What do you lot think about...
Discussion
...old Jags?
I've been looking for a car for long and short journeys so I can keep the miles down on the Chim.
I started looking at Granadas as I quite fancied one of them 24V Cossie headed jobs but they seem to go for about £1500 so a bit more than I was prepared to spend. Then I looked at Rover Vitesses again a bit more than I had.
Imagine my suprise when I stumbled across a veritable plethora of 10 year old or thereabouts XJ6's! Looking on Auto Trader there are loads under the £1000 mark, most one owner, most with a full service history (somtimes a full Jag service history). Why is it that these once luxury barges are the same money as a weekend away?
What would I be letting myself in for with a 90K+ H plate XJ6? Are they a nightmare to maintain as if I cant find a convincing argument against I think I may buy one.
Now, where did I put the number of that fella who makes trilbys?
Matt.
I've been looking for a car for long and short journeys so I can keep the miles down on the Chim.
I started looking at Granadas as I quite fancied one of them 24V Cossie headed jobs but they seem to go for about £1500 so a bit more than I was prepared to spend. Then I looked at Rover Vitesses again a bit more than I had.
Imagine my suprise when I stumbled across a veritable plethora of 10 year old or thereabouts XJ6's! Looking on Auto Trader there are loads under the £1000 mark, most one owner, most with a full service history (somtimes a full Jag service history). Why is it that these once luxury barges are the same money as a weekend away?
What would I be letting myself in for with a 90K+ H plate XJ6? Are they a nightmare to maintain as if I cant find a convincing argument against I think I may buy one.
Now, where did I put the number of that fella who makes trilbys?
Matt.
Not sure about actual maintenance costs, but my dad used to have a '90 XJ that he loved but was always moaning about. I think most of the problems he had were down to a dealership that really couldn't give a fcuk. Quality of service picked up when he bought a new one, but not enough to prevent him switching to a different dealership 50-odd miles away!
>> Edited by pdv6 on Thursday 10th October 16:24
>> Edited by pdv6 on Thursday 10th October 16:24
My gaffer's got an XJS V12 and it's definitely his P&J.
Unfortunately, he's afraid to run it, in case something breaks and costs him a fortune, or indeed because of the frequency with which he has to fill it up, costing him a fortune.
His has been generally reliable, but costly nonetheless
Unfortunately, he's afraid to run it, in case something breaks and costs him a fortune, or indeed because of the frequency with which he has to fill it up, costing him a fortune.
His has been generally reliable, but costly nonetheless
quote:
Unfortunately, he's afraid to run it, in case something breaks and costs him a fortune,
True – and then it's time to chuck it away. The thing is, a V12 will run quite happily on 11 cylinders, and you'd hardly notice. And the autobox will take any amount of abuse (like slamming it into drive while hammering the throttle) with barely a drop of oil inside.
Not that I'm a closet banger racer, or anything...
what about this one on the autotrader site
1992 FORD GRANADA SCORPIO 1.9i 24v
COSWORTH, 1992, air-con, leather upholstery, radio/cassette, sunroof, good condition . £400.
Tel: (07776) 212969
Distance: 114 miles
Price: £400
or
1991 J Reg Ford Granada 2.9 Scorpio 24v
, Petrol, 1991 J Reg , Blue, Saloon, 129,000 miles , 4 Doors, MOT-06-2003. ABS, Adjustable Steering Column, Air-Conditioning, Alarm, Alloys, Automatic Transmission, Body Coloured Bumpers, Central Door Locking, Centre Rear Seat Belt, Clock, Computer, Cruise Control, Deadlocks, Driver Seat Package, Electric Adjustable Mirror, Electric Seats, Electric Slide/Tilt Steel Sunroof, Electric Windows, Headlamp Wash, Heated Front Screen, Heated Rear Screen, Heated Seat, Immobilizer, In Car Entertainment, Paint Metallic, Power-Assisted Steering, Reclining Seats, Rev Counter, Tax, Tinted Glass, Velour Upholstery, Warranty.Cosworth Performance with Luxury At Only £1,195 Inc VAT.
Swindon Trade Centre
Tel: 01793719217
Distance: 68 miles
Price: £1,195
1992 FORD GRANADA SCORPIO 1.9i 24v
COSWORTH, 1992, air-con, leather upholstery, radio/cassette, sunroof, good condition . £400.
Tel: (07776) 212969
Distance: 114 miles
Price: £400
or
1991 J Reg Ford Granada 2.9 Scorpio 24v
, Petrol, 1991 J Reg , Blue, Saloon, 129,000 miles , 4 Doors, MOT-06-2003. ABS, Adjustable Steering Column, Air-Conditioning, Alarm, Alloys, Automatic Transmission, Body Coloured Bumpers, Central Door Locking, Centre Rear Seat Belt, Clock, Computer, Cruise Control, Deadlocks, Driver Seat Package, Electric Adjustable Mirror, Electric Seats, Electric Slide/Tilt Steel Sunroof, Electric Windows, Headlamp Wash, Heated Front Screen, Heated Rear Screen, Heated Seat, Immobilizer, In Car Entertainment, Paint Metallic, Power-Assisted Steering, Reclining Seats, Rev Counter, Tax, Tinted Glass, Velour Upholstery, Warranty.Cosworth Performance with Luxury At Only £1,195 Inc VAT.
Swindon Trade Centre
Tel: 01793719217
Distance: 68 miles
Price: £1,195
Hail Matt,
Although I realize it's not like you're looking at an S-Type R or anything, trust me when I say that these things are (generally) a money pit.
