Old Peter

That is typical, Graham. For some unknown reason, certain people think that parking a car next to another cat leaves more space in a car park. The French, when they are not waving a White Flag, do very odd things. Peter.

HI Trevor, Yes the XJ is a great car, and there are quite a few round here. The big issue with a big car is the type of roads on which you do most of your driving, and the ability to park it easily. Most of my driving is on motorways and dual carriageways, and so a big car is great. In a city there is so much good public transport I can leave the car at home when I have to go into Birmingham -- 'bus stop at the end of the road and the cross city line a few hundred yards away, and it is free! Enjoy one of the most beautiful cars on the road next week --- it might even want to come back to visit Castle Bromwich! Regards, Peter.

Useful warning, Mick. I will be renewing mine next week. I will have the letter from DLVA to hand and make sure that it is the correct site to use. Regards, Peter.

Hi Trevor, I knew a guy who always used to buy his cars from the last few ever made. He argued that all the problems with the early models had been well sorted and the manufacturers were making sure that all the bell and whistles available were on the car. The last company car I had was underpowered, poorly upholstered, with poor petrol economy and with terrible steering. It was one of the first off the line. Within two years the model had been re engined, new steering geometry and better upholstery. My S type is from the last period of production and the only extras that it has not got are Jaguar Voice and a built in TV, neither of which I would have had anyway. I am sure you will enjoy the XK-R and I agree that it would be more suited to the Devonshire Roads. I had the opportunity to buy an XJ [old shape] that was equipped with all you would expect HM the Queen to have, but it was a long wheelbase and the turn into my driveway is just about manageable with the S Type which is 16 feet long. It had belonged to the Queen's fleet and the insurance would have been very high. I look to hearing from you when you have given it a good spin acres the moors. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the Club, John. I am sure that there will be some interest in the "Two Jags". Regards, Peter.

I am surprised at that, Alan, as they say they will cover cars of any age. It might be worth having a look at Money Supermarket.com and see what is available there. Regards, Peter.

Sounds great, Simon. I will be there at 11.00 am ---- look out for my White Flat cap. Peter.

I still walk a few corridors of power now and then, so a suit is de rigeur, unfortunately. I will be in my old posh office in Covent Garden on Tuesday --- they still regard me as a legend --- and then I will go round to Berners St to buy my daughter a drink. Regards, Peter.

I would be inclined to do the same, as the battery will be OK in the car in storage. A power pack will soon start it when you get back. Peter.

You are quite right, Mick. I bought a Rover Sterling in 2000, just 8 months old, a beautiful car with the 2.5 litre K series engine. Within a month I had a smashed year light, trolley bashed, and 5 door dents all obtained in car parks. I kept the car for 11 years till 122k on the clock. The worst incident was when I was parked on the road side while I gave my driveway a good brushing and her next door smacked the front bumper with her green mondeo, leaving a large amount of paint on my bumper and an 8 inch dent in her door. She couldn't see me because of the hedge but the impact was loud enough. She got out, looked at it then went inside without mentioning it to me. Her car disappeared for two days and came back undented. The green paint remained on my car so that all the other neighbours could see it. I do the same as you in car parks. Regards, Peter.

Yes, Richard. Permission would have to be granted. Peter.

We do the five/2 diet, plus careful choice of food. It works. Getting older, as both of us are, brisk walks are out of the question, as are longer walks. The healthy life style has lost me 3 stones in 18 months. The only downside is having to buy news shirts and new suits. Peter.

The weather is changing for the better so it should be a very good day.

Welcome to the Club, Pete. You will enjoy the shared Jaguar experiences and maybe the banter between a lot of friendly people. Regards Peter.

You are stilll a youngster, Trevor, but you are doing the right things to stay that way. I will be 80 in three weeks and I want to do the things to stay as fit as I am now. Unfortunately the mechanics of the body is not holding out like it was, although the technical bits are still OK -- I think! Peter

I am allowed a pie once a month in order to remain within my healthy regime, as also with fish and chips. Pork scratchings and crisps are also out! Luckily I don't have to do 8 miles runs or 30 press ups every day! Peter.

I have never eaten tripe in my life,Trevor, Pies yes -- I will have a steak and kidney pie tonight for dinner with Jersey Royals. Home made -- I made it. I thoroughly enjoyed driving my wife's XR3i convertible in Brilliant Red -- but I didn't own it!! Red cars stand out and thieves like them. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Mike. You will never stop smiling at your Jaguar even when Yorkshire lose to Lancashire at Headingly. As Geoff says, most of the guys in the club drive more mature cars partly because they have always wanted one and partly because they are such good value for money. Regards, Peter [Lancastrian in Exile]

Welcome to the Club, Grant. I have had a quick look around a couple of websites and have found a few 2003 s types for sale. For instance, there was a 3.0 litre S Type Sport selling at £2950 with 81 k on the clock so the price seems OK. Jaguar prices do seem to fall quite drastically after they are a few years old for some unknown reason that one could only guess at, but possibly the reason could be is that some drivers are afraid of them -- they are quite a powerful car. The S Type sometimes suffers from some small amount of water ingress in the boot which can get to the battery, but can easily be cured by putting a piece of folded kitchen paper just by the battery. You tell us that the car is in mint condition and that is good, and that it was owned by a Jaguar enthusiast which is another good point. I wold be inclined to get some good polish, fill up the car with top grade petrol, and give the car a good run across to Oxford, maybe, or even the 60 odd miles to Castle Bromwich where you car was born! Enjoy your Jaguar. Regards, Peter.

Don't ever get a red car, Trevor. The first one I ever had was a Ford Escort [company car] and I was hit in the rear in Market Weighton. The second was an Austin Montego [company car] and was hit on the passenger side by an idiot coming out of a side road who failed to see me. The third was a Jaguar X Type that was stolen. Only three red cars in 50 years and only three such incidents. Never get a red car. Peter.

Welcome to the Club, Paul. The Jaguar experience is a good one, isn't it? I am treating my car to a Terraclean on the 23rd May [£114 inc vat]. Others who have had the decoke done, because that is basically what it is, give good reports. Regards, Peter.

Hi Geoff, It does sound like the system in my car. I think the Heath Robinson solution, using some impact glue and a small piece of plastic to replicate the "bumps" might be the answer. And Brian, I have a large box in the garage in which all those little bits go. You never know when those bits might come in useful Regards, Peter.

Hi Brian, There is no retaining strap on my s type, although the box lid is retained by the shape of the lining and the frame of the glovebox. My s type is a bit younger than yours, though. There will be someone with a similar dated model who will tell you the answer. A Heath Robinson fix might well be the easier solution - or a breaker's yard. Regards, Peter.

Welcome to the club, Michael. Bodywork is quite an exact science, but I would guess there is someone in the Club who has had a go. Regards, Peter

Welcome to the Club, Alan. Try GEM Motoring assistance. Voted the top breakdown company about three times over the last 5 years. Guild of Experienced Motorists. Regards, Peter.