XJS (convertible) vs 928 vs BMW 8 series
Discussion
Right, am looking for a car to store and use when in the UK. I know that that does not make sense financially, I just quite like the fact of having a car to use in the UK. Given storage costs, would like one that is likely to appreciate in value. Not for resale, more to justify the storage costs (expect to be overseas for next 3-4 years, longer if Cleggie does a deal with Winkie).
Have therefore identified these cars as "sleepers" - bloody cheap now for the amount of car (and therefore not really worth 1k pa storage costs) but likely to rise in value over next few years./
928 and XJS are the favourites at the moment, but I did see a great 8 series advertised about a month that tempted me.
Not driven any of them, so -
1. any thoughts as to which would be best to drive, and
2. which is going to increase in value the most (ie - which can I actually justify paying storage on even is just on a whim to give me a motor to use while back home).
Have therefore identified these cars as "sleepers" - bloody cheap now for the amount of car (and therefore not really worth 1k pa storage costs) but likely to rise in value over next few years./
928 and XJS are the favourites at the moment, but I did see a great 8 series advertised about a month that tempted me.
Not driven any of them, so -
1. any thoughts as to which would be best to drive, and
2. which is going to increase in value the most (ie - which can I actually justify paying storage on even is just on a whim to give me a motor to use while back home).
Tricky one. I'd have a well sorted 928 in a heart beat but, like the Jag they can suffer electronic gremlins. The Jag or the Porsche are more likely to appreciate than the 8 IMO. Hmm the jag looks fantastic and the shape is definitely ageing well. The 8 will cost less to buy and run and might well be the slightly more sensible choice. I would lean towards the Porsche as its the most exciting drive by far but I am a little biased!
Edited by lordlee on Saturday 8th May 20:06
damn you both - you are supposed to discourage from buying any of them and point out that storage costs, lack of use, etc means that I am better off saving my pennies and buying when back in the UK
the 928 i love but how easy is it to find a good one?
the xjs convertible is just an awesome looking car
the 8 series i am finding myself increasingly drawn to - so much car for the money, hugely underrated (as, of course, are the other two)
the 928 i love but how easy is it to find a good one?
the xjs convertible is just an awesome looking car
the 8 series i am finding myself increasingly drawn to - so much car for the money, hugely underrated (as, of course, are the other two)
Having had a number of older, large complex cars like these the only point of caution I would raise is how little you plan to use it.
In my experience they really require regular, thorough, weekly exercise to keep everything working as it should - standing around, perhaps being started every month for a few minutes, will eventually lead to lots of silly problems cropping up.
In my experience they really require regular, thorough, weekly exercise to keep everything working as it should - standing around, perhaps being started every month for a few minutes, will eventually lead to lots of silly problems cropping up.
I would imagine that the 8 will be the most reliable.
The Jag will be the prettiest - but hard to find a good one.
(My father has an proper XJS V12 HE Convertable - Not the targa top thing).
Beautiful car and actually VERY reasonable on fuel! (an unbelieveable 23 - 28 average).
The 928 - Anything 928 would have to be an S4. Possibly the fastest but you'll £s
t £yourself every time something goes wrong! They did like a head-gasket so I am led to believe.
The Jag will be the prettiest - but hard to find a good one.
(My father has an proper XJS V12 HE Convertable - Not the targa top thing).
Beautiful car and actually VERY reasonable on fuel! (an unbelieveable 23 - 28 average).
The 928 - Anything 928 would have to be an S4. Possibly the fastest but you'll £s
t £yourself every time something goes wrong! They did like a head-gasket so I am led to believe.Edited by Gallen on Saturday 8th May 22:40
As you are clearly aware, they are all cars that are attractive but I can't see any of them appreciating by the £1000 pa you need to cover costs. I'm not sure how much you want to spend but even if you bought an excellent example of one of them for, say, £10k then you are looking for 10% pa appreciation. Also they will need looking after - many components age and need replacing, even if the car isn't being used.
HOwever, this doesn't mean you are wrong. I'd go 928.
HOwever, this doesn't mean you are wrong. I'd go 928.
John_W said:
Hooli said:
Jag - looks n sounds massively better than the others.
I agree.On the other hand, if you must, the 928 is the only car Porsche has ever produced which I have thought even vaguely desirable. Try this one.
John
Tricky one. Logically if they stay the same price will be better off putting the storage money to one side and putting that towards buying one in 3-5 years time
The trouble is:
head - was dead keen on an Aston DBS when they were 20k, didn't do anything about it and now they are 40k minimum
heart - quite fancy having a car tucked away for use when back home (tried the classic car club, which should have been the solution to this, but wasn't)
All 3 are, I think, on the cusp. The 928 is criminally ignored and the XJS is getting more and more features in the clasic car mags (2 since I mentioned to a friend I was thinking of buying one a couple of weeks ago!)
I think the 8 series has largely been forgotten but will rocket when people remember them
Guess I need to try to drive one of each and see which I prefer.
The trouble is:
head - was dead keen on an Aston DBS when they were 20k, didn't do anything about it and now they are 40k minimum
heart - quite fancy having a car tucked away for use when back home (tried the classic car club, which should have been the solution to this, but wasn't)
All 3 are, I think, on the cusp. The 928 is criminally ignored and the XJS is getting more and more features in the clasic car mags (2 since I mentioned to a friend I was thinking of buying one a couple of weeks ago!)
I think the 8 series has largely been forgotten but will rocket when people remember them
Guess I need to try to drive one of each and see which I prefer.
8s never appealed in the slightest.
The 928 is the only Porsh that ever appealed to me too, great looking toy at the time and hasn't dimmed with age.
I love the XJS too, as an ownership proposition the really late cars are probably the best. Celebration convertibles are probably going up in value fastest. I really like the early coupes too, once tried to buy an extremely low mileage one from a main dealer, a 75 or 76 car in 96 the main dealer had in, someone else already had first refusal :-
I'd go and drive a few cars to make up your mind.
The 928 is the only Porsh that ever appealed to me too, great looking toy at the time and hasn't dimmed with age.
I love the XJS too, as an ownership proposition the really late cars are probably the best. Celebration convertibles are probably going up in value fastest. I really like the early coupes too, once tried to buy an extremely low mileage one from a main dealer, a 75 or 76 car in 96 the main dealer had in, someone else already had first refusal :-
I'd go and drive a few cars to make up your mind.
I'd also think about an early/mid 90's 600SL, it's in the same sort of category.
There's an issue of Performance Car from Feb 1991 with a group test including a 928, XJR-S, 850, Vantage and 500SL.
I can't find my copy but here's one on ebay...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Performance-Car-Magazine-02-...
There's an issue of Performance Car from Feb 1991 with a group test including a 928, XJR-S, 850, Vantage and 500SL.
I can't find my copy but here's one on ebay...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Performance-Car-Magazine-02-...
If the car isn't going to get exercised then you need a pretty bullet proof model. The XJS has plenty of followers but the downside is electrical and electronic problems. The engines - whichever but go for a later 4 litre if possible - are pretty robust. I've never owned a 928 but everything I've ever read indicates expensive maintenance and as already intimated the 8 series is the forgotten model but with BMW quality and reliability. For a boulevardier then a Mercedes would go on and on with never a problem but the driving fun just isn't there compared to the others. If you must buy one then for me, purely on a financial basis, it would be the 8. Unloved so reasonably priced and plenty of specialists to look after it.
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