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Jun 25, 2011 21:35:55 GMT
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Imp for me too. I had a base model and was easy to mod to better spec. Always drooled over a Stilleto though A Husky (estate) would be cool. Paul H
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johnd
Part of things
Posts: 839
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Jun 25, 2011 21:48:17 GMT
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just the normal base model would do me, £2.5k for 100bhp is a lot, bike engine seems do-able although ive never did a conversion myself yet
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Jun 25, 2011 22:10:45 GMT
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I voted for the Mini as I think a standard mini is a better looking car than the Imp. The Imp Coupe is a different story but tend to be quite difficult to get hold of (at least I have never been able to find one when I was looking!). Other reason is the engine. I would rather have an A series than a Coventry. Just my own opinion of course. Throw a Fiat 850 onto the options list though and my vote would be for that.
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Last Edit: Jun 25, 2011 22:12:25 GMT by scouser
1981 VW T25
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imp vs miniretrowagen1234
@GUEST
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Jun 25, 2011 22:23:43 GMT
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IMP
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Last Edit: Jun 25, 2011 22:23:52 GMT by retrowagen1234
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impmann
Posted a lot
Overcoming stupidity is the greatest challenge left to mankind
Posts: 1,089
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Whilst some would think my answer would be a forgone conclusion (I've owned more than 150 Imps over the last 20 years), I have also owned a few Minis (and Metros too).
The Mini wins hands down over the Imp in the parts supply/price stakes - you can buy pretty much anything for a Min. The Imp was never as popular and therefore its a case of supply and demand.
The Imp is nicer to drive long distance - I used to find that more then 20miles in the Mini (1380cc Avonbar) was deeply unpleasant!!
Finding good examples of either is getting tricky and genuinely good ones (not just shiny paint) fetch very good money now - and to be honest restoring either is going to cost around the same in terms of bodywork. So choose wisely - and drive both before making the decision. They are so totally different, you may find one suits you better than the other.
After all, back in the day cars were designed to be different to drive - not just shades of the same kind of blandness that they are today.
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1964 Hillman Imp 1976 Hillman Imp 1967 Hillman Imp (And a few projects dotted around the country)
Just cos something is good for you doesn't mean its good for everyone - for example Marmite does not make good Dog Food.
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how easy is it to put bike engines ect in the back of imps?
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Jun 26, 2011 10:05:07 GMT
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Simple answer? Mini.
People are voting imp because they are more unusual and more RR scene. I've had both. If you compare a standard imp in good condition to a standard mini in the same condition, you're looking at the same kind of price. Mini's are easier and cheaper to tune, and parts are more readily available. It is going to be more difficult and expensive to have a FAST imp, but if you prefer the looks and RWD then that might be a scrifice you'll have to make. If money was no object, I'd have an imp, but I've had my mini since I was 18 and it'll never be going anywhere.
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1989 Mini MG 1275 ~ 1987 VW Polo ~ 1989 Citroen 2CV ~ 1998 VW T4 ~ 2006 Volvo XC70
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burns
Part of things
Posts: 373
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Jun 26, 2011 10:09:06 GMT
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I'd always say go for what you want the most in this situation. Probably the biggest killer on a project is just losing interest and selling it for something else. Buy the car you want first time and you don't risk putting time and money into something you will not hang onto.
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Jun 26, 2011 10:15:10 GMT
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Imp gets my vote every time. I`ve had a fair few, and got 3 at the moment. A mini has it`s good points and is hugely popular, but an Imp has bags more character and are hard to beat for the grin factor. Get a decent one mate and you`ll never regret it!
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Jun 26, 2011 10:22:05 GMT
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The problem with Minis is, that everything has been done. Everything. To death. I voted Mini - but I say Imp (and that's from a die-hard Mini fan ;D)
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Ryannn
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,421
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Jun 26, 2011 11:38:11 GMT
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I'd say.... get an Imp just because I havn't had one yet... but I love and voted... mini... only down side is FWD... Minis don't cost the earth if you get one that hasn't been "done" by someone already, I've never bought one for over a grand, and I've had 5!
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Last Edit: Jun 26, 2011 11:41:45 GMT by Ryannn
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ImpManiac
Part of things
Imps... Imps... Imps...
