Discussion
I'm hankering after something inexpensive as a second fun car, original car to waft around in and have always loved the XJ.
I'm not very up on my Jag's however and my budget is somewhat small and I wonder whether approx. £2k will only buy me a money pit of an old nail?
If £2k is reasonable (which it appears to be for a 1995 onwards car in Autotrader) which should I be looking at in terms of a really reliable car and less problematic?
I don't mind fuel consumption too much as long as it's capable of early 20's on a run. Reliability and ease of repairs are more important.
If it's not a later car I'd prefer to go back to before the square headlight XJ40 era when they had the old school charm of fully chrome bumpers etc and not so squared off in their design.
Also, I don't wish to be rude on a Jag forum but is the Daimler the same (basically) or perhaps a better or worse choice?
Many thanks.
I'm not very up on my Jag's however and my budget is somewhat small and I wonder whether approx. £2k will only buy me a money pit of an old nail?
If £2k is reasonable (which it appears to be for a 1995 onwards car in Autotrader) which should I be looking at in terms of a really reliable car and less problematic?
I don't mind fuel consumption too much as long as it's capable of early 20's on a run. Reliability and ease of repairs are more important.
If it's not a later car I'd prefer to go back to before the square headlight XJ40 era when they had the old school charm of fully chrome bumpers etc and not so squared off in their design.
Also, I don't wish to be rude on a Jag forum but is the Daimler the same (basically) or perhaps a better or worse choice?
Many thanks.
£2k might get you a reasonable X300 (1995 -1997) XJ. You'll probrably have to buy a basic 3.2 or a sport version at this kind of money to get a reasonable car. Don't worry too much about mileage as the X300 will go on forever if properly serviced. Buy on condition and history. You may find it's worth joining the JEC as there's usually several good ones in the classifieds.
If you don't like the XJ 40, the earlier car is the Series 3 (1979 - 1985). A really good one will still cost as much as a X300 to buy, but these have always been prone to rust and heavy fuel consumption.
There are some much cheaper around but TBH expect nothing but trouble from one. Fine though if you're handy with the spanners and want a project to tinker with - the Series 3 cars are pretty easy to work on and parts are relatively cheap and widely available. Rust is the real killer and scrapped mine dispite loads of care, welding and gallons of Waxoil
You will get no more than 16 MPG round town and about 22 on a long run from a 4.2 or a 3.4 Series 3 and could expect up to 28 from a gently driven X300 on a trip.
I've owned both and have to say the Series 3 has loads of charm but feels really agricultural to drive compared with the X300
All Jaguars are big heavy cars and are especially hard on suspension components and tyres, so whatever you choose expect big bills and high fuel costs.
If you don't like the XJ 40, the earlier car is the Series 3 (1979 - 1985). A really good one will still cost as much as a X300 to buy, but these have always been prone to rust and heavy fuel consumption.
There are some much cheaper around but TBH expect nothing but trouble from one. Fine though if you're handy with the spanners and want a project to tinker with - the Series 3 cars are pretty easy to work on and parts are relatively cheap and widely available. Rust is the real killer and scrapped mine dispite loads of care, welding and gallons of Waxoil
You will get no more than 16 MPG round town and about 22 on a long run from a 4.2 or a 3.4 Series 3 and could expect up to 28 from a gently driven X300 on a trip.
I've owned both and have to say the Series 3 has loads of charm but feels really agricultural to drive compared with the X300
All Jaguars are big heavy cars and are especially hard on suspension components and tyres, so whatever you choose expect big bills and high fuel costs.
JEC is Jaguar Enthusiasts Club.
I'd second the comments above and recommend the X300. If you can get a 4.0L all the better, but a 3.2 is still good. They are bombproof if looked after but the key is fixing the little things quickly before they cause big things to go wrong.
I wouldn't consider any other model with your criteria.
Oh, in answer to your other question, the Daimler variants are basically the same with a few trim and specification improvements.
HTH
I'd second the comments above and recommend the X300. If you can get a 4.0L all the better, but a 3.2 is still good. They are bombproof if looked after but the key is fixing the little things quickly before they cause big things to go wrong.
I wouldn't consider any other model with your criteria.
Oh, in answer to your other question, the Daimler variants are basically the same with a few trim and specification improvements.
HTH
Thanks groomi, i had a quick look at the JEC site. The model guide is good as I've been a bit unclear on which is which.
Do you know, are the bodies pretty good and rust free on the X300 model as the 40 did tend to rot a bit? I ask mainly because it may have to live outside since our garage is a bit small and I also have a rag top Audi that I garage all the time for the insurance cover to remain valid.
I'd probably be looking at a circa 1997 3.2 Sport I should think.
IMHO, the X300 is a really beautiful continuation of such a classic shape.
