Jaguar-under £1000
Discussion
Hi,
I have a plan for the summer when I am back for uni. Basically I want a jaguar for less than a grand to run to work and back. The trips wont be too far and I would like a big petrol engine preferably a V8. The best case scenario is to buy a car run it for a few months and sell it on for what I paid. My reasoning for this that I will not have a chance to run a car like this until I qualify from Uni in 4 years time. I have been looking in the "best of bargain basement" thread and I have been trawling through the ads looking for potential cars. So far I am really interested in a jag. I have looked at xj6s and xj8s and they look good! The insurance isnt too bad for the car IMO. So for this money would it/they be reliable? I dont really want to spend too much money on fixing things. Ideally I would like a car with enough MOT to last my ownership(3 months)and tax too.
I have also looked at the s-type. Not so big as the xj but interesting all the same. I like the V8 but the insurance is a little steep.
So, can anybody give me any advice on these cars and what to look out for. I will be seriously looking in may time but would like to get a better understanding of the cars before hand.
Cheers Tom
I have a plan for the summer when I am back for uni. Basically I want a jaguar for less than a grand to run to work and back. The trips wont be too far and I would like a big petrol engine preferably a V8. The best case scenario is to buy a car run it for a few months and sell it on for what I paid. My reasoning for this that I will not have a chance to run a car like this until I qualify from Uni in 4 years time. I have been looking in the "best of bargain basement" thread and I have been trawling through the ads looking for potential cars. So far I am really interested in a jag. I have looked at xj6s and xj8s and they look good! The insurance isnt too bad for the car IMO. So for this money would it/they be reliable? I dont really want to spend too much money on fixing things. Ideally I would like a car with enough MOT to last my ownership(3 months)and tax too.
I have also looked at the s-type. Not so big as the xj but interesting all the same. I like the V8 but the insurance is a little steep.
So, can anybody give me any advice on these cars and what to look out for. I will be seriously looking in may time but would like to get a better understanding of the cars before hand.
Cheers Tom
For that money I would be looking at a 4.0 litre 6-cylinder XJ40 from 1990 onwards. They are the square-looking ones
They were made from 1986 (?) onwards but the early cars had a fair number of problems. The later ones had more Ford input and were better sorted. Look at the dash cluster; you want one where all the dials are conventional gauges. If you see a fancy digital display then it's one of the earlier models and best avoided IMHO.
You should be able to find one with 3 months MOT on it for a grand. But it will be a bit of a gamble. There are a huge number of things that can go wrong. Given that you only want it for 3 months, I would forget about cosmetics (unless the bodywork is physically falling off) and would concentrate on the engine and drivetrain. The 4.0 straight six is generally solid. I would concentrate on the basics: any smoke or leaks from the engine bay, fluid levels before or after a hard drive, any sign of overheating or HGF, belt condition, basic electrics (lights etc.), service/maintenance history. Run the auto transmission through all its gears and check it engages smoothly. If the heater and toys work it's a bonus (they often don't at this price point since they are expensive to put right). Maybe contact your local Jaguar specialist to see if they have a good one.
These cars don't have computerised diagnostics so a good garage will be able to sort most things.
I reckon that with anything later (X300/X308) or earlier (Series 3 XJ) the potential bork factor is too high, since those models are more desirable and so a grand won't get you much. XJ40 is the one to get. They are IMHO fabulous to drive, with a character that is unmistakably 80s British.
Be prepared, in the worst case, for it to be scrapped or Ebayed as spares/repair. If you can stomach the potential loss, then go for it, and welcome to the madhouse
They were made from 1986 (?) onwards but the early cars had a fair number of problems. The later ones had more Ford input and were better sorted. Look at the dash cluster; you want one where all the dials are conventional gauges. If you see a fancy digital display then it's one of the earlier models and best avoided IMHO.
