Convertable urge

Post by **q45t96** » Tue Mar 18, 2003 5:46 am

I have had an urge recently to drive a convertible. I have been looking around and the car that catches my attention is the Jaguar XK8. They are like Infiniti, in that they seem to be a great used car value. Have I lost my mind? If any one has any info that would help me get over this urge let me know.

Post by **Mayhem_J30** » Tue Mar 18, 2003 5:46 am

All I can offer is that Jags are beautiful cars that have been able to hold on to their 'look' a lot longer then BMW did. IMO, this makes the Jag a much more timeless machine.

(now my nissan loyalty kicks in) Buy NISSAN, BUY NISSAN!!

Post by **911/Q45** » Tue Mar 18, 2003 5:46 am

Examine the reliability of a 1990 Jag vs a 1990 Infiniti and you'll regain your senses!

Post by **Eswift** » Tue Mar 18, 2003 5:46 am

the answer is clearly in an m30 convertible!

Post by **maxnix** » Tue Mar 18, 2003 5:46 am

One word, Ford. Scary when one considers they increased the quality after the takeover. I remember when the local dealer had to take a 70's XKE apart because someone at the factory had left a rag in the sump.

Post by **Mayhem_J30** » Tue Mar 18, 2003 5:46 am

Eswift wrote:the answer is clearly in an m30 convertible!

Haha, this crossed my mind at first too. Problem is that they're sooo hard to find. I can only recall seeing one in person only once EVER!

Post by **Alan** » Tue Mar 18, 2003 5:46 am

You might want to check out Jag Lovers on the net, then go to the forum that covers the XK 8. There you will find the straight dope from owners and techs.I have an '88 XJ 6 as a daily driver, with the help of the forum, it has been a fairly inexpensive, reliable driver. I can tell you my wife's '92 Q is better than the Jag in every way (except possibly appearance), but the XK 8 is an entirely different animal. Take a hard look at an M 30. Alan

Post by **atcaw94** » Tue Mar 18, 2003 5:46 am

There's 3 M30 verts for sale in Atlanta right now. Oops, make that 2:D I looked at two, one was pretty ragged out. I bought the other one:) Just do a search on Autotrader.com

Post by **q45t96** » Tue Mar 18, 2003 5:46 am

I am not sure that I can go from driving a Q45 to driving an old M30 as an everyday drive. I don't want to offend anyone, but I am not sure I really like the M30. It looks more like a modified Nissan Sentra to me than a true luxury convertable. Tell me what is special about about the M30.

Post by **PalmerWMD** » Tue Mar 18, 2003 5:46 am

The production process, the test drive when it cam eoff the assembly line.Engines driven in at the factory.tasteful interior, great road manners, bulletproof engine

Fred...

Post by **Jberger** » Tue Mar 18, 2003 5:46 am

Well, personally I LOVE the Jag Convertables but it has to be one of the most uncomfortable cars I've driven. It was just too "tight" across my Shoulders and REALLY tight across the footspace.

I really wanted one as a fun 2nd car, but after spending some time in one, I had to say NO.

BTW: I wouldn't trash FORD as the new owner of Jaugar, honestly, they've done a great job with the build quality and reliablity of the cars. Remember, Jag. was NEVER know for reliablity esp. with the Lucas Electronics. . .

Post by **infinitinut** » Tue Mar 18, 2003 5:46 am

Quality M30 dropheads are difficult to find! I looked an awfully long time before finding my 92 which had 65K on the clock, and was a one meticulous owner vehicle. Five years and another 65K show the vehicle to be bullet proof, with the ASC conversion from the coupe version to be topnotch! Still have original top, and it works as designed. Other than wind noise, this vehicle will easily cruise at 80 + mph without any problem. Main negative is the limited fore/aft drivers seat travel, which makes it a tight fit for drivers over 6 ft! I believe the Nissan V-6 drivetrain is pretty much indestructable. Just spent nearly $1100 on the 120K service, and I think it was money well spent. Should be good for another 120K! Good luck in your search!

Post by **atcaw94** » Tue Mar 18, 2003 5:46 am

I've only had mine for a couple of days, so I can't talk long term. I like it, it's a neat little car. I would not call it a luxury car. I drove a 97 I30, that was a luxury car. I was looking for a economical, reliable daily driver. This car was less than 1/2 the price of the I30. I like cars that are different. I also own a 95 Ford Lightning truck. They only made 2200 of them in 95. The M30 rides nice and tight, it's a vert, and it should be reliable. The only real complaint I have is it could use about 40 more horsepower. And after searching the net there is not a lot of aftermarket stuff for it. Can't wait for the sun to come out, nothing beats a convertible!

