Most cost-effective barge? XJ/A8/7series/Phaeton?
Discussion
Evening all,
Looking at getting myself a barge to replace my focus, having perhaps been influenced by a certain thread on here...
I understand that running costs are going to be higher than a diesel focus but which is least likely to break the bank? I'm considering things like; potential catastrophic failure, parts availability & cost as well as routine running costs.
So for £5k - £7.5k is it..
1. Jag XJ
2. Audi A8
3. 7-series
4. VW Phaeton
Cheers!
Looking at getting myself a barge to replace my focus, having perhaps been influenced by a certain thread on here...
I understand that running costs are going to be higher than a diesel focus but which is least likely to break the bank? I'm considering things like; potential catastrophic failure, parts availability & cost as well as routine running costs.
So for £5k - £7.5k is it..
1. Jag XJ
2. Audi A8
3. 7-series
4. VW Phaeton
Cheers!
The A8 gearbox will break
my crystal ball is out of order for the rest... I ran a 728I for 80K miles and 4 years with minimal spend... then a head gasket went, but I was able to fix it myself, so it survived. Bought for £2000, sold 4 years later for £1850, best car I have ever had, a real sense of occasion when I drove it...
go for it, I am interested in what other guys have to say... none will be cheap though unless you are good with the spanners!
my crystal ball is out of order for the rest... I ran a 728I for 80K miles and 4 years with minimal spend... then a head gasket went, but I was able to fix it myself, so it survived. Bought for £2000, sold 4 years later for £1850, best car I have ever had, a real sense of occasion when I drove it...
go for it, I am interested in what other guys have to say... none will be cheap though unless you are good with the spanners!
I ran an XJ6 4.2 for about a year and a half before the head gasket blew, The garage couldnt seperate the head from the block so it was sold.
I ran a 735i for around the same amount of time and it was flawless. Loved both of them. Barges, so much car and luxury for so little cash.
Fancy another jag though, one which looks like this would be nice:
I ran a 735i for around the same amount of time and it was flawless. Loved both of them. Barges, so much car and luxury for so little cash.
Fancy another jag though, one which looks like this would be nice:
Cheers guys,
The XJ6 has always appealed, a mondeo 3.0 V6 I believe in a comparatively light body... very cheap too. Reckon that's a much safer bet than a 730d for example?
And the sense of occasion is exactly what I'm after, don't do big miles anymore and would like something to enjoy at the weekends.
Plus the novelty factor of owning such a thing at 26... and I do have a good mechanic friend with all the gear which always helps (although my own skills are limited to oil & filter changes!)
The XJ6 has always appealed, a mondeo 3.0 V6 I believe in a comparatively light body... very cheap too. Reckon that's a much safer bet than a 730d for example?
And the sense of occasion is exactly what I'm after, don't do big miles anymore and would like something to enjoy at the weekends.
Plus the novelty factor of owning such a thing at 26... and I do have a good mechanic friend with all the gear which always helps (although my own skills are limited to oil & filter changes!)
This is where my money would go;
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
A 400bhp Super V8. Love the name
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
A 400bhp Super V8. Love the name
Edited by V88Dicky on Monday 3rd November 19:00
buzzer said:
The A8 gearbox will break
my crystal ball is out of order for the rest... I ran a 728I for 80K miles and 4 years with minimal spend... then a head gasket went, but I was able to fix it myself, so it survived. Bought for £2000, sold 4 years later for £1850, best car I have ever had, a real sense of occasion when I drove it...
go for it, I am interested in what other guys have to say... none will be cheap though unless you are good with the spanners!
D2 variant of the A8 with the 5 speed box yes. my crystal ball is out of order for the rest... I ran a 728I for 80K miles and 4 years with minimal spend... then a head gasket went, but I was able to fix it myself, so it survived. Bought for £2000, sold 4 years later for £1850, best car I have ever had, a real sense of occasion when I drove it...
go for it, I am interested in what other guys have to say... none will be cheap though unless you are good with the spanners!