You should be able to find one with 3 months MOT on it for a grand. But it will be a bit of a gamble. There are a huge number of things that can go wrong. Given that you only want it for 3 months, I would forget about cosmetics (unless the bodywork is physically falling off) and would concentrate on the engine and drivetrain. The 4.0 straight six is generally solid. I would concentrate on the basics: any smoke or leaks from the engine bay, fluid levels before or after a hard drive, any sign of overheating or HGF, belt condition, basic electrics (lights etc.), service/maintenance history. Run the auto transmission through all its gears and check it engages smoothly. If the heater and toys work it's a bonus (they often don't at this price point since they are expensive to put right). Maybe contact your local Jaguar specialist to see if they have a good one.
These cars don't have computerised diagnostics so a good garage will be able to sort most things.
I reckon that with anything later (X300/X308) or earlier (Series 3 XJ) the potential bork factor is too high, since those models are more desirable and so a grand won't get you much. XJ40 is the one to get. They are IMHO fabulous to drive, with a character that is unmistakably 80s British.
Be prepared, in the worst case, for it to be scrapped or Ebayed as spares/repair. If you can stomach the potential loss, then go for it, and welcome to the madhouse
AmitG said:
For that money I would be looking at a 4.0 litre 6-cylinder XJ40 from 1990 onwards. They are the square-looking ones
They were made from 1986 (?) onwards but the early cars had a fair number of problems. The later ones had more Ford input and were better sorted. Look at the dash cluster; you want one where all the dials are conventional gauges. If you see a fancy digital display then it's one of the earlier models and best avoided IMHO.
You should be able to find one with 3 months MOT on it for a grand. But it will be a bit of a gamble. There are a huge number of things that can go wrong. Given that you only want it for 3 months, I would forget about cosmetics (unless the bodywork is physically falling off) and would concentrate on the engine and drivetrain. The 4.0 straight six is generally solid. I would concentrate on the basics: any smoke or leaks from the engine bay, fluid levels before or after a hard drive, any sign of overheating or HGF, belt condition, basic electrics (lights etc.), service/maintenance history. Run the auto transmission through all its gears and check it engages smoothly. If the heater and toys work it's a bonus (they often don't at this price point since they are expensive to put right). Maybe contact your local Jaguar specialist to see if they have a good one.
These cars don't have computerised diagnostics so a good garage will be able to sort most things.
I reckon that with anything later (X300/X308) or earlier (Series 3 XJ) the potential bork factor is too high, since those models are more desirable and so a grand won't get you much. XJ40 is the one to get. They are IMHO fabulous to drive, with a character that is unmistakably 80s British.
Be prepared, in the worst case, for it to be scrapped or Ebayed as spares/repair. If you can stomach the potential loss, then go for it, and welcome to the madhouse
Thanks for that! It is a great help and now I know what to look out for! Just out of interest (I know this isnt the age of car you suggested) but, what is this type of xj is thiseg x300/x308 etc and are these potentially too troublesome. They were made from 1986 (?) onwards but the early cars had a fair number of problems. The later ones had more Ford input and were better sorted. Look at the dash cluster; you want one where all the dials are conventional gauges. If you see a fancy digital display then it's one of the earlier models and best avoided IMHO.
You should be able to find one with 3 months MOT on it for a grand. But it will be a bit of a gamble. There are a huge number of things that can go wrong. Given that you only want it for 3 months, I would forget about cosmetics (unless the bodywork is physically falling off) and would concentrate on the engine and drivetrain. The 4.0 straight six is generally solid. I would concentrate on the basics: any smoke or leaks from the engine bay, fluid levels before or after a hard drive, any sign of overheating or HGF, belt condition, basic electrics (lights etc.), service/maintenance history. Run the auto transmission through all its gears and check it engages smoothly. If the heater and toys work it's a bonus (they often don't at this price point since they are expensive to put right). Maybe contact your local Jaguar specialist to see if they have a good one.
These cars don't have computerised diagnostics so a good garage will be able to sort most things.
I reckon that with anything later (X300/X308) or earlier (Series 3 XJ) the potential bork factor is too high, since those models are more desirable and so a grand won't get you much. XJ40 is the one to get. They are IMHO fabulous to drive, with a character that is unmistakably 80s British.
