Thinking about selling the 7...thinking

[Submariner]

As some of you may or may not know, I've always loved beg Jaguar saloons.? Something about them is just so appealing to me, and they're very British demeanor is, again, attractive.

A few weeks back, my dad started to look at a Used XJ portfolio V8 to replace the tank of a 7 series he sold.? Although he found the interior to be not quite up to par to the 7, in terms of detail at least, he and I both found the driving dynamics to be phenominal.? Everything about the way this car drove gave you the impression the engeneers were drivers, not those who liked to be driven.? Yet despite its sporting intentions, it's the kind of car you could pick up clients at the airport with, and waft them to a meeting 200 miles away in perfect comfort.

He ended up going with an E-63, but that didn't stop my love for the XJ.? I decided to look on the used market for some early model XJ's and was shocked to see the pricing.? Low miliage examples go for as little as 30k, with expensive models toppin g out in the low 40's.? I stopped by the local dealer in Hartford and was stricken by a vanden plas they had.? It was White on beige, with 19' in 5 spoke wheels and a mesh grille from the XJR.?



That's not the car, but it gives you a good idea of what it looks like.

The price is very low, and the car is so so hot.? But to tell you the truth I don't know if I can do it.? I love my 7 so much, and the XJ isn't a complete knockout.? The XJ, while for the most part assembled with good materials, is lacking in some areas, and I prefer the "German" feel to the semi-English feel crafted by Ford.? But to tell you the truth, the XJ is more of a drivers car than the 7.? Driving is an absolute pleasure in this vehicle.? The only gripe I have with the drive is the lack of any manumatic function.? Thats it.?

What do you people think?? Should I sell or not?

[JYODER240]

Why are you looking for such a large car? What not something smaller and sportier?

[TheIntrepid]

DO IT!!! The XJ is an absolute BADASS vehicle.

[Submariner]

Why are you looking for such a large car? What not something smaller and sportier?

I'm a sucker for Large saloons.  Sorry, I just am.

[TheIntrepid]

I'm a sucker for Large saloons.  Sorry, I just am.

Intrepid, anyone?

[Raza]

Your dad has an E63 AMG and I'm just finding out about this now!?

Your 740i is a good car.  I would not get rid of it for a VDP.  Jag used values drop like smooth stones, which is great.  You can get an older 6 cylinder XJR for just over 10 grand or so.

If there's a VDP at this price, there's an XJR.  Go for that.  Or, if you want smaller, get a last generation XJR.  It'll probably go for half the price.  I wish I could find a decent Jag with a stick, since it would easily fit into my price range.  Alas, they don't seem to exist. 

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=220458341&dealer_id=5758095&car_year=2002&model=JAGXJR&num_records=25&make2=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&search_type=both&distance=0&make=JAG&color=&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=18966&advanced=&end_year=2008&doors=&transmission=&max_price=30000&cardist=939

[Danish]

I wish I could find a decent Jag with a stick, since it would easily fit into my price range.  Alas, they don't seem to exist. 

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=222645115&dealer_id=60188363&car_year=1999&search_type=both&num_records=25&keywordsfyc=&make=JAG&transmission=Manual&model=JAGXJR&distance=0&make2=&address=90505&default_sort=priceDESC&advanced=y&certified=&max_mileage=&max_price=30000&sort_type=priceDESC&min_price=&body_code=0&end_year=2008&keywordsrep=&color=&start_year=1981&drive=&engine=&fuel=&doors=&style_flag=1&cardist=306

[Raza]

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=222645115&dealer_id=60188363&car_year=1999&search_type=both&num_records=25&keywordsfyc=&make=JAG&transmission=Manual&model=JAGXJR&distance=0&make2=&address=90505&default_sort=priceDESC&advanced=y&certified=&max_mileage=&max_price=30000&sort_type=priceDESC&min_price=&body_code=0&end_year=2008&keywordsrep=&color=&start_year=1981&drive=&engine=&fuel=&doors=&style_flag=1&cardist=306

Yeah, I mean one with a real manual, not an imaginary one.

[red_shift]

Sub,

   I am in the same boat. Looking for a lightly used XJ or XJR. After looking at the specs, I will probably stick with XJ base because it weighs in at a light 3700+ lbs. Vanden Plas, I believe is 3900 lbs or so, could be wrong by a few pounds. My aim is to tool around in a comfortable, plush, yet sporty and light big sedan.

Good luck! 

[The Pirate]

I love both, but I'd probably keep the 7.  You know it's history, and it's a great car as well.

FYI, I'd kill to be in your situation.  Let's see, do I want to keep my 7 series, or get an XJ.   

[ro51092]

I'd keep the 7. Even if I were to decide between both from the start, I'd always take the E38.

[Submariner]

Your dad has an E63 AMG and I'm just finding out about this now!?

Your 740i is a good car.  I would not get rid of it for a VDP.  Jag used values drop like smooth stones, which is great.  You can get an older 6 cylinder XJR for just over 10 grand or so.

If there's a VDP at this price, there's an XJR.  Go for that.  Or, if you want smaller, get a last generation XJR.  It'll probably go for half the price.  I wish I could find a decent Jag with a stick, since it would easily fit into my price range.  Alas, they don't seem to exist. 

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=220458341&dealer_id=5758095&car_year=2002&model=JAGXJR&num_records=25&make2=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&search_type=both&distance=0&make=JAG&color=&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=18966&advanced=&end_year=2008&doors=&transmission=&max_price=30000&cardist=939

Not yet.

Its got the 030 performance and Premium packages.  Wheather I can convinve him to send it to Renntech for a 555 HP upgrade is the bigger question.

