Hi Glenn, I agree with you 100%. A lot of peoples idea of what is mint is completely different to mine.Also these days with all the things that can be altered in photos its easy to make something look much better than it really is.
For dean9595 to find a truly mint original condition Sapphire will be hard. I think a restored one may be a way to get one especially when its had a full underside job done as well.
I like to think my original condition 2wd Saff is one of the cleanest modified ones around but there is no way I would describe it as mint.You have to have total confidence and the proof to back it up before you use the word "mint" in my opinion.