They're cheap precisely because they're crap; my experience with a 1988 XJS-HE (5.3 auto) and then an early 90s 4.0 Sovereign gave me a bit of a complex about Jags (though I'm sure this is quite unfair on the modern stuff).
Ironically, they were 100% reliable ito starting, lights working and other 'basics.' But they rust like a Gamma, drive like pigs without legs (unless you stay at under 40mph in which case you might just fall for that awesome ride quality myth) and drink like Ollie Reed on a mission, God bless 'im.
My XJS was slightly more dire than the saloon that followed (I thought the XJ40s might've improved things) and I recall umpteen what you might call 'plumbing' jobs; radiator, steering pumps, worn this and that - it really was sh1t - a 1.1L Fiesta of some years' seniority would've represented a masterclass in build quality for Jag at that time.
So don't be tempted! If you want a banger get an Audi, possibly a Bimmer or even a Merc. Although on second thoughts, forget this last one; it'll probably have chromed arches and the master will have to confine you to the dorm and force you to recite Chaucer's bawdy farces and learn the terror of a hot poker and ignoble thrustings for displaying such unforgiveable bad taste.
Curry time! (The heretic northern peasant that I am; chicken tikka, the tedious inevitability of masala goo, rice of the pillow and redemption perhaps c/o at least ten generously diametred doms du pop. All washed down with lashings of embarassingly cheap ale. Vile.)
Although I realize it's not like you're looking at an S-Type R or anything, trust me when I say that these things are (generally) a money pit.
They're cheap precisely because they're crap; my experience with a 1988 XJS-HE (5.3 auto) and then an early 90s 4.0 Sovereign gave me a bit of a complex about Jags (though I'm sure this is quite unfair on the modern stuff).
Ironically, they were 100% reliable ito starting, lights working and other 'basics.' But they rust like a Gamma, drive like pigs without legs (unless you stay at under 40mph in which case you might just fall for that awesome ride quality myth) and drink like Ollie Reed on a mission, God bless 'im.
My XJS was slightly more dire than the saloon that followed (I thought the XJ40s might've improved things) and I recall umpteen what you might call 'plumbing' jobs; radiator, steering pumps, worn this and that - it really was sh1t - a 1.1L Fiesta of some years' seniority would've represented a masterclass in build quality for Jag at that time.
So don't be tempted! If you want a banger get an Audi, possibly a Bimmer or even a Merc. Although on second thoughts, forget this last one; it'll probably have chromed arches and the master will have to confine you to the dorm and force you to recite Chaucer's bawdy farces and learn the terror of a hot poker and ignoble thrustings for displaying such unforgiveable bad taste.
Curry time! (The heretic northern peasant that I am; chicken tikka, the tedious inevitability of masala goo, rice of the pillow and redemption perhaps c/o at least ten generously diametred doms du pop. All washed down with lashings of embarassingly cheap ale. Vile.)
quote:
1991 J Reg Ford Granada 2.9 Scorpio 24v
, Petrol, 1991 J Reg , Blue, Saloon, 129,000 miles , 4 Doors, MOT-06-2003. ABS, Adjustable Steering Column, Air-Conditioning, Alarm, Alloys, Automatic Transmission, Body Coloured Bumpers, Central Door Locking, Centre Rear Seat Belt, Clock, Computer, Cruise Control, Deadlocks, Driver Seat Package, Electric Adjustable Mirror, Electric Seats, Electric Slide/Tilt Steel Sunroof, Electric Windows, Headlamp Wash, Heated Front Screen, Heated Rear Screen, Heated Seat, Immobilizer, In Car Entertainment, Paint Metallic, Power-Assisted Steering, Reclining Seats, Rev Counter, Tax, Tinted Glass, Velour Upholstery, Warranty.Cosworth Performance with Luxury At Only £1,195 Inc VAT.
Swindon Trade Centre
Perhaps you could test drive it at BTaP Matt?
I had the hots for a Jag after spending a day in 1972, listening to my American boss order an XJ6, to be delivered to Cleveland Airport, for him to pick up when his contract in the UK ended. He was having all the extras, including white wall tires (sic)!
Many years later, I was doing a lot of miles every week and wanted something that would do it comfortably, cost not a lot, and not loose much when I sold it. I found an '86 4.2 XJ6 in the local rag for £1800. It ran OK, no rust but could have done with the paint brightening. Anyway, I bought it. No history, but it sounded OK. Within a week a rad hose went, then another hose went. I decided to have the lot changed....£500 bill! Then the little things started. Every week there was another bill. I couldn't sell it in the rag, even an auction wouldn't get a taker. In the end I got a grand for it after 3 moths of ownership. Lovely car to drive, but I learn my lesson...
Many years later, I was doing a lot of miles every week and wanted something that would do it comfortably, cost not a lot, and not loose much when I sold it. I found an '86 4.2 XJ6 in the local rag for £1800. It ran OK, no rust but could have done with the paint brightening. Anyway, I bought it. No history, but it sounded OK. Within a week a rad hose went, then another hose went. I decided to have the lot changed....£500 bill! Then the little things started. Every week there was another bill. I couldn't sell it in the rag, even an auction wouldn't get a taker. In the end I got a grand for it after 3 moths of ownership. Lovely car to drive, but I learn my lesson...
Don't forget there are some amazing examples of Jags out there, as well as the unloved tatty examples. My old man has a G reg XJS that he's owned since nearly new. It is absolutely immaculate inside and out. The BRG paintwork is perfect, as is the cream leather interior. He's never had a single mechanical problem in 90k of driving either. He'll be selling it next year to make room for a nother new Jag but is gutted over it's value. This perfect car that cost 55k is only worth a few grand hese days! Unreal value, absolutely absurd!
Gassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff