Always get insurance quotes before buying...

[PlasmaBomb]

Is this MINI the world's most expensive mirror?

Underneath this amazing mirrored bodywork is a MINI Cooper S. It's a well equipped MINI, granted, but it's so flash that its owners can't get insurance cover.

Ian Grice, a builder from Nottingham, bought the car as a Valentine's gift for his wife Toni. He was so dazzled by it, literally, that he happily paid the £38,000 asking price when it caught his eye in the showroom.

Without options, the list price for a MINI Cooper S is £17,000 - meaning the value of the chrome paintjob could be more than the car itself.

But it has caused a massive headache for the couple, because insurance companies won't provide cover, at any cost. Temporary cover was initially provided by the London MINI dealership so it could be driven home by the happy buyers.

Once back in Nottingham, however, they were left with what Ian describes as "the world's most expensive mirror." Talking to The Sun newspaper, he said: "It's a MINI Cooper for crying out loud, not a Ferrari."

The car's shiny paint makes it an obvious target for thieves, though the Association of British Insurers has advised the couple to seek specialist cover. It has warned, however, that they 'should expect to pay a considerable amount'.

£38k for a mini?!?

($57,540)

and all it can do is sit in the drive, well goes to show my title is appropriate.

Although I don't think insurance is as hard to come by in the states...

 

[DivideBYZero]

Meh, they're not trying hard enough. Calling up a specialist broker would solve the insurance issue pretty fast.

As for the cost, as they say, "A fool and his money are soon parted.".

 

[CurseTheSky]

It's not thieves they should be worrying about...

It's people like me that would take sand paper (or at least mud) to every panel the next time they parked at a store. Why? Can you imagine this thing cruising down the street on a sunny day? They'd be blinding people left and right.

 

[T2urtle]

i think the car should be road illegal because of the blinding factor.

I would think no one would want to steal it as its hard to hide. but i would wipe my butt on it =)

 

[PhoKingGuy]

idiot

 

[ViviTheMage]

fool

 

[PricklyPete]

who in their right mind would buy that to begin with. You have to pay to look like an idiot it seems.

 

[StageLeft]

Good. He deserves it for being stupid.

This sounds like rubbish anyway. Why wouldn't they be able to get liability for it? And for collision/comprehensive if you're well off enough to blow that money in cash on this POS then you can cover it for losses yourself.

 

[Kadarin]

I'm reminded of the Top Gear episode where the guys built an electric car out of shiny aluminum panels, and were blinded while driving the thing.