Swapping the Jaguar for a LaRo/RR?
Discussion
Hi guys,
After driving around very happily with a Jag XJ8 4.0 for the last two years, I've put the car up for sale to move to large SUV. Key reasons for doing so:
- My girlfriend and I spend a lot of free time in the countryside (riding/shooting/walking/swimming/holidays), so it would be great to have car that does do decent off road (fields/mud/beach), can tow a horse trailer and generally is happy with muddy gear in the back etc (you can see the trouble with my long wheelbase Jag...)
- We regularly need to transport embroidery machines - large heavy things that require a station wagon shape boot
My budget would be around £7-7.5k for a used car. As we're both total petrol heads, we're more than happy to put up with things like poor fuel economy, high road tax, consumables etc, if that repays us with a fun vehicle to own
However, two things are key:
1. It should be reliable in terms of starting and driving. The car would be used 2-3 times a week (ca. 5.000 miles a year) and we have no time to wait for the RAC every time or start fiddling ourselves. We never thrash our cars but it shouldn't be too much of a petal;
2. It shouldn't be a known money pit - I know the risk of buying a used car and am happy to add ca. £500-1,000 to my budget for 'catch-up' maintenance post-purchase. However, engine and gearbox rebuilds, heavy welding and big rolling chassis replacements are not cool - also don't really have the time for a 'project'. I basically want to avoid adding another £3-4k soon after buying my new ride to the extent possible.
Main cars on my short list:
- L322 RR 4.4v8 - amazing do-it-all and love the model for many years, but I'm a bit worry about the money pit issue given my budget
- Neat 300tdi or early TD5 Defender - true driving experience but curious how it holds up to point 1. Also I noticed they're quite expensive at the moment (more the £7-10k range).
I've considered RR Classics (probably not great re. my two points?), RR P38 (same?), Disco 3 (probably similar to L322 and few V8 models available). I know there are a few Japanese 4x4s available in the market, but they just don't really make my heart jump TBH.
Are my wishes and budget somewhat aligned? Or should I wake up and move along/increase my budget?
I've been reading practically every buyers guide out there, but just wanted to hear your thoughts on the matter, and any real life experiences along with it Cheers Adriaan
After driving around very happily with a Jag XJ8 4.0 for the last two years, I've put the car up for sale to move to large SUV. Key reasons for doing so:
- My girlfriend and I spend a lot of free time in the countryside (riding/shooting/walking/swimming/holidays), so it would be great to have car that does do decent off road (fields/mud/beach), can tow a horse trailer and generally is happy with muddy gear in the back etc (you can see the trouble with my long wheelbase Jag...)
- We regularly need to transport embroidery machines - large heavy things that require a station wagon shape boot
My budget would be around £7-7.5k for a used car. As we're both total petrol heads, we're more than happy to put up with things like poor fuel economy, high road tax, consumables etc, if that repays us with a fun vehicle to own
However, two things are key:
1. It should be reliable in terms of starting and driving. The car would be used 2-3 times a week (ca. 5.000 miles a year) and we have no time to wait for the RAC every time or start fiddling ourselves. We never thrash our cars but it shouldn't be too much of a petal;
2. It shouldn't be a known money pit - I know the risk of buying a used car and am happy to add ca. £500-1,000 to my budget for 'catch-up' maintenance post-purchase. However, engine and gearbox rebuilds, heavy welding and big rolling chassis replacements are not cool - also don't really have the time for a 'project'. I basically want to avoid adding another £3-4k soon after buying my new ride to the extent possible.
Main cars on my short list:
- L322 RR 4.4v8 - amazing do-it-all and love the model for many years, but I'm a bit worry about the money pit issue given my budget
- Neat 300tdi or early TD5 Defender - true driving experience but curious how it holds up to point 1. Also I noticed they're quite expensive at the moment (more the £7-10k range).
I've considered RR Classics (probably not great re. my two points?), RR P38 (same?), Disco 3 (probably similar to L322 and few V8 models available). I know there are a few Japanese 4x4s available in the market, but they just don't really make my heart jump TBH.
