12 replies to this topic

[mab01uk]

 

Nostalgia has an expiry date?

 

 

[coopertaz]

i question whether the mini is riding on nostalgia or still popular due to an active show / club scene that people want to be involved in. Time will tell if younger people still want to spend the time in the garage that a classic like the mini requires. I have seen several who have ditched the mini in favour of a less maintenance intensive classic, turn key is an often used term.

[Bobbins]

What a refreshingly pragmatic viewpoint.

 

I have two 25 year old classics (one being the Mini) and both are worth substantially more than when I bought them. However, that appreciation in value has enabled me to spend (invest?) in the cars to get them to the standard I want them enabling me to enjoy the cars for the purpose they were intended, and to me that's a win win. The reality is I probably haven't made a single penny but likewise they don't owe me anything, but as the saying goes, shrouds don't have pockets.

 

I do however keep an eye on the value of 911 Porsches as a sort of benchmark to 'modern' classic values and although some are still eye-wateringly expensive, there's quite a few 996 models for sale around the £12K mark which is a lot less than a couple of years ago. I've no intention of buying one though!

[bpirie1000]

Is this not just cyclical I remember the wooden wheeled brass car era.

Back when I was a lad I saw many at car shows.
Not seen one for years..

Trends go around I suppose.

[slidehammer]

Personally I think if prices do drop then it means the hobby can be taken up by the ordinary people rather it be coming an elitist hobby.

The only good thing that has come out of Mini prices rising is more are being saved and less scrapped because they need some welding.

I don't ever consider the values of my Minis only at insurance time.

[Steam]

One problem is what is now considered a classic, as the tag seems to add value without recourse. Is BMW Mini really a classic? I think not.
Personally I would rather drive Classic cars over modern, I object to my Wife telling me what to do let alone the family car.

[ADRay]

Seems that whatever is most popular amongst retirees is what becomes most valuable. Theory being that at that point in life, they have the money and want the nostalgia of what was the hot car when they were young. It drives up the value (cost) of such things, not to mention the added price tag of restoration work.

[mab01uk]

One problem is what is now considered a classic, as the tag seems to add value without recourse. Is BMW Mini really a classic? I think not.

 

Quote: "What makes a car a classic? Here are some good reasons. The car was admired by critics when new, and popular with buyers. It had cultural significance, whether just in car culture or in a wider context. Today, it represents something now lost in modern cars. And, as time passes, so the list of bonafide classics evolves."

 

The BMW-era R50 and R53 MINI's (R standing for Rover) were launched nearly 24 years ago and in my opinion and many others, were a significant car now deserving of their 'modern classic' car status.

Disappearing from our roads rapidly, but they still look timeless compared to most cars of that era and the prices of good early examples, especially the Supercharged R53 Cooper S, are beginning to increase and feature in the Classic Car magazines.

R50 MINI Buyers guide:-

https://www.hagerty....-r50-2000-2008/

Edited by mab01uk, 22 January 2025 - 03:59 PM.

[slidehammer]

One problem is what is now considered a classic, as the tag seems to add value without recourse. Is BMW Mini really a classic? I think not.
Personally I would rather drive Classic cars over modern, I object to my Wife telling me what to do let alone the family car.

I think one of the problems is that due to the rise in prices of true classic cars, people latch onto cars that really aren't a classic but just older. You only have to look at the readers rides section in Practical Classics and you will see some very mundane cars in there, that in my opinion aren't classics and weren't even very good or revolutionary when launched.

[sonscar]

What is in a name?does the name,type,age,popularity,perceived value really matter.To me it is important that people of all types love cars and continue to use them.Just my views,Steve..

[PoolGuy]

What is in a name? Does the name, type, age, popularity, perceived value really matter. To me it is important that people of all types love cars and continue to use them. Just my views, Steve.

Maybe it only matters if you're buying or selling? The value of my van only matters once a year when I renew the insurance, is it a classic, who cares.

[Chris1275gt]

The fella in the original video to my mind is more of an investor than an enthusiast and has the a*se because the prices have tumbled, he should of bought gold or property and made a fortune. I don’t care a jot what mine’s worth and let’s face it nearly everybody on the forum will only get a small percentage of their money back when you consider how much we’ve spent on them. As for myself I love the money pit and still get a thrill driving it, chasing the new rattle, trying to fix it when it’s playing up, and even the back ache it gives me is worth it!

[Blumeanie]

The fella in the original video to my mind is more of an investor than an enthusiast and has the a*se because the prices have tumbled, he should of bought gold or property and made a fortune. I don’t care a jot what mine’s worth and let’s face it nearly everybody on the forum will only get a small percentage of their money back when you consider how much we’ve spent on them. As for myself I love the money pit and still get a thrill driving it, chasing the new rattle, trying to fix it when it’s playing up, and even the back ache it gives me is worth it!

I agree.

I wanted a mini long before I bought mine. The announcement of the end of production made me pay attention. I was living in Europe and had them available to me. I shopped around a lot. I saw many old and new minis. And saw many beautiful examples - I wanted to buy them all.

 

In the end, I opted to buy one of the last edition minis as it would be the last chance to buy a new one and since I was a bit of a nomad then - I figured it would be reliable.

I was of course tempted by all sorts of minis; the '59s, an proper Cooper S, the historically significant ones, the special editions - even the honda conversions, and the 'every day' minis. - The every day minis having the advantage of being able to customise them without any worries.

I've sort of ended-up with that conundrum, though, How much do I modify my cooper sport from the last batch?

In any case - this is my mini and I do not expect to be selling it. I enjoy driving it, tinkering with it, and showing it to folks unfamiliar with these little cars...

 

- of course, there is always a price... (It would have to be a pretty silly offer in my case!)