How to give a Jaguar as a present?

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It may not be a classic Jaguar yet, but I thought I'd ask on this forum as I mainly lurk here and occasionally post

For my brothers' 40th I've bought him a Jaguar XJ6 (X350) - it's in mint condition and low miles to replace his high mileage XJ - they're different colours

Plan is to give him the car this coming weekend (6th or 7th), in a nice, surprising, and memorable way - he has no idea but his wife knows and can help with any set up

Any interesting suggestions*?

• oversized bows wrapped around it have been discounted

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zarjaz1991 said:

Am I the only one who would not want a car bought in this way? I really prefer to choose my own. I spend a huge amount of time in them so they've got to be right. Or would that be me being a selfish, insensitive and ungrateful tosser? Again.

I think he will come to adore the salmon pink leather interior, matt black wrap, and aftermarket chrome wheel arch trims....

My brothers' wife has seen it and says he will love it based on their conversations

Murph7355 - your suggestion sounds a good one

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Yertis said:

Is this not fraught with risk? If he's anything like me he'll start picking holes in it. Could be awkward.

Agree. I plan to reveal the car quickly to avoid discussion beforehand and potential for "that's horrible" comments. Don't want to put him / us in an awkward situation, though his wife says he'll adore it - it's just a lower mileage immaculate replacement for his current car

I was tempted to buy a blazer and cravat from a charity shop and hand them over with the keys. Might even see if I can get his 2 little ones in the rear seat

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smileymikey said:

Do the unveil at the local petrol station, its going to be its second home

Wise advice

Or maybe in its natural habitat - a local golf club

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healeyneil said:

Hi OP. Im the brother you never knew you had, and Ive got a significant birthday coming up......
Well done tho !

Fabulous news. I am so happy to hear this wonderful news.

Please send me your bank account number and sort code, and ideally your birth date and password and I will immediately transfer funds to purchase another XJ

Look forward to meeting you at the next family reunion bruv.

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Breadvan72 said:

The chances of the OP knowing his brother extremely well are, I would suggest, fairly high. Anyway, hoorah for everyone.

BTW, I read the fk off above as a pub style fk off rather than as a really hatey fk off. The term fk off is, of course, wonderfully polyvalent.

Indeed. Let's all play nicely. I posted on this forum as it is one of the friendliest and frequented by genuine enthusiasts

Breadvan is entirely correct - I know my brother VERY well and have done all the due diligence background checks, and his wife and I are sure he will be bowled over with it. I wouldn't buy a car that he and I didn't both like, and I have excellent taste

I like the valet parking idea very much, as it would be nice if his wife and kids are driven round smiling and waving at him from inside

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mybrainhurts said:

First, you need to get brother with the old Jag to the canal and accidentally push it in...

The Jag, not the brother.

Do you have a withered hand too?

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mybrainhurts said:

Yes. I've got a Chinook as well. Do you want to borrow it?

I don't think I need a withered hand but thanks for the thought

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mybrainhurts said:

Did I mention it's detachable? Great comedy piece.

Now you're talking

I'd planned to replace the wooden gear selector knob, and it sounds ideal

Imagine, every gear shift would feel like a friendly Beadle handshake

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mybrainhurts said:

I'd just drive round in the new motor and tell him you've just bought it. After he's finished looking round it, give him the keys.

Caution. This could backfire if he starts pointing out faults or, worse, if he spots faults but thinks you ought not to know about them.

Bugger...this is getting too fraught for comfort.

Sell the car and give him the bloody cash....

Agreed. Getting too complicated. Have pushed new Jag into canal as you suggested

Can we do a deal on your detachable withered hand? It would make a perfect 40th gift instead

Condition of sale is that you personally deliver it in your Chinook

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DonkeyApple said:

I think the best idea, other than just swapping the cars in the driveway overnight is to swap them at a lunch venue or to try and park the new car at the front of a pub car park so that he has to walk past it and at the end of the lunch, as you're leaving, just open the driver's door and ask your brother if he'd prefer to drive his birthday present home or should you?

Coincidentally I came to the same conclusion last night. Keep it simple and no confusion that it is his present and his car from the outset

Plan to go to local pub within walking distance with him. Car already in pub car park. When we're nearly ready to leave, will tell him on our way out I've bought another car, but it's not for me it's for him, and his present. His wife and kids could arrange to be sitting in it too

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jizzjar1991 and his 'glass half empty' outlook will be disappointed to hear that my brother is over the moon with his present

I took my brother for a drink at a local pub and when we left told him i'd bought another car - he immediately spotted the XJ amongst all the cars and asked if that was it, and when we were near enough to see his wife and 2 little ones and our mother inside it, told him it was indeed the new car purchase but was it his car as his 40th present

He was speechless and dazed, and even today said he was shellshocked. But absolutely delighted, and loves the colour. Without knowing about this thread, he happened to say he was glad I hadn't done a 'Beadle' on him

Everyone is very happy, and shows how our passion for cars can bring much happiness - thanks to Breadvan and others for their kind words