RE: SOTW: Jaguar XJR

Friday 15th April 2011

SOTW: Jaguar XJR

Is this the most powerful Shed of the Week ever?



There is no denying that today's SOTW is a major punt. Semi-bespoke performance saloons are not known for their low running costs, Jaguars are not renowned for their longevity, and 50,000 miles of unknown history is going to be a worry to the bravest of gamblers. Especially when said car's MOT runs out in two months.

But despite so many things about this M-plate Jaguar XJR ringing more or less every Shed alarm bell out there, once we spotted it there was little doubt that we had found today's Shed of the Week.

There are just so many things that scream 'want' about this car. For a start, we don't think we've ever broken the 300bhp barrier on Shed, and to do so in a roadworthy car is a treat indeed. Secondly, the sporty barge is close to the heart of what SOTW stands for. Thirdly, we just love a Jaguar.


This X300-era XJR might not quite have the poke of the later V8 version, but you'll pay at least double that for one of those, and for a grand it would be a churlish fellow who feels that 321bhp and 378lb ft isn't enough to be getting on with.

It being a fast Jag, the transmission is naturally a 4-speed auto, (although 268 XJRs, 103 of them RHD, were fitted with a five-speed Getrag manual, though that info does come courtesy of Wikipedia and so must be treated with caution), while leather and wood abound in the cabin.

Outside it's not perfect (the missing passenger side mirror being a prime example of that), but who cares when you've got the first-ever supercharged Jaguar on your drive for just £1k?


Well, you might, when it comes to MOT time and you're faced with a stack of bills. But SOTW has never been about making sensible choices...

Advert is reproduced below

jaguar xjr straight 6 supercharged (1995)
97,000 miles £1,000

hi here we have my M reg jaguar xjr supercarged in saphire blue with grey leather an 97,000 miles.i have service history up to 47,000 very well looked after car needs some tlc on rear arches an passenger wing mirror missing.also chrome trim on back bumper is bent where someone before i had the car tried stealng it. very fast an reliable car everything works as it should,age related marks mot till june tax till july.any questions feel free to call

Author
Discussion

johnpeat

Original Poster:

5,326 posts

264 months

Friday 15th April 2011
quotequote all
I do believe that Richard Porter aka Aquadrome aka Mr Sniff Petrol sometime Evo Journo and Top Gear Script Editor is currently in possession of one of these and I'm keen to discover just how quickly they can tear-up your credit rating because they are - let's not fk about here - a simply awesome motor...

You have class, performance, bruiser AND cruiser in a car which was supposedly far better made and more reliable than the cars which came before it (although they did set new lows in those fields so it's hardly a positive thing!!)

Horror stories about parts costs and the 'great unknown' of more than half it's mileage would suggest this is a 'drive it until it stops' car - but a nice one at least!!

Edited by johnpeat on Friday 15th April 03:05

MJK 24

5,648 posts

235 months

Friday 15th April 2011
quotequote all
Great SOTW!!

The idea of a straight six in a Jag sits easier with me than the modern Jag phenomena of a V8.

Probably be cheaper in the medium to long term to spend three or four times what this car is being offered for and buy a cherished example. Manual box for me ideally. Black with black leather would complete the picture.

Life Saab Itch

37,068 posts

187 months

Friday 15th April 2011
quotequote all
Nice piece.

It would make a great track slag when it fails the MOT.

Shaw Tarse

31,543 posts

202 months

Friday 15th April 2011
quotequote all
Top shed!

MDT

455 posts

171 months

Friday 15th April 2011
quotequote all
Epic SOTW.

With that engine, the reasons for choosing this well… “it dose not need explaining”



Ecurie Ecosse

4,812 posts

217 months

Friday 15th April 2011
quotequote all
MDT said:
Epic SOTW.

With that engine, the reasons for choosing this well… “it dose not need explaining”
smile

Mr MoJo

4,698 posts

215 months

Friday 15th April 2011
quotequote all
Great SOTW. thumbup

davidjpowell

17,768 posts

183 months

Friday 15th April 2011
quotequote all
hmm not sure about this one. Great Shed potential but advert is curious.

Well looked after, then goes on to list reams of a problems, some of which clearly show it has not been looked after.

Seems to have missed the broken seat buckle shown in the photo as well. I just wonder what has not been photographed.

I think this would take a rather brave shed hunter...

chazwozza

724 posts

185 months

Friday 15th April 2011
quotequote all
Dear Mr Pistonhead, best sotw ever. Thank you

Wing Commander

2,179 posts

231 months

Friday 15th April 2011
quotequote all
Brilliant SOTW - surely it is worth nearly that in parts alone, when the thing goes bang or fails on a myriad of things come test time.

