My Dad bought a brand new morris mini 850 in 1959 (aged 21 - just out of university). He had 3 gearboxes under warranty. rain came in through the floor.
He views Alec Issigonis as a Maverick and a Bodger.
He has only owned Fords since then - all purchased new.
I owned a 1974 1000 in 1988 - It was rusty and the brakes were almost impossible to service or get right.
My wife owned a 1978 mini 850 from 1989 to 1992 and an 1100 clubman in 1992.
Both were very rusty, and the brakes were arbortions.
The 850 was given to a friend who scrapped it (despite agreement to give it back when she'd finished with it) The clubman was restored by a work colleague, who later scrapped it after the door fell off in tescos car park leaving his wife and baby somewhat stranded.
None of these peices of rust ever broke down although the 850 did require a head gasket and later a replacement head.
Then in 2010 when my son was 17 and just past his test, I bought a 1988 mayfair.
It was the most unreliable piece of junk ever.
Parts from so called specialists are rubbish. I replaced most of the front suspension twice, the condensor twice, the dizzy cap, arm and points, the cylinder head gasket.
I sold it after a year.
Then in 2013 I purchased a 2001 BINI cooper for my wife.
I think it's probably the spiritual successor of the Metro Turdo.
Anyway, apart from throwing money at the front suspension, it's been great.
My conclusion classic Mini's are overrated, rusty, unreliable, over priced lumps of dog mess.
I can think of better ways of getting involved in classic cars.
I'd rather poke my eyes out with a dirty stick than own another.