what is the best Mini?

On Tue, 22 Jun 2004 21:45:06 -0400, "tonyrama" <yo RemoveThis @yo.com> wrote:

 >I was thinking about what my list of all time favorite cars would include,
 >cars that I would buy if I had piles of extra money lying around, and I
 >think the Mini would be on it. I'll admit I don't know much about them, and
 >really got turned on to them by the current BMW version, but the older style
 >ones are cooler. All things considered, what was the best year for the Mini?
 >Not looking to start an argument or anything, just wondering what a person
 >would buy for the ultimate Mini experience.

Well, it's very much horses for courses, isn't it? What sort of cars
do you like. For many people, the ultimate Mini would be an absolutely
original early 850. Probably the highest prices are paid for original
early Coopers, with the rare 970S homologation special attracting a
premium. Best driver's car would have to be the 1275S, though. Then
there are the luxury versions from the likes of Radford, etc. Other
people like vans or pickups or Clubmen or Elfs or Hornets or Mokes. No
such thing as best. There's even something to be said for a late model
Rover Cooper as an everyday car.

On the other hand, if you're not interested in originality but just
want something to have fun in, you can choose your own spec.
Essentially, you can build anything you like, from full-race to
high-end custom, as long as you have an identity and a shell. The
after-market provides anything else. You don't even have to use an 'A'
series and you don't even have to put it in the front. Just go for it.
You won't find anything that's half as much fun for the money.

Regards, David Betts
davidb RemoveThis @minilist.org
The Mini Gallery:
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?m=64635537103&n=1366070334" target="_blank">http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?m=64635537103&n=1366070334</a><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: what is the best Mini? 

"tonyrama" <yo.TakeThisOut@yo.com> wrote in message
news:10dho51i6hpbm10@corp.supernews.com...
 > I was thinking about what my list of all time favorite cars would include,
 > cars that I would buy if I had piles of extra money lying around, and I
 > think the Mini would be on it. I'll admit I don't know much about them,
and
 > really got turned on to them by the current BMW version, but the older
style
 > ones are cooler. All things considered, what was the best year for the
Mini?
 > Not looking to start an argument or anything, just wondering what a person
 > would buy for the ultimate Mini experience.
 > Tonyrama

There is no such thing as the ultimate Mini, since they are all different.
It's really a matter of opinion. For me, an Innocenti 1300 Cooper comes
pretty damn close though, or a MkIII 1275 Cooper S.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: what is the best Mini? 

One word: Innocenti.

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-----------------------------------------------
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"B." <ewellpond.TakeThisOut@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:e0d5f5bb.0406230324.2b15813a@posting.google.com...
 > One of the most influential would have to be the '83 Mini Sprite.
 > Without this there would be no 90's onwards Coopers, Special Editions
 > or even the BMW mini as there would not have been a mini in the range
 > when BMW took over Rover (if they would have still existed).
 >
 > The Mini was planned for retirement around 1984 [20 years before it
 > actually happened] after the establishment of the Metro (the MG Metro
 > and MG Metro Turbo were planned to take the latter day place of the
 > Cooper minis).
 >
 > In 1983 with the 1275GT gone 2 years earlier and the mini in it's
 > final 998cc wind down zone, they brought out a limited run Sprite - a
 > wheelarched, alloy wearing, 3 dial GT dashed sporty mini with cooper
 > style side stripe. The sales success that followed took the company by
 > surprise and was the start of the new wave of specials that led on to
 > where the mini ended up..<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: what is the best Mini? 

One of the weird Allcomers that they used to race in New Zealand, with a
big V8 mid-engined setup. Crazy dangerous cars. More fun than a dog with
two dicks, as the Australians say.

Or the equally lunatic Twini-Mini - look that up.

Cheers, Neil

Classic Car Fair - NZ's best selection at <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://classiccarfair.com" target="_blank">http://classiccarfair.com</a>

025 89 28 28



tonyrama wrote:
 >
 > I was thinking about what my list of all time favorite cars would include,
 > cars that I would buy if I had piles of extra money lying around, and I
 > think the Mini would be on it. I'll admit I don't know much about them, and
 > really got turned on to them by the current BMW version, but the older style
 > ones are cooler. All things considered, what was the best year for the Mini?
 > Not looking to start an argument or anything, just wondering what a person
 > would buy for the ultimate Mini experience.
 > Tonyrama<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: what is the best Mini? 

