I first drive a Series 3 E-Type Coupe when I was 17 and have dreamed of owning one ever since. It's been a 35 year wait but finally I am ready.
I am looking for a drivable Series 2 or 3 2+2 with a manual box. Hopefully a rust free car with a well maintained power train. I would prefer a Series 2 but with a $40k budget I realize a Series 3 is probably more realistic. Any advice would be greatly received as I'm sure I will be asking many questions over the following weeks and months while I search.

 

My advice is to never buy "sight unseen". There have been several scams with classic cars that are in demand, posted on the internet. These generally show an immaculate car but at a very good price. Money changes hands and then both money and car disappears never to be seen again. Some of these crooks even set-up "escrow" accounts that are part of the scam, thus encouraging the buyer to think all is well.

I'm not sure what $40k (= £27k) will get you in the USA, but here in the UK you would be struggling to find a really decent car at that money; the classic car market is manic at the moment. Try to find a copy of "Classic and Sports Car" a UK classic car magazine. Lots of US dealers advertise in that.

 

Thank you Fraser. Luckily for me, you can find nice drivable cars here for that price. Certainly not perfect, but a car that you can drive and enjoy.

 

Why not a series one? just curious.

 

I would love a series 1, but they do seem to command much higher prices. My choice of S2 or S3 is simply a matter of budget.

 

Series II roadsters which are considered high-end and well sorted out drivers, start at 60K. Spend less than that and your opening up your checkbook with no end in sight. At 40K a 2+2 is certainly the best option.

 

What do you think this 1967 all original with 10k miles is worth?

 

check Hagerty car values. Does that one drive OK? If its a reliable driver, and not rusting out underneath, then 35 - 45 G US dollars is a ball park.

 

I agree, nice patina, it could be 40K if it's systems have been been gone through. In my experience such original low mileage doesn't guarantee the need for 20K more to put in... As a car sits it incurs wear...wiring degrades, gas tank gunk, brake lines, tires rot and on and on. Thorough PPI with road tests at 90mph are essential. Good Luck!
David

 

Like I said, yo need to see the car personally, or an inspection company for you, and title to be known. Of course here in the UK its easier to drive to see a car, we are a small island. Upside you you is the price level in the USA is a lot lower for E-types. Only question I have is - do you really want a 2+2, the shape is not as nice as the coupe.

A Series 3, which is a V12 engine, has only one closed body style, similar to the 2+2 but made a bit more stylish.

 

I've been calling dealers to get an idea what they think its worth. One of them has a buyer and the dealer is willing to pay $35k sight unseen. That means he's selling it for $40k or more. Too rich for me.

 

2+2 cars do not command the prices of coupes or OTS cars...In general, they just don't have the same appeal...
They cost the same to maintain and repair , though....
If I were you, I would wait till I had enough for a coupe...Just my 2cents.
Edward

 

I agree, 2+2 E-types do not command the same price as a coupe. That's one of the reasons I bought a 2+2... I could afford one. Also needed a shoehorn to get in and out of a coupe. Anyway, a coupe in similar shape to the pics shown by OP would be in the 70G range. No longer an affordable hobby car for many people.

 

I think that you can find a "driver" (#3-), coupe, that needs cosmetics, in the 45k+ range....Then, TLC, as you can afford to....By the time you are done, you will have a much more valuable car...
As I said earlier, you will put just as much money in the 2+2, after purchase. In fact, I would venture to say that if you buy the 2+2 above, you will have 50K in it, by the time you are happy with it, but you would be hard pressed to get that money back....This is just my personal opinion, of course.
Check this one on ebay....May go at a low price...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Jaguar-E-Typ...m=131717192056

Edward