Mini or mk1 fiesta, daily! Talk to me

[novasport1300]

Hey Folks looking for advice, fed up driving boring modern mobiles so want something retro. My fav choices are Mk1 fiesta or classic mini(probably 80's 998 model) But what are they like to live with as i do about 5k miles a year. I know both can be made to look/go better but what would you have? Any advice would be much welcomed, Thanks.

[cobblers]

Fiesta without a doubt.

Still has plenty of character, but designed in the 70s rather than the 50s. I've owned both and the mini really was a horrible little thing.

[bakedbean]

mk1 fiesta here aswell!

[spacekadett]

Mini - Partly for balance, partly just cos I like'em. Fiesta may be better on longer runs (altho a 1.1 4 speed Fester ain't gonna be silent at 80 on the motorway either ) but I've never owned a Mk1 or 2 Fiesta and can't see that changing in the forseeable.

Actually if I wanted a good alround small retro I'd buy a Gen2 Civic - much better daily than both IMHO

[billy]

I should say mini since thats what I drive but they are so overpriced nowadays I'd say fiesta
the mini is good but not that good to demand the silly money they are fetching nowadays

the mk1 fiesta is still fun to hoon about in and I'd hope a damn site cheaper than a mini

[bigalan]

How about an Innocenti Mini? Like the one in for sale section:

retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=FSW&thread=84481&page=1#1104777

[philsford]

I would go for the fiesta. I ran a mk1 xr2 as daily for about 2 years. Did go through alot of engine mounts and they were hard to get genuine ones and that was about 8 years ago. Parts will be your problem as soon as you need something out of the ordinary. I have had minis as dailys a few times. At 1 point me and the misses had a mini each as a daily and tbh you can get anything for them you may need but will need more repairs than a fiesta when used daily.
I would actually get a mk2 fiesta down to prices and parts availabilty. Also drive alot better in xr2 spec than a mk1.
Have a pic of the last fiesta I owned, sold about 18 months ago. Should never have sold it.

[Davenger]

I've had both, and I'd go Fiesta.
Minis are great fun, but they're not even remotely practical and the ride can get tiring on a long run.
Fiesta is a good useable everyday car that can look great with a few choice mods.
Also, it doesn't have the scene tax or the anal following that the mini has

[octagonalpaul]

I own a mini and have driven a fiesta, mini is a fun car that makes you smile, fiesta had vague handling and bad tires but more reliable. So its down to whether you want a bit more fun or a bit more reliabilty - though a mini can be very reliable if you keep an eye on it and make sure the electrics and dizzy are kept in good condition

[ben-dover]

mk1 fester for me thanks! get one in hearing aid beige, phone fiesta center for some -50mm springs, slap on any old skool ford deep dish 13'' alloys and have an instantly cool car for a grand (if your clever). A mini would cost that for a half decent base car... but i would still own one!

[ra28celica]

mk1 fezzy all the way mate

[tri]

Fiesta without a moments hesitation. Way more practical, just as fun and can look fantastic on a budget.

Definitely worth considering a mk2 too though!

[kee]

mk1 fiestas are pretty reliable, i did about 12k in my first year of ownership and only had to replace old brake cylinders on the rear.
handling is poor as standard, make them handle like a mini for cheap by getting stiffer springs.

get a later model and it has eleccy ignition, mine has never had to be touched unless i messed around with it.

not quite as rusty as a mini either, but not far off.
plenty of following, you could get an absolutely perfect fiesta for mini money

[ant1]

having smoked around a heavily modified stripped out mini for my first few months of driving , then replaced it with a standard(ish) mk2 fiesta , i would say the fiesta is better for an everyday car , yeah it can be boring , and on standard wheels you really need to respect the corners , but paint it silly colours and you will still get looks , you can leave it in carparks without worrying about it .. the brakes work and it cost about 1/10 th of what the mini cost me

but the mini is still amazing fun and instantly recognisable !

[fatbaldbloke]

I learned to drive in a Mk1 Fiesta, then my mum upgraded to a Mk2 that I bought off her. Considering it's effectively a facelift, the Mk2 is a world better.
Only thing against the Mini is practicality, but if you don't need to move big stuff regularly, they're brilliant. They are fine for long journeys, I've regularly driven from Hertfordshire to Newquay non stop* in one and also driven them all over Europe including to Spain and back. If you're over 6 foot you might want to fit seat extender brackets to gain a little more room. A late 80s 998 City E in good nick will sit all day on the motorway at 8errm 70 and return 50+ mpg while doing it.
The Inno that has been mentioned above looks like a great little car and I am sorely tempted, though I'm on a self imposed car diet at the moment until I've cleared my debts. NOTHING handles quite like a Mini but if you want a little practicality and close to Mini handling, you could always look at Metros?

*edit - I lie. The tank is so small I had to nip off the M5 at Taunton for fuel.

[RetroWarwicK]

i'm a big mini fan and owner but for a daily i'd go fiesta if it were a mk1/2. plenty of engine/gearbox swap options and spares much easier to get.

[ben711200]

Fiesta! I haven't smiled so much whilst driving for ages. They're brilliant fun, handle fairly well (on lowered suspension etc) and are right on the cusp of being a proper classic IMO.

Apologies to plug, but time as come to sell Becky's one because she wants something more motorway friendly to go and see her mum oop north and stuff. PM me if you're interested

[jonw]

Depends what you want....

If it's practicality, the Festa wins every time on every count... not competition. They are bigger, quieter, less prone to rot and not so afraid of water!!

If its a car to hoon around in, do up and enjoy, the mini is just as good if not a bit better. Handaling is spectacular.

[novasport1300]

Thanks folks that gives me something to think about! Always liked mini's but price wise fiesta is going to win I think. Mk2 could also be opition look cool lowered on some 13" and some recaro's.

[Deleted]

I did 30,000 miles in a Mk2 Fiesta as my first car with no issues (well, nothing major lol). I still have the car now, and still counting the miles!

and i've done a fair few miles in a mk1 too. I cant say about the mini, never had one, but a good Fiesta will serve u well and will hold value too at the moment mk1's are much loved!