Interesting Second Car Choice

[j4r4lly]

As retirement beckons I’ve been thinking about buying something with a bit of character as a second car. Ideally I want something that feels a special place to be, V6 or V8, probably auto and possibly convertible, wood, leather etc.

It needs to be reasonably practical and robust, so not needing constant fettling and it also needs to be useable, so will cope with everyday use, as it will be a backup for our daily. Won't do much town driving, mostly country roads and longer trips on motorways etc.

Running costs aren’t too much of an issue within reason, as it will probably cover around 6,000 a year and I’ll be looking to spend around £10-£12K max on the purchase.

It doesn’t have to be the last word in dynamics, more of a grunty cruiser with character, though I don’t want some soggy barge either. It also can’t be too old as I don’t want to chasing rust.

Front runners at the moment, in no particular order are:-

• Jaguar XK8/XKR – These are probably my favorite choice but they are getting old and corrosion may be an issue. Well proven running gear with decent spares backup.
• Jaguar XK/XKR – Later model with aluminium bodywork and currently undervalued. Likely to be more reliable and less issues with corrosion for the time being.
• Jaguar XF – Had a 2.7 Diesel as a company car and loved it. Still a lovely place to sit, drive really well and interior is very nice.
• Mercedes SL (2004 – 2006 models) Lovely cars but I don’t know a lot about the reliability of the V8’s and I’m not crazy about some of the interior trims and plastics.
• BMW 6-Series (2004 models onwards) Don’t like the front end, but the overall shape and the interiors are nice. Good value not but worry about reliability and spares/repairs costs.

Cheaper options that I still really like, but will be hard to find a decent one are E46 BMW 325i/330i CL, E39 BMW 5-Series, Jaguar X-Type 2.5/3.0L, Jaguar S-Type.

Most of these are probably going to have rust issues and they don’t currently have the best image associated with them so are likely to have been neglected/abused and are also still depreciating.

So, using the collective power and knowledge of the Pistonheads collective, I’m looking for comments on the above and suggestions for any that you think should also be considered.

TIA.

[p4cks]

110K miles but they're very reliable, you won't be doing many miles and you get lots for your money

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008-Jaguar-XKR-4-2-2dr...

[j4r4lly]

p4cks said:

110K miles but they're very reliable, you won't be doing many miles and you get lots for your money

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008-Jaguar-XKR-4-2-2dr...

Yup, that's exactly the sort of car I've been looking at. They seem undervalued at the moment, like most Jaguar's are.

[p4cks]

Indeed... my Dad has just got one and they're absolutely amazing value!

[j4r4lly]

p4cks said:

Indeed... my Dad has just got one and they're absolutely amazing value!

I had the chance to drive the previous generation car a few years ago and fully expected to find it dull and not for me at all. I was proved wrong when I lived with it for a couple of weeks and it really got under my skin. Such a great mix of performance with a relaxed ride and a special driving environment. Even the fuel economy was reasonable (for a 4.2L V8 of course) averaging around 25mpg and almost 30 on a run. Nicer looking car than the BMW and Mercedes too......... though that is objective of course.

[RSTurboPaul]

Aren't the X-Types the ones based on the Mondeo platform (which is not a bad thing) which rust from the inside out because the sills / bodykit traps water (which is a bad thing)?

[p4cks]

RSTurboPaul said:

Aren't the X-Types the ones based on the Mondeo platform (which is not a bad thing) which rust from the inside out because the sills / bodykit traps water (which is a bad thing)?

No they’re not on the same platform

[ZX10R NIN]

For me a CL500 ticks a lot of the boxes, the pillarless windows & sunroof make for a nice airy experience without the potential roof issues of a convertible & you can get a very nice example with sensible mileage.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[j4r4lly]

ZX10R NIN said:

For me a CL500 ticks a lot of the boxes, the pillarless windows & sunroof make for a nice airy experience without the potential roof issues of a convertible & you can get a very nice example with sensible mileage.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Not considered these and as you say, they offer an awful lot of car for the money and have a bit of rarity about them. Any issues to look out for that you are aware of.....dodgy engines, transmissions, electrics etc?

[mbwoy84]

j4r4lly said:

p4cks said:

110K miles but they're very reliable, you won't be doing many miles and you get lots for your money

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008-Jaguar-XKR-4-2-2dr...

Yup, that's exactly the sort of car I've been looking at. They seem undervalued at the moment, like most Jaguar's are.

I've owned mine for 6 years without any real issues. Could be for sale very shortly, but would still be a few rand over budget as it's only covered half the miles of that one and is fully loaded. There's no reason why a higher mileage example should cause any real headaches as long as it's been well maintained though.

[RSTurboPaul]

p4cks said:

RSTurboPaul said:

Aren't the X-Types the ones based on the Mondeo platform (which is not a bad thing) which rust from the inside out because the sills / bodykit traps water (which is a bad thing)?

No they’re not on the same platform

Thanks for the confirmation!

[utgjon]

My supercharged Range Rover Sport - currently in the classifieds for under 10 grand (just) - 77k miles, doesn't look like it's been driven through halfords with a magnet attached, and is the definition of a V8 wafter. Oh, and it's just had a new suspension compressor.

[Butter Face]

utgjon said:

My supercharged Range Rover Sport - currently in the classifieds for under 10 grand (just) - 77k miles, doesn't look like it's been driven through halfords with a magnet attached, and is the definition of a V8 wafter. Oh, and it's just had a new suspension compressor.

Went out in one of these for the first time last week, what an absolute monster.

I winced at the thought of repairing the thing in the future when bits stop working though.

[utgjon]

Butter Face said:

Went out in one of these for the first time last week, what an absolute monster.

I winced at the thought of repairing the thing in the future when bits stop working though.

I've loved every one of the 27k miles i've put on mine - pure V8 waft with enough shove to make every journey effortless. Repairs/servicing etc haven't been as horrific as i thought they might be - certainly no more than my 320D that preceeded it.

I don't really want to sell it to be honest, and keep coming up with excuses to keep it, but needs must...

[cmvtec]

OP: Before I'd finished reading your post, I was thinking "Jag XK would be perfect for this chap.

[ZX10R NIN]

j4r4lly said:

Not considered these and as you say, they offer an awful lot of car for the money and have a bit of rarity about them. Any issues to look out for that you are aware of.....dodgy engines, transmissions, electrics etc?

No big issues both my dad & uncle are on their second CL63/CL500 respectively the only complaint is that my dad wants to go back to the N/A 6.2 CL63.

Electrics wise my dads CL63 had a window regulator go apart from that no issues for all four.

[nav2014]

If buying an XK8 go on mechanical condition and proof of maintenance. Bodywork can be sorted - mine was great where it mattered and the £2k I've spent on bodywork means it should be one of the tidiest for a good 10 years+.

Your budget will buy something much newer and with far lower miles than mine, but again condition is really more important at this age.

Oddly enough I'm looking to chop that in for a boat now but the car is great, I'd happily recommend one for a relaxing yet involving barge which still looks fantastic. Good on fuel too.