Head vs heart - Volvo V70 D5 vs Jag XJ
Discussion
So, I've just sold off my Mini Cooper S, and am waiting a couple of months to buy a new motor.
Logic tells me a nice 2nd hand Volvo V70 D5 estate, but I keep getting drawn to these ads for a mid 90's Jag XJ saloon around a grand.. What are your thoughts?
Don't be so bloody stupid. Get the Volvo. Or, yeah, life's too short so get the Jag!
Sensible gas mileage vs horrible mileage.
Could be fun for a year or so..
Logic tells me a nice 2nd hand Volvo V70 D5 estate, but I keep getting drawn to these ads for a mid 90's Jag XJ saloon around a grand.. What are your thoughts?
Don't be so bloody stupid. Get the Volvo. Or, yeah, life's too short so get the Jag!
Sensible gas mileage vs horrible mileage.
Could be fun for a year or so..
Just over 12 months ago I had a somewhat similar conundrum myself, needed a new car (to me) with a budget of 12k.
I came down to a Volvo V60 T4 at 9k with 70k miles or a Mercedes C63 Estate at 12k with 100k miles.
I bought the Volvo and used the spare cash to renovate my garage which was a bit of a state, honestly I wish I bought the Merc everyday though. The Volvo has cost me around £1200 in repairs under my ownership, faults with door locks and suspension issues mainly.
I'd say go with your heart and be happy, at least if I'd have spent a wad of cash repairing the Merc I'd have a car I enjoyed, I have no love for the Volvo whatsoever.
I came down to a Volvo V60 T4 at 9k with 70k miles or a Mercedes C63 Estate at 12k with 100k miles.
I bought the Volvo and used the spare cash to renovate my garage which was a bit of a state, honestly I wish I bought the Merc everyday though. The Volvo has cost me around £1200 in repairs under my ownership, faults with door locks and suspension issues mainly.
I'd say go with your heart and be happy, at least if I'd have spent a wad of cash repairing the Merc I'd have a car I enjoyed, I have no love for the Volvo whatsoever.
'94 to '97 means the last straight six XJ and '97 on gets you the newer V8.
I've had examples of both as long term keepers and much prefer the V8. It's substantially quicker, way more refined and far more engaging to drive and a little easier on fuel too. However V8s can suffer gearbox and timing chain / tensioner failures whilst straight sixes are simpler and more robust. Both cars are heavy on suspension and brake components and both can rust badly.
The aluminium bodied cars from '03 loose some of the old school XJ charm but are a huge leap forward in every respect from both the earlier XJ versions.
Whichever you choose you're still looking at a potential money pit. Essential to find an carefully owned reasonable mileage example and buy solely on condition and history.
I've had examples of both as long term keepers and much prefer the V8. It's substantially quicker, way more refined and far more engaging to drive and a little easier on fuel too. However V8s can suffer gearbox and timing chain / tensioner failures whilst straight sixes are simpler and more robust. Both cars are heavy on suspension and brake components and both can rust badly.
The aluminium bodied cars from '03 loose some of the old school XJ charm but are a huge leap forward in every respect from both the earlier XJ versions.
Whichever you choose you're still looking at a potential money pit. Essential to find an carefully owned reasonable mileage example and buy solely on condition and history.
What's a safe budget to look at throwing down on one?
Obviously look for a one careful lady owner etc etc thing, with as much of a service history as possible.
There are some for a grand on FB from private sellers which look ok, but I'm not so sure.. Autotrader ones look like 1.5k up from both dealers and FB.
My budget is 2k anyway.
Obviously look for a one careful lady owner etc etc thing, with as much of a service history as possible.
There are some for a grand on FB from private sellers which look ok, but I'm not so sure.. Autotrader ones look like 1.5k up from both dealers and FB.
My budget is 2k anyway.
Nick England said:
What's a safe budget to look at throwing down on one?
Obviously look for a one careful lady owner etc etc thing, with as much of a service history as possible.
There are some for a grand on FB from private sellers which look ok, but I'm not so sure.. Autotrader ones look like 1.5k up from both dealers and FB.
My budget is 2k anyway.
£2k will get you a reasonable '94-97 X300 - the straight six one is a better bet at that market level because they're more robust and a little simpler to work on. Rust will be your biggest worry but expect to spend on brakes and suspension too. Head linings can sag and electrics can be an issue but the 300 carries high miles very well so the odd gap in service history shouldn't keep you awake at night.Obviously look for a one careful lady owner etc etc thing, with as much of a service history as possible.
There are some for a grand on FB from private sellers which look ok, but I'm not so sure.. Autotrader ones look like 1.5k up from both dealers and FB.
My budget is 2k anyway.
You might find a rare 5 speed manual but most 300s are 4 speed auto. The 3.2 six is a little under powered IMO. Expect 22-28 MPG.
if you can double your money then that gets you a good private sale V8 - although dynamically it's a much better car all round I'd be very wary about any V8 closet to your budget. You might just get lucky or enter a whole world of pain.
Look in the Jaguar Enthusiasts' Club classified or on carsandclassic. for a carefully owned one.
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