What useable classic?
Discussion
It's become necessary for me to get hold of a useable car (unfortunately). The Spitfire has too much of a leaky roof and not enough seats, so I'm looking at getting another cheap classic to use as a runabout. I'm not sure what to go for, though.
My budget is shed money, around £1000, and really my only other criteria are that it has a solid roof and at least 4 seats. I won't be commuting or anything so mpg won't be too much of a problem. Anything massively unreliable is probably not worth considering but of course I know how to deal with a classic's foibles. Basically I just want something I can stick out on the driveway all year and not worry about it.
Any ideas?
My budget is shed money, around £1000, and really my only other criteria are that it has a solid roof and at least 4 seats. I won't be commuting or anything so mpg won't be too much of a problem. Anything massively unreliable is probably not worth considering but of course I know how to deal with a classic's foibles. Basically I just want something I can stick out on the driveway all year and not worry about it.
Any ideas?
Jag XJ40, X300 or X308 surely, some good ones out there for a bag 'o' sand.
leather, air, leccy allsorts and a waftability unsurpassed!
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3873932.htm
leather, air, leccy allsorts and a waftability unsurpassed!
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3873932.htm
I had a '98 XJR on a classic policy through Peter Best a few years ago so should be fine.
I'd be looking at Rover P6's and Triumph 2000/2500 myself.
This:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160785434615?ssPageName=...
went for £900.
I'd be looking at Rover P6's and Triumph 2000/2500 myself.
This:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160785434615?ssPageName=...
went for £900.
HaylingJag said:
Jag XJ40, X300 or X308 surely, some good ones out there for a bag 'o' sand.
leather, air, leccy allsorts and a waftability unsurpassed!
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3873932.htm
Definately worth considering! leather, air, leccy allsorts and a waftability unsurpassed!
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3873932.htm
I have owned an XJ40 for many years and love the thing; it has the usability of a modern car but with a genuine classic feel.
I know less about the V8 engined cars, but a decent XJ40 is easily achievable for £1k, and I would guess an X300 is too. Both are simple enough to work on at home and robust, reliable cars - just watch for rust!
stewy68 said:
Huntsman said:
I'm running an 83 BMW E28 520i everyday, perfect.
I have had huge notions for one of these for many years, an itch that needs scratching.Incidentally, what's the 520 like on fuel? (Another possibility of justification to the missus).
greeneggsnsam said:
That one's 1997, and I'm not sure I could get it on a classic policy. I do love Jags though, I just wonder if the ones around a grand will be nearing the end of its life.
XJ40s and X300s are startlingly cheap at the moment and £1000 can buy an XJ40 in respectable condition which will have years of life left in it. I should think you could get a decent X300 for little more.Personally, I prefer the XJ40's styling, though many prefer the X300 and the latter is slightly better engineered - though they are basically the same car. The X308 V8 engined cars are a more sophisticated design and feel far more modern, however the XJ40 and X300 are likley to be considerably cheaper to run since they are so much simpler and hold no fear for the home mechanic.
The AJ6/AJ16 straight six engines in the XJ40 and X300 are one of the strongest and most reliable engines made by any company - so much so there is almost no demand for the units secondhand. Whilst the V8 is smoother, more powerful and free revving it is also significantly more complex and rather more fragile. The XJ40/X300 use the ZF4HP22 and ZF4HP24 automatic gearbox which is also exceedingly robust and though slightly less smooth than the later ZF5HP in the V8 is far longer lasting.
There is excellent Internet support for old Jags: for the XJ40, www.xj40.com is a very friendly and knowledgable site, and though more businesslike, Jag-lovers is also excellent - particularly for diagnostics. There really isn't anything someone there hasn't seen or done. http://forums.jag-lovers.org/index.php3?zx=SdAHzRP...
For the X300, Jag-Lovers has excellent knowledge of this model.
Edited by dbdb on Friday 4th May 18:49
Huntsman said:
TheInternet said:
The 525e with its economy-tuned 2.7 is the one to have if mpg is a concern.
On a long run I can get 30.2 mpg from the 520, round town about 27, mine is an auto. Not bad.Your 520 is definately more economical than my Jaguar Sovereign (XJ40). My Jag manages around 27-28 on a run, but sinks down to 20-ish in town.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Daimler-XJ40-1993-4-ltr-...
Seems quite good. I'm starting to worry about how big it is though. Although I love the comfort a car like that would provide it would cause havoc with parking in the driveway, there's not that much room.
Seems quite good. I'm starting to worry about how big it is though. Although I love the comfort a car like that would provide it would cause havoc with parking in the driveway, there's not that much room.
greeneggsnsam said:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Daimler-XJ40-1993-4-ltr-...
Seems quite good. I'm starting to worry about how big it is though. Although I love the comfort a car like that would provide it would cause havoc with parking in the driveway, there's not that much room.
That's a lot of car for £750!Seems quite good. I'm starting to worry about how big it is though. Although I love the comfort a car like that would provide it would cause havoc with parking in the driveway, there's not that much room.
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