I've always loved the Jag shape and some years ago an old boss of mine gave me the keys to his Daimler and it wasn't a very well cared for car but it was so nice to drive and so quiet and classy - I love old school cars and I think a Jag is that itch I'll always need to scratch. To me it's like an Alfa, I must own one at some point (I've done the Alfa thing BTW, nice but it wasn't really my cup of tea).
Do you know, are the bodies pretty good and rust free on the X300 model as the 40 did tend to rot a bit? I ask mainly because it may have to live outside since our garage is a bit small and I also have a rag top Audi that I garage all the time for the insurance cover to remain valid.
I'd probably be looking at a circa 1997 3.2 Sport I should think.
IMHO, the X300 is a really beautiful continuation of such a classic shape.
I've always loved the Jag shape and some years ago an old boss of mine gave me the keys to his Daimler and it wasn't a very well cared for car but it was so nice to drive and so quiet and classy - I love old school cars and I think a Jag is that itch I'll always need to scratch. To me it's like an Alfa, I must own one at some point (I've done the Alfa thing BTW, nice but it wasn't really my cup of tea).
Thanks groomi and steve.
There's a nice X300 in the classifieds for sub £2k, one owner and looks great. It does have a rather odd choice of wire wheels though but I'd imagine they'd be easy to sell and a regular set sourced to replace them.
I think I'll go for it but not rush into anything and wait for the right car since there are loads around!
I know I should get quotes but are they a bit rich on the insurance front?
I have a spare policy from the previous second car I had with NCB of about 5 yrs (still valid as less than 2 yrs ago) and I'm 38, so hopefully not too bad!
Must head for bed, getting up at 3:30am!
Will check back tomorrow, cheers chaps!
There's a nice X300 in the classifieds for sub £2k, one owner and looks great. It does have a rather odd choice of wire wheels though but I'd imagine they'd be easy to sell and a regular set sourced to replace them.
I think I'll go for it but not rush into anything and wait for the right car since there are loads around!
I know I should get quotes but are they a bit rich on the insurance front?
I have a spare policy from the previous second car I had with NCB of about 5 yrs (still valid as less than 2 yrs ago) and I'm 38, so hopefully not too bad!
Must head for bed, getting up at 3:30am!
Will check back tomorrow, cheers chaps!
If you're looking for replacement wheels for an X300 there's usually a good selection on fleabay. Given the choice I'd stick to the 16" rims with the higher profile tyres as this combination gives a better ride quality. If you're lucky you might get good tyres whith the wheels as quite a few people change the origionals for 17" or larger
Tyres, if you need them in 16" range from about £55 for budget cheapies up to around £100 or so for premium ones
Agree with Groomi - insurance will be cheap. I'm 47 with full NCD - fully comp on a XJ8 that also lives outside and pay less than £300.
Spend a bit of time looking, buy a good one, maintain it well and you won't be disapointed.
Tyres, if you need them in 16" range from about £55 for budget cheapies up to around £100 or so for premium ones
Agree with Groomi - insurance will be cheap. I'm 47 with full NCD - fully comp on a XJ8 that also lives outside and pay less than £300.
Spend a bit of time looking, buy a good one, maintain it well and you won't be disapointed.
Kentish said:
I know I should get quotes but are they a bit rich on the insurance front?
I have a spare policy from the previous second car I had with NCB of about 5 yrs (still valid as less than 2 yrs ago) and I'm 38, so hopefully not too bad!
Many of our local club members have found London Victoria very good for JaguarsI have a spare policy from the previous second car I had with NCB of about 5 yrs (still valid as less than 2 yrs ago) and I'm 38, so hopefully not too bad!
Try http://www.jaguar-enthusiasts.org.uk/jaguar-insura...
I recently bought a 1995 XJR and insurance is surprisingly cheap : age 41, full NCD, lives on the driveway, 5K miles p/ann - £189 fully comp. This was a quote from surecover via moneysupermarket.com which my current insurers Adrian Flux then matched. I am considering joing the JEC but haven't yet. However I did try the insurers they use and they were way more expensive. That said, Adrian Flux have just written to me to say they are now affiliated with the JEC.
I love my XJR to bits. I paid £5K but it is in mint condition, completely original (even down to the cassette tape telling you all about your new Jaguar), and has 33K miles from new with full history, and never had even a whiff of paintwork repair. I've seen similar ones with higher mileage and a few minor faults etc. for sub £3K though.
I love my XJR to bits. I paid £5K but it is in mint condition, completely original (even down to the cassette tape telling you all about your new Jaguar), and has 33K miles from new with full history, and never had even a whiff of paintwork repair. I've seen similar ones with higher mileage and a few minor faults etc. for sub £3K though.
Article in the latest JEC mag re fact that Adrian Flux and Peter James now both have 'special' schemes for JEC members. I got a quote from Adrian Flux for 1990 Daimler 4.0, 3000 miles, garaged, age 42 with full NCB and squeaky clean licence.
