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AS15 A Hi all, Just joined the forums with the intention of taking the first foray into Jaguar ownership, moving up (quite considerably!) from the basic ford fiesta I'm currently driving. Having quite a few mates who knew their stuff regarding cars I've been learning a lot about what it takes to keep something running for a while, and am considering breaking from my usual tradition of getting something newer and less run-in anytime my current car starts to encroach on the 100k miles barrier. From what I've read about certain types of cars, cars like the jag xf(260) and xj(351) tend to survive much better into the 6-figure mileage bracket than your run of the mill cheap hatchbacks due to better build quality, and so I was considering getting one perhaps just over the 100k mark (that's where my budget extends to really!). Firstly, I was pretty surprised what I could potentially get for my money, and have found a couple in particular I'm mulling over. For about £7k it looks as though I could pick up a 2012 2.2 XF portfolio (facelift model) with about 120k miles on it in very nice condition, or alternatively at about £8k there are one or two 2010 XJ portfolios I can see. On the XF side I feel I'm sort of at the mid-low end of the market for that age and mileage, but there are quite a few, but for the XJ I worry I'm buying at the bottom of the price range and that it's likely to cost me. So, with all the waffle out of the way, the questions for the experts! - First of all, am I deluding myself on upkeep costs for this kind of car? I've had a look at the XF and the tax is the same as my fiesta, insurance is only a couple of hundred extra, and the MPG seems maybe marginally better in the Jag! However there's always that niggling feeling that maintenance may be what kills me. I've seen the costs of tyres and it's a fair bit higher, but I'm happy to do my own work around about up to a normal servicing level and changing my own brakes and oil, that sort of thing so I don't know if a lot of the extra cost would likely be in labour? The XJ worries me even more on this front, as the MPG is not so good (although actually the insurance is basically the same and tax only an extra hundred), and the cost and availability of parts does worry me. - Second, kind of a corollary to the first, should I only consider doing this once I can afford a younger, less run-in version? I had hoped that a luxury cruiser like this may have been well taken care of and well built, allowing the possibility of getting one a little older? For what it's worth I have no intention of borrowing money for this, so I'm not planning to put myself into any kind of debt, but don't really want to be paying ~£2-3k a year in maintenance really! - Finally, if I'm not totally crazy in the first place, should I stick with the XF or put in the extra £1k to get the big(ger) cat? It's so tempting to stretch the budget just that little bit further to get the extra comfort, quiet, space and features of the bigger one, but perhaps buying into the cheap end of the market could cost me and I'd be better off with the smaller running costs of the XF anyway? So, ten tons of reading and questions for anyone, apologies for the long one and my thanks to anyone who's taken the time to read this far! TL;DR - Is buying a Jag in this price range asking for trouble, and if not, XF or XJ? #1 · May 7, 2020 Hi all, Just joined the forums with the intention of taking the first foray into Jaguar ownership, moving up (quite considerably!) from the basic ford fiesta I'm currently driving. Having quite a few mates who knew their stuff regarding cars I've been learning a lot about what it takes to keep something running for a while, and am considering breaking from my usual tradition of getting something newer and less run-in anytime my current car starts to encroach on the 100k miles barrier. From what I've read about certain types of cars, cars like the jag xf(260) and xj(351) tend to survive much better into the 6-figure mileage bracket than your run of the mill cheap hatchbacks due to better build quality, and so I was considering getting one perhaps just over the 100k mark (that's where my budget extends to really!). Firstly, I was pretty surprised what I could potentially get for my money, and have found a couple in particular I'm mulling over. For about £7k it looks as though I could pick up a 2012 2.2 XF portfolio (facelift model) with about 120k miles on it in very nice condition, or alternatively at about £8k there are one or two 2010 XJ portfolios I can see. On the XF side I feel I'm sort of at the mid-low end of the market for that age and mileage, but there are quite a few, but for the XJ I worry I'm buying at the bottom of the price range and that it's likely