x300 as a daily?
Discussion
Bit of advice required please!
When the eBay auction for my current car ends in approximately 3 hours, I'm going to be in need of a replacement. For some reason I keep being drawn to the x300 XJ6. It's probably the fact that there seems to be nothing classier for my budget (~£1000)!
But, how suitable are they as daily drivers? My commute is circa 3 miles each way (I walk/cycle two days a week) and I rarely do any long journeys, since the wife has a Ford Galaxy for carting the kids around and we use that for the regular 250 mile round trip to see family in Bristol - though if fuel costs aren't ridiculous, I imagine the Jag would handle that journey quite well! I reckon I'll average about 6000 miles a year.
My concern is mainly about the size actually. The Galaxy squeezes into parking spaces with not much room to spare, and the non-LWB x300 is listed as 38cm longer! I've also read various things about the interior space. I'm 6'1" with shortish legs, so I'm worried my head will hit the headlining. I would go and test this out, but I'm struggling to find a car near me and would prefer to know beforehand if it's worth travelling to see one.
The boot seems big but quite flat, or is that just how it looks in the pictures?
I'm coming from a 306 gti-6 so whilst it's not the polar opposite, it's not far off!
Apologies for the rambling nature of the post - I'm somewhat sleep deprived.
So, thoughts anyone?
When the eBay auction for my current car ends in approximately 3 hours, I'm going to be in need of a replacement. For some reason I keep being drawn to the x300 XJ6. It's probably the fact that there seems to be nothing classier for my budget (~£1000)!
But, how suitable are they as daily drivers? My commute is circa 3 miles each way (I walk/cycle two days a week) and I rarely do any long journeys, since the wife has a Ford Galaxy for carting the kids around and we use that for the regular 250 mile round trip to see family in Bristol - though if fuel costs aren't ridiculous, I imagine the Jag would handle that journey quite well! I reckon I'll average about 6000 miles a year.
My concern is mainly about the size actually. The Galaxy squeezes into parking spaces with not much room to spare, and the non-LWB x300 is listed as 38cm longer! I've also read various things about the interior space. I'm 6'1" with shortish legs, so I'm worried my head will hit the headlining. I would go and test this out, but I'm struggling to find a car near me and would prefer to know beforehand if it's worth travelling to see one.
The boot seems big but quite flat, or is that just how it looks in the pictures?
I'm coming from a 306 gti-6 so whilst it's not the polar opposite, it's not far off!
Apologies for the rambling nature of the post - I'm somewhat sleep deprived.
So, thoughts anyone?
Dispite the exterior size of the X300 the interior is best described as snug. It's a low car which some people will find difficult to get in and out of too and there's not all that much room in the back - especially if you're expecting people carrier dimensions. The only way to be sure is to try one, make sure the drivers seat is set as low as possible and the steering wheel is adjusted to it's highest position.
As a daily driver expect between 20-28MPG from a 3.2 and not much performance if you drive heavily laden in hilly areas either. Servicing and parts are reasonable, a set of tyres will set you back about £425 and road tax is just over £200pa. Engines and auto gearboxes are not the most refined but they are tough and reliable.
The X300 is virtually bombproof mechanicaly but a high mileage hard used example will have tired brakes and suspension and almost certainly a whining 'diff. Look for rust around the rear arches, jacking points, front and rear screens, inner sills and front wings. Check for uneven wear on the tyres - that's a sure sign the suspension geometry is incorrect due to tired bushes. Look for coolant and oil leaks around the cylinder head and expect the interior clock to have digits missing. Exhaust manifolds crack and are expensive new and almost impossible to find secondhand. Check all the electrical, a/c and heating/vent systems work and direct air to where it's supposed to go.
Apart from that try to buy the best one you can find - there are still a few good ones about but don't forget the youngest is 15 years old now.
As a daily driver expect between 20-28MPG from a 3.2 and not much performance if you drive heavily laden in hilly areas either. Servicing and parts are reasonable, a set of tyres will set you back about £425 and road tax is just over £200pa. Engines and auto gearboxes are not the most refined but they are tough and reliable.
The X300 is virtually bombproof mechanicaly but a high mileage hard used example will have tired brakes and suspension and almost certainly a whining 'diff. Look for rust around the rear arches, jacking points, front and rear screens, inner sills and front wings. Check for uneven wear on the tyres - that's a sure sign the suspension geometry is incorrect due to tired bushes. Look for coolant and oil leaks around the cylinder head and expect the interior clock to have digits missing. Exhaust manifolds crack and are expensive new and almost impossible to find secondhand. Check all the electrical, a/c and heating/vent systems work and direct air to where it's supposed to go.
Apart from that try to buy the best one you can find - there are still a few good ones about but don't forget the youngest is 15 years old now.
mk1matt said:
Good info, cheers Steve. I'll keep checking to see if there any local ones for sale and see if I fit!
Any input on the external size? How do you get on small car parks?
I don't. The XJ hangs at least a foot over the average parking space and is mostly a PITA in town - I have a scabby old French van for these things Any input on the external size? How do you get on small car parks?
I had an X300 executive about a year go, it was so easy to live with, i am on the hunt for another one.I really regret letting it go now, but there are loads for sale around the 1k mark. I would go for a sovereign this time or if funds allow, an XJR. I never had much trouble parking,i just parked where i was n't too busy, you soon get used to the size. As stated already, the mechanics are usually bulletproof, so no real worries there. Rust can e a problem on neglected cars, so go for a well kept motor with a good service history, listen for knocks from the suspension, i had to replace a few bushes on my car, but it wasn't expensive, just a bit of a rave. At 6ft 1 you should be fine for headroom even though they are low cars. Be fussy and drive a few so you know what to look for. You won't regret buying one of these.
ive got a 3.2 x300, ive had it for over 6 years now, its my daily car, its lpg converted, so its affordable to run, my commute is a 70 mile round trip,i also car share,the lads in back do struggle gettin in and out,but im 6' 2" but im very comfy in my arm chair up front, its done nearly 170k, and just flown through another mot yesterday, you do have t look for suitable saces for parking, just buy the best one you can afford, you wont regret it
Jaguar steve said:
Dispite the exterior size of the X300 the interior is best described as snug. It's a low car which some people will find difficult to get in and out of too and there's not all that much room in the back - especially if you're expecting people carrier dimensions. The only way to be sure is to try one, make sure the drivers seat is set as low as possible and the steering wheel is adjusted to it's highest position.
While the interior might be snug, it does depend on how you actually measure it. Its a good 4" wider than SHMBO's Eclass Merc, but doesn't have the leg room. As Steve says its low, you won't find many cars as low down as an X300, most so called sports cars tower over one. The trick with interior head room is to make sure you buy one without the sun roof, that makes a big difference. When it comes to the boot then the space saver tyre option make a significant difference. Otherwise the it it is quite shallow. On the other hand the boot has about the same floor area as the average London flat. I've had a couple of occasions where I've been able to get thing into it that wouldn't fit into the MB estate without folding the seats down (and that really does have a cavernous boot).I've had mine for 16 years as I've never found anything I want more. Its a 3.2 and I can't say I've every found a problem with the power of the car. I don't often drive with a full load of large adults but I've never felt in lacking in go. The 3.2 revs more than the 4L does.
Thanks for the replies everyone. I think the only sticking point is the exterior size. My work car park has relatively small bays and I struggle to navigate my 306 around my local supermarket car park.
Using it as a 2nd car seems like a better option, but justifying two cars for a mere 6000 miles a year is pretty difficult!
Using it as a 2nd car seems like a better option, but justifying two cars for a mere 6000 miles a year is pretty difficult!
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