Should I get a Jaguar XJS? Or suggest something different?
Discussion
I currently have a Honda S2000 tucked up nice and warm in the garage. Unfortunately, it spends all the time in the garage. I commute to work on the train and I no longer get a chance to drive it at weekends since my son arrived (you can't turn the airbag off in a S2000, hence no baby seat). It's only on very rare occasions that I get a chance to go out and really drive it. So I've finally bitten the bullet and accepted it needs to go for something more family friendly.
The main problem I've had is inspiration on what to replace it with. I need four seats with a budget of up to £5k, but also an ingredient that is hard to explain - it needs to have that added something that will make me look at the car and smile then want to take it for a minimum 50 mile drive just for the sake of it, but without giving up comfort.
Now I like classics, but I don't want anything too old for safety reasons. I ended up thinking about lots of different cars, anything from a Williams Clio, Impreza/Evo's to an M3, but these just felt like the obvious answer.
Then I saw a Jaguar XJS. Would I be mad to get something like this or this?
Am I mad? Should I go for it?
Or can anyone inspire me into something completly different?
The main problem I've had is inspiration on what to replace it with. I need four seats with a budget of up to £5k, but also an ingredient that is hard to explain - it needs to have that added something that will make me look at the car and smile then want to take it for a minimum 50 mile drive just for the sake of it, but without giving up comfort.
Now I like classics, but I don't want anything too old for safety reasons. I ended up thinking about lots of different cars, anything from a Williams Clio, Impreza/Evo's to an M3, but these just felt like the obvious answer.
Then I saw a Jaguar XJS. Would I be mad to get something like this or this?
Am I mad? Should I go for it?
Or can anyone inspire me into something completly different?
Those are lovely cars and a bargain to boot. Another car that I am considering which I didn't consider before but I think they offer a lot of value and relaibilty and performance at a reasonable price is the RX8. The Jag is just such a classy, luxurious, elegant car but for me when i can get one for a steal i will consider it due to the amount of work it will need and then just keep it forever. I keep on the look out for good condition bargain xjs's but they are few one day i will find the right one. I would be using the RX8 to replace a daily driver Acura (honda there) coupe. I am doing my research now on the RX8 and while there is a little more maintenance required than your average Japanese car not really and insane amount and they provide a lot of room usability equipment all in an attractive package which is frisky enough when you want it to be. Maybe another possibility.
You should totally go for the V12 one. You know "HE" stands for "High Efficiency", right? Your other suggestion doesn't appear to be offering anything like that. With fuel prices as they are, I really think you should be bearing this in mind.
I bet that tiny 3.6L engine is hilariously underpowered anyway.
I bet that tiny 3.6L engine is hilariously underpowered anyway.
I had a similar dilemma, but eventually my job changed and i got a cooper s clubman.
I had a mk1 mx5, but wanted something for my 2 year old daughter and wife to enjoy. ( still have the mx5, but currently SORN)
However for £5k (which was my budget also at the time), i was looking at
Jag xjs
Jag xk8
Audi tt
Mercedes sl
Merc clk430
Luckily didn't buy, as i would have had to sold the gas guzzler after about two months, which could have been a nightmare.
the on,y car i did look at was the audi tt. It was a squeeze to get my daughter in the back with the child seat, and my wife had to move the seat right forward, which did not look too comfortable. Hence that got removed from the list early on.
Enjoy looking
I had a mk1 mx5, but wanted something for my 2 year old daughter and wife to enjoy. ( still have the mx5, but currently SORN)
However for £5k (which was my budget also at the time), i was looking at
Jag xjs
Jag xk8
Audi tt
Mercedes sl
Merc clk430
Luckily didn't buy, as i would have had to sold the gas guzzler after about two months, which could have been a nightmare.
the on,y car i did look at was the audi tt. It was a squeeze to get my daughter in the back with the child seat, and my wife had to move the seat right forward, which did not look too comfortable. Hence that got removed from the list early on.
Enjoy looking
to3m said:
You should totally go for the V12 one. You know "HE" stands for "High Efficiency", right? Your other suggestion doesn't appear to be offering anything like that. With fuel prices as they are, I really think you should be bearing this in mind.
I bet that tiny 3.6L engine is hilariously underpowered anyway.
H.E still means 18 MPG and the 3.6 is not as underpowered as you might think. The 4.0L later versions are available at that sort of money anyway.I bet that tiny 3.6L engine is hilariously underpowered anyway.
Laughingman21 said:
Now I like classics, but I don't want anything too old for safety reasons. I ended up thinking about lots of different cars, anything from a Williams Clio, Impreza/Evo's to an M3, but these just felt like the obvious answer.
Define 'too old' and 'safety reasons', as the XJS is a 40 year old design with 40 year old safety features.A quick look at both those example ones you linked to shouts rusty arches hidden under the chrome trims to me. I'd look at spending a little more than those as at that price they probably will have some issues unless they're marked down for a quick sale. £4-5k is a safer bet.
lance1a said:
And 5K will get you a facelifted version which is far prettier.
I actually prefer the look of the pre-facelift ones, especially the back of them.Gaz. said:
Laughingman21 said:
Gaz. said:
Where exactly are you going to put the little guy?
Edited by Gaz. on Saturday 6th August 22:18
As for should you, I have had mine since Wedensday and have done 400 miles in her... Fan bleeding tastic is all I can say. Just find a good one, history and provenece is a must and do go for a V12.
lance1a said:
And 5K will get you a facelifted version which is far prettier.
Don't personally agree with the prettier remark. I prefer the original re front grille, boot plinth and badging.Saw a very nice, but not 'garage queen', XJ-S making good progress on the M4 the other day. Nice to see.
I'd have one if my garage was long enough.
k off, if you push it exactly half the time you might get 18mpg out of that 5.3 
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