to cost me. So, with all the waffle out of the way, the questions for the experts! - First of all, am I deluding myself on upkeep costs for this kind of car? I've had a look at the XF and the tax is the same as my fiesta, insurance is only a couple of hundred extra, and the MPG seems maybe marginally better in the Jag! However there's always that niggling feeling that maintenance may be what kills me. I've seen the costs of tyres and it's a fair bit higher, but I'm happy to do my own work around about up to a normal servicing level and changing my own brakes and oil, that sort of thing so I don't know if a lot of the extra cost would likely be in labour? The XJ worries me even more on this front, as the MPG is not so good (although actually the insurance is basically the same and tax only an extra hundred), and the cost and availability of parts does worry me. - Second, kind of a corollary to the first, should I only consider doing this once I can afford a younger, less run-in version? I had hoped that a luxury cruiser like this may have been well taken care of and well built, allowing the possibility of getting one a little older? For what it's worth I have no intention of borrowing money for this, so I'm not planning to put myself into any kind of debt, but don't really want to be paying ~£2-3k a year in maintenance really! - Finally, if I'm not totally crazy in the first place, should I stick with the XF or put in the extra £1k to get the big(ger) cat? It's so tempting to stretch the budget just that little bit further to get the extra comfort, quiet, space and features of the bigger one, but perhaps buying into the cheap end of the market could cost me and I'd be better off with the smaller running costs of the XF anyway? So, ten tons of reading and questions for anyone, apologies for the long one and my thanks to anyone who's taken the time to read this far! TL;DR - Is buying a Jag in this price range asking for trouble, and if not, XF or XJ? See less See more Sort by Oldest first Oldest first Newest first Most reactions #2 · May 7, 2020 Have you looked at the last of the XJ (X350) cars ? These ceased in 2009, and are now available at very favourable prices; and traditional Jaguar style and interior too ! I owned two, a 2003 Sport and a 2007 Sovereign, both with the 3 litre petrol engine. The later car was the best even though it was higher miles. Buying a car that is from the first year of production usually causes some grief if the first owner hasn't sorted things out. #3 · May 7, 2020 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ What he said The XJ X350 or later X358 Bigger bumpers forward and aft and side indicators in the mirrors are a wondrous place to be. However, Not owned one, but I have been chauffeured in a few XF's of the Portfolio variety and they are a nice place to be. I'd have thought your budget should stretch to a very nice one if you search, search and search again. For out and out comfort and refinement the later XJ X351 will IMO beat the XF, but by how much? others will say that have had both. If you're not one for barnstorming performance then the 3L V6 petrol X350/358 in Sovereign spec would be a great place to start Jaguar ownership. Classic looks that turn heads, gets you from A to B at pace, but in comfort and luxury. Owned mine for 5 years and yes I had some biggish bills in the 1st two mainly due to labour, but as I service mine by myself it's been remarkably cheap since. It's also very easy, I and others will be more than willing to help with advice. Sadly seized trim/undertray nuts, etc would be your problem, but when done the first time any time thereafter, oil changes, etc are easy. Welcome to the forum by the way, Rich #4 · May 8, 2020 Whatever you do, don't sit in an X351: once you have you won't go home without it. There is nothing to compare. #5 · May 8, 2020 Thanks all for the input so far, very informative! Yes the XF does seem like a nice place to be, having managed to test drive one just before lockdown! And yes at that price bracket there seem to be a few in good condition with good mileage and look very nice at the portfolio spec. There's just a niggling feeling I could get more for only a little more money going for the X351, but with some potential for issues. Regarding the first MY (2010 for the X351), yes this was something I wondered about. Looking at the forums and YT, looks as though some minor electrical gremlins and a rattly sunroof are the only common complaints of the early XJs. Any other early things that might be worth considering? (I could post in the XJ section I guess...) And finally, yes I did worry about going to visit the XJL I've got my eye on as I may accidentally fall in love... #6 · May 8, 2020

AS15 said: ... I may accidentally fall in love... Click to expand...

