Is The Classic Mini Cooper Really Better Or Is It All Nostalgia? For $15k You Should Buy THIS One

[@jkraich5317]

I sold my 2016 JCW and bought a 1990 Mini I love the old one. The ride, the sounds, the smells, just the whole experience The car is more alive. Everyone should ride in one at least once

[@searaydrivingguy]

i am a muscle car collector, but i own a 1987 mini black restored its super fun, people wave and smile when they see me. Buy an old one you will love it more, its like the baby of my collection.

[@bsmukler]

The old one gets into smaller utility tunnels for sneaky getaways.

[@jamespotter5729]

Point taken. In the remake of "The Italian Job" it was the substantially larger Los Angelos subway tunnels. I'd like to see if a modern MINI could survive the car chase in "The Bourne Identity"...

[@bsmukler]

Not likely but it would be fun to see Jason Bourne give it a try, possibly with a reincarnated girlfriend.

[@Dan210871]

I've owned both and enjoyed both greatly. I'd be delighted to get either one of them back... But I miss my classic Mini more.

[@jkk244]

I’ve got both of those cars in my garage. Well close enough - a ‘88 classic Mini with a 1275, and a ‘02 Cooper S R53 which I’ve owned since new. The classic is the one I take for fun runs, and the R53 is more of my reliable (yes really) daily driver. Both are a blast to drive and I have some strong emotional attachments to each of them. My first car ever was a classic Mini and I plan to always own one.

[@organicmechanic8170]

I love the fender flares and tiny wheels and tires on the original Mini Cooper!

[@toolshed7652]

If I had to choose Id pick the original 10 times out of 10. No comparison really

[@aarongrisham5555]

You'd pass up a 190HP 1.6 supercharged mini?

[@TorontoMiniClub]

@@aarongrisham5555 I’ve driven both and yes I would.

[@aarongrisham5555]

@@TorontoMiniClub ahhhh 40-60 HP sounds great

[@VictorDude98]

@@aarongrisham5555 Speed is far from the main pleasure of cars

[@aarongrisham5555]

@@VictorDude98 I know. The new minis corner very well

[@theylied1776]

On Hovvies Garage, he has two main mechanics. The Car Wizard and the Car Ninja. The Car Ninja specializes in all things BMW, including the Mini. And the Car Ninja says the BMW-produced Minis are crap, not worth buying or fixing.

[@atmartens]

Not surprising since it’s be expensive to fix.

[@GTE_Channel]

Having owned both I can confirm the old Mini is a lot more fun, and cheaper a lot cheaper to run than the new MINI. I choose old over new every day of the week.

[@jamespotter5729]

Great point. I think the video poster did a terrific job of comparing the two vehicles but he didn't discuss maintenance. Older Minis are VERY easy to work on, while I suspect that newer MINIs might require sophisticated tools and skills for "similar" jobs. On the one hand, the newer MINI likely doesn't need as much work each year, but on the other hand, how much more work can you do yourself on the old Mini to keep those costs down on the older vs. newer one? Also, do the same "wear & tear" parts for the new cost the same as for the old? (e.g. tires, wipers, brakes, etc.) My gearhead friend with a 2006 Supercharged MINI and I were just comparing the cost of new tires before the Winter came and the older Mini's tires were half of the cost of the newer MINI's, even after shipping from the UK to NYC. It would be interesting if the video poster, as a follow up, discusses buying both cars for the same exact X dollars, then added the cost of ANY work necessary to get them to the same "daily driver reliability", and THEN tracked parts and labor costs over the next 5 years, subtracting any work that the average owner could do themselves (e.g. an oil change, or a tune up of plugs, wires, dizzy cap & rotor, or brake shoes & pads) and also added in the annual Insurance costs for both (without playing any games like cheaper classic insurance for the old one) just to see what the true average cost of ownership was after 5 years.

[@mardamek]

The new one looks cool and desirable, until you see the old one. Next to the old one it has no chance. I'd gladly own and drive an old one, even with the steering wheel on the right side, but if I had to buy a new one, the reason would be fun and handling. And if that's the case, I think I could be happier with alternatives, such as Fiesta ST, Focus SVT or even VW GTI.

[@kenchristie9214]

Why is the new Cooper called a Mini? It's bloody big.

