Exactly how much will an XJ12 hurt my wallet?
Discussion
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
I have been sorely tempted for a while now. My annual mileage would probably be 1000 - 2000 miles. Even if it broke down horribly, I'd be happy to take a deckchair outside and just sit looking at it.
I asked on the Jaguar parts stand at the NEC Classic Motorshow and said "I was told that I couldn't afford to run an XJ12". The nice lady's reply was "Oh, no, they're right - you probably couldn't."
Is it really as scary a prospect as people make out?
I have been sorely tempted for a while now. My annual mileage would probably be 1000 - 2000 miles. Even if it broke down horribly, I'd be happy to take a deckchair outside and just sit looking at it.
I asked on the Jaguar parts stand at the NEC Classic Motorshow and said "I was told that I couldn't afford to run an XJ12". The nice lady's reply was "Oh, no, they're right - you probably couldn't."
Is it really as scary a prospect as people make out?
If it's been well looked after and has a good history then with continued care a V12 X300 - one of the best Jaguars ever made with regards to build quality - shouldn't present you with any nasty surprises.
Check the entire body very carefully for rust, make sure everything works and the car is very smooth and quiet. Make sure all the fluids are clean. Have a good look at the tyres for any unusual wear patterns indicating suspension problems and lsiten very carefully for and clonks, rattles or whines. Check very carfully for any evidence of overheating or oil leaks.
Expect 24MPG at best and a lot less at worst. Parts are mostly cheapish and they aren't hard to work on for a DIYer. Should qualify for classic insurance too.
Check the entire body very carefully for rust, make sure everything works and the car is very smooth and quiet. Make sure all the fluids are clean. Have a good look at the tyres for any unusual wear patterns indicating suspension problems and lsiten very carefully for and clonks, rattles or whines. Check very carfully for any evidence of overheating or oil leaks.
Expect 24MPG at best and a lot less at worst. Parts are mostly cheapish and they aren't hard to work on for a DIYer. Should qualify for classic insurance too.
Cecil said:
What, if any, are the differences between the Daimler Double Six and the Jaguar V12 engines?
AFAIK the only difference is the cam covers, which are branded either "Daimler" or "Jaguar" (but which are mechanically compatible). All other components are identical.I'm sure someone will correct me if not.
Jaguar steve said:
Expect 24MPG at best and a lot less at worst.
24 would be a gentle motorway cruise with now hills :-)The temptation would always be to enjoy all that torque.
At a couple of thousand miles a year though fuel isn't going to be a big problem.
With the X300 if you get a good one then the body work should last. It is normally the risk of needing major body work done that makes ownership an expensive proposition.
The "Series" XJ12s are gorgeous too, but they will rust. I'd love a Series III, perhaps even a Double Six VDP. XJ40 V12s exist too, they have a growing fan base.
With the X300s, the 12s tend to have more bells and whistle, so there will be more things to go wrong with them.
Go for it.
Massively.
The Coventry Commies excelled themselves with this powerplant; one of the last uncompromised designs where the focus was on surreal smoothness (an area of total triumph, btw) rather than performance or indeed, any tacit nod in the vague direction of 'gesture' economy.
V12 Jags from 1975 - 1996 claimed +/- 300 brake but infact, this figure was closer to 47.
I once lost a drag race in an '86MY XJ-S 5.3 H.E. to a small boy on a Grifter.
It mattered little, however since it was smoother than entering a slowly melting Creme Egg effigy of the contemporary Heather Locklear.
The Coventry Commies excelled themselves with this powerplant; one of the last uncompromised designs where the focus was on surreal smoothness (an area of total triumph, btw) rather than performance or indeed, any tacit nod in the vague direction of 'gesture' economy.
V12 Jags from 1975 - 1996 claimed +/- 300 brake but infact, this figure was closer to 47.
I once lost a drag race in an '86MY XJ-S 5.3 H.E. to a small boy on a Grifter.
