I own a Ruger Mini-14, a Bushmaster Xm15-e2s, and a WASR10 (cheap AK47 clone). In terms of reliability, I would rank the Mini-14 with the WASR10. I have never had a jam with either weapon. The Bushmaster has jammed one time and it was because of a bad magazine. In terms of accuracy The Bushmaster is the best, then the Mini-14, and the WASR10 is only accurate to about 75 yards(for me). I can clean and reasamble my WASR10 in about 5 minutes, the Mini-14 in less than 10 minutes, and my Xm in about 15 minutes. Both the WASR10 and the Mini-14 lose accuarcy as they heat up, my Bushmaster seems not to have any problem with heating up. I have shot 1000’s of rounds through each of them and I love them all. The WASR10 was the cheapest, and the Mini-14 was a lot less than my Bushmaster. If you want a Mini-14 get it, it is fun as hell to shoot. I am a US Army Expert and a NRA Sharpshooter with 1 bar, and I can tell you that no weapon is perfect. So buy as many weapons as you can afford and find out what works for you.
You don’t have to go with an AK clone to get a good AK carbine. Saiga is an AK that meets US “sport” standards and is made in the AK factory in russia. I have the 5.56/.223 carbine and love it. Paid just over three hundred NIB.