Just getting into the whole Mini thing...My wife is in total mini lust and we're working with about a 9K budget..give or take...what kind of model can we expect for that, and what do we need to look for, be aware of, or steer clear of....totally new to mini's but really like how they look on the road.

In the meantime I'll do some research and see what I can find out..

Thanks in advance.
Brad

 

With 9k you will probably be limited to a base cooper model. One thing to stay away from is the CVT Automatic Transmission.

 

Uncl3,

Thanks....the other option we have is putting that $$$ into a 1978 Porsche 911 SC that was my dad's before he passed away in 2001. The motor at the time,2001, had been recently rebuilt by http://www.paulweir.com/ in about 2000. He dumped about $7k into a total rebuild of it then, but it has been sitting since then and is been in my garage for 3 years, and my carport the 7-8 years before that....

I'm thinking that putting the $$$ into the Porsche would be the better bet as it's really not "that" far off, obviously the motor needs to be made sure that it's in operable condition, I'm thinking something was hokey with the clutch before I parked it about 10-11 years ago, but I just can't recall what it was...

The paint needs redone, and the interior needs "freshened" up, new tires (at the least), I'm wanting some of the newer model Twin Turbo rims...lol, and then misc. stuff here and there (afraid this is where I'm going to get $100-$200'd to DEATH)....I've done enough Mustang's to know it's mostly the little stuff that get's you.

So those are the options but she's wanting something a little more "immediate" I have a feeling and the Porsche would be a bit more time consuming, as I've already got 3 other "project" cars.

1. 1979 Ford Fairmont with a complete EFI conversion from a 92 Mustang, including gas tank, dash, all wiring harnesses, T70 Turbocharged 331C.I. all forged internals, aluminum headed motor from my previous mustang, with a built AOD, and 4 wheel disk brakes with 2003 Mach I rims on it, coilover fronts, cobra brakes...(Street cruiser)

2. 1992 Mustang Hatchback for my son, with 5 lug conversion, with basically a GT40 motor and built AOD (Son's car)

3. 1978 Mercury Zephyr WAGON, with soon to be EFI 302, and Garrett GT42 turbo and built AOD and built rearend with 31 spline axles etc. (drag/messing around car)