Website · Post by **Bandit240** » Tue Mar 18, 2003 5:46 am

How about a 240SX ragtop?

Post by **greg_atlanta** » Tue Mar 18, 2003 5:46 am

If you REALLY like a Jaguar convertible you'll learn to put up with its quirks. But don't rely on it as a primary car.

The old Jaguar mantra still applies.. "buy two: one to drive, and one to keep in the shop."

I was amused by Consumer Reports' recent rating on the X-type (BAD).

Post by **jimb** » Tue Mar 18, 2003 5:46 am

I'll bet for the money you are preparing to spend on the XK8 you could get a Thunderbird which would serve the purpose with greater reliability.

I've owned XKE's and they were a real pain to maintain. My brother has an older - 94- Jag sedan and it looks great but the Q is much more comfortable

If you figure in the guides and trans problems, the 1St gen Q and the Jag are probably not far apart in maintenance costs.

Post by **PalmerWMD** » Tue Mar 18, 2003 5:46 am

jimb wrote:If you figure in the guides and trans problems, the 1St gen Q and the Jag are probably not far apart in maintenance costs.

The guides are a non issue since they can be replaced with vastly imrpoved new parts.yes there is expense invloved but compared to total car ownership costs not the end of the world.

As for the trannys, if properly maintaiend and equipped w/ a $60 cooler they last as long (or longer) than any otehr transmission.

Fred..

Post by **jimb** » Tue Mar 18, 2003 5:46 am

palmerwmd wrote:The guides are a non issue since they can be replaced with vastly imrpoved new parts.yes there is expense invloved but compared to total car ownership costs not the end of the world.

As for the trannys, if properly maintaiend and equipped w/ a $60 cooler they last as long (or longer) than any otehr transmission.

Fred..

I agree that the guides can be fixed with a much better part but my dealer quoted $4000, hardly a non issue. If you can find an independent shop, of course it will cost less. I do think $4000 along with $3000 for a new transmission would, compared to the resale value of a gen 1 Q, would be the 'end of the world' at least as far as my car budget is concerned!

Post by **PalmerWMD** » Tue Mar 18, 2003 5:46 am

You can find guide jobs incl. parts for $1200-1300 from an indepoendent.The word on guides is getting out if memory serves there is a good independent in easy driving distance from your location who is in this price range.

Well maintained Q transmission's last a long time.

Granted, not many will be well maintained when you buy them, but thats why the used purchase cost is so super low.

The money saved in a affordable older Q can be (wisely) spent to make it bulletproof.

With the resulting car, costing 2 to 3 times as much as the used price but nearly as reliable as a new car.

As a minimum all my Q's get the following right away :

New leather up front (if needed, it usuaally is)-Chain guide job to include oil pump chain and oil pump chain tensioner-new plugs-new plenum hoses-new T stat-Multiple rad flushes-transmission flush+cooler+pan drop pan.-new Air, fuel, oil, transmission, filters-rear diff, brake fluids (all syn), pwr steering fluid-New injectors (if needed)-new upper links-New shocks-new pads+rotors-New quality tires

thats approx 4.-6k of immediate R&R of the car.As a result my Q's never break down, ever, and are comfortable and posses the road manners they are designed for.

Fred...:thumbup

Post by **j30t** » Tue Mar 18, 2003 5:46 am

get a BMW M3 convertible, sporty, fast, looks much nicer than an infiniti M30.

Post by **q45t96** » Tue Mar 18, 2003 5:46 am

It was the idea that I can purchase a 1997 XK8 with about 50,000 miles for around $25,000. The car was approx. $70,000 new. The BMW M3 would be a fun car to own but I don't think you could get them that inexpensive.

Frankly, the more I have thought about it my urge is subsiding. In fact I cleaned up the Q yesterday and realized that I am going to be hard pressed to find a car that gives me the satisfaction that the Q gives. I will likely wait and see what happens to the values of the new Maserati convertible. I like unique cars!

Post by **j30t** » Tue Mar 18, 2003 5:46 am

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...=6131 that looks nice

Post by **q45t96** » Tue Mar 18, 2003 5:46 am

That is a pretty car and it is located very close to me. However, I would be hesitant to purchase a salvage title car.

Convertable urge

Convertible urge

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