[@cadriver2570]

Low to the ground, smaller than most everything else on the road these days, fussy people now expect to live after a minor collision.

[@chrispierce4003]

It would be a no-brainer decision for me ~ I learned to drive in '77 Mini 850cc, in British Leyland chocolate brown, lol. Then came a pimped up and very cool '78 Mini 1100 Clubman Estate. In the same chocolate brown colour, lol. Then came an '88 Mini 1000, 'Mary Quant' limited edition with a funky interior. All 3 cars were utterly brilliant and a huge laugh to drive 😆

[@johnbertram]

I think that 'secret' glovebox was originally intended for a multi-changer CD cartridge. I have a UK R55 Clubman with a diesel engine. I average a combined 57mpg UK (47mpg US). And I love it!

[@loelpolo5510]

Hi !!! Today is Saturday, February 5, and We got a new Mini today! We got lucky and our Mini dealership contacted us because they got in a 2014 Mini Cooper Roadster in excellent condition. So we bought it today 😄 now we have a Coupe and a Roadster 😃

[@shankarbalan3813]

Ive got the R56 S in India. A friend has a 1970 Classic Mini. These are both beautiful cars in their own way.

[@KingOFuh]

Not ONE mention of the incredible unreliability of the original MINI and the high maintenance costs of the BMW Mini. NO mention at all.

[@bigmacdaddy1234]

Not one mention because the old Mini was reliable with very few parts to go wrong. If you buy a new Mini the maintenance is included for the first four years.

[@stevewest5397]

I've wanted a Classic for a while now, and plan to get one in a few months. This video cemented that decision. I haven't heard good things about the new Minis, and I want something simple I can work on myself.

[@davva360]

Loved the original Minis. Had a 1989 Mini 30 and also owned a1993 Cooper S. I have driven a newer “BMW” Mini and think they did a great job modernizing the classic car. However the thing that puts me off them is BMW parts prices and the fact they are very difficult to work on yourself.

[@Nickwillfixit]

Me I would take the old one, I had a Mini Clubman 1275, but it was lowered had disc brakes all round lowered the hydrlastic suspension was replaced with coil over shock's running 10'' alloy Minilite wheels dual fuel tanks, I used it to do hillclimb and rallying the engine was bored out to 1340 cc with twin 40DCO Weber carburettors an RC30 big bore exhaust competition clutch straight cut gears so a lot of gear wine, needed to change the oil often as the gearbox runs in the engine oil, low back bucket seats a full roll cage could top out around 110mph, I regretted selling it but with a new wife and house purchase meant the toys had to go to buy things like furniture etc. You missed the fact there were also Mini Cooper 'S's that was where a lot of my parts came from as I wrote it off.

[@markgadsby5568]

This isn’t even a choice… you need both!

[@pauljakeman]

It I had the money I’d buy both in a heartbeat! Awesome and really informative video!

[@harleyrobertson73]

I like the 70s Mini Clubman 1275gt, same mini but a really cool different front end design

[@graemelliott3942]

Nice review! If I lived in a crowded city I’ll take the old Mini! If I had a long commute I’ll take the new one!

[@EcBuddy123]

Get the middle ground best over all, fiat 500 abarth. Too much fun. And surprisingly practical with good mpgs

[@ocallaghan3865]

What if i told you about the kei car

[@toddrobertson1398]

And it’s slower then the s let alone the gp

[@radiofreescott]

Saw you driving your 75hp Mini in Boulder today. Gorgeous car.

[@markleaning107]

Iv had them both. And the old one is more reliable and fun than the BMW junk. I lso have a beautiful mini cooper 1994 spi now

[@cheyennedogsoldiers]

Something that i find interesting is how classic Mini's are portrayed today as being this sales icon in the UK. Yet as a brit growing up in 70's England I don't really remember many people driving them. My friends parents drove mostly Fords, a few had Vauxhalls and Hilams and we had Fords and Rovers in our family. Obviously you'd see them around but compared to Fords, and less so Vauxhalls the numbers weren't that high. In fact in my entire life, I have only known one person who has ever owned one and she's American lol. As for me, my vehicle of choice here in the UK was until recently an F250. lol

[@andyhill6398]

As an 18 year old in the early seventies my first car was a Mini, all my friends had them. We had a blast chasing each other down country lanes. Alas an experience today's youth will never be able to have.

