i am thinking about my first car and want to know what the insurance and reliability of old mini's are like.
2007-01-30 08:18:37 · 24 answers · asked by JSD 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
i would say so, cheap on insurance and tax and you won't be tempted to drive fast.
2007-01-30 08:21:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Comparitively expensive nowadays, hopeless on the motorway and far from reliable. Not that light, believe it or not. And not quick. Insurance won't be any cheaper with a Mini than it would be with something like a Citroen AX, Fiat Cinquecento or similar group 1 car. If you want something small and light that's cheap to insure (though not that safe, but that's a given with many small hatches over 10 years old) the Citroen AX is a decent bet. Lighter than the mini, same groups as the mini for the small versions but more capable on the motorway/roads. Cheap to run and insure and the bodywork is galvanised so unlike the Mini they won't rust into nothingness.
Mini was revolutionary in its day, but its day was a very long time ago.
2007-01-30 21:02:20 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My Dad was a friend of Sir Alex Issigonis who designed the mini and he told my Dad that the Cooper was a death trap. It was overpowered and under braked for the type of car - so unless the BMW influence has changed that I don't think it would be a good car for a first time driver. Incidentally I don't think they have solved that problem as last year one of my former Team Members wrapped a mini Cooper round a tree on a test drive and killed two people - there was no other vehicle involved. The guy in question had 20 plus years driving experience, cause was driver error, excessive speed when cornering and poor road holding of the vehicle. Don't do it.
2016-03-16 23:31:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
An inexperienced driver really needs a safe car. The true Mini Cooper is not a terribly safe car. I would not allow my daughter to drive one, as a first car. After you get a few years under your belt, I think one would be a lot of fun. Reliability is going to depend on the care that has been provided for it in the last 35 years. Insurance wouldn't be much more than a 1985 Buick, but the Buick would be much safer.
2007-01-30 08:24:23 · answer #4 · answered by J.R. 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Depends on your cash situation. Have a look at the Toyota Aygo. Relatively cheap to buy new and won't break down. Group 1 insurance and £40 per year to tax... and it has a socket on the stereo for an MP3 player. I think the used prices are reasonable too. Kinda hard to beat Japanese cars for reliability, trust me! The mini is a funky car, but may cost in running repairs, check out reviews on sites like "Parkers" etc. before you spend all your wedge. By the way... I'm NOT on commission!
Either way, good luck for your motoring future and "health to enjoy" whatever you buy!
2007-01-30 08:28:05 · answer #5 · answered by PAUL M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My first car in 1986 was a ford escort 1978. A good solid first car. I would go for either a Ford Fiesta or Nissan Micra.A mini isn't a bad choice either
2007-01-30 08:25:44 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Austin Mini is very reliable, if you can still manage to get the parts. Your insurance should'nt be too much either, as you are'nt wanting a top of the range new model. Good Luck, and Happy Driving.
2007-01-30 08:57:16 · answer #7 · answered by Jeanette 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mini's are an absoulute niightmare to work on. Spares are getting a bit dodgy these days. Try a Fiat Cinquecento instead. (insurance group 1 last checked) my daughter's friend swears by (not at) hers..
2007-01-30 08:23:43 · answer #8 · answered by Del Piero 10 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's the first car I had when I was seventeen. I would recommend it, they have a lot of charachter, it's easy to handle as it's light, brilliant for parking, cheap on insurance ( you might want to insure it in your mum/ dad's name and have you as named driver, might be cheaper) and very economical. You should get one ,they are definately unique, and are more spacious inside then the appearance suggests.
2007-01-30 08:32:23 · answer #9 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would look cool of course. But they are very small cars that would crush so easily in an accident. Thats what my mates warned me about. And with you only being 17 and a new driver you will be more prone to bumps, so if you do get one please be careful.
I think they are quite hard to drive cos the pedals are stiff. Not sure though.
2007-01-30 08:30:56 · answer #10 · answered by hurricane 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Insurance very cheap, reliability very bad. Also, these cars are very dangerous in a crash. The later ones had driver airbag, but even so, they are deathtraps. Good for their time, but their time is long passed.
A better bet would be a Ford Ka. Cheap to run and insure, cheap to buy secondhand, with better safety credentials. Even if you don't like the badge.
2007-01-30 08:23:56 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