question for you car guys

[Mr. Viking]

my dad had one for years and it was brilliant (sadly I broke it a bit in the end). It had problems with the engine computer, but this was fairly cheaply fixed. This is in the UK though, so there are more specialists. The older ones are fairly cheap to buy but will be expensive to run. I think it is worth it if you have the money, because they are fantastic cars. Don't have a clue what the ownership experience would be like in the US though

[peetie44]

my dad had one for years and it was brilliant (sadly I broke it a bit in the end). It had problems with the engine computer, but this was fairly cheaply fixed. This is in the UK though, so there are more specialists. The older ones are fairly cheap to buy but will be expensive to run. I think it is worth it if you have the money, because they are fantastic cars. Don't have a clue what the ownership experience would be like in the US though

I like to read some of the UK car mags (Classic and Sports Car being my fave). I love the British style of motor writing; even the most extreme hyperbole has a sense of restraint and the droll humor is endless. I also enjoy the classified ads, where there seems to be no end to after-market, vintage Jag specialists. A typical ad might read:

"Classic Jaguar Specialist. Most post-war vintage models, but XK preferred. No vehicles later than 1980, please. Reasonable rates, good references quoted and available on inquiry. Sheffieldshire area. Telephone: Robin at _______"

Imagine...someone who specifies which models he prefers to work on, thank you very much. And there's a LOT of these guys.

In the States, according to the few Jag buffs I know, there are some very good Jaguar mechanics (many are ex-pat Brits) but you really have to hunt them out, compared to the UK. Also, certain parts and specialized tools are sometimes tricky, expensive and time consuming to obtain.

[kowalski]

Quentin Wilson tells you how to buy a classic Jag from way back in the day...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sl5R_izXzbw&feature=related

[peetie44]

Quentin Wilson tells you how to buy a classic Jag from way back in the day...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sl5R_izXzbw&feature=related

That's what I'm talking about -- right there!

"Now...when you're inspecting one of these old dowagers..."

Thanks for posting that, bro...I gotta check this video series out.

[frankennietzsche]

What you want, johnny T is a classic Renault!

[Bounced]

You make enough to keep an old Jag working. Your best bet is to buy an ol' Jag with the original wiring and dump a couple grand (or a couple of cases and a drive to the Mid-Atlantic) to have it completely replaced. The electrical system in English cars sucked, for many years. You can fix it, but it requires wiring everything on them backwards. A good electrician is all you need. A couple of bottles of fine whiskey is all I need.

[Resident Asshole]

Something I am very surprised no one has mentioned is that the newer jags owned by Ford have a lot of Ford parts in them, making them both more reliable and cheaper to maintain. I am not certain what models are the "most" domestic, but I know my local's owner has an X-type which has a Ford 4.0L V6 and 5 speed auto. Ford trans. in it. I believe the brakes are Ford as well.

[waahoohah]

Old Jags, old MG's, and Old gopher holes all have one thing in common: no matter how much money you throw at them, they'll never stop being what they are.

[Mr. Viking]

Something I am very surprised no one has mentioned is that the newer jags owned by Ford have a lot of Ford parts in them, making them both more reliable and cheaper to maintain. I am not certain what models are the "most" domestic, but I know my local's owner has an X-type which has a Ford 4.0L V6 and 5 speed auto. Ford trans. in it. I believe the brakes are Ford as well.

Jaguar were owned by ford from around 1990 I think. They still had unique wiring looms and engines which, while not particularly poorly built, would have problems, and were too complicated to repair easily, so were simply replaced. They also made a number of changes to them during the lifetime of each model, so it could be difficult to sort any problems. I think it was around 2002 they did a complete redesign of the XJ, giving it a bonded aluminium chassis, so no rust, a new (I believe simpler, Ford based) wiring system, and some new engines. The 1997-on Jaguar-Land Rover V8 was still used, but with the early cylinder lining faults ironed out. They also introduced in Europe, a new V6 diesel, and the 3 litre V6 from the Ford Mondeo (don't think that engine was sold in the US) An X-type should be little trouble, as it is based on Ford Mondeo (EU model, though apparently with a different engine?) running gear which is pretty bullet proof. Repairs will be a bit more as there are some bespoke components, but it should be fairly good.

[Patchez]

Did Lucas make the wiring for Jags as well as the old Triumph motorcycles? I used to have a few of the old Trumpets, loved them and their Amal carbs, hated the Lucas wiring harness.

The old joke went" Why do the Brits drink warm beer?"

"Because Lucas made refrigerators too."

[frankennietzsche]

I heard that Jaguars go through a lot of turn signal fluid.

[ThirstyDrunk]

I heard that Jaguars go through a lot of turn signal fluid.

Yes, and they can leak causing damage to the wainscoting.