Be prepared, in the worst case, for it to be scrapped or Ebayed as spares/repair. If you can stomach the potential loss, then go for it, and welcome to the madhouse
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
Mr Tom said:
Thanks for that! It is a great help and now I know what to look out for! Just out of interest (I know this isnt the age of car you suggested) but, what is this type of xj is thiseg x300/x308 etc and are these potentially too troublesome.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
That one is an early X308. Briefly:http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
XJ40 (1986 - 1994) - square shape as per above, straight 6 or V12
X300 (1995 - 1997) - rounder shape, same interior as XJ40 and mechanically similar to XJ40, straight 6 or V12
X308 (1997 - 2002) - visually similar to X300, mechnically re-engineered, new interior, V8 only (normally aspirated or supercharged)
The early X308s had Nikasil-related engine problems (to do with the sulphur content of petrol at the time) but there is a view that if the car has survived this long and is still OK then it won't be a problem going forward. It would be worth checking compression and blow-by. There were also issues with timing chain tensioners; the first generation were made of plastic and tended to break up. Some cars were updated with metal tensioners but some may not have been. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable than I will be able to advise on how to do these checks "in the field" without lots of equipment etc.
I think there was also a problem with throttle bodies around that time but I am not sure of the details.
This particular one doesn't look too bad. It claims to have full service history and went through an MOT 3 months ago so surely can't be that bad. The bodywork and interior look pretty good. I would say it is definitely worth looking at but see if you can take along someone who knows a bit about these cars and who can give it a good going over.
Be honest, you're going to buy it anyway aren't you
Can I suggest something like this;
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1996-JAGUAR-XJ-EXECUTIVE...
For what it's worth, you are going to get really bored/skint filling the tank up, and these cars work great on LPG (75p litre).
The late XJ40, and subsequent X300 are well built, and aside from a wheel-arches (!) are relatively rust free, having a lot of galvanised panels.
Engines & gearboxes tend to go on for ever (I sold mine running perfectly at 325,000 miles.
Ebay/EuroJag etc will help you keep it on the road for pennies (relatively speaking).
The 308's once sorted are great, but you need to check the NIkasil, as mentioned earlier, Timing chains & gearboxes (sealed for life, but seem to go pop at just over 100k unless the oil is changed).
The 300's seem more reliable, but rear diffs can get noisy.
I think the 300's are one of the best modern jaguars built (I had a 4.0 LWB Sovereign), and in some respects think it better than my more modern X350.
One last point, when trawling the ad's don't forget to look under the Daimler section too.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1996-JAGUAR-XJ-EXECUTIVE...
For what it's worth, you are going to get really bored/skint filling the tank up, and these cars work great on LPG (75p litre).
The late XJ40, and subsequent X300 are well built, and aside from a wheel-arches (!) are relatively rust free, having a lot of galvanised panels.
Engines & gearboxes tend to go on for ever (I sold mine running perfectly at 325,000 miles.
Ebay/EuroJag etc will help you keep it on the road for pennies (relatively speaking).
The 308's once sorted are great, but you need to check the NIkasil, as mentioned earlier, Timing chains & gearboxes (sealed for life, but seem to go pop at just over 100k unless the oil is changed).
The 300's seem more reliable, but rear diffs can get noisy.
I think the 300's are one of the best modern jaguars built (I had a 4.0 LWB Sovereign), and in some respects think it better than my more modern X350.
One last point, when trawling the ad's don't forget to look under the Daimler section too.
AmitG said:
For that money I would be looking at a 4.0 litre 6-cylinder XJ40 from 1990 onwards. They are the square-looking ones
They were made from 1986 (?) onwards but the early cars had a fair number of problems. The later ones had more Ford input and were better sorted. Look at the dash cluster; you want one where all the dials are conventional gauges. If you see a fancy digital display then it's one of the earlier models and best avoided IMHO.
You should be able to find one with 3 months MOT on it for a grand. But it will be a bit of a gamble. There are a huge number of things that can go wrong. Given that you only want it for 3 months, I would forget about cosmetics (unless the bodywork is physically falling off) and would concentrate on the engine and drivetrain. The 4.0 straight six is generally solid. I would concentrate on the basics: any smoke or leaks from the engine bay, fluid levels before or after a hard drive, any sign of overheating or HGF, belt condition, basic electrics (lights etc.), service/maintenance history. Run the auto transmission through all its gears and check it engages smoothly. If the heater and toys work it's a bonus (they often don't at this price point since they are expensive to put right). Maybe contact your local Jaguar specialist to see if they have a good one.
