Learn me: (Where to buy) a classic Mini

It's on my automotive bucket list AND would check the fuel economy box that my Evo (really really) does not, so I've decided to get more serious about finding a classic mini.

Requirements are fairly few:
RHD
Manual trans
Little or no tinworm
More or less complete (I'm in no way stuck on 'all original' or anything even resembling that)
Modified isn't a dealbreaker, so long as I can get a sense it hasn't been butchered.
Not picky about displacement.

Locally (200 miles in any direction) it seems like most of the ones I've found have been 'too nice' and appeal neither to my pocketbook or my usual enjoyment of working on cars
(so long as I'm not working on my only car, of course.) or are missing ... almost everything.

Websites? Resources? Any of y'all know any that could use a new owner? I feel somewhat comfortable as far as what to look for once I've found a car, it's just the finding a car part I'm not 100% on.
I'm at the upper left corner of WA so almost everywhere is a journey for me, luckily I'm not opposed to a fly and drive if need be.
(fly and drive also being on my list of things to do)

In reply to SnowMongoose:

Import from NZ? though those are mostly LHD

or here are the mini mania classifieds http://www.minimania.com/Cars4Sale_List.cfm?adtype=Mini

We have just done at least a dozen article in our sister magazine on restoring a classic Mini. There are also some 70 web updates at www.ClassicMotorsports.com

Wait for someone to post one for sale in the classifieds?

Knurled wrote: Wait for someone to post one for sale in the classifieds?

That's what I've been doing, wanted to see about being more proactive.

What is your budget?

I got tired of waiting as well and ended up buying one from California and having it shipped to PA. I had a PPI done at a Mini specialist near the buyer (Heritage Mini; mentioned in a few CMS articles about their Mini). That was back in 2013. I've fixed a few things on it and still need to fix a couple more, but it's definitely a fun car.

New Zealand cars are all RHD - NZ being a former British colony... My car is from Australia (also RHD).

In reply to SnowMongoose: I got one for sale. It is auto but it is easy and cheap to convert.

I'm assuming you've searched the classifieds on Mini Mania.

MiniGuy is another page I got to when doing a little internet window shopping.

There seem to be a number of them in Canada. That might be an easier route for you up in WA.

-Rob

Chuck Heleker is who you need to contact. You should be able to find him through http://seattleminiowners.com/. Seattle isn't that far from Bellingham.

Good luck - they are fun little cars.