Toyota version but I still preferred the S1 hence it's the one I still have. Just as a later Mpi engined Mini is "better" and more comfortable but it will never be as revered as the Mk1 is. Let's face it, no one buys a mk1 Mini because it's the best of the breed but it will always be the one that most people want.

I don't want to sound spoilt, but I already own a GR Yaris which my son and I bought. I think it an awesome car.
I'm also building an Elan Sprint and have a dedicated track car.
That sort of Mini is just something I had on my bucket list, but I think I am pretty much put off, mainly as it is a pretty big unknown and as has been pointed out (I had forgotten!) it is often more fun driving a lower powered car at 100% rather than a monster at 25%!
I was looking at part exxing the track car or selling it to get the Mini, but come summer I would miss it (it is Birkin, kinda like a Caterham).

Costafortune wrote: ↑Thu Dec 28, 2023 11:54 am £30k buys a proper car, not that thing.

A 205GTi, a 106 Rallye or even a Fiesta RS Turbo. All decently fast and uncouth and all appreciating in value.

A Mini is a death trap as an 850 but within reason I'll take that chance. 100 bhp is enough for it to be decently quick. After that you have the law of diminishing returns where a car designed for 34 bhp becomes absolutely horrible to drive. I've been in a few and none of them impressed me. Fast? Not as fast as a 911 Turbo and you can buy one of those for 30k as well. 0-100 in about 13 seconds, 200 mph, prodigious grip, serious brakes. 30 mpg, use it every day.

Spend £5000 on a used Jap superbike if you really need that sort of thrill.

I’d have to say a 205 gti ,or a 106 Rallye are both death traps too if crashed at speed-and Fiesta RS turbos weren’t that good when they were new lol.
And I get your point about a 911 turbo being a proper fast car,but you would not want a 30 grand one- and the running costs are astronomical.I’ve just got out of a few years of Porsche ownership,fantastic car, but blimey they are expensive to run even doing lots of maintenance myself.
However a 987 gen 2 boxster or cayman s would certainly be fast enough, and still have the wow factor,and leave enough change from 30 grand for plenty of maintenance.
Brakes are easy peasy and so is an oil change.

Mini wise with drama behind the wheel, and something with an interesting story, I would fancy the ex-Downton Mk1 road-going hillclimb car for £25k, as featured on here back in the summer.

On the whole I agree with a less is more approach when it comes to enjoyment on the road, and what actual power can actually be enjoyed. 450bhp might be a rush when on boost, but in a blink it's 100mph+. And when off boost / at sensible speeds I feel that kind of stuff can be boring. But something engaging with say, sub-100bhp, can be enjoyed to the full in second and third gear.

You only have to look at what experienced motoring journalists often opt who drive anything and everything, it's often a Clio 172/200, or something small and FWD.

A lot of them currently own a GR Yaris!
I've driven a few exotica over the years including rental cars and an Ultima and I reckon the GRY is a pinnacle of auto engineering excellence! The brakes are like chucking an anchor out the door and it is a small engine that goes like stink!
All that said, it is still sanitised motoring.
I had a cheapo green clubman 30 years ago, I never knew what engine was in it, but it was the most fun car ever! Genuinely!

irlmin wrote: ↑Thu Dec 28, 2023 1:37 pm I have learned over the years that its best to keep it simple .I have had lots of minis in all guises from standard S mk1 and mk2 , 130 hp rally Clubman , 160 hp supercharged Mini and of course 230 hp R53 and daily driver F56 with works pro kit .and I eventually realised that the most fun is to be had with a lightly modded Mk1 or Mk2 998 Cooper . Agree re Peugeot 106 Rallye and I am actively looking for a decent one at present . Yaris GR is a really well sorted car and possibly just too perfect . had the opportunity to drive one over the famous Healy pass in Cork / Kerry border and came away very impressed . so for what its worth its the 998 Cooper for me . G

I’m glad there’s a few of us 106 enthusiasts on here! Currently got my eye on a rotten (as most are) black gti… just need storage…

mini_surfari wrote: ↑Thu Dec 28, 2023 9:25 pm

irlmin wrote: ↑Thu Dec 28, 2023 1:37 pm I have learned over the years that its best to keep it simple .I have had lots of minis in all guises from standard S mk1 and mk2 , 130 hp rally Clubman , 160 hp supercharged Mini and of course 230 hp R53 and daily driver F56 with works pro kit .and I eventually realised that the most fun is to be had with a lightly modded Mk1 or Mk2 998 Cooper . Agree re Peugeot 106 Rallye and I am actively looking for a decent one at present . Yaris GR is a really well sorted car and possibly just too perfect . had the opportunity to drive one over the famous Healy pass in Cork / Kerry border and came away very impressed . so for what its worth its the 998 Cooper for me . G

I’m glad there’s a few of us 106 enthusiasts on here! Currently got my eye on a rotten (as most are) black gti… just need storage…

My parents bought a brand new 106 gti when they first came out-it was a P reg in blaze yellow (gold/bronze) fantastic car, absolute pocket rocket .sublime handling, just so much fun to drive, I used to borrow it all the time but I used to drive it in bare feet as despite having small feet I found the pedals very close together lol

and.rs1800 wrote: ↑Thu Dec 28, 2023 3:31 pm

Costafortune wrote: ↑Thu Dec 28, 2023 11:54 am £30k buys a proper car, not that thing.

