Best place to look at sub-£10k Jags - South East

[Saxon]

Hi fellas I'm thinking of changing my VW Passat for an XJ8 and am keen to have a look at a few sub-£10k Jags. I'm struggling to find anywhere in Surrey/Sussex/Hampshire that offers a reasonable selection of ideally £5k-£10k Jags - can anyone advise - it's Sunday and I want to go and see what my budget would buy and of course the franchised dealers are above my price range.

I'd also welcome thoughts on my current dilemma. I have a TVR Griff 4.0 litre pre-cat which I completely love and a Passat Diesel as a daily hack. Since my 2 year old arrived the Griff just isn't getting used enough and our Sunday pub rides are tending to happen in the wife's Discovery. Though I never planned to sell it I'm starting to toy with the idea of parting with the Griff and the Passat and switching to an XK8 - preferably a convertible. QUestions:

Is there suffiicient room for a 2 year old in a childseat in either the hard or soft top XK8?
How long do you think until she becomes too big for the rear seats (I'm 6ft 1!)
Am I likely to miss the hardcore driving experience of the Griff - just how much of a drivers car is the XK8?

I'd be interested in views especially on best places to look at either my sub £20k XK8 or sub £10k XJ8 options - I'm currently favouring offloading the Passat and an old Daihatsu 4x4 we have as part ex on £6-7k ish XJ8. This would enable me to keep the Griff for the time being but all options are on the table.

Many thanks - incidentally I've loved Jags all my life and my dream garage was TVR Griff, Jag XJ, Land Rover Discovery - so I'm just one move away from making a lifetime dream a reality - all advice greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Saxon

[groomi]

Keep the Griff and get an XJ8. Largest indy that I can think of is Arun Jaguar in Arundel. Whatever you do, don't go near the 'specialists' in Sunningdale.

If you do have to get rid of the Griff, then you need an XJR my friend.

[P700DEE]

Very few places will have more than a single XK/XJ other than the likes of Arun. The XK8 is not hard core but try an R different but more the choice for EX TVR owners. Rear seats are small but only you can decide after finding the right driving position. If XJ, again try an XJR too.
Regards Richard

[skodaku]

Have a look here. I know it's north of the metropolopse but looks like a good guy. Had a good write-up in one of the mags a while ago. Think you need to make an appointment, not just turn up.

www.wyn-thomas.co.uk/

[Saxon]

Thanks guys for the advice. Having visited Arun and taken a good look at some XK8's I have come to the conclusion that they won't really work with a child seat so my prferred option is to keep the Griff and go for an XJ8. I'm ideally looking to spend about £6k which on a private sale might net me a 98 or 99 car with 50-75k miles. There seem to e several 4 litres and 3.2's to choose from and I'd welcome thoughts on which to go for.

Is there much in it in performance or reliaility terms?
Are there any significant weaknesses of either one apart from the Nikasil issue?

Grateful for your input.

Thanks,

Saxon