yeah, I'm definately not giving up on it, I just cant afford to start it at the moment, everything for a 500 D is a billion times more expensive than for a mini, I should be able to finish the mini within a year, whereas the fiat would take me several. I'm just gonig with the one that's easiest for now.
for the fiat it's going to cost me AU$1100 just for the floor and sills, before I even think about the other panels or any interior or mechanicals. the mini I've already got a motor etc for and so far $1100 has gotten me more than half the complete list of parts I need, including sills and floors.
afterall I'm a first year apprentice, I'm not made of money:P