12 yr old with a Jaaaag!
Discussion
Thanks for the comments, chaps. I passed with 6 minors, couple for observations, couple for trying to beat a light and not noticing the queue of traffic forming ahead, undue hesitation and one for not managing a parallel park in one go.
I've had it for too long to give up on it at this stage. It averages something like 16mpg on my commute but its a nice place to be in, much nicer than a little diesel hatchback or a souped up Saxo would be anyway! It wants some bodywork doing but that will be done when time and money allows.
I'll try and get a video up at some stage if people are interested, certainly.
I've had it for too long to give up on it at this stage. It averages something like 16mpg on my commute but its a nice place to be in, much nicer than a little diesel hatchback or a souped up Saxo would be anyway! It wants some bodywork doing but that will be done when time and money allows.
I'll try and get a video up at some stage if people are interested, certainly.
Been racking up the miles in this since passing my test, in all will have done about 1000 miles since passing my test and what a truly wonderful way to travel it is! Not quite a V12 but it will certainly suffice for the time being.
Touch wood, it hasn't really gone wrong. I had one fault with the washers failing but this was easily fixed by replacing the old relay which had rather corroded contacts.
I have picked up some parts for it recently, a steering wheel to replace mine as it appears to have broken at some stage and an armrest as a previous owner appeared to have driven with his entire, rather substantial, body weight resting on it and the leather had cracked in several places. The main reason for this trip however was to pick up a fuel tank mine appears to have developed a tiny leak somewhere. Just a case of finding the time to put the replacement one in at some stage.
I also got little bored yesterday, so thought I'd jump in the car and go for a little waft. A little while later I found myself in North Wales. To date, my longest trip.
Touch wood, it hasn't really gone wrong. I had one fault with the washers failing but this was easily fixed by replacing the old relay which had rather corroded contacts.
I have picked up some parts for it recently, a steering wheel to replace mine as it appears to have broken at some stage and an armrest as a previous owner appeared to have driven with his entire, rather substantial, body weight resting on it and the leather had cracked in several places. The main reason for this trip however was to pick up a fuel tank mine appears to have developed a tiny leak somewhere. Just a case of finding the time to put the replacement one in at some stage.
I also got little bored yesterday, so thought I'd jump in the car and go for a little waft. A little while later I found myself in North Wales. To date, my longest trip.
Averaged 29mpg on the way to Wales (circa 250 miles), dropped to 25mpg once the Evo triangle was accounted for and I finished the trip with the average sitting at 27mpg. Trip to London earlier in the week was 24mpg including the congestion charge zone traffic. Day to day it averages about 16mpg on a 20 mile round trip commute into Norwich which mainly consists of sitting in traffic.
exgtt said:
Urrrgh, I'm really struggling with all this. The age, the grammar (since the start), the car choice, the cook report style selfies, the dob in the op's name.
Something inside is screaming 40yr old weirdo alert.
Sorry Kamil if you're genuine but I'm a suspicious sod
Something inside is screaming 40yr old weirdo alert.
Sorry Kamil if you're genuine but I'm a suspicious sod
Edited by exgtt on Saturday 4th April 21:06
I haven't had that before! There are PHers I've met who may be along to state that I'm genuine. I'll try to attend a Sunday Service in the near future, would that be proof enough?
Unnecessary, no offence taken and all that... Having re-read my previous post, it could be interpreted as a bit arsey, apologies if that's the way it was taken as that wasn't the intention when typing it. 
In all honesty, I understand where you're coming from. There'll probably be others reading this thread who have probably thought the same as you at some stage.
In all honesty, I understand where you're coming from. There'll probably be others reading this thread who have probably thought the same as you at some stage.
Who says I don't wear a pair of leather stringbacks? 
I could certainly be classed as an old man at heart. The lads at work say they wouldn't be surprised if I turned up in a tweed flat cap
I wasn't pushing it very much as the conditions were far from ideal but it certainly surprised me how well it could be hustled round the bends.
