Do I want my late Grandad's Jag?
Discussion
A hypothetical question for you all. Or, what would you do in this situation? I've posted this in 'General' as the make of the car is only part of the dilemma...
My Grandad passed at the end of 2021, and amongst the various complexities of his estate (he was not a forward planner, as it turns out) is his car, sat in the garage of a house that will at some point be sold.
As this is PH I'll start with the car. Forgive the crap pics, it only just fits in the garage
It's a 1998 (S) Jaguar XJ8 Sovereign LWB, I think with the 4.0 V8 (maybe 4.2? not sure, I'm not a Jag man). C.55k miles, owned by him since new and, I'm pretty sure, serviced and MOTed by the supplying Jaguar dealer every year since. The MOT history is totally clean, apart from a mention of rusty sills (gulp) last year, and the tyres are old and cracking. Originally he drove it every day from his house to his office, where it was garaged at either end and kept outwardly immaculate - but it was driven in all weathers. Latterly the mileage dropped as his health deteriorated, so it's covered only a couple of thousand miles in the last 3-4 years. It's been a while since it had a decent motorway run.
Now it would seem like I'm the only person in the family who has the space and vague interest to take it on, and I find myself rather in two minds.
On the one hand, I don't need it. I have a V8 saloon which I adore (E39 M5). I have a comfy luxurious automatic which also ticks more boxes as it can tow a big trailer (Landcruiser). I got on well with my grandad but he wasn't a "sit on my knee while I read you a story" type, so I'm not enormously attached to it from an emotional perspective - although I do have a few fond memories of it as a child. It will need a certain amount of recommissioning. I know literally nothing about Jags of this era. I have space for it in the garage, but having an extra car will prove awkward at times when I need to shuffle stuff around. It'll need taxing, insuring, servicing etc. It's not worth all that much, and likely will never be. Whilst no-one else in the family can take it on, I'll still feel guilty if I sell it in future, despite putting money into recommissioning it.
On the other hand, it's a (possibly) free or very cheap Jag that's been in my family from day 1. I can stick it on a classic policy, tax it for 6 months of the year and use it as a 'high days and holidays' car - I have three young kids who will I'm sure love it. I feel weirdly attached to it for reasons I can't really explain. Family holidays in Europe are very tempting in the Jaaaaaaaaag. I get to own a Jaaaaaaaaag. If I let it go, the opportunity's gone forever. It might be worth a bit in future given the history and low mileage. I find myself unable to dismiss it.
Hmm. Typing that hasn't helped much.
What do you guys think? Inspire me, or talk some sense into me
My Grandad passed at the end of 2021, and amongst the various complexities of his estate (he was not a forward planner, as it turns out) is his car, sat in the garage of a house that will at some point be sold.
As this is PH I'll start with the car. Forgive the crap pics, it only just fits in the garage
It's a 1998 (S) Jaguar XJ8 Sovereign LWB, I think with the 4.0 V8 (maybe 4.2? not sure, I'm not a Jag man). C.55k miles, owned by him since new and, I'm pretty sure, serviced and MOTed by the supplying Jaguar dealer every year since. The MOT history is totally clean, apart from a mention of rusty sills (gulp) last year, and the tyres are old and cracking. Originally he drove it every day from his house to his office, where it was garaged at either end and kept outwardly immaculate - but it was driven in all weathers. Latterly the mileage dropped as his health deteriorated, so it's covered only a couple of thousand miles in the last 3-4 years. It's been a while since it had a decent motorway run.
Now it would seem like I'm the only person in the family who has the space and vague interest to take it on, and I find myself rather in two minds.
On the one hand, I don't need it. I have a V8 saloon which I adore (E39 M5). I have a comfy luxurious automatic which also ticks more boxes as it can tow a big trailer (Landcruiser). I got on well with my grandad but he wasn't a "sit on my knee while I read you a story" type, so I'm not enormously attached to it from an emotional perspective - although I do have a few fond memories of it as a child. It will need a certain amount of recommissioning. I know literally nothing about Jags of this era. I have space for it in the garage, but having an extra car will prove awkward at times when I need to shuffle stuff around. It'll need taxing, insuring, servicing etc. It's not worth all that much, and likely will never be. Whilst no-one else in the family can take it on, I'll still feel guilty if I sell it in future, despite putting money into recommissioning it.
On the other hand, it's a (possibly) free or very cheap Jag that's been in my family from day 1. I can stick it on a classic policy, tax it for 6 months of the year and use it as a 'high days and holidays' car - I have three young kids who will I'm sure love it. I feel weirdly attached to it for reasons I can't really explain. Family holidays in Europe are very tempting in the Jaaaaaaaaag. I get to own a Jaaaaaaaaag. If I let it go, the opportunity's gone forever. It might be worth a bit in future given the history and low mileage. I find myself unable to dismiss it.