[@raymondsvensson9773]

I prefer the older one. Because, you are more connected to driving.

[@GeekonaBike]

Give me the OG every time. It looks like fun on wheels just setting in the driveway

[@adventureout-brief6836]

At 2:35, the guard rail is at eye level!

[@3rdworldgarage450]

I have a 2005 R50 Mini Cooper 5 speed and it is a truly amazing car to drive! I love the way it looks and it is amazingly responsive. However, it is the single most unreliable piece of crap I have ever owned. Lots of cheap plastic, the likes of which i have only ever seen on Chinese scooters. I do all my own work, and the car came with low miles and good maintenance records but it is just terrible in terms of parts cost. I bought it to daily but never could as it won't stay working for more than 1000 miles. So, its my fun weekend car, which is fine by me. I'll just keep driving the Toyota to work.

[@IamMagPie]

Great video. I'd love to see the same comparison between the original and the R53 MCS.

[@hughwolfe1176]

Wonderful vehicles you have in your garage Tommy… My wife and I have three MINI’s; 2010 S hardtop, 2915 Cabriolet Highgate, 2015 JCW Roadster… We’d like to have a Jeep some day also… I’m surprised you fit in the classic, love to have one but at 6’-2” I’ve always wondered about getting in and out.

[@jeffreyhearn9652]

You would fit no problems.I’m 6ft and fit with room to spare in my classic mini

[@GTE_Channel]

You can add seat extensions which gives nearly everyone enough room to drive the old one

[@MINIstryOfSpeed01]

Really enjoyed this comparison. I’ve owned a GP1 and GP2, and hope to buy a classic in the future. As others pointed out, the R56 GP did not come with the hidden compartment, but you can retrofit one. The R53 MINIs land somewhere between those two models. Full of modern safety, but retained some of the raw driving experience, along with pops and bangs.

[@royn.1968]

Hey Tom, Have You seen the engine swap for Moog's mini from Mighty Car Mods? He swapped in a Honda B16A from the original Civic type-R(EK9)? If you haven't, You should check it out😆. And You can always go to PFI Speed near Loveland. They're import Specialists esp. Hondas Great Video, Tommy! Congrats on winning the Rover Trek!!

[@Jaxav8or]

Ahh the GP! Been wondering if you guys secretly punted it after Roman was so diss appointed. Whatever happened to the Audi TT!

[@stig120212]

they have a car update somewhere and they sold the audi tt months ago

[@georgev5766]

Pass on both. Get a fiesta st for about $10k now. Way more reliable, almost as fun as the old one with ac and modern tech.

[@johnbrereton5229]

Or you could just buy yourself a push bike, way better performance and far more reliable than any fiesta ! 👍😎

[@venomtailOG]

The retro pretty much always. No wonder they're so expensive, just a better deal pretty much in every sense

[@CraigSmith568]

I love that the old one has a "reunk". That's a trunk in the rear.

[@Flying_GC]

It's British dude, it's a boot.

[@CraigSmith568]

@@Flying_GC LOL I bet they don't call it a froot if it's in the front like the idiots here call it a frunk

[@haydenchapman137]

Not all F and R series minis have the top glove box, that's an optional extra from new, or retrofit part for around $400+-

[@tman1129]

You will, of course, spend 5k in repairs in the first year of owning the GP...

[@pogo1140]

Something the old mini has that the new mini's don't. A and engine coolant temperature gauge. In the new mini, by the time the temperature warning comes on, it's too late, your engine has already overheated.

[@toddrobertson1398]

I’d love to have both !

[@joemattes8389]

I’m surprised you haven’t sent the GP on down the road.

[@greathornedowl3644]

Thanks Tommy, interior space: you are tall but narrow in the hips. New one - 2x the car. Old one British engine, the reason Brits do not make computers is they can not leak oil. New one - BMW, if you maintain can last. Think you'd like a JDM car, early 80s Civic

[@jayczyzyk9707]

Nice reveiw but I’ll take the. New all irs

[@TheDavedadd]

Goes without saying I think that the classic mini Cooper is the better car but maybe I'm biased. You cannot beat an old original mini for pure driving experience. They make you drive in a way that a modern car just doesn't and as for character the classic mini has it in spades.