A 205GTi, a 106 Rallye or even a Fiesta RS Turbo. All decently fast and uncouth and all appreciating in value.

A Mini is a death trap as an 850 but within reason I'll take that chance. 100 bhp is enough for it to be decently quick. After that you have the law of diminishing returns where a car designed for 34 bhp becomes absolutely horrible to drive. I've been in a few and none of them impressed me. Fast? Not as fast as a 911 Turbo and you can buy one of those for 30k as well. 0-100 in about 13 seconds, 200 mph, prodigious grip, serious brakes. 30 mpg, use it every day.

Spend £5000 on a used Jap superbike if you really need that sort of thrill.

I’d have to say a 205 gti ,or a 106 Rallye are both death traps too if crashed at speed-and Fiesta RS turbos weren’t that good when they were new lol.
And I get your point about a 911 turbo being a proper fast car,but you would not want a 30 grand one- and the running costs are astronomical.I’ve just got out of a few years of Porsche ownership,fantastic car, but blimey they are expensive to run even doing lots of maintenance myself.
However a 987 gen 2 boxster or cayman s would certainly be fast enough, and still have the wow factor,and leave enough change from 30 grand for plenty of maintenance.
Brakes are easy peasy and so is an oil change.

I inherited a 964 C4 from my Dad but I never drove it. I'd driven one before - they're alright. A guy I know bought a new 718(?) Cayman 2.0 a couple of years ago and swears by it. 250 bhp, perfect handling, brakes and goes well enough.

For me, the ideal Mini is a very lightly tweaked Mark II Cooper S with 85 ish bhp. That's enough for a Mini - it's not a race or a pissing contest. That power and 750 kg all in is enough to prove a point.

Costafortune wrote: ↑Fri Dec 29, 2023 3:59 pm

and.rs1800 wrote: ↑Thu Dec 28, 2023 3:31 pm

Costafortune wrote: ↑Thu Dec 28, 2023 11:54 am £30k buys a proper car, not that thing.

A 205GTi, a 106 Rallye or even a Fiesta RS Turbo. All decently fast and uncouth and all appreciating in value.

A Mini is a death trap as an 850 but within reason I'll take that chance. 100 bhp is enough for it to be decently quick. After that you have the law of diminishing returns where a car designed for 34 bhp becomes absolutely horrible to drive. I've been in a few and none of them impressed me. Fast? Not as fast as a 911 Turbo and you can buy one of those for 30k as well. 0-100 in about 13 seconds, 200 mph, prodigious grip, serious brakes. 30 mpg, use it every day.

Spend £5000 on a used Jap superbike if you really need that sort of thrill.

I’d have to say a 205 gti ,or a 106 Rallye are both death traps too if crashed at speed-and Fiesta RS turbos weren’t that good when they were new lol.
And I get your point about a 911 turbo being a proper fast car,but you would not want a 30 grand one- and the running costs are astronomical.I’ve just got out of a few years of Porsche ownership,fantastic car, but blimey they are expensive to run even doing lots of maintenance myself.
However a 987 gen 2 boxster or cayman s would certainly be fast enough, and still have the wow factor,and leave enough change from 30 grand for plenty of maintenance.
Brakes are easy peasy and so is an oil change.

I inherited a 964 C4 from my Dad but I never drove it. I'd driven one before - they're alright. A guy I know bought a new 718(?) Cayman 2.0 a couple of years ago and swears by it. 250 bhp, perfect handling, brakes and goes well enough.

For me, the ideal Mini is a very lightly tweaked Mark II Cooper S with 85 ish bhp. That's enough for a Mini - it's not a race or a pissing contest. That power and 750 kg all in is enough to prove a point.

I agree-my last mini was dynoed at around 120bhp,(before I bought it but I had no reason to doubt it) it was very peaky and a huge pain to drive unless flat out-that’s what made me sell it.
Massive fun on the open road though.
My Cayman S was a shade over 300bhp, fantastic car, absolutely loved it but it seemed very long geared, and 100mph was on the clock very quickly! I drive for a living so doing 100mph plus is not a good idea , and although I managed to do loads of stuff to my Porsche myself, the few things that were beyond me soon get expensive even at a good Indy.
I’m not a rich man , just a hopeless petrol head, and I saved very hard to buy my Porsche, glad I owned it but I’m coming back to minis,that’s where my heart lies,and always has done thanks to my parents love of them.
Something 1275 or more with upto 100bhp will do me, and be a car I keep forever.

I'm with you there.

The best M3 I had was an E30 Sport Evolution, 2.5 4 cylinder, 230-240 ish bhp. It's enough because the chassis was just perfect. Just a lovely thing to link corners together with. I should have kept it

The most fun cars I've had/driven were supposedly 'low powered'. Alfasuds, M100 Elans, 205GTi's and even a 1.9i Peugeot 405. Focus ST170's and the faster 306's are fantastic fun. Buy now whilst stocks last!