New member, prospective owner...clearly out of my depth!
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Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 2
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From: Chicago Suburbs, USA
New member, prospective owner...clearly out of my depth!
Hello all! I'd just like to introduce myself. My name is Robb, and I'm currently (very seriously) entertaining the idea of getting into my first Jaguar. Some background on myself:
- 31 years old
- Lifelong gearhead
- Avid VW fan
- Recently acquired my weekend "toy", a 1986 Scirocco II. Now am ready to have a more mature daily driver.
- Fairly handy with DIY maintenance/modifications, intimidated by "really big" tasks
- Always drawn to Jaguar, but intimidated by their reputation for (lack of) reliability.
-Currently considering a 2004 model, either an X350 VDP, or an X-Type 3.0.
Some general questions for the community:
1) Is an X350 a reasonable choice for someone with average income? Cost for parts (air suspension in particular) is frankly frightening. Should I be looking at the X-Type instead? My heart says XJ, my rational mind the X-Type.
2) Is an X350 really feasible to own as a reliable daily driver? My commute ranges from 40 to 130 miles per day.
Any insight into ownership of either of these models is greatly appreciated.I've currently got an appointment to view and X350 VDP tomorrow, a 2004 example with 115K miles. I'm very excited but also wary; I'm in uncharted waters and am pretty much lost in all the info on this site.
- 31 years old
- Lifelong gearhead
- Avid VW fan
- Recently acquired my weekend "toy", a 1986 Scirocco II. Now am ready to have a more mature daily driver.
- Fairly handy with DIY maintenance/modifications, intimidated by "really big" tasks
- Always drawn to Jaguar, but intimidated by their reputation for (lack of) reliability.
-Currently considering a 2004 model, either an X350 VDP, or an X-Type 3.0.
Some general questions for the community:
1) Is an X350 a reasonable choice for someone with average income? Cost for parts (air suspension in particular) is frankly frightening. Should I be looking at the X-Type instead? My heart says XJ, my rational mind the X-Type.
2) Is an X350 really feasible to own as a reliable daily driver? My commute ranges from 40 to 130 miles per day.
Any insight into ownership of either of these models is greatly appreciated.I've currently got an appointment to view and X350 VDP tomorrow, a 2004 example with 115K miles. I'm very excited but also wary; I'm in uncharted waters and am pretty much lost in all the info on this site.
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 120,439
Likes: 17,009
From: Durham, UK
Welcome to the forum Robb,
Good to have you with us at Jaguar forums.
If you spend time reading on the forum, you could come away with the impression we spend all our time repairing our Jaguars. Not true! The unreliability reputation from the 1970/80's still clings to Jaguar although they have come a very long way in build quality and reliability since then.
You've correctly identified parts costs are high. There's no denying this although two of our main forum sponsors offer member 10% discount on their already discounted OE parts inventory. When assessing a potential purchase, look out for any damaged or missing trim items. These can be a particularly frightening cost.
The ability and willingness to do your own repairs and maintenance vastly reduces the cost of ownership and you will find the information available on the forum to tackle almost any work that may be required on either model.
With any used Jaguar, service history is crucial. Regular maintenance is essential for reliability. Spend some time with the Owners Handbook and make sure everything works. It can take half an hour just sitting in the vehicle to do this but it's time well spent. Also the most regular question to arise on the forum from new owners is about replacing missing keys and remotes. These are expensive and should be factored into the deal.
Follow this link XJ ( X350 & X358 ) XJ6 / XJ8 / XJR - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to the S-Type forum and this one X-Type - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to the X-Type forum for help, advice and information. The 'HOW TO' thread at the top is a good place to start for info on regular issues.
You can also visit the USA Mid West Region forum by following this link USA Mid West - IL IN IA MI MN MO OH WI - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to find other members in your region.
Good luck in your search for the right Jaguar for you and enjoy the forums.
Graham
Good to have you with us at Jaguar forums.
If you spend time reading on the forum, you could come away with the impression we spend all our time repairing our Jaguars. Not true! The unreliability reputation from the 1970/80's still clings to Jaguar although they have come a very long way in build quality and reliability since then.
You've correctly identified parts costs are high. There's no denying this although two of our main forum sponsors offer member 10% discount on their already discounted OE parts inventory. When assessing a potential purchase, look out for any damaged or missing trim items. These can be a particularly frightening cost.
The ability and willingness to do your own repairs and maintenance vastly reduces the cost of ownership and you will find the information available on the forum to tackle almost any work that may be required on either model.
With any used Jaguar, service history is crucial. Regular maintenance is essential for reliability. Spend some time with the Owners Handbook and make sure everything works. It can take half an hour just sitting in the vehicle to do this but it's time well spent. Also the most regular question to arise on the forum from new owners is about replacing missing keys and remotes. These are expensive and should be factored into the deal.
Follow this link XJ ( X350 & X358 ) XJ6 / XJ8 / XJR - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to the S-Type forum and this one X-Type - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to the X-Type forum for help, advice and information. The 'HOW TO' thread at the top is a good place to start for info on regular issues.
You can also visit the USA Mid West Region forum by following this link USA Mid West - IL IN IA MI MN MO OH WI - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to find other members in your region.
Good luck in your search for the right Jaguar for you and enjoy the forums.
Graham
Veteran Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 26,760
Likes: 10,309
From: Tehama County, California, USA
Hello, Robb,
You'll get on Just Fine with Jaguars. Willingness and ability to do routine maintenance is Way more than half the battle with these cars.
Welcome to the forums from ElinorB.
(';')
You'll get on Just Fine with Jaguars. Willingness and ability to do routine maintenance is Way more than half the battle with these cars.
Welcome to the forums from ElinorB.
(';')
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 121,073
Likes: 6,652
From: PHX some of the time
Welcome to Jaguar Forums Robb,
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
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
Hi and welcome aboard, its good to have you here with us here at Jaguarforums
Any useful site information you may need such as how to post pictures, edit signatures, add videos, using the
search facility etc, can be found here within the following link Helpful_information
There are lots of members local to you with the same interests with info on local dealers and possible meets.
Regional - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum
Need a Manual, a TSB, or General Info' about your Jag? Check out our >> DOWNLOAD AREA <<
I've manually upgraded you to Full forum access so you can better view the site and all its features.
Any useful site information you may need such as how to post pictures, edit signatures, add videos, using the
search facility etc, can be found here within the following link Helpful_information
There are lots of members local to you with the same interests with info on local dealers and possible meets.
Regional - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum
Need a Manual, a TSB, or General Info' about your Jag? Check out our >> DOWNLOAD AREA <<
I've manually upgraded you to Full forum access so you can better view the site and all its features.
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