I could certainly be classed as an old man at heart. The lads at work say they wouldn't be surprised if I turned up in a tweed flat cap
I wasn't pushing it very much as the conditions were far from ideal but it certainly surprised me how well it could be hustled round the bends.
Been racking up the miles, relatively niggle free until last week too!
Had the car in for some flexis and kick down adjustment as it wasn't quite there. Later in the day, thought I'd see how well it goes. Accelerated well enough, up to the red line and then there was a significant thud and vibration. Cue a quick glance in the rear view mirror to see what's dropped off, nothing. Pull over, glance underneath and find the clamp holding the downpipe to the centrepiece had split. This happened on a Saturday so by the time I had it fixed on the Tuesday, the noise had become somewhat monotonous.
Thought that would be that and there'd be no money that needs spending until next service in 3000 miles. Unfortunately, this morning, the car decided otherwise and failed to proceed.
It cranked but wouldn't go. I waited a little while, tried again and called recovery. Judging by the lack of flicker of the tachometer and a 'Fuelling Failure 1' on the digi dash, I presumed its the crank sensor. Funnily enough, I left the car standing for a week some time back and it started a little funny a couple of times but as I was unable to find anything amiss I put it down to a hiccup and thought nothing of it. Now I know it was a clear warning of imminent failure!
Once at the dealership, I dug out some old books and stuck an ohm meter across the CPS to prove it faulty and have a new part coming in the morning. Just to add to the misery, I noticed a rather well developed stonechip on the RH light. One of the more expensive trips to work :Hopefully should be sorted for a little while now, assuming the crank sensor makes it go. Just really need to find some headlight covers as i don't fancy another bill for a replacement headlight.
Had the car in for some flexis and kick down adjustment as it wasn't quite there. Later in the day, thought I'd see how well it goes. Accelerated well enough, up to the red line and then there was a significant thud and vibration. Cue a quick glance in the rear view mirror to see what's dropped off, nothing. Pull over, glance underneath and find the clamp holding the downpipe to the centrepiece had split. This happened on a Saturday so by the time I had it fixed on the Tuesday, the noise had become somewhat monotonous.
Thought that would be that and there'd be no money that needs spending until next service in 3000 miles. Unfortunately, this morning, the car decided otherwise and failed to proceed.
It cranked but wouldn't go. I waited a little while, tried again and called recovery. Judging by the lack of flicker of the tachometer and a 'Fuelling Failure 1' on the digi dash, I presumed its the crank sensor. Funnily enough, I left the car standing for a week some time back and it started a little funny a couple of times but as I was unable to find anything amiss I put it down to a hiccup and thought nothing of it. Now I know it was a clear warning of imminent failure!
Once at the dealership, I dug out some old books and stuck an ohm meter across the CPS to prove it faulty and have a new part coming in the morning. Just to add to the misery, I noticed a rather well developed stonechip on the RH light. One of the more expensive trips to work :Hopefully should be sorted for a little while now, assuming the crank sensor makes it go. Just really need to find some headlight covers as i don't fancy another bill for a replacement headlight.
Crank sensor was fitted along with a new headlight last week and, touch wood, its not gone wrong since. I have finally received my centre console wood kit from Myrtle, I shall try and get photos of this up on soon. Unfortunately however, the headlining sourced from them some months ago has began to sag.
Not got any pictures since last time unfortunately. nothing of much note has really occurred apart from the breakdown, its been daily use since passing my test and ferrying mates about at weekends. Also attended a couple of shows in it in the last few weeks, namely, the Jaguar Ace Cafe meet and the JEC Eastern Day.
