Sunshine MINIs

by **MINIMAD** » Tue Aug 26, 2003 9:02 pm

If I can help answer any classic mini questions for you give me a call. Good luck!

by **Nobull60** » Wed Aug 27, 2003 6:53 am

by **minicoopersgirl** » Wed Aug 27, 2003 8:52 am

Yikes, You are asking a lot Bruce....you'll just have to keep your eye out for that. Call all the dealers, give them your info, let them know what you are looking for, so if they have/get one they can contact you.

by **Nobull60** » Wed Aug 27, 2003 8:56 am

Yeah I know I'm asking lots and I have been talking with DJ in Ocala but the problem is distance. He is way up there. And he wants me to drive up to see what he has to get an idea of what to look for. I know that I want right hand drive and a classic in good body and good mechanical condition.

by **Car Guy David** » Wed Aug 27, 2003 8:59 am

With what you want the $10000 price tag might be hard to find. There's several dealers on the web and when you look at there cars and find one that is nice the prices can shoot up to around $20000 or more for an S.

by **MINIMAD** » Wed Aug 27, 2003 8:31 pm

I'd be happy to help out if I can and share what I know about the car, importing , dealers, whatever.

Make the trip to Ocala, Dion's a good guy and fair. If nothing else you'll learn a bunch. Its worth the trip. It'll save you $ in the long run.

Did you know there is a Mini dealer in Bradenton, M&S http://www.mandsautos.com/

Take a look at Turky's in Charleston SC http://www.turkys.com/mini.html

Feel like importing?, call
John Hodge @
http://planetmini.tripod.com/welcome/

or David Weber @
http://barnhillminis.bizland.com/

or Alan Tozer @ Henley Classic Minis in Oxfordshire

Rust, rust, rust. Did I mention, rust? Well, that's the biggest issue. Find a car with the best shell you can. Don't worry about the engine. A used and usable 1275 engine is about $800 and a day's work. ALL Minis have rust, somewhere. Be very careful. Learn about the car & where to look.

Go online and search through the classic mini webring. You'll find some informative sites with diagram's of the cars & where to inspect closely.

As far as prices, I'm a cheap bastard. I've bought out of the UK and haven't paid more than $2,400 for a car. Add $1,200 shipping. If you saw my orange clubman that was a $3,800 car landed & registered. It was a clubman (admitedly an acquired taste) and 1098cc with 55,000 miles. I just bought a 1978 Clubman Estate w/22,622 miles and it will arrive in Nov for a total of $2,800.

That said, expect to pay $5k to $7k for a reasonable Mini here in the states. There's no $ for a dealer to make under that price range. They're paying what I am, you know. I saw a Mini Equinox in Dunedin that was purchased from M&S for around $7k that was most excellent. I sold my orange car at a fire sale price of $5,500 last November. It was heavily modified and a reliable daily driver. Its since been resold by MiniMover in Canada & I bet he got $6,500+.

by **James** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 9:26 am

by **Gleep** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 9:28 am

by **xanthus** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 4:55 pm

Those in country links are nice. Saw some really cool Minis....

by **MINIMAD** » Fri Nov 07, 2003 11:33 am

I just received an email from Henley Classic Minis in Oxfordshire UK. He has a nice 1000cc 1971 Mini for sale with around 50K on it. He also can supply a Mini to any specification you wish.

Anyone interested, shoot him an email. Their site is listed at BAYMINIS.COM The owner is Alan Tozer. I have bought two minis from him, a 1971 (blue) and 1978 (orange) Clubman saloon. His prices were fair, he sent plenty of photos. He was pleasant to work with, fulfilled his obligations and all paperwork was in order and timely.

As with ANY dealer - know what you are buying. Get as much info & documentation as possible. If you wish you can hire the AA or RAC to send an engineer to inspect any Mini you locate in the UK. The cost is around $270 last time I checked. You will receive a full written report on the car from them.

If you don't know Minis, catch me at MacDinton's or Cricketeers and for a pint I'll chew your ear off on what to look for.

by **2minis** » Mon Nov 17, 2003 6:52 pm

by **James** » Mon Nov 17, 2003 7:29 pm

by **2minis** » Tue Nov 18, 2003 11:52 am

At the end of the run they produced a limited number of Sevens.
I don't know much about it but different wheels than the Sportspack
and Knightsbridge but same engine. Not that I am thinking about getting one.... :^o

by **MINIMAD** » Tue Nov 18, 2003 2:32 pm

by **2minis** » Tue Nov 18, 2003 2:37 pm

by **James** » Tue Nov 18, 2003 2:42 pm

The last 500 classic Minis off of the line in 2000 were limited edition Minis called Mini Cooper Sport 500. The last one (red/silver) went right back into the Mini Museum. See the last Mini below.

You can find these for sale on UK sites. They can cost upwards of $17,000 (and aren't technically legal for import). I'm considering one myself if I don't get a custom Mini built by Dion at DJMinis.

James

by **2minis** » Tue Nov 18, 2003 2:45 pm

Thanks for that info James. This car will
prove to have an interesting background.
On a UK site forum they are known but
apparently not real well.

by **James** » Tue Nov 18, 2003 3:02 pm

Does that mean you are getting one? I have to see it!

James

by **2minis** » Tue Nov 18, 2003 3:37 pm

by **MINIMAD** » Tue Nov 18, 2003 7:22 pm

Sunshine MINIs

Acquiring a classic?

Acquiring a classic?

Who is online