Would you believe £871?!! How on earth did they come up wth a quote like that?
'eff off! I think I'll stick to 'ordinary' insurance with Direct Line at £235, and the car doesn't have to be garaged.
Would you believe £871?!! How on earth did they come up wth a quote like that?
'eff off! I think I'll stick to 'ordinary' insurance with Direct Line at £235, and the car doesn't have to be garaged.
I stil miss my G-reg 1990 Sovereign 4.0 XJ40. A beautiful car inside and out, and I remember well the magic carpet whoosh that the S-Type just can't do. The party piece was sticking it in 2nd gear, flooring it and watching the instant mpg drop to 4! IIRC the time from 50-70 was 4.4 seconds (from the time when What Car? had useful information) - faster than almost anything. Average 24mpg too.
We need some photos on this thread!
I think later this year I'll be looking for a 1995 - 1999 4.0 V8 XJ300 with as low miles as I can find and with a nice interior. My budget will be a little bigger later in the year and I'll be able to semi-retire the TT and keep that in better nick too.
Nice to know they don't rust, mechanical things can be fixed, rampant rust is a PITA!
I think later this year I'll be looking for a 1995 - 1999 4.0 V8 XJ300 with as low miles as I can find and with a nice interior. My budget will be a little bigger later in the year and I'll be able to semi-retire the TT and keep that in better nick too.
Nice to know they don't rust, mechanical things can be fixed, rampant rust is a PITA!
I did get a good quote in Oct 06 from Footman James for a 1995 3.2 X300. The quote was £232.50 for 3000 mile pa. Unfortunately the vendor changed his mind at the last minute, after I'd paid the policy - but I was happy with the insurance.
As I said above, my current Daimler 4.0 is with Direct Line at £235, but they have just told me that, even though their website allowed me to pay about £10 extra to include the other 1/2 on the policy, they now will not give me a NCD on that policy unless I either remove her from it or pay an additional £180 odd to keep her on it - b'stards! Apparently their heavily advertised policy of matching your NCD on another car only applies to the policy-holder, and not another named driver - even though they don't tell you this until AFTER you've bought the policy, INCLUDING an extra premium for the additional driver!!!
Just something to be aware of.
As I said above, my current Daimler 4.0 is with Direct Line at £235, but they have just told me that, even though their website allowed me to pay about £10 extra to include the other 1/2 on the policy, they now will not give me a NCD on that policy unless I either remove her from it or pay an additional £180 odd to keep her on it - b'stards! Apparently their heavily advertised policy of matching your NCD on another car only applies to the policy-holder, and not another named driver - even though they don't tell you this until AFTER you've bought the policy, INCLUDING an extra premium for the additional driver!!!
Just something to be aware of.
NormanD said:
RedBall & mccrackenj
That is why I put the link above, they are not affiliated to the JEC but JEC Members in my area (Surrey) have found them verry competitive
That is why I put the link above, they are not affiliated to the JEC but JEC Members in my area (Surrey) have found them verry competitive
Edited by mccrackenj on Wednesday 9th January 10:18
Kentish said:
We need some photos on this thread!
I think later this year I'll be looking for a 1995 - 1999 4.0 V8 XJ300 with as low miles as I can find and with a nice interior. My budget will be a little bigger later in the year and I'll be able to semi-retire the TT and keep that in better nick too.
Nice to know they don't rust, mechanical things can be fixed, rampant rust is a PITA!
Well if you're looking for a V8, it'll be 1998 onwards. The 6 cylinder cars were 1994-97. (Not sure if the X300 XJR also came out in 1994 or whether it was slightly later though)I think later this year I'll be looking for a 1995 - 1999 4.0 V8 XJ300 with as low miles as I can find and with a nice interior. My budget will be a little bigger later in the year and I'll be able to semi-retire the TT and keep that in better nick too.
Nice to know they don't rust, mechanical things can be fixed, rampant rust is a PITA!
mccrackenj said:
Kentish said:
We need some photos on this thread!
I think later this year I'll be looking for a 1995 - 1999 4.0 V8 XJ300 with as low miles as I can find and with a nice interior. My budget will be a little bigger later in the year and I'll be able to semi-retire the TT and keep that in better nick too.
Nice to know they don't rust, mechanical things can be fixed, rampant rust is a PITA!
Well if you're looking for a V8, it'll be 1998 onwards. The 6 cylinder cars were 1994-97. (Not sure if the X300 XJR also came out in 1994 or whether it was slightly later though)I think later this year I'll be looking for a 1995 - 1999 4.0 V8 XJ300 with as low miles as I can find and with a nice interior. My budget will be a little bigger later in the year and I'll be able to semi-retire the TT and keep that in better nick too.
Nice to know they don't rust, mechanical things can be fixed, rampant rust is a PITA!
BTW V8s are X308s.
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