...but not owner.
Hello all and thanks for having me!

Here's the thing. It'll be a surprise for my dad, who turned 70 this winter. He's doing great, he's healthy and more or less active. He's been a car enthusiast all his life - but didn't exactly have the means to indulge his passion. The best he could manage was get a couple (don't ask) of BMW's, the '70 7 Series, and this was in the mid-'90s. He drives a Golf 5 now. So go figure.
I know for a fact he dreams of a Jag (told me so) - and what you'd call (I...wouldn't want to restart a debate a read tons about ) a proper one. Which, in his mind, would be a late-'80s Series 3 XJ or an x300 type.
Yup, want to get him one. Nope, I'm not flithy rich, this is gonna be hard lol. It wouldn't be his everyday car: weekends and out of town only. Uhmmm no garage unfortunately.
...I'm sorry if I shouldn't post this right up here (but saw that is customary to ask a new-comer his ride - aaaaand I don't have one), and to the admins - please let me know where to post this or move it entirely!
...So (and thanks for bearing with the story so far!) I got basically two options, cars I actually know of - and please please let me know what you think:
1.a 2003 3.0 v6 x350, around 100k, second owner, recently completely rebuilt (maybe two years) gearbox with the papers to prove it. A bit earlier, owner had changed the rear air suspension. Kept always the car in the garage (and it shows). Hasn't done many miles in recent years, too big, too gas-guzzling for him, was a whim, he fulfilled it. He would sell it but car's not on the internet, he's not in a hurry, would like to find the right owner. Seems a trusty guy, friend of a friend of a friend (literally). Extremely kind, all all-around common sense man, he would accept any kind of test, he would let me drive it (I didn't yet, just rode with him a bit). 8.5k euros / ~10.5k $ / ~7.5 gbp
2. a 1983 5.3 xj12, around 13k. Found on the internet, it's registered as an historic vehicle. Don't know the guy, never talked to him. Car looks beautiful, apparently well maintained (seller lists a number of repairs done and consumables changed), many spare parts included (doesn't say which). 7.5k euros / 9.2k usd / ~6.5k gbp

...SO: the x350 seems more palatable and easier to drive by a 70-year old man; parking sensors, cd-player, heated seats, the lot, a car you can (apparently) live with. Buuuuut yearly taxes are gigantic. The xj12 looks drop dead gorgeous, taxes are close nothing (because historic vehicle) - buuuuuut I imagine one need an oil refinery to run it. Also dunno about the spare parts cost.... and by the way, do these cars (both of them) use metric tools, or do they need imperial?

...there might be a third option: an x-type, which seems the easiest to live with. But.......

Soooo what do you think?

With many, many thanks for your patience in reading probably one of the longest starter messages in the history of this forum,

John

 

Welcome to the forum John,

Good to have you with us at Jaguar forums. Jaguar ownership is NOT a membership requirement. Enthusiasm is sufficient - the desire to own one is even better.

I'd advise thinking very hard before going for a V12 as a first Jaguar. In terms of reliability, the X300 has the best reputation but, with any used Jaguar, history and condition are critical factors.

Follow this link https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/j...els-modern-77/ to the Jaguar Models ( Modern ) forum for help, advice and information on 1995-2015 models. The 'HOW TO' thread at the top of each section is a good place to start for information on regular issues.

You can also visit the Europe Region forum by following this link https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/europe-42/ to find other members in your region.

Enjoy the forums.

Graham

 

Hello, John,
What a Great gift for your dad! I wish you success in your hunt.

Welcome to the forums from ElinorB.
(';')

 

Welcome to the forums.
Enjoy the drive.

 

Welcome to the forums.

 

Welcome aboard John.

 

So many thanks to all, this forum indeed is amazing. Please don't hesitate to chime in with any ideas on my... well quest, so to speak ), while I lurk and rummage through tonnes on newer and older information )...

 

Welcome.

I agree, the V12 most definately is NOT for the feint hearted, or non spanner person.

The X300, I also agree with.

Good luck.

 

welcome to the forum - enjoy!!!

 

Guys, many thanks for the kind and warm welcome - been reading a lot and lurking on the forums. Funny thing - in my quest (which took a new turn, see here) I grew from being slightly indifferent to Jaguars (liked them, but that was it, as we generally like so many cars) to a fan myself, and now I'm having trouble distinguishing between what I would like and what my father would like )...

 

Welcome to Jaguar Forums John,

Good to have you with us.
Enjoy the forum.

If you haven't done so already you should add your car details to your signature to help others to help you.
If you need help with getting around and using the forum follow this link for some help Forum Help

 

Welcome, and good luck on your quest!

 

Guys, many thanks for all the input.

This is what I got:

 

Nice car and good choice. The balance between classic styling and modern convenience.

 

Looks great and a good choice for a first Jaguar.

I recall you had been persuaded the XJS was not an easy option and were looking at an X300 and an X308. I've had both and think the X308 will be more satisfying. The X300 is almost bulletproof but the X308 is technically more advanced.

Graham

 

And a beautiful color too. You're making me feel like a cheapskate tho. I only got my dad (he's 83) one of those wood pellet fired smokers this last Christmas, about 1/10th the value of that X308. And I was partly motivated knowing that I'd get some BBQ out of the deal.

 

Very nice John......Well Done!

 

Very true, and I actually went and saw a beautiful XJ12 as well - luckily for me, it had a good deal of... overtly obvious problems - one of which was the operation of only 8-9 of the cylinders )... ”a car not suited for the non-spanner person”, as a wise man wrote here )...

It is indeed, many thanks - I cannot recommend enough a good detailing. The photo is after a 500$ treatment with ceramic coating and I tell you, it is absolutely AMAZING. I have some comparison photos I can send in private, if you want.

Many thanks to all for the kind words and input - and may I say what an amazing resource this community is!