If you have £3,000 to spend on a jag...
Discussion
What would you get?
My beloved 4.0 manual XJS is going for spares or repair (sniff) and I want to be a jag man still!
XJ40 / X300 / X308 ?
Is the 3.2 pokey enough?
Should I go on year or mileage mostly?
Is it worth considering the XJ40s at all?
Is an XJR at this price possible?
Any S-Types at this money?
Any suggestions gratefully recieved.
My beloved 4.0 manual XJS is going for spares or repair (sniff) and I want to be a jag man still!
XJ40 / X300 / X308 ?
Is the 3.2 pokey enough?
Should I go on year or mileage mostly?
Is it worth considering the XJ40s at all?
Is an XJR at this price possible?
Any S-Types at this money?
Any suggestions gratefully recieved.
I'd choose a really good X300 with a sound service history and not worry too much about engine size or trim level - or mileage come to that.
Look on the PH classifieds and Jagads, there's lots to choose from.
Frankly if you bought a X308 for that kind of money you'd be taking a big chance. You might be lucky and get a bargain but I'd be aware that just one of the well documented X308 problems could potentially cost more than the car is worth to repair. The durability of the X300 is well documented, they are easier to work on and there are now several outlets for pattern parts, and quite a few have been broken so there is no shortage of s/h spares which are a lot cheaper then buying from main stealers.
See if you can find Broadbean747's post on PH. He's collated all the X308 issues on one superb post
Relatively speaking there is little difference in fuel consumption between the 6 and 8 cyl cars. I manage to get 25MPG plus out of both, but on the other hand the performance and refinement of the V8s is much better.
Overall though the V8 has cost me a lot more to run per year since I've had it than the X300 I owned previously.
Look on the PH classifieds and Jagads, there's lots to choose from.
Frankly if you bought a X308 for that kind of money you'd be taking a big chance. You might be lucky and get a bargain but I'd be aware that just one of the well documented X308 problems could potentially cost more than the car is worth to repair. The durability of the X300 is well documented, they are easier to work on and there are now several outlets for pattern parts, and quite a few have been broken so there is no shortage of s/h spares which are a lot cheaper then buying from main stealers.
See if you can find Broadbean747's post on PH. He's collated all the X308 issues on one superb post
Relatively speaking there is little difference in fuel consumption between the 6 and 8 cyl cars. I manage to get 25MPG plus out of both, but on the other hand the performance and refinement of the V8s is much better.
Overall though the V8 has cost me a lot more to run per year since I've had it than the X300 I owned previously.
I'd make a decision on what kind of car you want. Do you want the ultimate ride comfort, do you want something a little unusual or do you want something very fast?
If ride comfort is the main driver, then find a top spec, fantastic condition 4.0 XJ40. Go the whole hog and find a Daimler with picnic tables etc.
If it's something unusual you want then dig out a really good Series III 5.3 V12.
If it's quick then try to find an X300 XJR for the money.
On the other hand, if you're totally mad and want to be sensible, then buy a non-supercharged X300. It won't go wrong, but every sane person with your scenario would make the same choice - and where's the fun in that...?
If ride comfort is the main driver, then find a top spec, fantastic condition 4.0 XJ40. Go the whole hog and find a Daimler with picnic tables etc.
If it's something unusual you want then dig out a really good Series III 5.3 V12.
If it's quick then try to find an X300 XJR for the money.
On the other hand, if you're totally mad and want to be sensible, then buy a non-supercharged X300. It won't go wrong, but every sane person with your scenario would make the same choice - and where's the fun in that...?
groomi said:
On the other hand, if you're totally mad and want to be sensible, then buy a non-supercharged X300. It won't go wrong, but every sane person with your scenario would make the same choice - and where's the fun in that...?
Been driving my X300 3.2Sport for 11 and a half years and ain't stopped having fun yet 
If only everything in life was as reliable as an X300
Thanks.
I've been looking at XJRs, and I would love one one day, but I don't think I can really afford a decent one. It was buying a 'not quite good enough' XJS that has caused me to have to buy another car so soon. Much as I would love a V12 or a supercharger I have to cut my cloth etc. etc.
It looks like a 3.2 X300 is one the cards. The chap at local garage which services Jaguars has one in light blue and he says he has been thinking of sellng it. They have been a good garage and I don't think he would sell me a wrong 'un, and it has been his personal transport for a while and he has looked after it.