These cars don't have computerised diagnostics so a good garage will be able to sort most things.
I reckon that with anything later (X300/X308) or earlier (Series 3 XJ) the potential bork factor is too high, since those models are more desirable and so a grand won't get you much. XJ40 is the one to get. They are IMHO fabulous to drive, with a character that is unmistakably 80s British.
Be prepared, in the worst case, for it to be scrapped or Ebayed as spares/repair. If you can stomach the potential loss, then go for it, and welcome to the madhouse
I approve this post.They were made from 1986 (?) onwards but the early cars had a fair number of problems. The later ones had more Ford input and were better sorted. Look at the dash cluster; you want one where all the dials are conventional gauges. If you see a fancy digital display then it's one of the earlier models and best avoided IMHO.
You should be able to find one with 3 months MOT on it for a grand. But it will be a bit of a gamble. There are a huge number of things that can go wrong. Given that you only want it for 3 months, I would forget about cosmetics (unless the bodywork is physically falling off) and would concentrate on the engine and drivetrain. The 4.0 straight six is generally solid. I would concentrate on the basics: any smoke or leaks from the engine bay, fluid levels before or after a hard drive, any sign of overheating or HGF, belt condition, basic electrics (lights etc.), service/maintenance history. Run the auto transmission through all its gears and check it engages smoothly. If the heater and toys work it's a bonus (they often don't at this price point since they are expensive to put right). Maybe contact your local Jaguar specialist to see if they have a good one.
These cars don't have computerised diagnostics so a good garage will be able to sort most things.
I reckon that with anything later (X300/X308) or earlier (Series 3 XJ) the potential bork factor is too high, since those models are more desirable and so a grand won't get you much. XJ40 is the one to get. They are IMHO fabulous to drive, with a character that is unmistakably 80s British.
Be prepared, in the worst case, for it to be scrapped or Ebayed as spares/repair. If you can stomach the potential loss, then go for it, and welcome to the madhouse
I picked up a XJ40 3.2S on a K plate for £500 back in november, taxed till the end of this month & MOT till August. So far I've spent £65 on it, front shock bushes & anti-freeze. Had to solder a bit of the fusebox & t
t the heater with a hammer to free up the flaps to get hot air out. Apart from that everything that needs to work works.Thanks for all the input!LPG would be good for saving on the fuel front. What sort of MPG should I expect to get realistically? Im not overly bothered as I wont be doing many miles but it would be nice to get a ball park figure.
Im getting very excited about this idea!! A friend and I may be planning a trip to spa to watch the Grand prix but that is a way off at the moment but I will have to see how everything goes.. A nice old jag and a LR disco would be a good laugh! At least they are both strong enough to tow each other haha!! Cant wait until May!!!!!
Cheers
Tom
Edit: Excuse my stupidness, but was/is Daimler a subsidiary of Jaguar or a separate company that used the same platform?
Im getting very excited about this idea!! A friend and I may be planning a trip to spa to watch the Grand prix but that is a way off at the moment but I will have to see how everything goes.. A nice old jag and a LR disco would be a good laugh! At least they are both strong enough to tow each other haha!! Cant wait until May!!!!!
Cheers
Tom
Edit: Excuse my stupidness, but was/is Daimler a subsidiary of Jaguar or a separate company that used the same platform?
Edited by Mr Tom on Tuesday 15th January 15:15
Mr Tom said:
Thanks for all the input!LPG would be good for saving on the fuel front. What sort of MPG should I expect to get realistically? Im not overly bothered as I wont be doing many miles but it would be nice to get a ball park figure.
Im getting very excited about this idea!! A friend and I may be planning a trip to spa to watch the Grand prix but that is a way off at the moment but I will have to see how everything goes.. A nice old jag and a LR disco would be a good laugh! At least they are both strong enough to tow each other haha!! Cant wait until May!!!!!
