Orginal shape: So long as its had all of the sills and rear arches replced. You will not find a rust-free example anymore unless already been sorted or its been garaged its entire life and never let out in winter.

Later shape: Just a Fiat 500. Not much wrong with them, bar the lower arms are an **** to replace...so don't go bouncing over curbs and potholes with it.

 

+ on the above, i was not as lucky.

So my first car was a classic mini!!! And as the money came out of me pocket it was most cherished by me I didnt race it, or try to brake it etc.

Which brings me to the point of why not get a classic mini they could be had for 1500-3000 notes and would be good examples as in with little rust.

They are great first cars, easy to service and has taught me everything i needed to know about engines.

Even now i still have one as an ongoing project!

 

the classic mini was my first car, 1969 Mini Cooper, followed by a 1965 Cooper S - that I still have and am (slowly) restoring

and I had to learn how to fix them because no one else was going to (from adjusting the points, and balancing twin 1"1/2 SU's to fully rebuilding the engine)

but I think the issue is one is safety tbh

modern cars are so much safer now, why risk it - dying in a car accident is a particularly pointless way to go

 

Aygo,
cracking little car but may be a tad dearer than you want to spend.

 

Kia Rio CRDi (2005) - my missus had one before trading in for her Mini. It was indestructible and very reliable. Tax was around the £90 mark and insurance wasn't all that expensive either.

 

I would disagree, i have rolled my mini and surprisingly they are sturdy, provided that the car has metal rather than filler. If safety is ones worry then air bag can be installed or one of them newer clasic rover minis they have the airbags stock.

Realistically if u get a mini with 850cc motor or even 998 i find they are relatively safe, provided they are safely driven.

I still think they are cracking cars

 

The world has gone mad....

Mummy and Daddy on the insurance policy, telematics boxes and insurance driving curfews!

 

Mine got a VW Fox 1.2 - group 1 insurance

The eldest is now 19 & bought his own - was happy enough with the Fox, so has upgraded to an Up!

 

We had one where I used to work, but a 1.4hdi engine. Comfortable enough, but experienced strange handling on one occasion, and looked out of the window at the drivers side rear wheel and it was flapping around like a shopping trolley wheel where the suspension failed, which I've heard is quite common if often loaded up. They also suffer with dodgy light switches, which resulted in the headlights flickering on and off or not working at all. This particular one suffered from a strange fault where the rear window wiper would develop a mind of its own. It even decided to turn itself on once while I was washing it, even though the key wasn't in it and it was all locked up. It also set itself on fire once, I was a little pressed for time so ragged it back to the office, the turbo got so hot it set the sound deadening material that was close to it alight.
Good on fuel though