Moggy Minor, daily driver... worth it?

[Tetleysmooth]

Well, the old bill used to use them.

 

 

 

Doubt they'd keep up with a T5 though.

I passed my RAF driving test in a Minor Traveller.

[skattrd]

I wouldn't use something like a Moggy as a daily. I like my dailies to work and put up with being neglected, I have other crap to fix at the weekend. I think with daily use you'll need to keep up a decent maintenance routine on Moggy and I'm sure you've got other things to be doing every weekend other than routine work on your daily.

[mercrocker]

Buy two and you will always have one ready for work on Monday  to work on all week.....

[HMC]

I used my first one as daily transport for about 15 months. Did 10,000 miles in it in that time and it never put a foot wrong. This also despite it being a fairly tired example. The brakes were not confidence inspiring, but drive roundable (probably ok if in perfect working order) To some extent it depends on how much time you have to commit to maintenence and what sort of commute you have.

 

 

I regret not keeping it but it was in need of a lot of bodywork by the end, and my subsequent purchases (see centre and right) were taking up my time.

[Tetleysmooth]

Until this thread, I thought a trunnion was a made up component. Like having to replace the thrust flange, I thought it was a joke.

 

I had a trunnion let go on a Reliant Scimitar I had.

A scary experience, particularly as it happened minutes after crossing the main Shoeburyness - Fenchurch Street railway line.

The front wheel folded in and it failed to proceed instantly.

[mercrocker]

Used to be a common sight, Morries stumbling over - usually on the first turn of the journey.   There were stacks of them in the village where I grew up and when they came to grief it was generally around the same crossroads.  

[richardmorris]

The English 2cv! Lots of useful info. above. Rustproof it well and use it for a bit then decide on any "upgrades" you may wish to make to make everyday use more comfortable. Life can be quite relaxing on the inside lane of the motorway while still being great fun on other roads. Try it for a bit, summer's coming so what have you got to loose?

[D Spares & Tyres]

You will regret it as an only car,

 

Great in summer, depressing in winter. If in any way possible, keep the XM

[Justin Case]

One should be reliable, all the possible causes of failure to proceed are well known by now and most survivors are generally well looked after. However I don't really like them much as cars; they are uncomfortable, the back axle bounces around (although the steering is nice), they are cramped and the boot is tiny (except on the traveller but then you have the woodworm ganging up with the tinworm against you )

Have a look at a Triumph Herald before you decide, I think that it's a better drive and more practical (although I've only driven a couple many years ago) and the convertible is particularly pleasant. You can also get kits to keep the rear end under control and I would think that welding up the odd outrigger would be the lesser of the two evils.

However as this is Autoshite, I feel that I have a duty to recommend something a bit newer, not so classic and worthless. Does the K11 Micra come in beige

[oman5]

Major Minor (ha!) plus point- they have a starting handle. Which makes it instantly, like, you know, totally retro?

[wuvvum]

When I went to view my first Minor, it had a duff battery so the seller started it up on the handle.  Fired up straight away.  That sold it to me instantly.  Of course that was back in the days when a scruffy MOT'd Minor could be had for a couple of hundred quid.

[stripped fred]

I wouldn't personally use one as a daily for the reasons mentioned by others unless my commute was pretty local and I didn't have to rely on it as my only car. I think the novelty would wear thin after a bit. However would be great as a second or weekend car.

[Lankytim]

Thanks again for the opinions! My daily commute is about 4 miles each way and the Missus has a Fiat Multipla as the "prime mover" so we could work something ot should there ever be a fail to proceed. 

[purplebargeken]

Perfect then!

[plasticvandan]

8 miles a day? I'd be mopedding it!

[Six-cylinder]

8 miles a day? I'd be mopedding it!

 

I could afford the fuel to use my V8 Range Rover!

 

[stripped fred]

Thanks again for the opinions! My daily commute is about 4 miles each way and the Missus has a Fiat Multipla as the "prime mover" so we could work something ot should there ever be a fail to proceed.

In that case, go for it!

[cros]

I must add that if you break down in an old car chances are it will be something modern and electronic or something stupid you've missed that causes it. I use cheapo electronic ignition, but even if you squander spend hundreds on posh stuff sooner or later it will pack up. Points don't do such a good job but usually give notice before expiring. Unfortunately modern points have a very short life. I carry an old distributor to stick in and get me home.

  Another appealing thing about the Minor is that its by no means perfect and thousands of little things you can do to make it better. What can you do to make a corsa better? I've had an unbelievable amount of stick from my wife for selling our traveller.

[oldcars]

8 miles a day? I'd be mopedding it!

Thats my commute too, get a reliant 

[plasticvandan]

i will also add that no a series poered vehicle,and certainly not Minor,has ever,ever failed to get me to my destination,or home

[barrett]

A couple of years ago I was using a 1955 Standard 8 to commute 300 miles a week. Tbh I can't think of a better car to do that journey, except possibly a Morris Minor. They used to overtake me on a regular basis as my top speed flat out was about 53mph. Four miles a day will be an absolute breeze.

I'm guessing Minors don't have a heater with slots in the perfect size to stuff enough pre-rolled fags to last me the journey, though.

[mercrocker]

Later ones have those little flip-up ashtrays with slots to stand rollies up in.  Mine just has a swivel-out one.   Never smoked since I bought the Minor, though so not really a reliable witness.   If I still did I would be tempted to drive it round with permanent roll up between the lips like Andy Capp......

[Lankytim]

Hey gang, here's a pic!

 

Is it quite a late one? Should be 1100?

[Squire_Dawson]

Wow, that looks really nice! Get it bought man.

[HMC]

Yes that should be a 1098cc -er with the later slightly tougher box ( ribbed casing identifies) Almond green - my fave minor colour

[scruff]

Looks kwal from here Tim.

 

That's the kind of daily mileage I now do in my 1952 Land Rover (which makes a Moggy feel like a Maserati Quattroporte). You should give it a go, it's hardly the sort of vehicle you'll struggle to move on if you don't gel with it. 

[stripped fred]

Hey gang, here's a pic!

 

Is it quite a late one? Should be 1100?

Nice looking car.

[MarvinsMom]

get that lil car bought!!

 

you know you want to and tyou know you won't regret it.

 

even if you are unable to get along with it (if i imagine you are tired of life) then you can always sell it on for what it's cost you.

 

go now, buy it before i do!!

[derskine]

Buy the absolute shit out of that.

[cros]

I did use one for a while. The little 1098 lump punches well above its weight in my opinion, but they are happiest on A and B roads. Whilst they will do 70 mph, they're not happy at that speed and motorways probably best avoided unless you sit with the trucks.

The one thing where time has definitely left the minor behind is the brakes. They need a good shove to work and are either on or off, locking up too easily in my opinion.

I suppose as long as you're prepared to do the greasing and rust chasing, it's totally suitable for everyday use.

I put front discs my A35 with only limited success. Better to go up in size in drum- minor can use Wolseley 1500. I wouldn't bother to change them myself, just drive with better anticipation, accept higher pedal pressure, and stop comparing with modern brakes. Servos only reduces the energy you have to put in, does nothing to make the car stop quicker unless you're very weak. Its clear that ABS will stop you quicker but I don't want it any more than I want to wear a crash helmet to go up stairs.