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Sold the Accord, bought a Mini!
Hi all,
just bought a Mini (the original type, as opposed to BMW's MINI) for my wife, though i suspect i'll be driving it just as much. She had one before, about 8 years ago, but never actually drove it a lot. She deemed the Honda to be a bit too big for her. These cars are a hoot to drive, probably the closest thing to having your own street legal go-kart and they're one of the few cars that just put a smile on your face the moment you get behind the wheel. Handling (non PS) is pin sharp, and the 1275cc engine is quick and responsive. The ride can be best described as 'bumpy' and not a car for long country runs, but great fun none the less. Were these cars ever officially on the US market? just think Michael Caine and the Italian Job Except for the red boot, sorry, trunk lining, the car is exactly the same as this one - http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Mini/Cooper/car/1119476/ most Minis on the Irish market, well those in decent condition, are almost exclusively ex-Japanese market cars. They were built in the UK, and are RHD, and come with some nice extras such as aircon, which wasn't a standard on the Euro market, and wooden dash.
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'82 W123 280E |
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Good Sport! Alex Issigonis will bless you from on high!
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There a fun little car alright Carleton.
I wouldn't say no to a MINI, but i'm much happier with the original of the species (i mean my wife is much happier ) Was the Mini ever sold in the US?
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'82 W123 280E |
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Quote:
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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15 '06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod) |
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I came across a Mini Moke (which would be a nice addition to my currently non-existent Mini collection ) at a car show over the summer that was for sale but I just didn't have the money for it. There are some Clubmans out there, too.
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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15 '06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod) |
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Ah sure it all adds to the fun
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'82 W123 280E |
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One of the things I look forward to the most when visiting my wife’s parents in Derbyshire is scooting around the country roads in her Austin Cooper S (she left it there for them to watch over, though I wish she’d have it sent over here). I’m thinking it’s a ’64. An absolute blast to drive. Can not be done without a smile on your face. Even if it is from the wrong side of the car and on the wrong side of the road! Enjoy your new (older) toy !!
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1980 300D - Veggie Burner ! |
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I HAVE to drive one of those. They look like a lot of fun. I would think the BMW version of the mini would be preferable to the original. Most of the people I've known who owned British made cars seem to spend as much time fixing them as they do driving them.
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" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century OBK #55 1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles 2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles 2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles |
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Congrats and enjoy the ride.
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"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process." 2012 SLK 350 1987 420 SEL |
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I’d imagine the older Austin/Coopers are a whole different car from the newer BMW variants though. Power management on the hills comes into play with the older ones. Not to mention, they are far more like a go-kart with a body. As for English auto maintenance. I’ve heard that too. But you have to ask: Where they fixing, or just tinkering? I don’t recall doing much fixing. DJ has an ’04 XJR that’s pushing 60K and has never needed anything beyond routine PM. We have a ’53 MG TD that runs on forever so long as you keep its carb happy. I have been into it a few times. Now that’s a car you can always tinker with!
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1980 300D - Veggie Burner ! |
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In comparison, getting into the Merc is like driving a sofa...also cool, but in different ways. And ahem, but i think you'll find the steering wheel is on the correct side Thanks everyone for your kind comments. Regarding the MINI (BMW version) i'm sure they're a good blast to drive too, especially the Cooper S version, but side by side to the original, its almost double the size. So not so mini after all
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'82 W123 280E |
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It is exactly like this one. These pictures look orange but the ad states red. If this one were in the US, I might even go have a look at it now that you’ve sparked my interests again. Not sure about all/any red tape to buy in Canada and bring it back here. I sold a sailboat to a guy up there and it was a real PITA for him as I recall. Not sure of the other direction. I know it’s been brought up here on the forum before. http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-classic-cars-MINI-COOPER-S-1964-own-a-REAL-mini-W0QQAdIdZ77849030
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1980 300D - Veggie Burner ! Last edited by WVOtoGO; 10-08-2008 at 12:11 PM. |
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Although if your talking a new diesel MINI Clubman I'm listening...
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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15 '06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod) |
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The first car I remember my mother owning was a Mini Cooper, Always failing to start and cutting out in the wet. Shifting into neutral and pumping the gas while pushing the starter was second nature to her after a while. Thereafter she had a Morris Minor. Not as unreliable as the Mini but not something I'd ever want to own myself. Those two vehicles along with my fathers Mazda 323 hatchback left me with a pathological hatred for small cars ever since.
- Peter.
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2021 Chevrolet Spark Formerly... 2000 GMC Sonoma 1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021 2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels 1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles. 1984 123 200 1979 116 280S 1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille 1971 108 280S |
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But as usual, I need to learn that myself.
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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15 '06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod) |
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