10 years ago on this hallowed forum was umm-ing and ahh-ing about selling an Jag XJ-S V12 convertible. Seems like yesterday...
It was lovely when it was running, and top down in the sun it was fabulous, but it's constant need to have something doing to it ground me down and it was sold to a chap who had managed to write his off and this was a perfect replacement. Interestingly, I did not miss it other than on the sunniest of days.
At the time I had lusted after an XK or XKR (not the earlier XK8) - either coupe or convertible but 10 years ago I could never have considered it due to cost. With the depreciation they have had since, things are a little different...
When I had a Jag I was in the owners club. A nice bunch and we went to shows, London to Brighton runs etc, and now one of the leading lights there who I knew well at the time (who also ran his own specialist Jag workshop that I used and that he sold a couple of years ago) is selling one of his personal collection. XKR Coupe limited edition version. 4.2 litre Supercharged V8, 2007 model with 85k miles.
At c. £15k I'm tempted. But.... I don't need another car.
I have a company V90 estate and my wife has a Golf GTi. We have a car port for these and additional parking in front of the house. If we got the Jag then probably the V90's going on the drive but that brings back the scraping of ice off windscreens in winter, more frequent cleaning, etc, but sticking the Jag on the drive instead seems a crime unless covered (which is both an eyesore and a fiddle when you want to drive it).
Clearly I don't need another car.
Other than my daily commute (11 miles each way on busy and not very exciting A roads), we don't do much other driving. Weekend's are for an occasional trip to a town or pub within c.15 miles but other than that we stay at home. We have a dog so weekend trips are always with one eye on the clock to get back to feed and let it in the garden.
Clearly I don't need another car.
But. It's a Supercharged V8 Jag with 420hp, sounds and looks fab and I want one badly and it's been owned by a Jag expert for years.
Argh!
I could afford it, but in discussions with swmbo, she is quite ambivalent. She won't drive it and for health reasons she might struggle to get in and out (not physically seen it yet to try), but says that if I really want it she won't argue against.
It should be a clear cut case here, but....:
The car's has been owned by this Jag specialist (now retired) for 7 years but in that time he has done about 400-500 miles in it. It has been MOT'd every year and he says he changes the oil too as a routine annual thing with all of his cars (he has 6). He bought it because he loved it and it's rarity value, but now has to rationalize his collection and this and an XF estate are for the cut.
I know car's don't like being sat doing nothing (he said he has replaced a number of rubber bushes underneath, and it has a new battery last year) so I am wondering if it's a good idea.
I can imagine I will only use it for a day or two's commute a week, plus an occasional short weekend journeys, so it seems a bit pointless.
Pros: Specialist owned for years, not too high mileage, relatively affordable, lovely
Cons: I don't need it, it will cost to run and service, could be expensive if there's an issue, fear of it being a money pit as barely used in 7 years (the XJ-S was exactly that) and don't do enough driving to really justify another car.
I hope to get one one day whatever, and the balance is whether to get this now because of it's provenance, or a different one with possibly less clear history in the future (maybe a later 2011/2012 5-litre version when they become more affordable).
I am in a bit of a quandary (although I have had worse ones) so interested to throw it out to the crowd to get thoughts and opinions. :)
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Well now, some say, you’ll regret the things you didn’t get around to way more than the ones you did.
;-)
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This un-needed unjustifiable object really shouldn't be anywhere near your property. It may sound a perfect proposition of its type but you shouldnt.
Oh shoot, Buy it.
Last edited by: Zero on Thu 30 Nov 23 at 14:04
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Similar situation.
I definitely do not need two cars, but the Vitara, acquired in August for my Spanish road trip, already has two future overseas road trips pencilled in for 2024. It’s become my daily runabout...two mile round trip, 2 or 3 times daily to & from my old mums who has Alzheimer’s and needs increasing care from myself. Far more practical with wheelchair etc etc.
So I really don’t need my GR Yaris. It’s not a money pit, I’ve room in the garage, but the two are chalk and queso and every time I drive it I love the darn thing and it’s 10/10 on the grinometer. Great on the roads in my part of the world.
So buy it unless it forces you into debt. You’ll only regret it later if not.
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I'm pretty sure that's what one of my mates three or four years ago. Like you, he could afford it, didn't really need it, and he barely ever drives it. He'd always wanted an E-Type but then saw this. It's a convertible with eh 4.2 litre engine and makes lots of noise!
He has had a couple of shocking bills, I don't recall the ins and outs, but still has no regrets.
He joined the local chapter of the Jaguar Owners club who meet on a Sunday morning to polish their bonnets together...
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>>..... to polish their bonnets together...
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... I do hope that's not a euphemism (though they're an odd lot, Jaguar owners)
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>(though they're an odd lot, Jaguar owners)
Oi!! I resemble that remark!
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Jaguar - XKR - Should I, shouldn't I.... - Runfer D'Hills