Posts: 868
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Jun 26, 2011 12:00:18 GMT
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A Mini is a better bet in some respects. Tuning parts, body panels, trim and so on are available almost everywhere. Imp stuff can be had but 440,000-odd Imps were built, as compared with umpteen millions of Minis, so it is hardly surprising that Imp bits are fewer and more far between. Mini performance can be very good and the handling has its fans. But a really well-prepared Imp really is something else! By well-prepared, I do not necessarily mean expensively, either. A lot of folk use intelligently conceived, well-thought-out modifications that are extremely effective. The Imp's drivetrain is in a completely different league from the Mini's too. The Imps is based on the Grand Prix-winning Coventry Climax engine - and quite closely based too. Even standard Imp engines love to rev! My 'built' 930cc unit will exceed 9000rpm in the blink of an eye and is safe well past 10,000rpm, if I should feel so inclined. The Mini's engine is a 1940's boat anchor that can be made to really sing, with a little effort. And the Imp transaxle is very light, with one of the best gearchanges anywhere if the linkage is sorted (very cheap and simple to do). My Chamois makes me laugh out loud, it handles so brilliantly. It has Monte Carlo springs (1" lower all round) with suitable Spax adjustable shock absorbers - probably not a lot more than £300's worth now. I also fitted Superflex bushes all round. It has incredible balance because the suspension was designed intelligently. The semi-trailing arms at the rear offer better grip than the swing arm front end but a significant portion of the mass (engine, gearbox, radiator, etc.) is in the rear, so even though the front end is light, the steering feel is astounding (think early Porsche 911 but with clever suspension ) and the grip is unreal - even as standard, I used to find before the mods. But with the mods, the handling, grip and sheer poise are staggering. I have never driven a Mini but my uncle used to have one. I used to get driven around by him once in a while. The ride was bouncy compared with the Imp and the short wheelbase showed through too in the car's nervous demeanour. Imps are rarer, cooler and, in my biased view, look better. ;D The are engineered fabulously well, handle brilliantly and can be cheap to run. With no personal experience of Minis, I cannot really offer the alternative viewpoint. But Minis have lots of fans and that must mean something! Happy choosing. Buy a good example of either and you cannot lose! Do these help... "I'm"
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Last Edit: Jun 26, 2011 14:25:09 GMT by ImpManiac
1966 Singer Chamois sprint/hillclimb car in white over blue two tone 1975 Triumph Stag long term project (over 20 years so far) in colour TBA 2003 Vauxhall Vectra GSi 3.2 in black sapphire
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conrad
Posted a lot
Here to fix your cabin.......
Posts: 1,678
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Jun 26, 2011 12:26:15 GMT
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To my eyes most minis are just "meh, another mini" they have to be really special to stand out as at every show or classic road run there'll be loads of minis, and in rallies etc too. I don't mean any offence to the thousands of people who love them, but minis rarely turn my head or get a second glance these days. On the other hand an Imp provokes much more of a reaction from me and i'll want to get a better look at it.
I have not owned either of them but have driven both (both cars almost standard spec), didn't like the mini much it felt jittery and bouncy, loved the imp it was hilarious, a ridiculous and awesome little car. There was no hype about the imp so i could get a fresh take on it, but the mini was a big disappointment after so many people said they were such fun to drive and had great handling etc. I can see how with lots of mods they can make great rally cars and autotest cars and the like , but if i was to choose one of the two cars it'd be an imp because it's different and to me a more interesting and entertaining car. The mini is the "easy" option due to spares, number of cars and big (and sometimes rather snobby) "scene". But the imp woudl be the more interesting choice
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V8imp
Part of things
Posts: 23
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Jun 26, 2011 13:27:03 GMT
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Imp all the way, Total coolness
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Jun 26, 2011 13:48:34 GMT
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I'll just leave this here... But for practicality I vote Mini
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1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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Stig
Part of things
Posts: 244
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Jun 26, 2011 14:21:23 GMT
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Now not too surprisingly I've voted Mini. But... ...I do love the Imp too! When I was 15/16 a mate of mine was the first to buy a car (instead of using someones Mum's ) and low and behold, it was an Imp. I loved the thing, and as mentioned above, it had fantastic handling right out of the box. But once I could afford a "proper" (read interesting) car, I went for the very same Clubman Estate that I still have today. The way I see it, and has been mentioned above, the two have very different personalities. This is apparent in not only how they drive but how they make you feel when you're driving them. Whilst we all love a bit of a contest and this vote has certainly brought up some interesting stories, you're going to need to get out there and really try them to see what's right for you. Don't just drive one or two either, anything this age (as you all know) will have differing characteristics to the very next one originally off the line! But hey ho, what do I know...
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Jun 26, 2011 14:29:23 GMT
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hi all, have had loads of newer cars and a couple oldies... mini sidewalk and a nova gsi c20xe.. just sold my tt and fancy something classic.. really like the look of imps but minis are more readily available, only thing is I think minis fetch more than they're worth opinions and vote please where do you live ? if your close to me i could take you for a drive in mine and proabibly let you have a go
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Jun 26, 2011 14:44:16 GMT
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Last Edit: Jun 26, 2011 14:46:18 GMT by prometheus
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Jun 26, 2011 15:06:31 GMT
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OMG that's sexy!
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Jun 26, 2011 15:21:35 GMT
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I suppose I'm biased but having said that I once owned a 1380 full race mini with all the bells and whistles,it went on to win Welsh Tarmac Championship,it was very quick but scarey to drive quickly,Imps on the other hand are good fun once the suspension has been sorted,(Avo's, Monte Carlo tarmac springs) Good in the snow too with the right tyres!! Its when it comes to getting them to go quickly the problems arise.....You will need very deep pockets!! ;D My everyday car..... My project........
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