Cheers
Tom
Edit: Excuse my stupidness, but was/is Daimler a subsidiary of Jaguar or a separate company that used the same platform?
Re LPG, expect to get about 20MPG to 25MPG on average (ironically you won't notice much difference with a 3.2 or 4.0 litre, but LPG is much cheaper, I filled up last night for 74.9p a litre.Im getting very excited about this idea!! A friend and I may be planning a trip to spa to watch the Grand prix but that is a way off at the moment but I will have to see how everything goes.. A nice old jag and a LR disco would be a good laugh! At least they are both strong enough to tow each other haha!! Cant wait until May!!!!!
Cheers
Tom
Edit: Excuse my stupidness, but was/is Daimler a subsidiary of Jaguar or a separate company that used the same platform?
Edited by Mr Tom on Tuesday 15th January 15:15
I am sure someone will know the exact date, but basically all modern Daimlers, from the early 70's onwards (ignoring the DS Limo) are an even more luxurious version of the Jaguar, same engine/box/body etc, but with better trim, extra chrome, etc. The Daimler Six is a better appointed version of the XJ6, the Daimler V8, better apointed version of XJ8 etc. Holy grail for me being the Daimler Super V8, the supercharged, long wheel base version of the Xj8.
If you're really not worried about fuel bills ..... all of the body shapes mentioned came with a V12 !
rswift said:
Mr Tom said:
Thanks for all the input!LPG would be good for saving on the fuel front. What sort of MPG should I expect to get realistically? Im not overly bothered as I wont be doing many miles but it would be nice to get a ball park figure.
Im getting very excited about this idea!! A friend and I may be planning a trip to spa to watch the Grand prix but that is a way off at the moment but I will have to see how everything goes.. A nice old jag and a LR disco would be a good laugh! At least they are both strong enough to tow each other haha!! Cant wait until May!!!!!
Cheers
Tom
Edit: Excuse my stupidness, but was/is Daimler a subsidiary of Jaguar or a separate company that used the same platform?
Re LPG, expect to get about 20MPG to 25MPG on average (ironically you won't notice much difference with a 3.2 or 4.0 litre, but LPG is much cheaper, I filled up last night for 74.9p a litre.Im getting very excited about this idea!! A friend and I may be planning a trip to spa to watch the Grand prix but that is a way off at the moment but I will have to see how everything goes.. A nice old jag and a LR disco would be a good laugh! At least they are both strong enough to tow each other haha!! Cant wait until May!!!!!
Cheers
Tom
Edit: Excuse my stupidness, but was/is Daimler a subsidiary of Jaguar or a separate company that used the same platform?
Edited by Mr Tom on Tuesday 15th January 15:15
I am sure someone will know the exact date, but basically all modern Daimlers, from the early 70's onwards (ignoring the DS Limo) are an even more luxurious version of the Jaguar, same engine/box/body etc, but with better trim, extra chrome, etc. The Daimler Six is a better appointed version of the XJ6, the Daimler V8, better apointed version of XJ8 etc. Holy grail for me being the Daimler Super V8, the supercharged, long wheel base version of the Xj8.
If you're really not worried about fuel bills ..... all of the body shapes mentioned came with a V12 !
I'd choose a 6 cyl car on a budget, although the later V8s are much faster and nicer to drive the 6 cyl is far more robust and will tolerate high miles, old age and neglect far better. So long as the OP finds a rust free example it'll do what he needs.
Mr Tom said:
Thanks for all the input!LPG would be good for saving on the fuel front. What sort of MPG should I expect to get realistically? Im not overly bothered as I wont be doing many miles but it would be nice to get a ball park figure.
Mine is doing 19.5mpg on a 15mile commute. Jaguar steve said:
No they don't. The last V12 engined XJ you might find would be a late registered X300. None of the V8 engined cars from 1997 on had a V12 option.
I'd choose a 6 cyl car on a budget, although the later V8s are much faster and nicer to drive the 6 cyl is far more robust and will tolerate high miles, old age and neglect far better. So long as the OP finds a rust free example it'll do what he needs.