[Submariner]

Your dad has an E63 AMG and I'm just finding out about this now!?

Your 740i is a good car.  I would not get rid of it for a VDP.  Jag used values drop like smooth stones, which is great.  You can get an older 6 cylinder XJR for just over 10 grand or so.

If there's a VDP at this price, there's an XJR.  Go for that.  Or, if you want smaller, get a last generation XJR.  It'll probably go for half the price.  I wish I could find a decent Jag with a stick, since it would easily fit into my price range.  Alas, they don't seem to exist. 

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=220458341&dealer_id=5758095&car_year=2002&model=JAGXJR&num_records=25&make2=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&search_type=both&distance=0&make=JAG&color=&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=18966&advanced=&end_year=2008&doors=&transmission=&max_price=30000&cardist=939

Well, thats the point.  The price has droped to a phenominally low rate.  I'm not too too worried about further depreciation. 

[the Teuton]

Jaguars depreciate like Vietnamese prostitutes after the age of 15.  Lovely cars, horrible investment.  Stick with the Bimmer.

[850CSi]

I love the XJ and I'm trying to push my dad towards one, but I'd stick with the 7.

[JYODER240]

I'm a sucker for Large saloons.? Sorry, I just am.

Bleh, get a Boxster S.

[cawimmer430]

Very nice. After the A8 and S-Class, the XJ is my third choice in this class.

That white one looks great, but I'd change the rims. Perhaps add the rims from the XJR to make it look even sportier while still retaining some class.

What about a W124 500E? 

[Raza]

Jaguars depreciate like Vietnamese prostitutes after the age of 15.  Lovely cars, horrible investment.  Stick with the Bimmer.

Why would you call it an investment? 

I always look at depreciation when buying a new car, but with a used car, high depreciation is great.  Whenever I see a car that has low depreciation (look at the E46 3 series and the Honda Civic), it doesn't make sense to buy used, when buying new costs only a little more.

[Raza]

Not yet.

Its got the 030 performance and Premium packages.  Wheather I can convinve him to send it to Renntech for a 555 HP upgrade is the bigger question.

Forget about the 555bhp package.  RennTech is not really known for its reliability...

How are last generation S8s looking?

[Payman]

How about a Phaeton?



They are essentially A8's at a much lower price. I just checked autotrader.com, and the V8 is running between 30-45K, while the W12 averages 50-65K.

[Submariner]

Forget about the 555bhp package.  RennTech is not really known for its reliability...

How are last generation S8s looking?

Then perhaps he should leave it stock?

I looked at last generation A8's, another sedan I love, but for me the Jag just fits the bill perfectly, and in most cases, have lower miles on them, and are cheaper.  A win win for me.

[Submariner]

How about a Phaeton?



They are essentially A8's at a much lower price. I just checked autotrader.com, and the V8 is running between 30-45K, while the W12 averages 50-65K.

Phaetons are fine luxury cars, but are totally uninvolving to drive, and I'm not too fond of they way they look either.  Besides, the ones in my area seem to be outta my price point.   

[Payman]

I would consider one based on the interior alone:

[Raza]

Then perhaps he should leave it stock?

I looked at last generation A8's, another sedan I love, but for me the Jag just fits the bill perfectly, and in most cases, have lower miles on them, and are cheaper.? A win win for me.

If he really wants, I know a great guy who modifies AMGs exclusively.  The only problem is that it's a 1 man operation, essentially, so you'd need to hand the car off to me for about 3-6 months until he'd be able to get it back to you.

[ChrisV]

Jaguars depreciate like Vietnamese prostitutes after the age of 15.  Lovely cars, horrible investment.  Stick with the Bimmer.

Turst me, I bought a $75k BMW E38 for $7500. They drop their value faster than Jags, even.

Dude, I've had a couple older XJs, pre-Ford. They were comfortable cars, but not drivers cars like the E38, especially the sport package like yours. The Vanden Plas is definitely not as much of a driver's car, but sooo lovely.

[TBR]

the post-Ford Jaguars are far different than the older ones, especially the newest XJs and XKs.

[ChrisV]

the post-Ford Jaguars are far different than the older ones, especially the newest XJs and XKs.

I know, I've driven an XJ8 and XJR, which was the closest to the E38 I was looking at, as far as driver's cars are concerned, but they were quite a bit more money for the same year car, even though they were similar in cost, new. The Vanden Plas is the luxury version, not the sporty version, and as such, is much more isolated from the road and driving process than the E38 7 series, IMO.

[SJ_GTI]

Is this the aluminum bodied Jag?

I would go for the Jag! Beautiful cars IMHO.

[red_shift]

I know, I've driven an XJ8 and XJR, which was the closest to the E38 I was looking at, as far as driver's cars are concerned, but they were quite a bit more money for the same year car, even though they were similar in cost, new. The Vanden Plas is the luxury version, not the sporty version, and as such, is much more isolated from the road and driving process than the E38 7 series, IMO.

So you have driven the Aluminum bodied XJ? And you feel E38 is more of a driver's car?

[ChrisV]

So you have driven the Aluminum bodied XJ? And you feel E38 is more of a driver's car?

His E38 is the Sport version, with the better suspension and wheel/tire package. I'd take it over my 7. But yeah, I like the feel even of my older E38 better than the Vanden Plas would give. I think it "feels" smaller and more responsive. I'm sure the Portfolio is a great driver's car, too, and I'd love to have one. But in his price range, he's not really moving up in road feel or steering feel, to me. OTOH, the Jag is much more luxurious with a GREAT interior. And it'll have a better ride than his or my 7.