I've started gathering some body panels for the inevitable bodywork that it really is crying out for. Especially the rear screen for which, ironically, I can't really get the panels I would ideally like. I have found a very good local place that carry out restorations with a 5 year warranty. I will be looking into getting the car booked in with them when I have the funds in place to pay for the work. It will total far more than the car is worth and most people I've spoken to have questioned my sanity for even considering this, but the sentimental attachment to the car means that the final value is of no relevance as I do not plan to sell anytime soon.
I have a picture from the Eastern Day to share specifically for exgtt as suggested to me by a poster on here at the meet.
My car can just about be seen in this photo, I, somewhat foolishly, forgot to take any pictures on the day. 4th along from the left.
Not got any pictures since last time unfortunately. nothing of much note has really occurred apart from the breakdown, its been daily use since passing my test and ferrying mates about at weekends. Also attended a couple of shows in it in the last few weeks, namely, the Jaguar Ace Cafe meet and the JEC Eastern Day.
I've started gathering some body panels for the inevitable bodywork that it really is crying out for. Especially the rear screen for which, ironically, I can't really get the panels I would ideally like. I have found a very good local place that carry out restorations with a 5 year warranty. I will be looking into getting the car booked in with them when I have the funds in place to pay for the work. It will total far more than the car is worth and most people I've spoken to have questioned my sanity for even considering this, but the sentimental attachment to the car means that the final value is of no relevance as I do not plan to sell anytime soon.
I have a picture from the Eastern Day to share specifically for exgtt as suggested to me by a poster on here at the meet.
My car can just about be seen in this photo, I, somewhat foolishly, forgot to take any pictures on the day. 4th along from the left.
Been meaning to post an update on here for little while but have always somehow managed to get sidetracked. After some serious consideration, I've taken the Jag off the road.
It's a marvellous way of smoking about but with daily use at my age, it was getting somewhat trashed. With fear of sounding somewhat soppy, I felt sorry for the car with the way it was treated. Looking after a daily hack is far more difficult than I'd ever imagined. It was also proving a little dear to run. I managed to burn through £200 worth of fuel in a weekend, having not even left Norfolk!
Dad has handed down his Aygo which, whilst far less luxurious, comfortable, refined or spacious, was free to me. Less bits fall off it too so I need to make less sacrifices to account for time spent re-affixing or mending bits. With the fuel and running cost savings it will also allow the restoration of the Jag to be funded far sooner than if I was running the Jag daily.
In the near future, the idea is to have a full "as new" restoration carried out. I have found a very good local place who offer a 5 year warranty with their work so this should give an idea of the standard of their work. It will really be a "make good all metalwork" job so whilst almost certainly uneconomical, the car means enough to me for me to justify it. And yes, everyone I've spoken to has questioned my sanity Once done, it can be saved for Sunday best and be cherished as a car of its age really deserves.
For now, I'll be running around in this. Feels rather odd changing gear, I must admit!
It's a marvellous way of smoking about but with daily use at my age, it was getting somewhat trashed. With fear of sounding somewhat soppy, I felt sorry for the car with the way it was treated. Looking after a daily hack is far more difficult than I'd ever imagined.
It was also proving a little dear to run. I managed to burn through £200 worth of fuel in a weekend, having not even left Norfolk!Dad has handed down his Aygo which, whilst far less luxurious, comfortable, refined or spacious, was free to me. Less bits fall off it too so I need to make less sacrifices to account for time spent re-affixing or mending bits. With the fuel and running cost savings it will also allow the restoration of the Jag to be funded far sooner than if I was running the Jag daily.
In the near future, the idea is to have a full "as new" restoration carried out. I have found a very good local place who offer a 5 year warranty with their work so this should give an idea of the standard of their work. It will really be a "make good all metalwork" job so whilst almost certainly uneconomical, the car means enough to me for me to justify it. And yes, everyone I've spoken to has questioned my sanity
Once done, it can be saved for Sunday best and be cherished as a car of its age really deserves. For now, I'll be running around in this. Feels rather odd changing gear, I must admit!