I was talking body shapes, i.e. X300/X308 basically the same externally, give or take a bumper moulding ! .... but agree, from experience, that the 6cyl is the way forward.I'd choose a 6 cyl car on a budget, although the later V8s are much faster and nicer to drive the 6 cyl is far more robust and will tolerate high miles, old age and neglect far better. So long as the OP finds a rust free example it'll do what he needs.
For under £1000 I would be looking at buying an X300. The XJ40 is, in my opinion, getting to the stage where it's a gamble running a cheap one as a daily. The later X308 cars (X300 with a V8 engine) would also be a gamble for under a £1k - they had some design faults and I doubt you'd find one with all the faults sorted for less than £1k.
Ok so the general consensus is a 6 cylinder xj40 or xj300 with as little rust as possible and, if possible an lpg conversion. I also need to check the points mentioned in the first reply regarding the engine and try and bring someone along who knows what to look for.
Well if anyone is thinking of selling theirs towards the end of may/start of june which fits the criteria I would like to hear from you
Thanks
Tom
Well if anyone is thinking of selling theirs towards the end of may/start of june which fits the criteria I would like to hear from you
Thanks
Tom
I'm not convinced a late XJ40 would be any more difficult or needy than an X300 - in my experience a decent example of either will be a reliable car - just watch for rust.
The XJ40 is getting a bit rarer these days though, so a decent, cheap X300 may be easier to find.
Of the three, personally I prefer the look and feel of the XJ40 to the X300 - but this is subjective. Either are very robust cars, with rust the main bugbear.
The X308 has a more modern feel - I'm unconvinced the interior was a step foward but the V8 engine is a lovely thing. In your position though I would not consider the X308 - just the XJ40 and x300.
The V8 engine is far more fragile and can suffer terminally expensive problems such as with the timing tensioners - whereas the Jaguar six cylinder one of the strongest of any car. The V8 is also much less user servicable which can lead to higher running costs than six cylinder cars.
Posted before I'd seen your reply!
The XJ40 is getting a bit rarer these days though, so a decent, cheap X300 may be easier to find.
Of the three, personally I prefer the look and feel of the XJ40 to the X300 - but this is subjective. Either are very robust cars, with rust the main bugbear.
The X308 has a more modern feel - I'm unconvinced the interior was a step foward but the V8 engine is a lovely thing. In your position though I would not consider the X308 - just the XJ40 and x300.
The V8 engine is far more fragile and can suffer terminally expensive problems such as with the timing tensioners - whereas the Jaguar six cylinder one of the strongest of any car. The V8 is also much less user servicable which can lead to higher running costs than six cylinder cars.
Posted before I'd seen your reply!
Edited by dbdb on Tuesday 15th January 23:28
Rust round front and rear screens, bottom of wings and rear arches, sills and sill closing panels and jacking points as well as general floorpan.
Peeling lacquer on dark coloured cars. Tatty interiors.
Electricial faults especially imobiliser/key fobs/central locking and digital display on clock.
Unusual wear paterns on tyres, any clonking or knocks from front or rear suspension, diff whine and vibration under braking. Engine oil/coolant leaks.
Otherwise generally tough and carry high miles well. Easy to fix and parts are reasonable. More robust but a lot less refined than the V8 that followed. If you can find a good one you'll have the ultimate Jaguar bargian.
Peeling lacquer on dark coloured cars. Tatty interiors.
Electricial faults especially imobiliser/key fobs/central locking and digital display on clock.
Unusual wear paterns on tyres, any clonking or knocks from front or rear suspension, diff whine and vibration under braking. Engine oil/coolant leaks.
Otherwise generally tough and carry high miles well. Easy to fix and parts are reasonable. More robust but a lot less refined than the V8 that followed. If you can find a good one you'll have the ultimate Jaguar bargian.
The fact that they have chains is a boon, they are easy to DIY service - oil filter, plugs, and air filter all easy to fit. The AJ6 (XJ40) and AJ16 (X300) engines are tough old lumps and soldier on indefintely providing they are maintained reasonably well. Likewise the auto boxes are sturdy too, the engine and box will invariably out last the rest of the car.
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