No real financial threat I would say, as long as you are ruthless and do not get emotionally attached.

crostonian

2,427 posts

171 months

Friday 15th April 2011
quotequote all
My pal in the trade took a punt on one of these at auction before Christmas, it had done 158k with FSH but only a months MOT, he paid just over a grand with the auction commission. Drove it away, gearbox wasn't changing properly, numerous suspension knocks, ABS light had been removed, corrosion on the floor the list goes on. He took it to our tame MOT tester who estimated £2k plus as a conservative amount to get it running almost as it should! How we all laughed and needless to say it was punted through a dodgy small town auction nearby for some other rose tinted fool to buy! Caveat emptor is all I will say!

BlueTwo2

4,589 posts

193 months

Friday 15th April 2011
quotequote all
davidjpowell said:
hmm not sure about this one. Great Shed potential but advert is curious.

Well looked after, then goes on to list reams of a problems, some of which clearly show it has not been looked after.

Seems to have missed the broken seat buckle shown in the photo as well. I just wonder what has not been photographed.

I think this would take a rather brave shed hunter...
Was about to say the same! How the heck can it be looked after when he says:

SOTW Ad said:
also chrome trim on back bumper is bent where someone before i had the car tried stealng it
He's had it for 50k miles and never bothered to address this and other things?!

PH lurker

1,301 posts

156 months

Friday 15th April 2011
quotequote all
Superb Shed of the Week

thumbup.

varsas

4,004 posts

201 months

Friday 15th April 2011
quotequote all
johnpeat said:
I do believe that Richard Porter aka Aquadrome aka Mr Sniff Petrol sometime Evo Journo and Top Gear Script Editor is currently in possession of one of these
Yes, although his is the later V8.

I had a V8 for a year, everyone loved it but I never quite clicked with it somehow. I'd be very keen to try a 6 cylinder one, I suspect they might actually be the better car. I've seen a few V12's hovering around the SOTW budget, which might be a better buy?

Yes, they did make a few manual ones, they must really shift.

P4ROT

1,219 posts

192 months

Friday 15th April 2011
quotequote all
Gets a 10 from me-

Remember when my dad had a v8 xjr back in the late 90s / early 2000s, alot quicker than people think!

And Hannibal Lecter drove a black one wink

angusc43

11,435 posts

207 months

Friday 15th April 2011
quotequote all
johnpeat said:
I do believe that Richard Porter is currently in possession of one of these


He's certainly got a black one, a V8 though IIRC.

This is a superb piece of sheddage.

My BIL bought a newer but(much) slower Sport version last year. It cost him very little and is in superb condition. He's had it twelve months and has had zero problems. I went wafting in it and it feels solid and well put together.

The R is just mental.

fathomfive

9,876 posts

189 months

Friday 15th April 2011
quotequote all
BlueTwo2 said:
He's had it for 50k miles and never bothered to address this and other things?!
I guess it depends on how much money he has sunk into other, more expensive areas than chrome trim...

Or he could just have a very loose definition of 'well looked after' hehe

Life Saab Itch

37,068 posts

187 months

Friday 15th April 2011
quotequote all
P4ROT said:
And Hannibal Lecter drove a black one wink
Not in the books he didn't. Maybe in the awful Ridley Scott film...

jaykay42

91 posts

175 months

Friday 15th April 2011
quotequote all
Hmm, maybe it's just me taking the SOTW too serious, but I'm uncomfortable with this one. I guess everybody agrees that this Jag will require some serious spending soon, if you want to renew the MOT. This would push it way beyong shed territory (especially if you factor in running costs).
No, I thought SOTW was about the overlooked stars in the ads that you actually could buy (and run) within the 1000 pounds bracket. A few of years ago (when I didn't know SOTW) I was actually looking for a car for about that price and ended up with a Nissan Primera. It worked fine for a couple of years and hence would have been a prime shed, if only it had been more fun to drive.
What do people think? What should the SOTW be, just for dreamers or also for serious bargainers?

jazzyjeff

3,652 posts

258 months

Friday 15th April 2011
quotequote all
"very well looked after car needs some tlc on rear arches an passenger wing mirror missing."

Somewhat a contradiction in terms, surely? tongue out

"...also chrome trim on back bumper is bent where someone before i had the car tried stealng it."

Oh well, I'm impressed the previous owner liked the car so much they wanted it back! wink

JJ