It mattered little, however since it was smoother than entering a slowly melting Creme Egg effigy of the contemporary Heather Locklear.
go for it
with mileage like that, you can't lose
just revel in the sheer waft and smoothness. it's surreal. a beautiful feeling. impossible to quite imagine unless you know it first hand
an XJR of the era will be a lot faster and sportier, but this is exactly the sort of drive the XJ12 is not about. I would love an X300 XJ12 and an X308 XJR.....the 12 would suit my cruising moods and the R would suit my sporty moods. one day......
lovely cars
with mileage like that, you can't lose
just revel in the sheer waft and smoothness. it's surreal. a beautiful feeling. impossible to quite imagine unless you know it first hand
an XJR of the era will be a lot faster and sportier, but this is exactly the sort of drive the XJ12 is not about. I would love an X300 XJ12 and an X308 XJR.....the 12 would suit my cruising moods and the R would suit my sporty moods. one day......
lovely cars
Depreciation is the wallet thumper that many people ignore; it generally knocks fuel costs, especially at low annual mileages, for six - I never quite understand the logic along the lines of spending £X,000's just to gain about 5mpg - and it (depreciation) isn't going to be much of an issue with that age / price of car.
The V12s are lovely cars, but obviously not the cheapest to run. Providing you start with a sound one, it shouldn't be too costly with your low annual mileage. Good luck.
The V12s are lovely cars, but obviously not the cheapest to run. Providing you start with a sound one, it shouldn't be too costly with your low annual mileage. Good luck.
I agree with what has been said here, particularly with regard to depreciation. The V12 is a unique experience and wonderfully smooth. They can be reasonable on petrol too if you are very restrained, but if you enjoy the performance (and you will) they can be very thirsty. Still, you do a small mileage and they must be near to the bottom price-wise now.
I can't comment on the price. That would be fairly expensive for an XJ40 based V12, but I should think the X300 based cars are probably more expensive since they seem to be more popular at the moment.
The X300 is better built than any previous Jaguar and is not a fragile car (though Ford got the last XJ40s right too, and are almost as good). Do check for rust carefully though. Many X300s have good bodywork, but I have seen quite a few with really horrible rust problems recently.
Go for it! Nearly everything I regret in my life have been things I didn't do!!
I can't comment on the price. That would be fairly expensive for an XJ40 based V12, but I should think the X300 based cars are probably more expensive since they seem to be more popular at the moment.
The X300 is better built than any previous Jaguar and is not a fragile car (though Ford got the last XJ40s right too, and are almost as good). Do check for rust carefully though. Many X300s have good bodywork, but I have seen quite a few with really horrible rust problems recently.
Go for it! Nearly everything I regret in my life have been things I didn't do!!
dbdb said:
I can't comment on the price. That would be fairly expensive for an XJ40 based V12, but I should think the X300 based cars are probably more expensive since they seem to be more popular at the moment.
At a smidge over £2k, that's about the cheapest one out there. Most dealers seem to be trying their luck at the £5k mark, which I think is way off. There's a special edition "Century" Daimler Double Six on ebay that's still under 4 large, and they only made a hundred of them (against 3400 V12 X300s in total, fewer than the XJ81) and they have every option available.I was put off the XJ81 by stories of ignition system fires. Plus, Geoff Lawson's X300 is just about the prettiest saloon ever made.
I was rather hoping for tales of wallet busting woe, about siezed diffs and dicky electronics. Now it seems I don't have many excuses for not putting my hand in my pocket.
varsas said:
That particular car has been for sale for months.
Yeah, I've been idly looking at it on and off for sixth months or so.There's another one that's a bit closer for similar money:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
I have owned 3 V12 jaguars in the past. They are sublime in terms of smooth power delivery and the sensation that the horizon is moving towards you rather than you sprinting to it.
That said, without fail, fuel consuption was typically 14 M.P.G. in town average.
I used to love catching a glimpse of the trip computer on my last XJS drop to 3 M.P.G. as I hot footed it , slightly sideways, off roundabouts! Just so ludicrous it has to make you grin!
That said, spending £40 every time I drove to Edinburgh and back became a chore and V8 power seems to make more sense, in balance, now.
So I would advise, if you are going to use it frequently, don`t!! If cost is an issue, that is.
For occasional use..... it`s a an experience well worth having on your motoring C.V.
That said, without fail, fuel consuption was typically 14 M.P.G. in town average.
I used to love catching a glimpse of the trip computer on my last XJS drop to 3 M.P.G. as I hot footed it , slightly sideways, off roundabouts! Just so ludicrous it has to make you grin!
That said, spending £40 every time I drove to Edinburgh and back became a chore and V8 power seems to make more sense, in balance, now.
So I would advise, if you are going to use it frequently, don`t!! If cost is an issue, that is.
For occasional use..... it`s a an experience well worth having on your motoring C.V.
thejpster said:
What could possibly go wrong..? 
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