Newbi needs advice

[jonny]

I’m just recently retired and have never been a petrol head in any way! In fact I own a LDV City Pilot but it now sits on the drive doing nothing, and I would like to spoil myself by buying a ‘Jag’. As it happens one of my neighbours has one for sale I know it’s used regularly and know he looks after it. It ‘s a P reg XJ8 3.248 cc, I consider it to be in fair condition and don’t have a grumble over the price £500, but on initial checks the ‘ins’ seems a bit high £450 or is it? And can anyone advise where I could get it cheaper ‘ie’ Jag owners club? And any other pit falls I might encounter with older Jags

[BigAl]

Hi John, you could try insurance comparison sites as well as independent companies for the quote, things to look for the mileage, why is he selling it (personally I would not buy a Jag without FSH),

if things go wrong will normally cost a dearer than your average car, but otherwise are fantastic cars, good luck.

[jonny]

Hi John, you could try insurance comparison sites as well as independent companies for the quote, things to look for the mileage, why is he selling it (personally I would not buy a Jag without FSH),

if things go wrong will normally cost a dearer than your average car, but otherwise are fantastic cars, good luck.

BigAl

Thanks for your thoughts I'm not over concernd for his reason to sell ,as I know him a little!!, He's actually just bought a 5ltr Merc and I have seen him using the Jag On a regular basis Commuting from W-ton to Petobourgh and he has told me about the cars history as much as he can, I also know he has fitted a new battery top of the range one! and had the car servised at a good local garage, I know I must sound over cautious but its just that I've never owned a car of any credability before and the Ins is as much as the car and if I ever had to make a claim the excess would be as much again---Spose I'm on a no win situation!

[BigAl]

Hi John, Not sure what mileage you do, but if you do less than 6000 miles a year, this can give you a big discount, also some banks offer special deals for their customers, see if you can get someone who knows about cars to come out with you.

You would also need to take it for a long drive when the engine is cold, check all switches, windows, lights listen for noises whilst driving, check suspension, if they have a timing belt,cam belt you will need to know when these were changed.

Basically if the interior of the car is tatty, I would say that the car has not been looked after very well, but most Jag drivers take pride in their cars, hope this helps a little bit (average mileage should be 10 -12,000 miles a year, tyres are also dear for Jags, Good luck.

[jonny]

Hi Al I’m finding your input reassuring I’ve already decided to have a test drive! ‘nothing to lose there’ I’ve not yet seen the interior so I will have a close inspection, I will only be doing about 3000ml a year as I also drive my wife’s car (the jag is only for a bit of independence) and as a personal toy, I’ve been told not to expect to get more than 22per gallon is this about right in your opinion and thanks for mentioning my Bank that could be useful, at the moment it looks as if the Ins will be around £350 I was hoping to get a deal as a classic car but I believe it has to be 20 years old so I don’t think that will be possible, Oh well I’ll keep trying

[BigAl]

Hi John, Also look at supermarkets like Tesco, Asda etc as they arrange insurance, let the insurance know that you will only be doing 3000 miles also you may be able to get the Jag on a multiple car insurance,

22mpg sounds about right, But should be better on long journeys, Jags are more of a motorway car for better economy, also ask how much Oil the car uses and check underneath the car for Oil leaks on the floor, these will show up better after the engine is hot as if any Oil leaks

will start dripping on the floor, also check the colour of the oil, should be clean if it has had a recent service, check that there is no water in the oil, traces of white when you look in the oil filler as could be signs of head gasket problems or other things.

If you are happy with the car, I would still see if you could get the car cheaper, no harm in haggling on the price, they can only say yes or no. Alan

[Steve]

what about classic insurance? they have limited milage but could be perfect for you.

be wary of supermarket insurance, they hammer you for voluntary and compulsary excess to make the policy seem cheaper.

[BigAl]

Is classic insurance for 20 years and older cars, as with all paperwork, you need to read everything especially the SMALL PRINT, good luck.

[Alastair]

Make sure you do read the small print on the insurance – – – if you taking protests arrived it will "blow your socks off", I fell in love with mine on the first test drive

Best,

Alastair :-)