£0 cost X300 ?

[pjac67]

Am I mad?

Considering buying an X300 for one journey!

Need a car for trip to Disneyland Paris via Eurotunnel (from Bristol) that can fit 3 car seats in the back (and big boot for luggage and years supply of wine....) and current MPV/family car is LPG and wife doesn't like ferries = Eurotunnel + big car.

Another MPV or 4x4 doesn't satisfy any itch and this will let me tick the 'Jaaaaag' (a la Clarkson) box.

BTW budget < £1k and need my money back when I return.

[jas xjr]

The boot is ok but luggage and a years supply of wine ?

[pjac67]

jas xjr said:

The boot is ok but luggage and a years supply of wine ?

My drinking is not quite as much as the Jags will be......

[rswift]

I like your train of thought a lot. I had 8 happy years with my X300.

So get a 4 litre, you won't notice the difference in fuel. Depending on whats available get the highest spec (Sovereign LWB or Daimer 6), LWB is obviously longer and should be easier to sell on. As mentioned before boot space is disappointing for much wine buying, and yes it will have a thirst of it's own. But you should really have one, and this seems a perfect opportunity ! I had a base 3.2 last week as a courtesy car when my X350 was being serviced, even the poverty spec car was still great.

I can only think of a Land Rover Discovery that you might get for a grand and re-sell when you get back home, probably for more if you can wait until winter (!)

[pjac67]

Thanks for the input and comment. Didn't realise the 4.0 was same economy as 3.2 6 cyl (I guess if worried about fuel you wouldn't be looking at a Jag but avoid 3.2 8 cyl as 20% thirstier than both...).

Narrowed it down to 2;
6 cyl 3.2 with nice plate but only half leather;


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

or 4.0 LWB Sov;

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...



I'm favouring the latter for the drive and resale although the former has the plate which is worth £400+
I will be risking a purchase over the 'phone so which one .......

Edited by pjac67 on Wednesday 4th July 09:56

[StuStu]

How much will you "lose" on a short term insurance policy?

[chris.mapey]

I'd go with the 4.0 Sov out of those two, definitely.

[rswift]

Definitely the Sovereign, it looks great in the photo's. The black leather is a nice touch, as it wears well, as is the wooden gearshift/steering wheel.

On thing to note, is that part of a speed camera/road angel thing above the radio ... illegal in France, and the Gendarmes are quite keen on spotting UK cars with them fitted, and issuing instant fines !

The mileage of 160k is nothing for these cars ! (mine did 325k, without major problems)

[Ecurie Ecosse]

Go for it. The LWB will be miles better for a long trip with people in the back.

[pjac67]

And another came in from left wing...picking up a 4.0 Sov tomorrow for same price as the other 2 (everything works on it (apparently) : -

'FSH Private Number Plate L77JEF (Worth £700) included in the sale 9 Months NEW MOT & 3 Months TAX Interior is lovely cream leather, Has a sports mode on the automatic gearbox which increases the rev limit and really packs a punch. Two key fobs and keys 4 NEW Tyres, NEW Discs AND Pads Front-Back, NEW Service, ALL NEW Belts, New Stainless Exhaust'

Always wanted a cream interior:

Edited by pjac67 on Wednesday 4th July 22:45

[rswift]

I saw this on Ebay I think, is it from Cornwall ?.... I almost sent you the link. It looks great, nice miles & spec, plate is a bonus !

When are you off to France, keep us posted. (ps don't forget to get a breathalyser kit, now a legal requirement in France, along with your Hi Viz jacket & warning triangle (jag should have one in the boot lid).

Edited by rswift on Thursday 5th July 00:23

[Ecurie Ecosse]

You won't want to sell it : )

I bought my Sovereign 2 years ago for the Le Mans Classic.

I still have it. I have also bought an X300 3.2 manual, an XJR6 and an X308 XJR.

You won't look back.