[@wyattparker7223]

Now that I think about it Tommy has 4 cars! His Jeep, the mini, his diesel Mercedes, and the Peugeot 404. His insurance must be very high

[@BillyfromConsett]

Doubt the GP version will carry you and your friends with no back seats, but the JCW version is probably the best balance of fun / practical

[@rossdark713]

You just enjoy the drive in the old Mini/ You just want to get out and drive it. The smiles that they create just can't be matched by the so called new Mini ( I mean MAXI ) BMW.

[@ditkafan1]

There is no possible way a 70s mini has better steering than a 911…. This is why I have a hard time taking this quirky millennial seriously…. That said I appreciate the entertainment value tfl brings to their channels.

[@jamesbeaman6337]

Maybe the 911’s steering is better for its weight but this Mini is so much lighter than the 911s Tommy has driven that it feels better.

[@davidpackphoto]

Go drive a Classic Mini. There is a reason they are called Go-Karts for the road. Steering is incredibly direct and provides a ton of feedback. With ~1500 LBS of weight, it will dive into corners hard and if you know how to drive, you can bring the rear around.

[@Danefrak]

Its fun bro

[@Flying_GC]

Sorry but they have much better steering feel and feedback than a 911. You're obviously making a comment that's not based on actual experience. I'm not a millennial, have owned several minis, driven several generations of 911, mini is better. A 911 can't defy physics despite how much VW fans like to think they can.

[@sorrywrongnumber5280]

I haven't watched the video yet but I just really wish auto manufacturers would start putting chrome bumpers on their cars again. Especially if you're trying to imitate a classic. It's an important ingredient that's just completely missing

[@nickrodis6862]

Thank you.

[@착한말리]

i think its impossible to buy rover mini for 15K

[@americanrambler4972]

The new one is far superior. Better in almost every way. If it was to be my daily driver, I would go for the new one. But if it’s to be my weekend toy, definitely the old one. It’s much more entertaining to drive at city speeds of 25 to 45 mph.

[@koenkoen1270]

I want a 'Mini Countryman F60 vs classic Mini' video

[@timchessum3918]

Can't beat old school

[@OrkishEngineering]

Dude the 1st gen bmw minis are the best in my opinion. Best of both worlds.

[@jemerytay]

The Mini GP2s don't have the "secret" glove boxes

[@shortwing]

Classic Mini for me !!

[@ethelmini]

How are round headlights iconic when every car on the road had them?

[@wh8779]

I'd buy both

[@leeprice2849]

The new Mini is a maintenance nightmare

[@DarthWall275]

Well, it has more character than the soulless, corporate Krautbox.

[@johnbrereton5229]

The new mini was designed by Rover that's why it's called an R50. Unfortunately BMW kept it, along with most of the valuable parts when they asset stripped Rover before selling it. Without a full range of models it was only a matter of time before Rover went bust, how convenient for BMW.

[@alexandersimpson3638]

2 completely different cars, ones small and simple to maintain the other is considerably bigger, complex and relatively unreliable and although it has more power through the twistier roads won’t be much quicker..

[@equaliser2265]

R53 supercharged is what you need.

[@Kandi-tg]

That is not the original Mini, the original was way different in so many way's & had a 750cc engine if i remember correctly, please call them old & new but not the original & new

[@Polecat54941]

Why compare a mini to that Bmw? they are not the same car in any way like me re-naming a Timex as a Rolex does not stop it being a Timex!

[@Stackali]

depends. do you want english "reliability" or german "reliability"

[@Flying_GC]

Classic minis are very reliable. Cheap to fix, easy to fix and parts everywhere. New 'Mini' is a BMW. Enough said.

[@jamespotter5729]

But for others thinking about buying a classic Mini, and wondering about reliability, I want to share this: I own a 1991 classic Mainstream Mini Cooper as a daily driver and after just a few months of "sorting it out" after taking possession of it, and then properly maintaining it, it has been VERY reliable for the past 10 years. Meanwhile my friend owns a 2006 Supercharged modern BMW MINI and often laments the large bills he gets whenever he goes into the dealer just for annual service. If you have good mechanical skills and a Haynes manual, you can take care of a classic Mini yourself. If you don't, then any reputable "corner mechanic" can handle your routine maintenance for a very reasonable hourly rate, and I'm certain that for the VERY special jobs, any classic Jaguar shop in your vicinity would jump at the chance to work on your classic Mini, just for the experience and to be able to advertise that they work on classic Minis in order to build their clientele list of other relatively local classic Mini owners.

