Call me mad.....

[Esperante]

But I'm considering a left hand drive '90's Mini. Any big problems I need to know?

I mean, considering that
-it's fun
-it's efficient
-it's comfortable
etc.
It fits my needs. But I need to know more....

[johnnynumfiv]

Did they sell 90's minis here? I thought they stopped selling them here around '80 or sooner. Comfortable? I duno about that one, and reliablity may be an issue, also rust, don't expect to be driving it in the winter.

[Cotterik]

Originally Posted by Esperante

Call me mad.....

your mad

oh and make sure everythings in suitable condition, rust etc like johnny said, alot of old mini's get abused so check for bad points.

[Rockefella]

IDK Esp, I wouldn't consider the car for a place like Milwaukee.

[drakkie]

Import Wouter's old Mini as you could see on his, rust is the biggest problem

[fpv_gtho]

Originally Posted by Cotterik

your mad

damn, you beat me to it

[pimento]

Comfort is not a problem, I have a '65 mini with seats from somewhere after the Leyland take over and they're very comfortable. When you test drive it, try to get it on the highway, just to see how it goes up to speeds, mine can't go above 50 mph without complaining, though you won't have that problem with a 90s one. Just remember, there's no air con as far as I know. They can get tiring sometimes, but not too often.

[BjD]

They stopped importing them in the 60's due to a change in crash regs, but I believe you can import them. Theres a couple of UK companies who will find you a nice one and ship it out for you

You can retro fit Air-con, I think the ones they exported to Japan had it as standard, or a dealer fit extra.

Comfort depends on how tall you are i found mine ok but wouldnt have wanted to do anything long distance on a regular basis, space in the back is an issue too, depending on how big your friends are. I found some nice comfy seats from a later Mayfair spec which were much nicer than the standard ones.

[cuntukimushroom]

Originally Posted by Esperante

But I'm considering a left hand drive '90's Mini. Any big problems I need to know?

I mean, considering that
-it's fun
-it's efficient
-it's comfortable
etc.
It fits my needs. But I need to know more....

It's small, but very effective down those tight alley ways

[h00t_h00t]

Originally Posted by Cotterik

your mad

oh and make sure everythings in suitable condition, rust etc like johnny said, alot of old mini's get abused so check for bad points.

What about his mad?

Were many minis converted to RWD, I know someone who is looking to try but can't find suitable rear axles?

[Esperante]

Well, I'm becoming aware of some local business who take the un-imported Mini's from 1969 and up and they retro fit them with everything, covering the interior, body, engine, and lots of weatherproofing. And still at a reasonable price.

[pimento]

Originally Posted by h00t_h00t

What about his mad?

Were many minis converted to RWD, I know someone who is looking to try but can't find suitable rear axles?

You could probably do Renault's favourite party trick and just install the engine from the front into the back. I know it's been done, but what they used for it I have no idea.

[taz_rocks_miami]

As with any used car, make sure you check it out carefully. You don't want mechanicals to fail you a week after you buy it. If you get it, take pics of it! Those cars are cool

[clutch-monkey]

Originally Posted by pimento

You could probably do Renault's favourite party trick and just install the engine from the front into the back. I know it's been done, but what they used for it I have no idea.

its been done in a new mini, some guy put a bike engine in the back and lightened the whole car or something

[BjD]

Originally Posted by h00t_h00t

What about his mad?

Were many minis converted to RWD, I know someone who is looking to try but can't find suitable rear axles?

Has been done a few different ways. The usual way is to put the complete front engine/subframe in the back giving a mid engined layout, John Cooper built one but left the front engine in as well Z-cars have a Mini with two Hayabusa (IIRC, bike engines of some type) engines in the back.
Some peeps have mounted longitudinal engines with a transaxle in Minis, usually the van or pickup bodys, like this guy. Ive seen a very nice looking Mini pickup with (supposedly) a GT40 drivetrain in
I do remember seeing in Miniworld, back when I used to read it, a guy in Canada squeezed a V8 under the hood of a Mini van driving the rear wheels