64 replies to this topic

[tomedgar]

Yeh mines with full driving license but provisional shouldn't be much more sometimes less, alot of my friends insurance went up after they passed.

[GTIAlex06]

Today was the British Mini show, which was a very good day out.

While there i spot this very tidy looking Mini Neon for sale. Got some very helpful Black Country Mini Fun Club members to have a look at it for me, took it for a test drive with my dad and left a deposit.
All is good yes? Well no...

Once again i get home, do the checks and the car comes back as a CAT C. With no inspection and no information on the logbook. Yes thats twice in a row!
So you can imagine my fustration with the whole Mini adventure which is now ending up to be not so Mini.

Yes yes and you can say that the right Mini will come in time, but me wanting my first car you can understand my impatients and fustration. And i dont beleive one in that condition for that money will come along again, managing to get the seller down £300 aswell. It was ready to go, 11 months MOT, full wood dash, cd player, spot lights the works.

Is this really worth all the hastle? I really am stuck now after trawling every possible internet site and local garage.


Is this a common thing with Minis to have such questionable history or have i just been unlucky?


Thanks. From a very fed up...Alex...



P.s. College tomorrow again, great.

Edited by GTIAlex06, 06 September 2009 - 07:56 PM.

[Teapot]

I think you are unusually sensible. This forum is accustomed to tales from people who thought they'd got a bargain, or at least something manageable, only to find it was stolen, written off or falling to bits. So far you've avoided that by being patient and persistent, so one up to you. On the down side, of course it's frustrating. Why not forget about buying for a week or two and hitch a few rides in other people's minis to see what fun they are? Then you'll return to the market-place refreshed. Probably.

[jay30]

Hi Alex

So sorry to hear about the Cat C on the Neon.

Yes I think that you have been very unlucky and no, not all Minis have such a checkered past.

Patience is a killer I know but it will pay off in the end - I know!! Sh!t3 to hear and I hear you shouting at the screen £4*k 0££

In looking at any Mini you go to view check out the following areas as we did today.

Sills - Panel running from front to rear wheel arch below the bottom seam. Any soft metal or hole equals replacement

Rear Seat bins - The pockets at the side of the rear seats. Look under the card inserts and check the base especially the back edges.

Rear Subframe - This is the large frame that holds the rear suspension to the car. Check there are no holes or majot rust and the points it attaches to the car are solid.

Bottom edges of the doors - Poor draining can cause the bottoms to rot away.

Door Skin - Again due to poor draining, these can rot away.

A-Panels - Triangular panel between front wing and door. Lower corner very prone to rot

If this little lot is in good (dont expect excellent) condition, you're on the right track.

You have my number so if I can be of any help, give me a buzz.

Jay

[GTIAlex06]

Ha that the first time iv been called that. Sensible is the best way to be though because the money hasnt been easy to come by for me, so saving and saving and saving i dont want to just flittler it away on something better left in the scrap yard. The checks will be the first thing i do next time, although i said that last time.

Thanks again for today Jay was a great help to get you and your friends opinon. Just the little test drive was enough inspiration to carry on looking I was supprised he just let me and my dad take it without him to be honest, was good fun. Sounded great aswell. Anywaayyyyyy, nice to put a face to a name.
I suppose catching up on the college work i was supposed to be doing during the 6 weeks off while i was looking for Minis will keep me busy next week, then start a fresh next weekend. O yeh and the fact my driving test in on the 1st October.
Although i suppose the odd look on the internet wont hurt

Keep your eyes peeled in the mean time while ur on the hunt for that Pink mini u said ur other half wanted so much


Many thanks...Alex...


p.s....How do i edit the name and subtitle of the thread so it doesnt say "mini shopping tomorrow?"

[minimininut]

Oh, bad luck Alex, my heart goes out to you, but as all the mini experts have said, you are doing the right thing in waiting. I've recently been through the buying another mini thing, and it can be immensly frustrating. BUT the reason you feel so annoyed by it is probably because you care about it.

Take teapots advice and focus on something else for a couple of weeks and then I reckon you'll be raring to go again.

Best of luck as always dude

Minimininut

PS - they are sooooo much fun, they're well worth the wait for a decent one!!

[GTIAlex06]

Take teapots advice and focus on something else for a couple of weeks and then I reckon you'll be raring to go again.

I will do, thanks for keeping interested in my quest aswell. Didnt think id be needing or getting this kind of support when looking for a Mini. Il have to have some council or sumfin if it happens again

Off round the GF's to take my mind off things now anyway.

Thanks again...Alex...

[grantb]

its the hardest thing to find the right mini but with patience it WILL happen. very frustrating in the mean time but dont rush into things.

i hadnt even done a hpi on the mini ive just bought but just did and thank god its all clear.

good luck.

[GTIAlex06]

Right, been i while since iv updated so i figured id treat you.

Ermmmm well i had another little up and down rollercoaster ride again. After seeing the previous Mini Cat C on pistonheads at a BARGIN price we decided wed go and buy it.
Just about to leave the house, we get a phone call, its sold

So the hunt continues. Off to see one tonight when my dad gets back. Bit pricey at 1800 but im sure we can do sometinhg about that.

Wish me luck!

[Teapot]

OK, good luck

[GTIAlex06]

Its done.
Spent about 2 hours there checking it over with my dads friend that used to own his own body repair shop. His advice was invaluable, and he says thats a lot of work has been done, but its been done well and its a solid car.
Interior needs some work but im very happy with it otherwise.
The colour on the logbook is beige but im calling it siver/grey
Should be picking it up this evening when i get back from college so il have some pictures up with a few plans tonight!

Thanks. ...Alex...

[minimininut]

Eeeeh, GTIAlex might have found his mini - fingers crossed it all goes well tonight and look forward to pics soon

[GTIAlex06]

Its home at last! Search is finally over, and its parked on the drive.

Its dark but i already fitted it with a nice new tax disk holder which is the best bit about the interior at the moment

Il try and upload a photo if it works Its dark but you get the idea. Il do photos 2morrow morning since i dont have college till 11!


Hope you guys like it.

Next job is too remove the wheel trims and have a butchers at the steelies. On the lookout for some wheels maybe, any ideas what will look good for a retro/classic style?

[GTIAlex06]

Its the morning so iv treated it to a hover, a morning start up ( first time, half choke) and a general tidy.

Not having a Mini before im concerned about how much smoke there is. It not like, smoke shooting out the pipe like its burning too much oil or theres something majour wrong, just like a haze in the air after its bin running for a minute. Probs normal but il ask my dad.

Took some photos aswell, but iv reached my attachment limit apparently :|

[Teapot]

Phew, we can all breathe a sigh of relief (but keep fingers crossed as well until you've checked it over completely). Sign up to an online site like photobucket to store your pix.