Classic Jag values

[coates848]

I'm sure there will be a thread somewhere else about this but I wondered if anyone else has noticed the absolute disaster that is currently E Type values?! I come from a generation where even ratty E Types were out of reach price-wise. However i've been keeping a close eye on the auctions over the last 6 to 12 months and their values appear to have nosedived. Yes there are some very optimistic dealers who are holding fast with ludicrous asking prices but when a nice fully restored Series 3 v12 Roadster is making £55k (after a £60k restoration ouch - Iconic Auctions) and a very presentable S3 V12 FHC crept its way to £28k on Collecting Cars, something is clearly afoot. It seems that £25k gets you into a tatty E Type with £50k being sufficient for an absolutely corking restored S2 or S3.

This then got me looking at Mark 2s, Daimler 250s, S Types and 420s. A similar story. Its seems that gone are the days of a Mk2 3.8 Manual with overdrive being the unicorn £75k car. £25k to £30k seems the entry point for a nice example nowadays with 3.4s, 2.4s and Daimler 250s being significantly less.

So my question is, is this a temporary blip in values reflecting the current economic climate and they'll come back at some point? Or have they had their day in the sun with the boomer generation who may have aspired to these cars dying off? I note that Harry Metcalfe is getting out of his 60s/70s cars (XJC and Espada) and Rowan Atkinson has just got rid of his E Type which would suggest they know the way the wind is blowing.

Either way, I'm seriously tempted with some sort of 60s/70s Jag (mk2 3.8 or an E Type V12 FHC preferably) at the current prices. Particularly ones where some poor soul has spent more money on a restoration than the car is worth.....of which there seem to be plenty about!

[bompey]

It s the changing of the generations, so enthusiasts growing up in the 50s aspiring to own e types are now well into their 70s. Those with the money for decent toy are looking at the cars from the 80s and 90s when they were in their teens and 20s are on,y 50or so now. Plus also the economy is bu99ered and money is tighter than it was.

[ChocolateFrog]

Most of the people who want one are dying.

You say £25k, that still sounds punchy to me.

They were old when I was born and I'm well into the second of half of my life already.

You'd have to be in the quirky/slightly oddball category to want one if you're under 50 unless you have the capacity for a large CC collection.

There's also thousands, possibly tens of thousands of them around.

[piquet]

I have one and have had it for 20 years

in that time it's gone from often seeing one on the roads over the summer to never seeing them

the next few years if you want one will be a really good time to buy one, people don't want them any more and there will be cars which are amazing examples coming on the market for fractions of the value of the money they have had spent on them.

A good one is a pleasure to drive, they are in reality mx5 kind of size but lighter with a big engine, on the right road, roof down, without getting into exotica, there is little better.

You can take one anywhere and it's universally appreciated, even from non petrol heads, you are cool but not flash, oh and people aways see to want to talk to you about it

There are upgrades out there that fix any of the old bugbears

I suspect the number of them is now on the decline, once they get ropey it won't be worth sorting them, some will survive and those that can still drive a manual will rediscover them

[coates848]

piquet said:

I have one and have had it for 20 years

in that time it's gone from often seeing one on the roads over the summer to never seeing them

the next few years if you want one will be a really good time to buy one, people don't want them any more and there will be cars which are amazing examples coming on the market for fractions of the value of the money they have had spent on them.

A good one is a pleasure to drive, they are in reality mx5 kind of size but lighter with a big engine, on the right road, roof down, without getting into exotica, there is little better.

You can take one anywhere and it's universally appreciated, even from non petrol heads, you are cool but not flash, oh and people aways see to want to talk to you about it

There are upgrades out there that fix any of the old bugbears

I suspect the number of them is now on the decline, once they get ropey it won't be worth sorting them, some will survive and those that can still drive a manual will rediscover them

Pretty much exactly the mindset I find myself in. I see you have an X351 too whereas I have an X308 but the similarities would indicate to me that we "get it" when it comes to cars like this. Some people clearly don't get it and if they've never wanted an E Type, they wont want one at any price no matter how cheap they get. Each to their own I suppose.

Maybe I am old beyond my years yes as the previous poster has suggested, but given the way modern motoring is going, surely for a proper fix of old school classic motoring on the rare sunny days we get to enjoy them, E Types and the like will for certain people continue to hold the same appeal they have always held. The aesthetic and the way it makes you feel wont change irrespective of whether they're £100k or a £30k proposition. Adding an E Type is likely to be my 2026 project.

Edited by coates848 on Tuesday 16th December 12:33

Edited by coates848 on Tuesday 16th December 12:35

[GCCP]

I have seen the same and am actively looking now for a nice series 1 FH. So if anyone knows or is thinking of selling please let me know!

(and i am under 50 as well )

For those in the know, what are peoples view on these 2?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505021...

and

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/18622809

[magic Monkey Dust]

Coupled with this drop in prices is the decimation of manual gearbox vehicles. There's hardly a manual car for sale now with exit of Fiesta, Focus, Corsa and most new cars sales. are Autos even small ones like a Yaris. My daughter isn't interested in driving a manual so this will manifest in 20 years with only over 40's even able to pilot a geared vehicle.
static exhibits I'm afraid.

[reddiesel]

GCCP said:

I have seen the same and am actively looking now for a nice series 1 FH. So if anyone knows or is thinking of selling please let me know!

(and i am under 50 as well )

For those in the know, what are peoples view on these 2?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505021...

and

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/18622809

I have had exactly the same thoughts and have even been looking at the same cars . Gradually however I am erring away from the E Type in favour of an XK RS or another SVR F Type . Both are rarer than an E Type , both are easier to live with and both have I think still some appreciating to do in value .

[reddiesel]

[quote=GCCP]I have seen the same and am actively looking now for a nice series 1 FH. So if anyone knows or is thinking of selling please let me know!

(and i am under 50 as well )

For those in the know, what are peoples view on these 2?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505021...

and

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/18622809

The Pistonheads car would be my choice , I think its a wonderful car in both the right colour and with good provenance .
The shade of green on the other car I find completely hideous .

Edited by reddiesel on Wednesday 17th December 16:48

[TarquinMX5]

GCCP said:

I have seen the same and am actively looking now for a nice series 1 FH. So if anyone knows or is thinking of selling please let me know!

(and i am under 50 as well )

For those in the know, what are peoples view on these 2?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202505021...

and

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/18622809

It would be interesting to know whether the 1st one was originally LHD; it appears to have aircon, which might infer originally a non-uk car, or it could be a later addition. The seats look like the later style seats from the 4.2s.

Based purely on the photos/write-up I'd be looking at the dark green one first, but in any event, I'd want a very close look at any E-type due to the complexity of the structure and the number of botched cars that were around years ago. Having said that, there are those that have been expertly restored and are far better than they were when new.

[Mikebentley]

I got out of my XK140 a couple of years ago as the writing was on the wall. I too have noticed E Types seemingly having a serious adjustment in prices and fancy one. Reality though is I think a V8 F Type would be a sound financial bet.