An update as requested, my apologies for not frequenting this forum recently. Long story short, the Jag is no longer with me, a decision to sell that was regretted ever since really.
Back in March last year, I completed a 5DAY course and was driving within 2 weeks of my birthday. I smoked around in the Jag until the end of May when, sadly, I decided it was somewhat unpractical for a 17 year old student doing about 2500/3000miles a month. It cost roughly £500 a month in repairs + fuel and had a £7k+ body restoration looming. As a student this rapidly became unaffordable, with the Jag soon chewing through any savings and every pay cheque. I was handed down my father's Aygo, he upgraded to an Alfa Giulietta, which I have since traded in for a new Aygo in July of last year.
My long term intention was to keep the Jag until such a time I could afford to restore the old thing properly, unsurprisingly having owned it since the age of 10. It remained in the garage until April of this year when I decided to MoT it, at some expense, and then sell it for effectively the cost of MoT repairs. The idea was to free up space in the garage seeing as it was being unused. It is a decision that made sense at the time but, in hindsight, a decision I struggle to make sense of now. If I had the opportunity to buy it back, I would.
It went to a chap whose intention is to restore it, which I guess is always a bonus when selling something with emotional attachment. I did ask for first refusal if he ever decides to sell up but he was adamant this was unlikely - I hope that changes in the not too distant future as the garage space it freed up is still free! He fell in love with the car after a brief test drive and that was that, if he hadn't taken it I think I would have taken the ad down and kept it.
Below are a couple of pictures of its replacement on a recent road trip through Europe, I did consider throwing a thread together on this trip but wasn't really certain there would be much interest?
Back in March last year, I completed a 5DAY course and was driving within 2 weeks of my birthday. I smoked around in the Jag until the end of May when, sadly, I decided it was somewhat unpractical for a 17 year old student doing about 2500/3000miles a month. It cost roughly £500 a month in repairs + fuel and had a £7k+ body restoration looming. As a student this rapidly became unaffordable, with the Jag soon chewing through any savings and every pay cheque. I was handed down my father's Aygo, he upgraded to an Alfa Giulietta, which I have since traded in for a new Aygo in July of last year.
My long term intention was to keep the Jag until such a time I could afford to restore the old thing properly, unsurprisingly having owned it since the age of 10. It remained in the garage until April of this year when I decided to MoT it, at some expense, and then sell it for effectively the cost of MoT repairs. The idea was to free up space in the garage seeing as it was being unused. It is a decision that made sense at the time but, in hindsight, a decision I struggle to make sense of now. If I had the opportunity to buy it back, I would.
It went to a chap whose intention is to restore it, which I guess is always a bonus when selling something with emotional attachment. I did ask for first refusal if he ever decides to sell up but he was adamant this was unlikely - I hope that changes in the not too distant future as the garage space it freed up is still free! He fell in love with the car after a brief test drive and that was that, if he hadn't taken it I think I would have taken the ad down and kept it.
Below are a couple of pictures of its replacement on a recent road trip through Europe, I did consider throwing a thread together on this trip but wasn't really certain there would be much interest?
Certainly were a few moment I wished I was in the Jag. I don't want to say you've got to make do with what you've got as I'm rather lucky to have what I have.
The Jag's replacement is certainly not as relaxed to drive but it's had many a foray into Europe thus far as you've got to travel a little and enjoy yourself whilst you're young. It still allows me to do what I enjoy but it will never be a Jag! The car was registered in July last year and I've clocked up 42500 miles in it to date. Certainly raises a few eyebrows at the local dealership every time it goes back for yet another service!
The Jag's replacement is certainly not as relaxed to drive but it's had many a foray into Europe thus far as you've got to travel a little and enjoy yourself whilst you're young. It still allows me to do what I enjoy but it will never be a Jag! The car was registered in July last year and I've clocked up 42500 miles in it to date. Certainly raises a few eyebrows at the local dealership every time it goes back for yet another service!
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