£6k for an X350 - good idea?
Discussion
Am really interested in getting my hands on a Jag XJ X350 and having done my research they seem pretty reliable though have problems with corrosion. Only problem is that many posts seem to be for younger / lower mileage cars and with my £6-7k budget I'm wondering if other stuff becomes an issue.
Ideally I'd like a 05/55 reg car with less than 80k on the clock - eg:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Also, do they all suffer with the corrosion issues or is it only certain certain cars?
Ideally I'd like a 05/55 reg car with less than 80k on the clock - eg:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Also, do they all suffer with the corrosion issues or is it only certain certain cars?
These cars are becoming so cheap that 6 or 7k should give you a good choice. My 2003 car had corrosion on the bottom of 2 of the doors, and the edge of the boot lid. It's not really noticeable, until you know it's there....then you see it all of the time. I don't know if the later cars were any better, but isn't there a big VED hike at certain years 2006 ? (never had a car that new so I don't know) !
My 2004 car has a little corrosion on the bottom of the O/S rear door, and on the curl of the boot lid. (the latter not even noticeable).
From a running reliability point of view I don't think there is much to chose between any of the production years. Certainly you should not necessarily let mileage put you off. Mine has just hit 106k and to be honest you simply would not know it. It drives just like it did when I got it. These were an expensively built, well engineered car and can take very big milages without issue if treated appropriately.
The most important thing is maintenance - make sure that whoever had it looked after it properly. FSH (preferably with a highly respected indie rather than a main dealer if my experience is anything to go by) is a must.
Look for the tell tale clues - for example cars running on Nankang Ditchfinder tyres suggest that the owner was inclined to scrimp on the necessaries....... It's not definitive, but I do feel that if someone cared enough to keep fitting matched sets of Pirellis/Michelins/Goodyears etc, then in all likelihood they also had the various detail bits taken care of as and when..
From a running reliability point of view I don't think there is much to chose between any of the production years. Certainly you should not necessarily let mileage put you off. Mine has just hit 106k and to be honest you simply would not know it. It drives just like it did when I got it. These were an expensively built, well engineered car and can take very big milages without issue if treated appropriately.
The most important thing is maintenance - make sure that whoever had it looked after it properly. FSH (preferably with a highly respected indie rather than a main dealer if my experience is anything to go by) is a must.
Look for the tell tale clues - for example cars running on Nankang Ditchfinder tyres suggest that the owner was inclined to scrimp on the necessaries....... It's not definitive, but I do feel that if someone cared enough to keep fitting matched sets of Pirellis/Michelins/Goodyears etc, then in all likelihood they also had the various detail bits taken care of as and when..
The earlier cars had a duplicate sim card type phone arrangement rather than Bluetooth - I think Bluetooth came in 2007, but others can probably correct me on that.
I think the sat nav works just fine (although you will find that some hate it) especially if you have a reasonably up to date disc.
The cars are quite colour sensitive - the right colour sets the shape off nicely, and if you get the nicer wheels that can really help with the looks and resale.
( But lets be candid here - you are looking to buy a 6k Jag XJ, in a couple of years time it's not going to give you 5k back come resale!
)
The upgraded sound system is nice, but the standard one is not too shabby. Heated seats and steering wheel is nice. There's none of them really that have a poverty spec.
I think the sat nav works just fine (although you will find that some hate it) especially if you have a reasonably up to date disc.
The cars are quite colour sensitive - the right colour sets the shape off nicely, and if you get the nicer wheels that can really help with the looks and resale.
( But lets be candid here - you are looking to buy a 6k Jag XJ, in a couple of years time it's not going to give you 5k back come resale!
)The upgraded sound system is nice, but the standard one is not too shabby. Heated seats and steering wheel is nice. There's none of them really that have a poverty spec.
andymadmak said:
The earlier cars had a duplicate sim card type phone arrangement rather than Bluetooth - I think Bluetooth came in 2007, but others can probably correct me on that.
I think the sat nav works just fine (although you will find that some hate it) especially if you have a reasonably up to date disc.
The cars are quite colour sensitive - the right colour sets the shape off nicely, and if you get the nicer wheels that can really help with the looks and resale.
( But lets be candid here - you are looking to buy a 6k Jag XJ, in a couple of years time it's not going to give you 5k back come resale! )
The upgraded sound system is nice, but the standard one is not too shabby. Heated seats and steering wheel is nice. There's none of them really that have a poverty spec.
I have the twin sim/built in phone. It's one of the worst aspects of the car, very disappointing, to be fair there was an update to move the microphone, but I've always used a headset type hands free. The Premium Audio, is ok, but difficult to add more modern MP3 players to etc. Sat Nav, works just a bit dated. I desperately wanted a car with built in screen etc, but in hindsight wished I hadn't worried about it. I think the sat nav works just fine (although you will find that some hate it) especially if you have a reasonably up to date disc.
The cars are quite colour sensitive - the right colour sets the shape off nicely, and if you get the nicer wheels that can really help with the looks and resale.
( But lets be candid here - you are looking to buy a 6k Jag XJ, in a couple of years time it's not going to give you 5k back come resale!
)The upgraded sound system is nice, but the standard one is not too shabby. Heated seats and steering wheel is nice. There's none of them really that have a poverty spec.
andymadmak said:
The earlier cars had a duplicate sim card type phone arrangement rather than Bluetooth - I think Bluetooth came in 2007, but others can probably correct me on that.
I think the sat nav works just fine (although you will find that some hate it) especially if you have a reasonably up to date disc.
The cars are quite colour sensitive - the right colour sets the shape off nicely, and if you get the nicer wheels that can really help with the looks and resale.
( But lets be candid here - you are looking to buy a 6k Jag XJ, in a couple of years time it's not going to give you 5k back come resale! )
The upgraded sound system is nice, but the standard one is not too shabby. Heated seats and steering wheel is nice. There's none of them really that have a poverty spec.
I have the twin sim/built in phone. It's one of the worst aspects of the car, very disappointing, to be fair there was an update to move the microphone, but I've always used a headset type hands free. The Premium Audio, is ok, but difficult to add more modern MP3 players to etc. Sat Nav, works just a bit dated. I desperately wanted a car with built in screen etc, but in hindsight wished I hadn't worried about it. I think the sat nav works just fine (although you will find that some hate it) especially if you have a reasonably up to date disc.
The cars are quite colour sensitive - the right colour sets the shape off nicely, and if you get the nicer wheels that can really help with the looks and resale.
( But lets be candid here - you are looking to buy a 6k Jag XJ, in a couple of years time it's not going to give you 5k back come resale!
)The upgraded sound system is nice, but the standard one is not too shabby. Heated seats and steering wheel is nice. There's none of them really that have a poverty spec.
Biscuit dunker said:
One other question re the X350 - which is the best engine? My gut feel is the 3.0 V6 but have nothing to back this up - anyone have view?
There's not that much in it (on paper) fuel economy wise between the Ford 3.0 V6 and the Jaguar 3.5 and 4.2 V8s so I'd go for a V8. The V8s on the X350 don't have the timing chain tensioner issues of the previous X308 either. Drive all three.I went for an X308 as I preferred the shape. My choice for an X350 would be a 55 plate 4.2 Sovereign.
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