"David Betts" <davidb.RemoveThis@minilist.org> wrote in message
news:6d9id0h2p4qpket417amrie0kphlpppj7t@4ax.com...
 > On Tue, 22 Jun 2004 21:45:06 -0400, "tonyrama" <yo.RemoveThis@yo.com> wrote:
 >
  > >I was thinking about what my list of all time favorite cars would
include,
  > >cars that I would buy if I had piles of extra money lying around, and I
  > >think the Mini would be on it. I'll admit I don't know much about them,
and
  > >really got turned on to them by the current BMW version, but the older
style
  > >ones are cooler. All things considered, what was the best year for the
Mini?
  > >Not looking to start an argument or anything, just wondering what a
person
  > >would buy for the ultimate Mini experience.
 >
 > Well, it's very much horses for courses, isn't it? What sort of cars
 > do you like. For many people, the ultimate Mini would be an absolutely
 > original early 850. Probably the highest prices are paid for original
 > early Coopers, with the rare 970S homologation special attracting a
 > premium. Best driver's car would have to be the 1275S, though. Then
 > there are the luxury versions from the likes of Radford, etc. Other
 > people like vans or pickups or Clubmen or Elfs or Hornets or Mokes. No
 > such thing as best. There's even something to be said for a late model
 > Rover Cooper as an everyday car.
 >
 > On the other hand, if you're not interested in originality but just
 > want something to have fun in, you can choose your own spec.
 > Essentially, you can build anything you like, from full-race to
 > high-end custom, as long as you have an identity and a shell. The
 > after-market provides anything else. You don't even have to use an 'A'
 > series and you don't even have to put it in the front. Just go for it.
 > You won't find anything that's half as much fun for the money.
 >
 > Regards, David Betts
 > davidb.RemoveThis@minilist.org
 > The Mini Gallery:
<font color=purple> > <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?m=64635537103&n=1366070334</font" target="_blank">http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?m=64635537103&n=1366070334</font</a>>

Well, I like to drive. My current fun car (and three season daily driver) is
a '93 Mazda Miata MX-5. I've heard that Minis are supposed to be close kin
to a go-cart, so something along that line would be better. The MX-5 is also
bullet-proff reliable, too, so that would be a plus.
Tonyrama<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: what is the best Mini? 

"B." <ewellpond.DeleteThis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:e0d5f5bb.0406230324.2b15813a@posting.google.com...
 > One of the most influential would have to be the '83 Mini Sprite.
 > Without this there would be no 90's onwards Coopers, Special Editions
 > or even the BMW mini as there would not have been a mini in the range
 > when BMW took over Rover (if they would have still existed).
 >
 > The Mini was planned for retirement around 1984 [20 years before it
 > actually happened] after the establishment of the Metro (the MG Metro
 > and MG Metro Turbo were planned to take the latter day place of the
 > Cooper minis).
 >
 > In 1983 with the 1275GT gone 2 years earlier and the mini in it's
 > final 998cc wind down zone, they brought out a limited run Sprite - a
 > wheelarched, alloy wearing, 3 dial GT dashed sporty mini with cooper
 > style side stripe. The sales success that followed took the company by
 > surprise and was the start of the new wave of specials that led on to
 > where the mini ended up..

Wow, these words could have been written by me!! Yes those pre-Sprite days
were very dark indeed with the Mini range chopped down by the mini-Metro to
just the City and Mayfair. The Sprite was a very pivotal model in Mini
history.

Anyway, my personal favourites are:

1. A nice original 850
2. Mk1 997 Cooper, with original spec brakes!
3. Mk3 Cooper S, with a Mini 1000 badge on the boot....
4. Innocenti Cooper 1300
5. The '79 1100 Special
6. An '83 Sprite, and we've got one!
7. RSP Cooper
8. Paul Smith Mini
9. The final Mini Classic Cooper Sport LE, probably the best Sportspack Mini

Andrew Murray
UK Mini Owners Club Limited Editions Register
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.minilimitededitions.co.uk" target="_blank">http://www.minilimitededitions.co.uk</a><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: what is the best Mini? 

Mine

--
David
 >> Stay informed about: what is the best Mini? 

Oh no its not,

Mine is,,,,,

I think the best mini is the mini that gives you the most pleasure,

but not one of those BMW thingys,

Fitzy

"Alpha" <david RemoveThis @davidthedogman.com> wrote in message
news:40d97857$0$15068$61c65585@uq-127creek-reader-02.brisbane.pipenetworks.com.au...
 > Mine
 >
 > --
 > David
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: what is the best Mini? 

Hi Andrew,

It's cool to hear you have a Sprite - I've never owned one myself but
I remember how exciting it was to see one in the showroom at Dutton
Forshaw when I was a boy (moarning the demise of the GT). This was
during the time my mum bought her (nearly new at the time) mini
pickup. She still has it and it's still in beautiful low mileage
condition (with original tilt) so missing out on the Mini Sprite
wasn't as bad as it could have been.

I've had great memories with all the mini's (and infact all a-series
based vehicles) I've owned over the years. I still have is a Mini
Midas which is just a great little car (and being fibreglass I can
keep it outside in the rain without feeling too bad!).

Life just wouldn't be the same without a mini of some sort!