Are my wishes and budget somewhat aligned? Or should I wake up and move along/increase my budget?
I've been reading practically every buyers guide out there, but just wanted to hear your thoughts on the matter, and any real life experiences along with it
Cheers AdriaanI'm in a similar quandary and with similar reasons - house renovation, car restoration, the need to be used around a farm environment and be able to tow at least 2 tonnes of car trailer and horse meat in a box means the 330ci's days are sadly numbered.
I've always sought out cars with a decent spec and the 330 is a individual car with pretty much every option ticked so the next one has to be as good a place to be if at all possible. My current train of thought is to go for a V8 HSE spec disco 3, not quite as 'living room' as a FFRR but still decent enough and can be used as a throw it all in and drive type of car. I can't justify the outlay for a 4, nor would I want to for only covering approx 7k a year. However finding one is a challenge it itself.
You mention the defender as being one option, do you not think the defender would be a big jump coming from the Jag in terms of refinement?
Like you I've read all the guides, joined the forums (disco3.co.uk is particularly good) but some real life experience would be useful, I suspect I'm looking at c£10k for what I'm considering so your budget may be a little conservative depending on the route you choose.
Perhaps it's time to get out and drive a few options?
I've always sought out cars with a decent spec and the 330 is a individual car with pretty much every option ticked so the next one has to be as good a place to be if at all possible. My current train of thought is to go for a V8 HSE spec disco 3, not quite as 'living room' as a FFRR but still decent enough and can be used as a throw it all in and drive type of car. I can't justify the outlay for a 4, nor would I want to for only covering approx 7k a year. However finding one is a challenge it itself.
You mention the defender as being one option, do you not think the defender would be a big jump coming from the Jag in terms of refinement?
Like you I've read all the guides, joined the forums (disco3.co.uk is particularly good) but some real life experience would be useful, I suspect I'm looking at c£10k for what I'm considering so your budget may be a little conservative depending on the route you choose.
Perhaps it's time to get out and drive a few options?
I had 3 XJRs one after the other and the last was a 2008. I chopped it in a few years back and ended up upgrading my old P38 RR to an L322 TDV8 as my daily driver.
Love it, as quiet, refined and cruisy as the jag, even more so actually. With bags of room, a high driving position, ability to actually go through snow and ice when needed and more economical... just. Great cars both, but I prefer the RR, maybe just getting old!
The only thing I miss from the Jag is the 100mph+ performance, but then how often do you get to play with that on modern roads? The RR will cruise all day at 100mph and it's so damn smooth when it's doing it, remarkably good.
For your budget I'd be looking at a L322 petrol, 4.4V8 or possibly an early supercharge. Supercharge would be my choice!
Love it, as quiet, refined and cruisy as the jag, even more so actually. With bags of room, a high driving position, ability to actually go through snow and ice when needed and more economical... just. Great cars both, but I prefer the RR, maybe just getting old!
The only thing I miss from the Jag is the 100mph+ performance, but then how often do you get to play with that on modern roads? The RR will cruise all day at 100mph and it's so damn smooth when it's doing it, remarkably good.
For your budget I'd be looking at a L322 petrol, 4.4V8 or possibly an early supercharge. Supercharge would be my choice!
Thanks for the replies guys. A supercharged RR would be amazing, but I think £10k would be a more realistic budget for that, including potential expensive repairs. Does anybody know whether the supercharged RRs have the same gearbox problems as the TDs/NA V8s?
I've indeed listed a Defender as an option and am not too worried about the lack of refinement - the Jaguar is very comfortable but me and my gf also do long trips in my tuned TVR Chimaera and we love the basic and mechanical experience of driving - it doesn't even have power steering so a Defender would be quite on par re. creature comforts;)
I've indeed listed a Defender as an option and am not too worried about the lack of refinement - the Jaguar is very comfortable but me and my gf also do long trips in my tuned TVR Chimaera and we love the basic and mechanical experience of driving - it doesn't even have power steering so a Defender would be quite on par re. creature comforts;)
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