I've been looking at XJRs, and I would love one one day, but I don't think I can really afford a decent one. It was buying a 'not quite good enough' XJS that has caused me to have to buy another car so soon. Much as I would love a V12 or a supercharger I have to cut my cloth etc. etc.
It looks like a 3.2 X300 is one the cards. The chap at local garage which services Jaguars has one in light blue and he says he has been thinking of sellng it. They have been a good garage and I don't think he would sell me a wrong 'un, and it has been his personal transport for a while and he has looked after it.
cml said:
Thanks.
I've been looking at XJRs, and I would love one one day, but I don't think I can really afford a decent one. It was buying a 'not quite good enough' XJS that has caused me to have to buy another car so soon. Much as I would love a V12 or a supercharger I have to cut my cloth etc. etc.
It looks like a 3.2 X300 is one the cards. The chap at local garage which services Jaguars has one in light blue and he says he has been thinking of sellng it. They have been a good garage and I don't think he would sell me a wrong 'un, and it has been his personal transport for a while and he has looked after it.
And why not? If it's in good nick and has been looked after you'll love it. Chances are it will last for years.I've been looking at XJRs, and I would love one one day, but I don't think I can really afford a decent one. It was buying a 'not quite good enough' XJS that has caused me to have to buy another car so soon. Much as I would love a V12 or a supercharger I have to cut my cloth etc. etc.
It looks like a 3.2 X300 is one the cards. The chap at local garage which services Jaguars has one in light blue and he says he has been thinking of sellng it. They have been a good garage and I don't think he would sell me a wrong 'un, and it has been his personal transport for a while and he has looked after it.
JS
I recently bought a 98 XJR for just over £5k and didn't see one in good condition for much less. (although I was only looking for a V8).
So far (3 weeks) I have had new Front discs, brake pads all round, rear drive shaft, PAS pipe, oil & filter service, front anti roll bar links done with a few more bits to get done to get her running smooth.
Any 10yr old car will almost certainly need some thing doing to it and although the purchase price of Jags are low, the parts are still valued for a £40k+ motor.
Fuel in the XJR is also pretty expensive circa 17mpg - £65 to fill her up and that gets me about 260 miles (ish) as long as I don't thrash it, I have had it down to 5mpg on the 'instant consumption' !!
Insurance was £750.00 as the robbing Ins Co's won't let me carry over no claims discount onto a second car !!
Worth bearing in mind the overall cost of ownership, not just the purchase price and stretch yourself to whatever you can.
So far (3 weeks) I have had new Front discs, brake pads all round, rear drive shaft, PAS pipe, oil & filter service, front anti roll bar links done with a few more bits to get done to get her running smooth.
Any 10yr old car will almost certainly need some thing doing to it and although the purchase price of Jags are low, the parts are still valued for a £40k+ motor.
Fuel in the XJR is also pretty expensive circa 17mpg - £65 to fill her up and that gets me about 260 miles (ish) as long as I don't thrash it, I have had it down to 5mpg on the 'instant consumption' !!
Insurance was £750.00 as the robbing Ins Co's won't let me carry over no claims discount onto a second car !!
Worth bearing in mind the overall cost of ownership, not just the purchase price and stretch yourself to whatever you can.
cml said:
Been talking to the chap at the garage again - says he will sell his N reg (95/96) 3.2 Sport for £2,250. He is going to change the rear shocks and service it first.
It has done 130,000 miles, body and interior are excellent.
I think I may go for it.
Mmm £2250... It has done 130,000 miles, body and interior are excellent.
I think I may go for it.
I'd say sounds very tempting if it's a really good one. 130k - no problem if it's been looked after. Manual or auto? Is he doing a full, proper Jaguar 10 0000 service or just wiping the dipstick and filling the washer bottle up? What are the tyres like? - a new set will cost over £400 for good ones.
Can you get some sort of warranty and new MOT thrown in?.
Do all the toys work? No warning lights? Have you had the chance to take it for a proper drive, not just a all-left-turns-quickly-once-round-the-block type demo?
Have you got a bit of spare cash to spend once you have bought the car if it needs anything doing?
If you buy it let's see some piccies
JS
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