Jaguar XJ8, why so cheap?
Discussion
Done some man maths and decided it actually makes financial sense for me to drive a car with a stupidly sized engine.
There's a few of these about, for under 2k and I am more tempted than I should be. I know they wont be quick but just to own something so absurd would make me happy.
WHy are they so cheap? Likely to bang in epic fashion? or just because no one can afford to run the things?
There's a few of these about, for under 2k and I am more tempted than I should be. I know they wont be quick but just to own something so absurd would make me happy.
WHy are they so cheap? Likely to bang in epic fashion? or just because no one can afford to run the things?
my father had a 1997 XJ Sport for 4 years from about 2005 - 2009
never missed a beat, think he bought a new battery and that was it
MPG was low 20's which explains why they are dirt cheap
he paid just over £2k for it from a mate who bought it in 2002 for £16k
and when he sold it he got over £2k for it
i've seen a few go for £500 with 100k miles and FSH
never missed a beat, think he bought a new battery and that was it
MPG was low 20's which explains why they are dirt cheap
he paid just over £2k for it from a mate who bought it in 2002 for £16k
and when he sold it he got over £2k for it
i've seen a few go for £500 with 100k miles and FSH
XJ8s are good. Used to have Nikasil problems but they would have been solved by now.
Reliable, owners love them. They are small inside for the size of car though, typical jag.
If you aren't doing big miles they can definitely make sense. They are very cheap now as everyone wants 60mpg diesel hatches.
Reliable, owners love them. They are small inside for the size of car though, typical jag.
If you aren't doing big miles they can definitely make sense. They are very cheap now as everyone wants 60mpg diesel hatches.
My man maths went along similar lines, I was trudging about in a HDi on it's last legs with a 5 mile a day commute. I thought that petrols probably not going to get cheaper, and I've never owned a V8, so went shopping and came back with a very well looked after S Type. Still needed a few things doing to it, and it's the runt of the family (early 4.0) but it's been a great laugh. Surprisingly economical, I went to Glasgow and back in it yesterday, round trip of about 350 miles and it averaged at 32 to the gallon
Also, it was p!ss cheap to insure, but not to tax.
Also, it was p!ss cheap to insure, but not to tax.
High fuel consumption (but no worse than a big diesel 4X4) and lots about makes them cheap.
A very satisfying car to drive and pretty reliable. My dad's had 99 model since about 2000 without major issues.
Make sure it's got cruise control and that it works. I reckon this makes about 5 to 10% difference to mpg.
I average about 25mpg when I use it but can get close to 30 on a long run. My brother used it to commute from Abbingdon to Harrow and could just crack 30. These are averages by briming the tank and zeroing the counter - the trip computer is a little modes. Neither of us broke an speed limits to achieve these averages but in a Jag (especially one I've borrowed from my father) I don't feel the need to...
A very satisfying car to drive and pretty reliable. My dad's had 99 model since about 2000 without major issues.
Make sure it's got cruise control and that it works. I reckon this makes about 5 to 10% difference to mpg.
I average about 25mpg when I use it but can get close to 30 on a long run. My brother used it to commute from Abbingdon to Harrow and could just crack 30. These are averages by briming the tank and zeroing the counter - the trip computer is a little modes. Neither of us broke an speed limits to achieve these averages but in a Jag (especially one I've borrowed from my father) I don't feel the need to...
Mine's a 4.2X308s (pre 2003) cheap as chips due to rust and big fuel bills. X350 (2003 on) are also very cheap but dont suffer rust as they are all aluminium. Servicing isnt too bad apart from when you need to change all 8 spark plugs. No cam belt to worry about either.
Some things are expensive e.g. my XJR just had 2 new rear tyres cost £516. That would buy 6 tyres on my wifes golf.
Best place to ask around http://www.jaguarforum.co.uk/
Some things are expensive e.g. my XJR just had 2 new rear tyres cost £516. That would buy 6 tyres on my wifes golf.
Best place to ask around http://www.jaguarforum.co.uk/
thethedev said:
WHy are they so cheap? Likely to bang in epic fashion? or just because no one can afford to run the things?
All of the above, plus they are old cars these days and the image is not for everyone. I like them myself, but Jags come with quite a bit of image baggage, and plenty of people would rather have a Merc or a 7-series from that era.V8RX7 said:
V8s have problems other than the nikasil.
Also heaters are overly complicated and can expensive to fix etc
Basically why would you buy one instead of an equally cheap likely to be more reliable Merc, BMW, Lexus
The issues they do have are similar to the others at the same price. Mercs and BMW's have numerous tricky issues (fuel tank on an E38, W220's have too many electrical gizmos) that are even more expensive to fix. Also heaters are overly complicated and can expensive to fix etc
Basically why would you buy one instead of an equally cheap likely to be more reliable Merc, BMW, Lexus
ETA: Missed one! The LS has few issues that are show-stoppers, but parts are hilariously expensive by comparison.
Edited by Krikkit on Monday 14th October 09:56
The Crack Fox said:
as for the image, they scream 'old school cool'
Jags mean different things to different people. I started a thread on this topic a couple of months back.I'm with you on the old-school cool thing, but a lot of people still associate Jags with Arfur Daley, or dodgy East End geezers (even though Minder hasn't been on the telly for a long time and the dodgy geezers are all driving X5s these days)
thethedev said:
Done some man maths and decided it actually makes financial sense for me to drive a car with a stupidly sized engine.
There's a few of these about, for under 2k and I am more tempted than I should be. I know they wont be quick but just to own something so absurd would make me happy.
WHy are they so cheap? Likely to bang in epic fashion? or just because no one can afford to run the things?
A 4.0 V8 isn't slow tbh.There's a few of these about, for under 2k and I am more tempted than I should be. I know they wont be quick but just to own something so absurd would make me happy.
WHy are they so cheap? Likely to bang in epic fashion? or just because no one can afford to run the things?
And they are that cheap because they are the kind of car that depreciates heavily.
Nothing wrong with this at all and no more risky than buying a V6 Mondeo.
If you care to do some research you'll see all big Jags, some the 4.2 Series III, XJ40, and 6 cylinder X300's have all done the same. And many people have enjoyed owning these at this price point and without drama.
Just have your head screwed on when buying. And buy on condition. I think rust can be an issue and just make sure the engine/gearbox are sweet and the electrics work.
BTW - take a look at Lexus LS, BMW 7 Series and big Merc prices. You'll find it's quite a similar story with value.
The thing with these old beasts is that they do cost a lot of money to put right if you buy a bad one. Rust, sills, rubber, suspension parts etc can mean that you'll spend a fortune putting a bad one right.
The key is to spend a bit of time finding the right car. I'd personally look for one of the 4.0l cars in either 6 or 8 cylinder form and focus on finding one in tip top shape, you'll struggle to spend too much more than £3000 and that should have bags of life left in it.
The key is to spend a bit of time finding the right car. I'd personally look for one of the 4.0l cars in either 6 or 8 cylinder form and focus on finding one in tip top shape, you'll struggle to spend too much more than £3000 and that should have bags of life left in it.
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