Hmm. Typing that hasn't helped much.
What do you guys think? Inspire me, or talk some sense into me
king need it! 🥰Weirdly attached to it tells me all I need to hear. Take it, run it, if the attachment grows you have a tangible link to the man, if it doesn't, it's now an MOT runner for you to sell. Sorry for your loss by the way.
Ps, is that a perodua sitting by the Jag? I love oddball far East motors!!
Ps, is that a perodua sitting by the Jag? I love oddball far East motors!!
Jeez guys. sit on the fence much?
You guys saw the thing about the rust, right?
biggbn said:
Ps, is that a perodua sitting by the Jag? I love oddball far East motors!!
It is! Already spoken for, believe it or not InitialDave said:
But I make bad decisions and don't like letting go of stuff.
This is what I'm afraid of. Am I creating myself a slightly weird mobile grandad shrine?You guys saw the thing about the rust, right?
Yes, Jags of that are just lovely to drive. You'll love it even when it empties your wallet (Which it will at every opportunity.)
One thing I would say though, if it was me, I’d remove the leaper. I don't think these came as standard on any UK cars. If you hit a pedestrian or cyclist, it could cause them very serious injuries.
One thing I would say though, if it was me, I’d remove the leaper. I don't think these came as standard on any UK cars. If you hit a pedestrian or cyclist, it could cause them very serious injuries.
Griffithy said:
What a beautiful car. Perfect colour in and outside. Lovely condition. Wonderful V8 engine. In the family from day one.
A dream comes true.
Take it or regret it.
This. OP, keep reading over and over until you've managed to convince yourself, because it would be nothing short of senseless to let such a wonderful car go.A dream comes true.
Take it or regret it.
Okay okay okay, I'm hearing you loud and clear!
To be clear, it's far from a done deal - my mum and her siblings might still decide it will go elsewhere. At this stage I'm mostly deciding how much of a fuss I want to make about it.
Ok then, thinking practically. I've just re-checked the MOT history and it's done 1,000 miles in the last five years, so even less use than I thought, and it hasn't turned a wheel since maybe October last year. The internet suggests short journeys are bad for Nikasil linings (it is indeed a 4-litre). The frilly sills will need unfrillying. What else do I need to know/worry about, given I don't have unlimited funds to throw at it?
To be clear, it's far from a done deal - my mum and her siblings might still decide it will go elsewhere. At this stage I'm mostly deciding how much of a fuss I want to make about it.
Ok then, thinking practically. I've just re-checked the MOT history and it's done 1,000 miles in the last five years, so even less use than I thought, and it hasn't turned a wheel since maybe October last year. The internet suggests short journeys are bad for Nikasil linings (it is indeed a 4-litre). The frilly sills will need unfrillying. What else do I need to know/worry about, given I don't have unlimited funds to throw at it?
My Dad had an identical one in all but colour (his was a light blue).
He used to commute from Kent to Coventry for his job, the only relatively decent company car on offer was an Audi A4 diesel, so opted for the cash alternative to waft in a V8. Some dodgy man maths which I don't think added up in the end and he traded it in after a couple of years for an X type 2.0d!!
I was only around 13 at the time and the rear leg room was just ridiculous
I say keep it for at least a year or so, have some fun in it, make some memories with your kids on some nice road trips etc and if it's not working out/costing too much or whatever move it on, you're not going to lose much money (theoretically) but would of gained so much more from those trips.
I lost my Dad a couple of years back but have some very fond memories of trips in that Jag.
He used to commute from Kent to Coventry for his job, the only relatively decent company car on offer was an Audi A4 diesel, so opted for the cash alternative to waft in a V8. Some dodgy man maths which I don't think added up in the end and he traded it in after a couple of years for an X type 2.0d!!
I was only around 13 at the time and the rear leg room was just ridiculous
I say keep it for at least a year or so, have some fun in it, make some memories with your kids on some nice road trips etc and if it's not working out/costing too much or whatever move it on, you're not going to lose much money (theoretically) but would of gained so much more from those trips.
I lost my Dad a couple of years back but have some very fond memories of trips in that Jag.
seiben said:
A hypothetical question for you all. Or, what would you do in this situation? I've posted this in 'General' as the make of the car is only part of the dilemma...
My Grandad passed at the end of 2021, and amongst the various complexities of his estate (he was not a forward planner, as it turns out) is his car, sat in the garage of a house that will at some point be sold.