"Andrew Murray" <news DeleteThis @NOSPAMminilimitededitions.cjb.net> wrote in message news:<2ju7srF15vfsiU1 DeleteThis @uni-berlin.de>...
 > "B." <ewellpond DeleteThis @yahoo.com> wrote in message
 > news:e0d5f5bb.0406230324.2b15813a@posting.google.com...
  > > One of the most influential would have to be the '83 Mini Sprite.
  > > Without this there would be no 90's onwards Coopers, Special Editions
  > > or even the BMW mini as there would not have been a mini in the range
  > > when BMW took over Rover (if they would have still existed).
  > >
  > > The Mini was planned for retirement around 1984 [20 years before it
  > > actually happened] after the establishment of the Metro (the MG Metro
  > > and MG Metro Turbo were planned to take the latter day place of the
  > > Cooper minis).
  > >
  > > In 1983 with the 1275GT gone 2 years earlier and the mini in it's
  > > final 998cc wind down zone, they brought out a limited run Sprite - a
  > > wheelarched, alloy wearing, 3 dial GT dashed sporty mini with cooper
  > > style side stripe. The sales success that followed took the company by
  > > surprise and was the start of the new wave of specials that led on to
  > > where the mini ended up..
 >
 > Wow, these words could have been written by me!! Yes those pre-Sprite days
 > were very dark indeed with the Mini range chopped down by the mini-Metro to
 > just the City and Mayfair. The Sprite was a very pivotal model in Mini
 > history.
 >
 > Anyway, my personal favourites are:
 >
 > 1. A nice original 850
 > 2. Mk1 997 Cooper, with original spec brakes!
 > 3. Mk3 Cooper S, with a Mini 1000 badge on the boot....
 > 4. Innocenti Cooper 1300
 > 5. The '79 1100 Special
 > 6. An '83 Sprite, and we've got one!
 > 7. RSP Cooper
 > 8. Paul Smith Mini
 > 9. The final Mini Classic Cooper Sport LE, probably the best Sportspack Mini
 >
 > Andrew Murray
 > UK Mini Owners Club Limited Editions Register
<font color=purple> > <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.minilimitededitions.co.uk</font" target="_blank">http://www.minilimitededitions.co.uk</font</a>><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: what is the best Mini? 

On Wed, 23 Jun 2004 16:47:20 -0400, "tonyrama" <yo.RemoveThis@yo.com> wrote:

 >Well, I like to drive. My current fun car (and three season daily driver) is
 >a '93 Mazda Miata MX-5. I've heard that Minis are supposed to be close kin
 >to a go-cart, so something along that line would be better.

All real Minis handle like go karts - other than perhaps those which
have had a V8 shovelled into the rear seat or something equally
extreme. All handle even better for a little bit of attention to the
shocks and ride height. All suffer on the handling front if fitted
with oversize wheels. The 10-inchers are best; 12-inch are acceptable;
13-inch are a no-no.

 >The MX-5 is also
 >bullet-proff reliable, too, so that would be a plus.

Minis require constant attention. They never let you down completely,
but there is always something requiring work.

Regards, David Betts
davidb.RemoveThis@minilist.org
The Mini Gallery:
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?m=64635537103&n=1366070334" target="_blank">http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?m=64635537103&n=1366070334</a><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: what is the best Mini? 

tonyrama wrote:
 > I was thinking about what my list of all time favorite cars would include,
 > cars that I would buy if I had piles of extra money lying around, and I
 > think the Mini would be on it. I'll admit I don't know much about them, and
 > really got turned on to them by the current BMW version, but the older style
 > ones are cooler. All things considered, what was the best year for the Mini?
 > Not looking to start an argument or anything, just wondering what a person
 > would buy for the ultimate Mini experience.
 > Tonyrama

No one at all seems to have mentioned the best fun Minis of all.

Mokes.


You can buy a modern Japanese or Korean version of the Mini concept, but
there is nothing quite like a Moke.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: what is the best Mini? 

tonyrama wrote:
 > Well, I like to drive. My current fun car (and three season daily driver) is
 > a '93 Mazda Miata MX-5. I've heard that Minis are supposed to be close kin
 > to a go-cart, so something along that line would be better. The MX-5 is also
 > bullet-proff reliable, too, so that would be a plus.

I have a friend who went from 16 years of Yellow Mokes to a Red MX-5.

The hardest part was identifying a suitable car to replace a Moke. She
really didn't like the idea of doors or back seats and she wouldn't be
seen dead in a hatchback! The first time I showed her an MX-5 we both
knew we'd finally found the solution.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: what is the best Mini? 

Is she a hairdresser?

--
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://iBuyMinis.OsiTech.Net" target="_blank">http://iBuyMinis.OsiTech.Net</a>
-----------------------------------------------
Wanted Austin Mini Projects.
In any condition and in the USA.
What do you have hiding in your shed?

"Graham W" <zebedee.TakeThisOut@alphalink.au> wrote in message
news:40da6d12@news.alphalink.com.au...
 > tonyrama wrote:
  > > Well, I like to drive. My current fun car (and three season daily
driver) is
  > > a '93 Mazda Miata MX-5. I've heard that Minis are supposed to be close
kin
  > > to a go-cart, so something along that line would be better. The MX-5 is
also
  > > bullet-proff reliable, too, so that would be a plus.
 >
 > I have a friend who went from 16 years of Yellow Mokes to a Red MX-5.
 >
 > The hardest part was identifying a suitable car to replace a Moke. She
 > really didn't like the idea of doors or back seats and she wouldn't be
 > seen dead in a hatchback! The first time I showed her an MX-5 we both
 > knew we'd finally found the solution.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: what is the best Mini?