[slippery]

Jaguars are the ultimate £1k bargaon barge. Keep us posted OP.

[thejpster]

I love my X300. Massively under-rated and under-valued.

re: Three car seats, my middle rear seat has a lap belt (I have a 1996 model year, registered December 1995). The photo in the 1997 model year brochure shows three belts, so maybe they came in then. Either way, double check. I've had two seats and an adult in the back and it wasn't too bad.

[pjac67]

Update after a 170m trip averaging 29 mpg (I know, must try harder...). Car is smooth as silk in every way - seamless gearchanges and kickdown with no noises/knocking. There are a few minor dings/scratches but surprisingly little rust (on spot on n/s/r wheel arch).

Minor quibbles:
1. Drivers window a bit sticky in operation;
2. Electric mirrors not working;
3. Memory button works for steering wheel (reach/rake) but not seat - is this right?
4. 2 cylinders missing - only 6 cyl under the bonnet despite logbook/other checks showing 4.0/8 - doesn't bother me at all as the engine seems a peach - engine change perhaps?

Middle belt is lap belt but is Ok for booster seat and have tried all 3 in the back...

Very happy so far. Will post more pics later.

Edited by pjac67 on Thursday 5th July 23:50

[pjac67]

Update after a 170m trip averaging 29 mpg (I know, must try harder...). Car is smooth as silk in every way - seamless gearchanges and kickdown with no noises/knocking.
Minor quibbles:
1. Drivers window a bit sticky in operation;
2. Electric mirrors not working;
3. Memory button works for steering wheel (reach/rake) but not seat - is this right?
4. 2 cylinders missing - only 6 cyl under the bonnet despite logbook/other checks showing 4.0/8 - doesn't bother me at all as the engine seems a peach - engine change perhaps?

L77JEF
VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

This album has 6 photos and will be available on SkyDrive until 03/10/2012.

Edited by pjac67 on Friday 18th January 15:34

[E31Shrew]

See if you can get hold of a decent roof box to carry extra booty in!

[rswift]

pjac67 said:

Update after a 170m trip averaging 29 mpg (I know, must try harder...). Car is smooth as silk in every way - seamless gearchanges and kickdown with no noises/knocking. There are a few minor dings/scratches but surprisingly little rust (on spot on n/s/r wheel arch).

Minor quibbles:
1. Drivers window a bit sticky in operation;
2. Electric mirrors not working;
3. Memory button works for steering wheel (reach/rake) but not seat - is this right?
4. 2 cylinders missing - only 6 cyl under the bonnet despite logbook/other checks showing 4.0/8 - doesn't bother me at all as the engine seems a peach - engine change perhaps?

Middle belt is lap belt but is Ok for booster seat and have tried all 3 in the back...

Very happy so far. Will post more pics later.

Sounds good,

Lots of fuses on this car, some in the engine bay, 2 lots in the kick panel of the rear seats. I don't know if mirrors & seats connected. The memory should operate the seat.

Should be a 6 cyl, first V8's were R reg, does the VIN number match up !!

BTW The 6 cal is the bullet proof bargain of the decade, whilst a good V8 is lovely they suffer from an amount of inherent & expensive problems that the straight 6 simply doesn't have. MPG I once got 32mpg, and was very chuffed ! ... I think it was foggy

Edited by pjac67 on Thursday 5th July 23:50

Edited by rswift on Friday 6th July 13:15

[Ecurie Ecosse]

It's a 6 cyl car - the 8 cyls had a different interior.

Enjoy it - they are marvellous machines!

[pjac67]

Ecurie Ecosse said:

It's a 6 cyl car - the 8 cyls had a different interior.

Enjoy it - they are marvellous machines!

Thanks - now realise it's a 4.0 6 cyl (I wrongly assumed that the 6's were all 3.2, doh!

A few pics as promised:

Edited by pjac67 on Friday 6th July 11:48

Edited by pjac67 on Friday 6th July 11:51