Yes I love them. Never owned one myself mind. My Mum had an early 1978 850cc as her first car when I was growing up, she learnt in her 40's. It was a chocolate brown one with registration CHP 846T. It's funny how you can remember things like that. I must have been about 11, I'm 36 now!
As I don't use the Jimny much now I was thinking of selling it to buy a mini. Thing is that the prices of Minis are a bit silly. I'd like to build one from scratch from a Heritage shell but it's a £15K project that'll then be worth about £10k.
So I've looked at adverts for cars that have not been restored but are in good condition but you know you'll look at a fair few before you find one that matches your definition of good condition.
I don't mind tinkering like adjusting points etc but I can't be doing with buying into solving a problem that drove the seller mad so they offload it to me without me knowing till I've got it. I've read a few Mini stories of that nature. I'm good at problem solving on cars but I don't want to buy one!
So unless I can build it the way I want I think I'll stay an admirer from afar.
Another car that doesn't quite compare but is of a similar nature, more modern and thus cheaper is a K11 Nissan Micra. Now I know they have a reputation for being an old person's car but they make good power for a biscuit tin and add some nice wheels and lower them and they look quite good!
I owned a 1.3 a year or two ago. They are bomb proof. It saw 6k rpm every journey and was so much fun. The timing chain doesn't stretch so you should never need to open it up.
So I'd like to build one of those as a cheap alternative to a Mini.
Kirkynut
The underdog often starts the fight, and occasionally the upper dog deserves to win - Edgar Watson Howe.
kirkynut wrote: Yes I love them. Never owned one myself mind. My Mum had an early 1978 850cc as her first car when I was growing up, she learnt in her 40's. It was a chocolate brown one with registration CHP 846T. It's funny how you can remember things like that. I must have been about 11, I'm 36 now!
As I don't use the Jimny much now I was thinking of selling it to buy a mini. Thing is that the prices of Minis are a bit silly. I'd like to build one from scratch from a Heritage shell but it's a £15K project that'll then be worth about £10k.
So I've looked at adverts for cars that have not been restored but are in good condition but you know you'll look at a fair few before you find one that matches your definition of good condition.
I don't mind tinkering like adjusting points etc but I can't be doing with buying into solving a problem that drove the seller mad so they offload it to me without me knowing till I've got it. I've read a few Mini stories of that nature. I'm good at problem solving on cars but I don't want to buy one!
So unless I can build it the way I want I think I'll stay an admirer from afar.
Another car that doesn't quite compare but is of a similar nature, more modern and thus cheaper is a K11 Nissan Micra. Now I know they have a reputation for being an old person's car but they make good power for a biscuit tin and add some nice wheels and lower them and they look quite good!
I owned a 1.3 a year or two ago. They are bomb proof. It saw 6k rpm every journey and was so much fun. The timing chain doesn't stretch so you should never need to open it up.
So I'd like to build one of those as a cheap alternative to a Mini.
Kirkynut
Did you see Wheeler Dealer do a mini (or was it Classic Cars or both!)?
There are plenty of shopping trolley types around if that is just what you want.
You'll be looking for a Wagon R next. LMFAO.
You are so right about faults being passed on but you might have to resign yourself to a load of work unless you cop a car like my Rav4 - you'd love it.
kirkynut wrote: I can't be doing with buying into solving a problem that drove the seller mad so they offload it to me without me knowing till I've got it. I've read a few Mini stories of that nature. I'm good at problem solving on cars but I don't want to buy one!
Just spotted this in my search for something else. It sums up the story of my used car buying life - even now today!! I am the one that ends up with them.
