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This is the car that started the small car revolution. If you've never driven a Mini, then you're in the minority. Most of us squeezed ourselves behind the wheel at one time or another in our formative years and if we're honest, most of us enjoyed the experience.
There was something about driving a Mini, a cheeky quality which today's breed of 'superminis' have found impossible to duplicate. It was an individual car created by an individualist: Alexander Arnold Constantine Issigonis. In the 2000s, it's something of a cult car. And of course, there are plenty about.
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What you get
Arguably, an affordable classic - the Japanese love them. Minis are noisy (though later ones were better soundproofed), crude, cramped and huge fun to drive. They're still cheap to run and easy to DIY with (except the exhaust which is terribly difficult to replace).
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What to look for
Check carefully for rust; few of the Mini's panels are bolted on and you'll need a welder if the car is too far gone. Watch too for crash damage which can put the whole body out of alignment.
Look for leaks from the radiator and water pump - the engines aren't known for their longevity and can give off blue smoke from burning oil. A rattle from the timing chain is not unusual.
Clutch judder is common; also look out for rattling gear levers and crunching gears. Check that the steering isn't sloppy and ensure that the doors are hanging correctly. The rear suspension can 'clonk' when worn and the rear brake adjusters sometimes rust.
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Replacement parts
(approx based on a 1989 1.0 Mini) An exhaust system is about £25. A clutch assembly will be around £105 and brake pads front and rear are around £20 and £17 a set. An alternator should be close to £85 and a radiator around £50.
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On the road
Minis are great fun to drive, with perky performance; rest to 60 in a 1.3 takes just over 11 seconds on the way to a top speed of some 92mph. The car is noisy and you have to get used to the Sixties driving position but in comparison to the driving enjoyment offered by anything else for the same money, it's a real treat.
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Overall
A hoot. The rock-hard suspension will be a shock to those used to modern superminis, but if you don't mind sacrificing a little comfort, its the most fun you can have around town for the money.
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