JDM Classic As a Daily Driver?
Total posts: 3
Last post: Sep 29, 2023 Member since:Sep 29, 2023
|
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0 WorkBench Posts: 0 |
Working on the mini is always a chore because it is so very small, and the JDM mini's, as someone pointed out, are especially difficult because of the AC and the ECU and the three radiators and the brake servo. Very crowded in the engine bay. Did I mention the 3 radiators?
But as a city car, as a daily driver, sure, find a decent one and go for it. If it dies on you, there's a market for good used parts. I'll take the SPI manifold and throttle body off you.
Total posts: 9
Last post: Dec 28, 2023 Member since:Dec 10, 2021
|
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0 WorkBench Posts: 0 |
The width didn't seem to be a problem, it was getting in and out and the steering position. I'm told that seat extenders help enough to be drivable, and that's all I'm looking for.
Total posts: 9547
Last post: Apr 26, 2024 Member since:Aug 14, 2002
|
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0 WorkBench Posts: 0 |
|
Sitting in a classic Mini isn't the same as riding or driving one.The seat extenders might give you about 3" more legroom and a touch more arm reach, but they do nothing to make the car wider. I am/have been chunky and I can say one gets used to the reduced elbow room. Just enough for you and a close (and I do mean "close").
If you want something fun for a couple of years, look into a new MINI made by BMW. The smaller, earlier ones have something of the Mini driving feel / fun factor, though not quite the original Mini GRIN effect, in my opinion. (I have not driven a later version, so can't say.) They also have the modern conveniences you'd be used to having. BUT be careful what you buy - from what I've read mostly here, they can be a mechanical challenge if not well maintained.
.
"Hang on a minute lads....I've got a great idea."
Total posts: 9
Last post: Dec 28, 2023 Member since:Dec 10, 2021
|
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0 WorkBench Posts: 0 |
I should have mentioned that this will only be city driving and I do indeed have a backup plan with a second classic car, my wife's car, plus rentals available.
I'm not terribly handy, as I mentioned, but I'm certainly up for learning and have connected with a couple of local mini owners. In fact, I sat in a JDM mini this weekend for the first time. It was a bit of a tight squeeze (I'm a wide guy) but I think with seat extenders I would be ok.
I'm still very much on the fence about this but appreciate everyone's opinions.
Total posts: 501
Last post: Apr 19, 2024 Member since:Jan 25, 2017
|
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0 WorkBench Posts: 0 |
My mini is my only car and I'm not afraid of driving it.
Over the years of owning minis, I discovered that you have to be attuned to the different sounds the mini produces. If a strange sound pops up, you need to investigate. I think that is one of the subtle reasons Issigonis never put a radio in the mini (other being a distraction).
Total posts: 10238
Last post: Apr 26, 2024 Member since:Mar 24, 1999
|
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0 WorkBench Posts: 0 |
|
...
-
-
I'm not terribly handy with cars and there is no specialist shop that I can find. Are any of you in the same boat and how is it working out for you?
...
As much as I HATE typing this, a Classic Mini is not the car for you if you can't maintain it yourself.
The JDM cars, especially the ones with aircon, are hideously complicated.
I've got an automatic JDM MPi/SPi crossover with aircon, and despite being a published author of technical articles about spannering Minis with 40-odd years experience, it's a tangled nightmare to work on.
Total posts: 39
Last post: Oct 12, 2023 Member since:Mar 4, 2021
|
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0 WorkBench Posts: 0 |
Every time someone comes to our shop and says they want a cute sporty nimble reliable daily driver i suggest a fiat 500 abarth, a new mini, or a gti..
Total posts: 8592
Last post: Apr 6, 2024 Member since:Sep 30, 2002
|
Cars in Garage: 4
Photos: 40 WorkBench Posts: 2 |
|
Wait......no....inside voice Mike. GEEZ
Although I love my classic Mini. my BINI (BMW MINI) is 10x the daily driver.
Unless you were VERY handy with classic British cars or had deep pockets and a backup vehicle of some kind, there's very little reason to
think a Mini would make a great DD, especially on the open freeways or fast paced highways, biways and whatnot of moderntown USA.
Quote:
I'm considering a 90's JDM Rover Mini as a daily driver, but I have a couple of concerns and would love all feedback other than "you're an idiot". I already know that.
-
I live in a hot climate in Nevada. I will focus on one with A/C but I'm worried about engine overheating. I'm told a second radiator plus an electric fan will help, but is it enough? I have talked with a bunch of folks and had very mixed opinions with some saying it will ALWAYS overheat no matter what you do and others saying they drive in a similar environment with no issues after a couple of upgrades. I've even looked at the mega cooling kit from Wild Child in AZ.
-
I'm not terribly handy with cars and there is no specialist shop that I can find. Are any of you in the same boat and how is it working out for you?
-
Registering the car: my state (NV) has weird rules about classic cars to basically prevent them from being daily driven. I'm thinking about finding a way to make it pass smog, anyone done this? Someone local has told me that retarding the spark got his to pass. not sure if it was carb, mpi, or spi though.
-
My plan of last resort is to register it as a classic and basically lie about the amount of miles driven (NV basically uses an honor system where the owner self-reports the mileage every year when registering the car to ensure it stays less than 5K miles). This method is used ALL THE TIME here although I will be trying everything possible to avoid it. I'm just not that type of person.
I'm very open to all ideas, concerns, etc, especially things I haven't thought about.
~ 30 minutes in a Mini is more therapeutic than 3 sessions @ the shrink. ~
Mike NB, Canada
Total posts: 9
Last post: Dec 28, 2023 Member since:Dec 10, 2021
|
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0 WorkBench Posts: 0 |
I'm considering a 90's JDM Rover Mini as a daily driver, but I have a couple of concerns and would love all feedback other than "you're an idiot". I already know that.
-
I live in a hot climate in Nevada. I will focus on one with A/C but I'm worried about engine overheating. I'm told a second radiator plus an electric fan will help, but is it enough? I have talked with a bunch of folks and had very mixed opinions with some saying it will ALWAYS overheat no matter what you do and others saying they drive in a similar environment with no issues after a couple of upgrades. I've even looked at the mega cooling kit from Wild Child in AZ.
-
I'm not terribly handy with cars and there is no specialist shop that I can find. Are any of you in the same boat and how is it working out for you?
-
Registering the car: my state (NV) has weird rules about classic cars to basically prevent them from being daily driven. I'm thinking about finding a way to make it pass smog, anyone done this? Someone local has told me that retarding the spark got his to pass. not sure if it was carb, mpi, or spi though.
-
My plan of last resort is to register it as a classic and basically lie about the amount of miles driven (NV basically uses an honor system where the owner self-reports the mileage every year when registering the car to ensure it stays less than 5K miles). This method is used ALL THE TIME here although I will be trying everything possible to avoid it. I'm just not that type of person.
I'm very open to all ideas, concerns, etc, especially things I haven't thought about.