There is no maybe. Honestly, don't sit in it until you are sure that you are buying it. (... and the squeaky sunroof is endemic. You get used to it though) 0 Reply #7 · May 9, 2020 A jag salesman once told me the difference is you want to be chauffered in an XJ whereas you want to drive the XF. Having driven both I prefer my XF as you feel more involved with it. Comes down to what is available, your intended use pattern. i.e. don't buy a diesil if you aren't going to do big journeys. #8 · May 9, 2020 I'd go for "cosseted", rather than "chauffered", but I sort of see the point. Having never driven an XF I can't really compare. But I do know that I won't be buying an XF now! ... and definitely think about the diesel if you only ever do short journeys (although the 2010s are less worrisome than the newer ones on that score) #9 · May 9, 2020 I've owned both. I really liked my XF but the XJ is a much better car on the inside. The best thing to do is test drive both but as Chris said if you sit in the X351 then it's yours, you have been warned lol. Also if you live in a pokey little town with cramped parking then the XF will be best. #10 · May 15, 2020 Thanks again everyone, given no-one has directly put me off the X351 I may take a look at a couple that are just about in my price range. If they're not in quite the nick they should be I'd be happy to get a good spec XF for a little less money and still be very happy I think. One more thing on a technical note, I've seen some of the 3.0L diesels on both the XF and XJ side advertised as 'no ULEZ', however I've checked the ULEZ website with the plates and they seem to come back saying it's all compliant. In fact I think from '10 onwards (perhaps earlier) the specs for XF and XJ both say the 3L is ULEZ compliant, so this makes me wonder is it possible something's been done to them? In particular it makes me concerned about the Diesel Particulate Filter, as they do NOT seem to be cheap to replace if they're playing up, and I believe they're an MOT failure on emissions if they're not working. Perhaps it's just that the owners aren't quite sure or have been told things? Can anyone shed any light? Cheers again! #11 · May 15, 2020 I think some people say "no ULEZ" meaning there is no charge, as they are compliant. I have found that confusing when reading adverts - is it no charge or no compliance? I would suggest doing exactly what you have done and check if the car is compliant by number plate as that will come from DVLA records which I'm sure is how the car would be charged. #12 · May 15, 2020 An astute observation sir! Yes that makes perfect sense, and yes is quite confusing but understandable. I had sort of assumed that if it was some problem that it would be much more of an issue than simply failing ULEZ! #13 · May 15, 2020 I don't keep up to date with emission zones TBH, but a mate who converted his car to LPG could either avoid or get heavily reduced rates - I don;t remember which. However to achieve it he had to get the dual fuel ability registered at the DVLA. That is my basis for assuming that all these schemes use the DVLA as the litmus test which must be based on the individual cars records. #14 · Jun 28, 2020 Wow, 2010-12 cars for seven thousand pounds. That's quite unbelievable. A quick check of listed XJ's from 2010 here in Australia has $35K, $46K and $60K... and that's with 1 AUD being worth 0.5564 GBP! Love the modern XJ, it's such an incredible design, particularly the interior and dash. The experience of Grandad's XJ6s are the reason I am here... #15 · Jul 16, 2020 Thanks for all the advice everyone. I did go and sit in an xf and an xj on the same day, and as many of you predicted, i now own the XJ! Cheers all, here's the ownership thread now! https://www.jaguarforum.com/showthread.php?t=122668 #16 · Jul 16, 2020 Lol you were warned...… An older XJ at 150k or so can be a good buy, if it's been looked after. A very good friend of mine has bought a 10 plate 3.0D with 170k on the clock if memory serves. She's lovely and just needs a little love here n there which he'll definitely give her. Over and above that there's a fair few mechanicals that need attention, but as he does so much of these things himself it doesn't have to cost the earth. If you can change oil, do basic servicing, brake discs and pads etc you're off to a good start, over and above that you'll want a good Indy recommendation Great cars, love mine and yes, don't sit in it unless you intend to buy it....too late Jim #17 · Oct 6, 2020 I second your comment. I took a 2011 XJL for a ride as it was at my local discount car dealer on a Tuesday it was sitting in my drive way on Friday. Supercharged V8 124000 KM. Hard to describe the sensation of driving it. The engine feel is in the seats when i push it a little and feels great. I have had it less than a week. Air bag light is on! Oh well. Halifax Canada #18 · Feb 19, 2021 Just to put in my twopence, I've very recently bought an XF 2.2 D Sport LE on a 62' plate for £7300, private sale. It has a full service history with 76,000 genuine miles. Currently returning 40 mpg with more on a longer run. Servicing is comparable with my previous Saab 9-3. Eight speed tiptronic gearbox, very smooth running. Insert Quotes Post Reply

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