[@barryphillips7327]

Which one would i buy???? NO Question has to be the Classic Mini!!!! The other would NOT even get a look in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Either way i DO NOT CARE has to be the classic NOT newer horrible one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@erniearruda8861]

The ORIGINAL for sure ,it has more pizzazz and simplicity 😉

[@royn.1968]

Agreed!! Being able to make your own repairs is priceless. Rich Rebuilds and Louis Rossman have been talking in detail about the push from Manufacturers to pressure the feds into repealing right to repair laws. And they're so greedy, that they don't want the independent shops to have any form of software, or support from manufacturers

[@mohamedrazeen3652]

Old mini cooper not good

[@HoosierDaddy_]

Old one. No question.

[@botnot5618]

15 grand for a MINI John Cooper Works GP? LOL. They go $40k+ new now, and they SELL. You've got a deal when you got it. The market is a desert now.

[@markellis4229]

Classic Mini all the way

[@kgositheophilusbakwena3632]

Hey Tom

[@badusername4]

I know which one I’d rather repair 👨‍🔧😄

[@Jebusisblatantidolatry]

The gen 1 is a better comparison to the original mini

[@michaelthomas1654]

Tommy, ride over bear creek pass in your mini cooper come on young man live a little, you can do it show the hot babes Tommy is a macho man. Thanks for all the videos, happy trails.

[@mednag7107]

R53

[@jonathanking625]

Mini metro hatchback released in 1980s

[@TorontoMiniClub]

I will take the classic Mini any day over the BMW.

[@myvonbiernoth6336]

Take a F56 JCW 😉

[@TheRouger7]

I've owned 3 classic Mini's and you're obviously driving it the wrong way. Please take some lessons. Oh, and make it a more even comparison with the regular 2001 - 2021 Mini Cooper; not the S or GP models. Do a better comparison for your viewers.

[@jpalasz123]

easy answer... old one..

[@highplainsrider8734]

Stop with the exhaust pipe, the guardrail, the sky and the rearview mirror view it's dumb and not what you should be showing!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Ryosaeba8]

LOL- Give it the bean.... You guy hang out with Sarah-n-tuned way too too much

[@klinkske]

Old one no doubt. New is ugly and every new gen gets worse

[@richieremo1]

😂😂😂😂 you cant call the german car a mini...its nothing like a mini nothing like each other..just like a vw beetle and a 911 porsche

[@cbanham]

Old mini is a mini…new is a fake.

[@georgebodley8068]

Give me a classic mini over that German crap any day.

[@dogsandcars202]

He owns nerdy cars lol

[@danatkinson6698]

That's because he's a nerd too lol. Its another level of car enthusiasm

[@Flying_GC]

Since when is a classic Mini a nerdy car? Was winning the monte carlo rally among other motorsport event's nerdy? Dumb comment

[@haroldbeauchamp3770]

Tiny death traps with uncomfortable, cramped interiors, lots of ear deafening road noise, quirky bizarrely placed instrumentation, oh and my personal favorite - highly unreliable. Hard pass on both of these terrible money pits.

[@davidpackphoto]

cramped interiors, apparently you have never been in a classic mini.

[@haroldbeauchamp3770]

@@davidpackphoto I’ve driven several. One of my colleagues imported a 1970 Mini to restore and sell. It was nothing short of comical and resembles a clown car in a traveling circus.

[@jkk244]

Sounds like someone who makes car buying decisions based upon Consumer Reports ratings

[@haroldbeauchamp3770]

@@jkk244 no ma’am. I make my purchases with common sense, logic, and advise of my mechanic.

[@Flying_GC]

So in other words you're talking through a hole in your head, you haven't owned one yet you're discussing reliability. I'm 6ft4 I fit in these with no issues. They have plenty of room. As for reliability, what's the common issue with them? I've had 3- please let me know so I can expect major issues that haven't occurred in 30 years of owning them. Honestly dude don't comment on stuff outside your pay grade.