Newer (03/04 on) D3 variant with the 6 speed box is very reliable with nothing uniquely troublesome with them for this class of car (eg they all have air suspension so complication can arise with leaks etc when they get older) 4.2 TDI is a rocket ship, although 3.0 tdi with a chip tube I understand is also a decent performer.
In a similar position and frame of mind as the OP myself so will watch this thread with interest.
Have already scratched the A8 off my mental list as although the car itself and associated toys are appealing, the horror stories (particularly gearbox related) are too numerous to ignore and the £'s involved to rectify are frankly horrific.
superhans88 said:
Cheers guys,
The XJ6 has always appealed, a mondeo 3.0 V6 I believe in a comparatively light body... very cheap too. Reckon that's a much safer bet than a 730d for example?
And the sense of occasion is exactly what I'm after, don't do big miles anymore and would like something to enjoy at the weekends.
Plus the novelty factor of owning such a thing at 26... and I do have a good mechanic friend with all the gear which always helps (although my own skills are limited to oil & filter changes!)
I think if you're looking for a sense of occasion, the XJ is definitely the right choice. I've had mine quite a while now and it still feels special, although not as up to date as a 7 series. The 3.0 V6 is more than adequate, although I'm hankering after the 4.2 supercharged XJR , as the V6 lacks the real shove that you get with a properly quick car. The XJ6 has always appealed, a mondeo 3.0 V6 I believe in a comparatively light body... very cheap too. Reckon that's a much safer bet than a 730d for example?
And the sense of occasion is exactly what I'm after, don't do big miles anymore and would like something to enjoy at the weekends.
Plus the novelty factor of owning such a thing at 26... and I do have a good mechanic friend with all the gear which always helps (although my own skills are limited to oil & filter changes!)
A lot of the jobs on these are relatively complex, but if you've got a mechanic friend you should be able to sort out the vast majority of issues without going to the main dealer and parting with vast sums of cash.
Slight correction: Certain S8 gearboxes MAY break.
The majority don't though. The S8s have different ratios to the A8. Another factor is that the later 8s had a Sport setting on the box too. Whether this contributed to the wear and tear I don't know; it may have encouraged more vigorous driving which may be a factor.
Essentially Audi said the box is sealed for life, something which I believe they now say isn't the case at all. A flush, fluid, filter and seal change on a still healthy box is a good idea in order to stave off gremlins.
I own an D2 S8 and it's a very capable car. Personally, I like the anonymity and solid, understated (did someone say dull and sensible?) looks that don't shout FAST CAR. However I also like that when required it is a very fast car. It's a little disconnected to drive, it doesn't fire up any passion, it's thirsty, the newest ones are now 12 years old and the cherished ones are becoming scarcer. On the plus side it is amazingly comfortable, you can fill it with adults and luggage and still have room to spare and it does get the occasional 'That's a cool car' from those that know what they are. To anyone else it's a large, nondescript old Audi.
If I had to choose one of your suggested cars to drive to the south of France with family and luggage, I'd choose an A/S8. For a rewarding experience in terms of excitement of ownership, any of the others. Maybe not the Phaeton though - I'd lump that in the same safe-but-dull category as the A8.
The majority don't though. The S8s have different ratios to the A8. Another factor is that the later 8s had a Sport setting on the box too. Whether this contributed to the wear and tear I don't know; it may have encouraged more vigorous driving which may be a factor.
Essentially Audi said the box is sealed for life, something which I believe they now say isn't the case at all. A flush, fluid, filter and seal change on a still healthy box is a good idea in order to stave off gremlins.
I own an D2 S8 and it's a very capable car. Personally, I like the anonymity and solid, understated (did someone say dull and sensible?) looks that don't shout FAST CAR. However I also like that when required it is a very fast car. It's a little disconnected to drive, it doesn't fire up any passion, it's thirsty, the newest ones are now 12 years old and the cherished ones are becoming scarcer. On the plus side it is amazingly comfortable, you can fill it with adults and luggage and still have room to spare and it does get the occasional 'That's a cool car' from those that know what they are. To anyone else it's a large, nondescript old Audi.
