I am a newbie here on jag forums as of a few months ago I talked to a few people about getting a series III xj6 or xj40. That has since changed I am looking at a x300 or x308. I really dig the body of those cars just not to sure about witch one I should go for I like the x308's I test drove one the other day I really loved how it drove. But im leaning towards a x300 they seem a little more reliable than the x308. But if a really good example comes about with good service record's id still consider one. I am curious if anyone would know a fair price to pay for a nice one ? My budget is 4000-5000 dollars? thanks for reading. Robert

 

Robert,

As you have already posted an Intro, I've moved this from New Member Area - Intro a MUST to X300 forum for advice from members with the model you are considering.

Graham

 

$4000-5000 ought to buy a very nice X300. Not sure about X308. Maybe a bit more for an early car but those early V8s are the ones with the problems....so be careful


Cheers
DD

 

From what I have read about the x308s its best to avoid anything pre 2000 with the nikasil and timing chain tensioners unless everything has been sorted out. I found a beautiful black 98 xj8 with only 80k miles in great shape for $4000 but I was leary of it because of all the known issues with the early ones.

 

Im leaning towards the x300 right now so its just a matter of finding one they seem a little scarce around here in the Raleigh nc area. Not to mention I want a vanden plas so that doesn't make the search any easier

 

Hey Robert,

I live in Sanford, but work up in Raleigh, off of Capital Blvd.

If you want to see an X300 in person, we could always meet for lunch one day. Mine isn't a VP, but is similar in most ways.

I too was looking at a Series III initially, and also considered the X308, but eventually felt the X300 was a better fit for me. I still would love to have a Series III at one point though, just not as my 150 mile per day daily driver

I think many flirt back and forth between the X300 and X308 for obvious reasons, and there are a lot of resources on this forum with discussions on that topic. There are also several 'buyers guides' threads that cover the various top issues and what to look for with an X300, and X308.

In the end I personally found the styling of the X300 to be more attractive, particularly the interior, and I had reservations about the V8 cars, their transmissions, etc. The later X308 cars seemed to have most of those issues sorted, especially in the 2001/2002 timeframe from what I've read, but I still liked the 'bulletproof' reputation of the AJ16 motor. And with the XJR, the GM "TH400" based transmission also was well sorted by 1997.

The X300 is a bit at a disadvantage to the X308 on the performance side, particularly with the XJR, but then again if you are looking at a VP then that is probably less of a consideration.

Here are some possibly useful links:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...issues-126421/

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/a...yers-guide.doc

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...97-xjr-115431/

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...beauty-117455/

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...rences-114930/


...and of course the 'sticky' at the top of the forum with various helpful informational links:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...k-links-20088/


The way I found mine was checking Craigslist nationally via something like "Search Tempest", and "Cars.com", Autotrader online, etc every couple days. I found mine coincidentally the afternoon it was posted, and I think I just barely got it as the salesman had several calls almost immediately. So if you are really keen to get one ASAP, I'd search every afternoon.

Good luck!

 

I would stay as far away from the V8s as possible. ESPECIALLY the early ones.
Your budget is right in line with a very well maintained XJ6 shoot for a 95-97. Ive had two 1995 XJ6s and they are very very good cars.
Cheers and good luck

 

I bought mine in 2010 after looking at a boatload of offerings in the $2K-$3.5K price range. Each of which, I reasoned, I'd have between $6K-$7K in (including purchase price) by the time I had it in proper nick. Fortunately, I then stumbled onto my near-perfect VDP with 63k miles on it right here on the forum! (for $6500)

$4K-$5K is probably top of the value range for X300's these days; you should be able to find a fine example. Note that it is still quite easy to find them priced much higher.... just doubt the TMV is much north of that range.

 

Yep, as is mentioned in the buyer's guide, its better to spend a bit more up front on a car in good condition than to go cheap on the purchase price and then spend lots of time and money getting it squared away.

The latter is almost always more expensive in the long run, and often frustrating.... unless one intentionally intends for the purchase to be a 'project'

You should be able to find a very nice to exceptional example in that $5-7k range.

If you are willing to pick up a car with higher mileage, you may find one even a bit less but still well cared for.

.

 

For that Kind-of money you could maybe get the Xj6/Xjr supercharged or Just get a Base xj6 and swap in the supercharged motor if you're into that.

 

I appreciate all the replies!
Id love to take you up on the offer to look at you're xj6 the vanden plas part don't really matter to me id still like to look at you'rs and id still buy a regular swb xj6 just the same. Maybe sometime soon we can meet up . Thanks for all the honest advice im doing as you say and staying away from the v8s I am 100% leaning towards getting a x300. But sounds like i am pretty on par with price and what I should pay for one.

 

If you are speaking of my car just PM me and I could give you more details.