As this is PH I'll start with the car. Forgive the crap pics, it only just fits in the garage
It's a 1998 (S) Jaguar XJ8 Sovereign LWB, I think with the 4.0 V8 (maybe 4.2? not sure, I'm not a Jag man). C.55k miles, owned by him since new and, I'm pretty sure, serviced and MOTed by the supplying Jaguar dealer every year since. The MOT history is totally clean, apart from a mention of rusty sills (gulp) last year, and the tyres are old and cracking. Originally he drove it every day from his house to his office, where it was garaged at either end and kept outwardly immaculate - but it was driven in all weathers. Latterly the mileage dropped as his health deteriorated, so it's covered only a couple of thousand miles in the last 3-4 years. It's been a while since it had a decent motorway run.
Now it would seem like I'm the only person in the family who has the space and vague interest to take it on, and I find myself rather in two minds.
On the one hand, I don't need it. I have a V8 saloon which I adore (E39 M5). I have a comfy luxurious automatic which also ticks more boxes as it can tow a big trailer (Landcruiser). I got on well with my grandad but he wasn't a "sit on my knee while I read you a story" type, so I'm not enormously attached to it from an emotional perspective - although I do have a few fond memories of it as a child. It will need a certain amount of recommissioning. I know literally nothing about Jags of this era. I have space for it in the garage, but having an extra car will prove awkward at times when I need to shuffle stuff around. It'll need taxing, insuring, servicing etc. It's not worth all that much, and likely will never be. Whilst no-one else in the family can take it on, I'll still feel guilty if I sell it in future, despite putting money into recommissioning it.
On the other hand, it's a (possibly) free or very cheap Jag that's been in my family from day 1. I can stick it on a classic policy, tax it for 6 months of the year and use it as a 'high days and holidays' car - I have three young kids who will I'm sure love it. I feel weirdly attached to it for reasons I can't really explain. Family holidays in Europe are very tempting in the Jaaaaaaaaag. I get to own a Jaaaaaaaaag. If I let it go, the opportunity's gone forever. It might be worth a bit in future given the history and low mileage. I find myself unable to dismiss it.
Hmm. Typing that hasn't helped much.
What do you guys think? Inspire me, or talk some sense into me
Yes you want it. My advise would be to take it on the understanding of the family that if it doesn’t get used or doesn’t fit your needs your going to move it on if that happens. You don’t want your familys expectation to be you to keep it on forever like a heirloom. Lovely car. My Grandad passed at the end of 2021, and amongst the various complexities of his estate (he was not a forward planner, as it turns out) is his car, sat in the garage of a house that will at some point be sold.
As this is PH I'll start with the car. Forgive the crap pics, it only just fits in the garage
It's a 1998 (S) Jaguar XJ8 Sovereign LWB, I think with the 4.0 V8 (maybe 4.2? not sure, I'm not a Jag man). C.55k miles, owned by him since new and, I'm pretty sure, serviced and MOTed by the supplying Jaguar dealer every year since. The MOT history is totally clean, apart from a mention of rusty sills (gulp) last year, and the tyres are old and cracking. Originally he drove it every day from his house to his office, where it was garaged at either end and kept outwardly immaculate - but it was driven in all weathers. Latterly the mileage dropped as his health deteriorated, so it's covered only a couple of thousand miles in the last 3-4 years. It's been a while since it had a decent motorway run.
Now it would seem like I'm the only person in the family who has the space and vague interest to take it on, and I find myself rather in two minds.
On the one hand, I don't need it. I have a V8 saloon which I adore (E39 M5). I have a comfy luxurious automatic which also ticks more boxes as it can tow a big trailer (Landcruiser). I got on well with my grandad but he wasn't a "sit on my knee while I read you a story" type, so I'm not enormously attached to it from an emotional perspective - although I do have a few fond memories of it as a child. It will need a certain amount of recommissioning. I know literally nothing about Jags of this era. I have space for it in the garage, but having an extra car will prove awkward at times when I need to shuffle stuff around. It'll need taxing, insuring, servicing etc. It's not worth all that much, and likely will never be. Whilst no-one else in the family can take it on, I'll still feel guilty if I sell it in future, despite putting money into recommissioning it.
On the other hand, it's a (possibly) free or very cheap Jag that's been in my family from day 1. I can stick it on a classic policy, tax it for 6 months of the year and use it as a 'high days and holidays' car - I have three young kids who will I'm sure love it. I feel weirdly attached to it for reasons I can't really explain. Family holidays in Europe are very tempting in the Jaaaaaaaaag. I get to own a Jaaaaaaaaag. If I let it go, the opportunity's gone forever. It might be worth a bit in future given the history and low mileage. I find myself unable to dismiss it.
Hmm. Typing that hasn't helped much.
What do you guys think? Inspire me, or talk some sense into me
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