If I had to choose one of your suggested cars to drive to the south of France with family and luggage, I'd choose an A/S8. For a rewarding experience in terms of excitement of ownership, any of the others. Maybe not the Phaeton though - I'd lump that in the same safe-but-dull category as the A8.
I had an S8 in the "ronin" D2 guise and it was an occasion every time I drove it. Exudes quality but even though I had the gearbox oil changed and preventative maintenance still didn't stop two cat failures, I was always terrified something would really break. 17 mpg daily driver really hurt though so I got rid. The D3 in diesel would be the more sensible alternative.
Now I have an LS430 which is an older man's car really. Supremely quiet and refined. Barge like on the road in comparison to the S8. Mpg averaging 21 or 25 on a gentle motorway run. Air suspension very comfortable and absolutely stacked with extras eg radar cruise, fridge, reversing camera. Two parking sensors have failed but other than that she has been perfectly reliable. Driver's seat base could be more comfortable though.
A neighbour has the XJR and recently changed the exhausts. My oh my does she sound the biz. I love the exterior but that interior is just too old. The gear stick is awful compared to the audi. Even the exaggerated rose wood in the lexus is better than that! But the performance. The portfolio edition with chrome side vents in black might tempt me though....
If something serious on the Phaeton breaks, it's mortgage territory.
The merc s320 cdi has to be worth a shout in that budget or maybe a CLS for the younger driver?
Failing all that, my other itch to scratch was the e39 BMW Alpina B10 preferably in V8 form. So special.
Now I have an LS430 which is an older man's car really. Supremely quiet and refined. Barge like on the road in comparison to the S8. Mpg averaging 21 or 25 on a gentle motorway run. Air suspension very comfortable and absolutely stacked with extras eg radar cruise, fridge, reversing camera. Two parking sensors have failed but other than that she has been perfectly reliable. Driver's seat base could be more comfortable though.
A neighbour has the XJR and recently changed the exhausts. My oh my does she sound the biz. I love the exterior but that interior is just too old. The gear stick is awful compared to the audi. Even the exaggerated rose wood in the lexus is better than that! But the performance. The portfolio edition with chrome side vents in black might tempt me though....
If something serious on the Phaeton breaks, it's mortgage territory.
The merc s320 cdi has to be worth a shout in that budget or maybe a CLS for the younger driver?
Failing all that, my other itch to scratch was the e39 BMW Alpina B10 preferably in V8 form. So special.
superhans88 said:
How about a fifth way... a wild card if you like
Lexus GS450h?
Genuinely interested in opinions on these
On the upside:Lexus GS450h?
Genuinely interested in opinions on these
- They never break, ever
- Lexus dealers are great, and are happy to look after even old/cheap cars (should you wish to keep main dealer history)
- Very good acceleration and throttle response
- Good fuel economy
- Superb build quality
- Fully loaded as standard
- Looks are divisive (you would be going for the previous model not the current one)
- Boot space is small
- Rear seats don't fold down
- Hybrid drivetrain takes getting used to
AmitG said:
On the upside:
Not sure you'd get the 450 GS for the OP's budget but couldn't agree more about the brand. Lexus truly make ownership a pleasure.- They never break, ever
- Lexus dealers are great, and are happy to look after even old/cheap cars (should you wish to keep main dealer history)
- Very good acceleration and throttle response
- Good fuel economy
- Superb build quality
- Fully loaded as standard
- Looks are divisive (you would be going for the previous model not the current one)
- Boot space is small
- Rear seats don't fold down
- Hybrid drivetrain takes getting used to
Your budget would allow you to consider plenty of D3 A8s, taking you away from potential D2 gearbox woes. Possibly not a D3 S8 but even less performance-focussed models still shift.
If you'd prefer to waft rather than race...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...
If you'd prefer to waft rather than race...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...
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