Hello everyone.

So, I have $50 short of 10 grand in the near future, which will be used towards my new (and first) car.

And while browsing ebay and elsewhere I was eventually inclined towards cats.

Now, my decision isn't final, and I may go to a different brand, but right now, I'm looking at two things in sapphire blue. A 1997 XJ6 Vanden Plas ( $9000 ) and a 2004 X-type ( $8000 ).

I have heard a lot of disagreeable things about the X-types, but this is a newer vehicle, it's manual ( oh GOD did that make me happy ) and it's the cheaper of the two, and I can replace the tarnished steering wheel with a not-blemished one with wood. Most everything I have heard about X-types is that they are either good cars without major problems or they're an outright curse on their owners. But from what I am seeing, in spite of this being from a used dealership, is that it's not the latter. All things considered, I can tolerate that it's a ford without much legroom.

On the other hand, I have been careful to take everything with a grain of salt, but I am fairly confident about the XJ6 being in better shape besides just being a Vanden Plas. The fact that it's automatic is tolerable, and although I wouldn't want to tune it, it seems like the 4 litre engine will give me fairly good performance and that, if I'm ever crazy enough, I can invest some money in it to turn it into a stealth XJR.

With either vehicle, I've so far got no reason to believe there's currently existing problems.

So, what's everyone's thoughts? Are either going to be reliable enough in your opinions for a person on a fairly low income? And what am I going to have to watch for on either of the two?

And on a mild note, how much trouble is it to find the style of grille for the x300 xj that's painted and with the wire mesh look?

 

Welcome to the forum.

If it were me I'd go for the X Type, that 97 XJ6 is about $7000 over priced IMHO unless it only has 20 miles on the clock and has lived in a museum.

You will never never supercharge the car, not worth it, too complicated, and you'll get a genuine XJR for a lot less.

Continue searching.

 

Welcome to the forum,

I would continue searching too, you can find a better deal than either of those IMHO.

 

welcome aboard, looks like you've already been given sound advice.

Btw - an X type isn't a Ford, its a Jaguar, ot that there's anything at all wrong with a Ford.
Just to educate you, the X type shares around 18%-20% commonality with the Ford Mondeo, mostly running gear, just as so many other marques also share their parts with other makes / models.


I've manually upgraded you to full forum access so you can better view the site and all its features

 

I can probably live with not being able to go the stealth XJR route, since I would rather have a less fussy, more reliable engine for the time being. And I need to ask about whether he's sorted the timing chains out, and I still need to see this in person, but it's got 42,000 miles and the interior, and car in general..... Well....







Now, I'm seeing a 2002 XJ Sport also on craigslist, but I'm on the fence about it because of the wheels, but I could honestly probably trade them in for factory, if this person doesn't have the originals anymore. The car is a lot further out, though. That and it's not sapphire blue and it's pretty close to being out of my price range.

 

....So should I still reconsider or.....?

 

Ok, I've already talked the guy down to 8750, might try to talk him down more, but I'm gonna look at another 97 ( XJR, Rough interior & paint, no clue on miles, neighbor selling it ) for 4000 before looking at this Vanden Plas.

If anyone still thinks I shouldn't get the Vanden Plas, I still want to hear some advice before I make any decisions with my money.