BAWC Forums

Anyone here into Mini Coopers? I know some may say they are pretty lame, but they have been my favorite car since I knew what a car was. I have no idea why, I just love them.

Things have gotten interested for me recently...Now, I am an auto mechanic, it has been the family business for 3 generations. My dad owns the family shop, so I'd have any and all imaginable tools at my disposal, including 2 lifts, engine hoists, jacks, etc etc.
Browsing through craigslist out of boredom, I came across this:
http://nh.craigslist.org/car/435727140.html
Needless to say im very interested. When he says engine and tranny are out, they are out and fully disassembled. The engine I can handle, the tranny would take time thought. His asking price is a little high though IMO.
I am getting sick of my DD base Stealth. It's fine for what it is, im just bored with it. My plan is to either sell the base and pick up this mini, or pick up the mini within a few weeks and sell the base if no one is immediately interested. Now, I have about 1750 disposable income in the bank. I do owe parties about $700 total, and I am in college, but I'll be getting student loans from now on no matter whats in my bank account. I think that if I sell my base for at least two grand and buy this mini for 1 grand, that wouldn't work out half bad. I would LOVE to have a classic MINI as my DD...I dream about taht 4 cylinder fun

What I ask of people is this: If you were in my position, would you do it? Good condition Classic Mini's go for quite a bit more, so this could save me some big money. Worst case is something unexpected is wrong, IE engine problems, and more work would be done, but with my connections that shouldn't be a problem. I have several hours per week to work on it (would be up and running in about 2 weeks to a month, if things go right).

Now I know I may not be the most popular guy on 3si/Bawc, and some of my threads go on ignored, but I'm seriously asking for advice here.

TL;DR Chance to buy dream car that needs lots of work I can handle, but I'm on a limited budget, should I do it?

I'd worry about the "never registered in the US" bit, because that might get pricey. Also, I would be reluctant to sell my DD for something that doesn't run for now and could have other issues as well. Mini's are definitely fun cars and I have thought about getting a new one for a DD, but since you're still in school I'd be pretty cautious going into something like this.

Yeah, I have to check out the 'never registered in the US' part. Im not very concerned about getting rid of my DD. I'd say my TT is more like the DD, I can't stop driving it, I'd honestly say that I drive it more than my base because I dislike the base so much. And although winter is coming, I have driven the TT in snow and dont mind doing it again.

EDIT:
Wait a minute, what the heck am i thinking? My little bro is away at school till spring and his 93 camry is here, which not only am I insured under, but Im allowed to drive whenever I feel like it.
Plus I have a spare 9b and smic in my closet for the MINI

Fun little cars