A Stroke of Genius or Certain Doom Ahead?

[Broadsword]

I had been egging Dollywobbler on to buy a 4.0 XJ6 for on his blog before discovering this place. Now that he has done that whole thing in spectacular style, it's my turn. I didn't really expect to trip over one that (A. was cheap, B. local, C. working, D. clean).

 

Fast forward to this morning an advert turns up on the local Gumtree. No photos, 1997 Jaguar 4.0. MOT till the end of September. Very little info. Called up the owner. Got there an hour later.

 

What I was presented with was a 1997 long wheel base 4.0 straight 6 in light blue, hurrah its an X300! Interior perfect. Exterior has a few scabs but overall very presentable. I had never driven a Jag or indeed an automatic... or a rear wheel drive anything. Anyway test drive was fine. The gearbox was so smooth I couldn't tell what gear I was in. Kickdown seems to work. Nearly everything electrical works (one mirror out). Service history: massive.

 

So I was standing there with no excuse not to buy it, wondering how my life will be ruined by this car. I promptly handed over my monies pending collection next week.

 

Oh and the price? £395.

At this price I fail to see how this exercise can go wrong. If it explodes, scrap value is £300 I'm told.

 

 

[alf892]

You are now living the life of a winner.

 

I hope your wallet can stand it!

[carlo]

Sounds eminently sensible to me.  I need to own/try a Jag very soon.

[Cavcraft]

Christ, what a bargain. Well bought, sir.

[NorfolkNWeigh]

I am envious of you- Your first proper car, by the sounds of it, you're going to have a blast.

As an old and jaded gobshite I can't think of anything I might drive let alone own which is going to be as much of a new and thrilling experience.

[Heidel_Kakao]

Hard to see how you can lose at that price, even if it fails the MOT you will still have been smoking around in a Jag for a few months. Living the dream!

[stuboy]

stroke of genius

[Pillock]

Wow, that's thoroughly decent value.

 

Next time someone moans there's no cheap cars, I shall merely reply "Broadsword".

[320touring]

Success

[dome]

Love it.

 

2 randoms please!

[Broadsword]

Let's just hope it works out. It may well be going to the continent for a long drive. Good news is that it will just fit on the driveway. Drove up alongside in the V70 and they seem to be exactly the same length.

 

If the MOT is going to be a major problem then I think a roffle is the way to go. It had inner sils welded last year. It has advisories on rear suspension area surface rust so let's see. I wouldn't mind paying for a bit of welding to see this on the road for another year. I want the bonnet mascot off. Anyone know what to do with the holes left behind?

 

I'll report back next weekend. There will be many opprtunities for a pez shot.

[cort16]

Lovely, you'll enjoy that .

You can spend time like all xj owners looking at a huge car and wondering were all the interior space has gone

[Mally]

Worth £395 for the first photo alone.

[Bucketeer]

You're bang on about the UKIP councillor bonnet mascot, it needs sacking off pronto. Maybe leave the holes as engine cooling bonnet nostrils.

[Jim Bell]

Jaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaag.

 

Approved.

[Partridge]

Stroke of genius. You really, literally, can't go wrong with that. It's an X300, they're bomb proof. It probably won't break. Your life won't be ruined, trust me.

I paid 100 quid more for my old one, and that looked like it had been hit with a shovel, had 170k on the clock and never gave me any trouble. I loved it.

It's still in daily use with it's current owner, and he loves it.

[eddyramrod]

There's no way you can go wrong with that.  Hell, I'd give you profit on it right now if I had any money!  Lovely.

[John F]

WilsonWilson, on 18 Jun 2017 - 8:20 PM, said:

Jaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaag.

 

Approved.

 

You bastard, I was going to post that.

[chodweaver]

What is taking up all the interior space?

 

 

Win. That's what's taking it up.

 

 

Well bought. Well jel.

 

Sent from my BV6000 using Tapatalk

[HillmanImp]

Friggin 'ell, the only reason this can go wrong is if you run someone over and impail them on the bonnet ornament.

 

Friggin bargain.

 

Lovely colour too. I would hit that.

[Broadsword]

Maybe the holes left by the bonnet mascot can be plugged with plastic bungs of some description. Not that a man can complain at this price but it would be better if it weren't long wheelbase. The amount of rear legroom is ridiculous. I have to go a long way back in my memory banks to know such luxury. Probably a Citroen CX I was in when I was 10. Slight trepidation at the thought of this being on the drive. Maybe I should take inspiration from our political leaders. It's going to be great, so great. It's going to win bigly and it will also be strong and stable.

[taxi paul]

Even if it breaks ,which it won't. Still park it on the drive and wash and polish it. The ladies love a jag and will be all over you. Just wait and see.

[Mally]

I'm in the minority here, but I'd leave the mascot rather than have the holes in the bonnet.

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

Welcome to Bonnet Holes Jag club!

[Dave_Q]

RE: the thread title.

 

 

Both.

 

It's definitely both.

 

 

Well played.

[Broadsword]

The day is going very well indeed. Within 30 minutes of getting home from the Jag caper I put my Citroen C1 on Gumtree for £1200 ish. I just sold it for £1175. Not bad, not bad. Kind of harsh on the C1 though. It was completely reliable, £20 tax and very frugal. As a result it has been sold and replaced with something currently doing 25 mpg.

[dome]

I have a collection of inappropriately mounted leapers I've liberated from jaguars of mine over the years. I suggest you start collecting them too.

[Magnificent Rustbucket]

What a bargain!

[MorrisItalSLX]

As it has been said many times before, CHEAP JAAAGS ARE FOR WINNERS.

[bunglebus]

 I want the bonnet mascot off. Anyone know what to do with the holes left behind?