XKR 4.0 Running

[allgonepetetong]

Hi Guys

I've been following Pistonheads forums now for a while and have enjoyed all your comments and thoughts enormously, thanks very much for helping pass the slow days.

I am pondering my next car purchase and have shortlisted four cars and wondered if I might ask for your thoughts. The cars are in no particular order

DB7 i6
996 C2/C4 (manual)
Jag XKR 4.0
BMW M3 (SMG)

Obviously in an Jaguar forum there may be some bias, but what in your opinions are the relative merit's of each car?

The car will be for me to drive only, (wife has a runaround) for your guide my previous cars are a 4.0 Chimeara and a 944 turbo. It'd be used weekends only - no time to drive in the week, and will probably find it's way onto an airfield day a couple of times a year aswell.

Also, does anyone have an idea of how much I should allow per year for servicing on a DB7 and what are your percieved levels of depreciation over the next 3 years say? (I have a family to look after so running costs are unfortunately a factor).

Thanks all, I await your wisdom and comments with real excitement.

Petetong

[triple7]

Tricky one as you aren't driving it very much.

I'm pro Jag as you rightly pointed out on a jag forum. BUT, for the use you want out of this car i.e. w/e cruiser / track car drivers car, then an XKR might not be for you.

If you spend £35k (2003) on an XKR and it sits the the garage it will lose £400/mnth. It isn't really a track day car coz it doesn't have an LSD, not is it agile. It is a summer roof down (convertible!) GT cruiser. And a very good one at that.

DB7. For £35k it will be a much older car than an XKR. The Jag is a far better car too, better built, better handling and far better interior. The old DB7's is a plastic nightmare! If you are talking more money thewn a last run DB7 GT is a fab car but they are £55k! The DB is purely just for posing in. Not a track car at all. I have no experience but I'm sure an Aston service is not cheap. XKR about £300 minor / £450 major.

996 Now this is a good track day, car, has great looks and £35k spent on this and you may nopt lose too much m oney on it if you buy one with the right spec for resale.

BMW M3. All very capable, but common. YAWN!

So my own personal opinion is a 996 foir you, but I'd buy an XKR anyday coz I love 'em to death!

G

[silverspeed]

DB7 oil change service at main dealer - £1k !

Triple 7 is spot on - go for the 996 . If you wanted an everday GT go for the XKR.

Enjoy it whichever you go for - there isn't a bad car on your list.

[800]

I was exactly in your position this time last year. Had a 120K mile XJR and was pondering XKR, M3, 996. In the end I went for the 996 (and no one on this forum talks to me any more )

M3 - great drivers car, but, seriously concerned about the whole BMW perception 'thing' now. Especially M3's that tend to get in the hands of Pikeys very quickly as their price drops.

XKR - My favourite in the looks department, inside and out, hands-down winner. Awesome straight line speed (MUCH quicker than a 996!) And its a Jaguar, so people will know you're an all-round Gent. (ask Triple7 for piccies of his )

996 - Its a 911, a copmplete icon. The steering, brakes, handling, as a complete package its peerless. Very reliable, haven't had a single problem. The downsides - they're not as quick as you'd imagine, soon you'll be lusting after a GT3 or TT. The limits are so high that the only place to really enjoy them is on a track. Oh, and everyone thinks you're a cock!

DB7 - forget it, interior is a joke, running costs are horrendous.

I'd say give Henry a visit at 911Virgin. Or, you can buy mine

[triple7]

800 said:

I'd say give Henry a visit at 911Virgin. Or, you can buy mine

You've seen the light at last, one XKR coming up!!

Actually you can pick up a 997 for just over £50k, now thats got me thinking........................

>> Edited by triple7 on Monday 16th January 19:02

[allgonepetetong]

Thanks fellas.

I'm in a bit of a quandry (sp?) now though.

I don't want to not be thought of a cock by people who have never met me (there are enough people who think that already that have met me ha ha) and won't let me out into the traffic or just generally treat me with a lack of respect because I am driving a 996 and therefore must be an arrogant tool with not much of a clue. I'm not saying all people think that, but some do. Now this isn't the case if im in an XKR, but then an XKR isn't really going to do what I want it to do, it's a bit too big and heavy for that.

Hmmm, decesions decesions, it's a nice problem to have though isn't it?


I think I should drive both and decide after that.

[allgonepetetong]

Actually that should say "I don't want to be thought of as a cock by people that have never met me"
ha ha

[triple7]

Exactly drive 'em both, you won't know otherwise. The Jag first. People always love a Jag and so are gratious on the road. 996's are common and have a reputation to uphold, but who cares what other people think. It shouldn't stop you from buying one. Remeber XKR's are only autoboxes, if you buy a 996 don't get the tiptronic!

Buy an XKR convertible as that is the style you will want with a Jag. Buy a C4S if it going to be a 996!

G

[V12AML]

The running costs of the I6 DB7 are not that bad, it would be the one i would go for and the interior isn't terrible, its just not as nice as the XKR. Its a very beautiful and quick car and you can pick up a DB7 Vantage for as little as £39k.