Spec My dad

Associate
Joined
28 Oct 2006
Posts
1,428
Location
Cambs/Florida
Hi there, my dad is thinking of chopping his jag xj8 04 plate. He likes change and it's getting to the age where things are starting to go wrong and fancies something different. He has a dodge ram 1500 4.7 v8 as his other car. He likes V8's and big American cars. We have been looking at the Chrysler 300c 6.1 hemi srt8 he wants something with a big engine and lots of power. It must be an auto he has around 14k to spend. Are there any alternatives to consider?

This is the car in question we are thinking to go and have a look.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2006-CHRYSLER...5344554?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2a0d8371aa
 
I like big V8s too :D ...however, I must point out that while the 300c has a fabulous engine ...it also looks chintzy and has a nasty cheap interior compared to the beautiful Jaguar XJ8, also the ride isn't a patch on the Jag, it's not an unfcomfortable car by any means, well speaking of the regular 5.7 Hemi V8 here, the 6.1 might have a different suspension, I don't know, but it doesn't ride like a Jaguar XJ. You wont find a better car than an XJ8 for less than 15k ...I know, I have looked plenty. However if he just wants to change I guess there are worse cars to choose, provided he's all in it for the engine and the 'Americaness' of it, if he is looking for a refined, comfortable V8 cruiser though, I'd keep the Jag or buy another Jag ...because it's much better at it than the 300c.

Well it's better in every way than the 300c except for drag racing and making a thunderous noise. Having said that, the XJR will give it a run for it's money at that too, although you really can't make a Jag sound quite like an American V8 ...it's got a totally different flavour really.

The only other car like the 300c I can think of is the Vauxhall VXR8 ...they are a bit more expensive though ...but arguably better, although in all honesty I'd probably have the 300c over that, as it's softer and waftier. There are a number of AMG Mercedes that fall into the 14k bracket now too the E55 being the most obvious similar car, although I'd sooner have the Jag or a BMW 545i for that matter...I don't think you'ed get a 550i for that. In any case you'll be buying an older car with the Germans of course.

I really do believe that if you like big wafty luxurious cars and smooth petrol engines, the late X350 Jaguar XJ is the best car you can buy for less than 20k ...maybe even approaching 30k arguably, although as you approach 30k the W221 S class wades into the mix and that's a really heavy hitter in this bracket, better than the Jag technically a least ..well better than almost anything really I suppose, regardless of price.
 
Last edited:
Buy another Jag, those Chryslers are cheap for a readon, they are ****.

Just get a later Jag.

They rattle, the trim is ****, they got the imitation Bentley grill that makes you look a ****, they are just ****.

Did i mention they drive **** too?

Hang on let me think of a word to sum them up.... its come to me, **** :)
 
Last edited:
I didn't want to go as far as saying that, as I love the engine in the Chrysler, but yea they are **** tbh ...and when you actually get into one you will see why they are cheap. Honestly I would send the wood police around to investigate the crime going on inside that Chrysler.
 
Last edited:
Too old for a Mustang? Seen a few GT Premiums with the V8 in them for this sort of money.

Little bit different to a Jag XJ though....


:p
 
He really needs 4 doors and quite a big car, I gathered that would be the view on the forums. I drove a rental one over in the states and it was low spec I didn't think it was as good as the jag. His is XJ8 x350 3.5 sport and is very nice but it has a few problems. The idle tensioner is going, the drivers seat plastic is cracked and creeks, the cd changer is faulty, and to top it off dad broke the clip on the l/h headlight and the bulb sits to high. The bodywork is mint I do the looking after that for him. I keep trying to tempt him with a bently but he is to tight to spend the cash! I will suggest to keep the jag as it will be a better all rounder.
 
I think if he was going to change he wanted something diffrent. I have swayed him away from the 300 for now but we never know! I will suggest him to try a new shape jag, I showed him the 4.2 supercharged and he liked those so we shall see he can always add a bit to his budget to get a minter!
 
Buy another Jag, those Chryslers are cheap for a readon, they are ****.

)

They arent really, even top gear likes the 300c V8.

My Chrysler must be a one off, cheap, fast, reliable.

I can bet you any amount you like that what ever you have owned over the past 8 years, will have cost you more in breakdowns and replacement parts than my car has.
............. and cost more in tyres, fuel, oil, insurance, and not been a whole lot faster (0-60 in 7.2 seconds, 135 mph flat out) and cost more to buy.

:)
 
Last edited:
They arent really, even top gear likes the 300c V8.

My Chrysler must be a one off, cheap, fast, reliable.

I can bet you any amount you like that what ever you have owned over the past 8 years, will have cost you more in breakdowns and replacement parts than my car has.
............. and cost more in tyres, fuel, oil, insurance, and not been a whole lot faster (0-60 in 7.2 seconds, 135 mph flat out) and cost more to buy.

:)

You win! All my cars end up costing me to run them :)
 
If he was going to get one it would need to be the SRT8. I think I have swayed him to keep the jag for a little longer.
 
If he has a 4.2 now and is considering the 300c SRT8 then he's going to find the 3.5 V8 XJ8 a bit slow tbh, I know as I had one, and it's not really any faster than the V6 tbh ...just torquier really. The 4.2 is noticeably quicker.
 
He has the 3.5 at the moment but I was talking about him getting the 4.2 supercharged version. We had a look at one today at jag dealer but it was way overpriced and had more miles than his had on it.
 
Back
Top Bottom