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- Joined
- 6 Jul 2008
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- 1,841
WARNING: Long and boring post ahead
OK, I have had a bizarre fetish for the Jaguar XJS since I started driving. I am on my second now and even though it drinks fuel and isn't particularly fast, I love it. I even catch myself walking out the front door and going "Oooh a Jaguar" before realising it's mine.
Anyway I have had this one for almost a year, and although initially it was in great condition there are a "few" jobs need doing including a couple of very expensive ones. Probably about £3000 worth to make it "great". The front subframe needs replaced before the next MOT which will cost more than £1000.
The thing is, I could get a great-condition XJS for £3000 but it will be extremely hard to get a great-condition one which I KNOW has had all the XJS niggles ironed out, especially the dreaded subframe corrosion.
So, at first I thought it would be insane to keep the one I have now as it would be cheaper to replace it. The problem though, is if I replace it, how do I know I won't face the same problems again? These cars are getting old and come with issues, which I accept is part of owning old cars. I have the disposable income.
So, I have a choice of ditching the current XJS and saving or taking out a bank loan (I have cash to spend but I'm not a saver) and getting another (If I do get another it has to be the V12) with the added bonus of now knowing a local specialist who says he will view the replacement with me, or, over the course of a year or two, getting the necessary work done on my current car, which being "only" a 4 litre straight 6 is a far better daily driver than a V12 of course.
So, in summary, I have 2 choices:
1) Ditch current car and buy replacement, with possible untold dangers, and the prospect of having to drive some dingy FWD box in the meantime.
2) Spend big money over the course of a year or so, to have the knowledge that the car will be good for years to come.
Your expert opinions?
OK, I have had a bizarre fetish for the Jaguar XJS since I started driving. I am on my second now and even though it drinks fuel and isn't particularly fast, I love it. I even catch myself walking out the front door and going "Oooh a Jaguar" before realising it's mine.
Anyway I have had this one for almost a year, and although initially it was in great condition there are a "few" jobs need doing including a couple of very expensive ones. Probably about £3000 worth to make it "great". The front subframe needs replaced before the next MOT which will cost more than £1000.
The thing is, I could get a great-condition XJS for £3000 but it will be extremely hard to get a great-condition one which I KNOW has had all the XJS niggles ironed out, especially the dreaded subframe corrosion.
So, at first I thought it would be insane to keep the one I have now as it would be cheaper to replace it. The problem though, is if I replace it, how do I know I won't face the same problems again? These cars are getting old and come with issues, which I accept is part of owning old cars. I have the disposable income.
So, I have a choice of ditching the current XJS and saving or taking out a bank loan (I have cash to spend but I'm not a saver) and getting another (If I do get another it has to be the V12) with the added bonus of now knowing a local specialist who says he will view the replacement with me, or, over the course of a year or two, getting the necessary work done on my current car, which being "only" a 4 litre straight 6 is a far better daily driver than a V12 of course.
So, in summary, I have 2 choices:
1) Ditch current car and buy replacement, with possible untold dangers, and the prospect of having to drive some dingy FWD box in the meantime.
2) Spend big money over the course of a year or so, to have the knowledge that the car will be good for years to come.
Your expert opinions?
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