Buying a V8?

slickster · 15th November 2008, 21:33

Bit of background...

I've had my 99 R75 2.5 V6 Auto for 18 months now, which is the longest I have ever had the same car in the (just under) 10 years I have been driving! I don't do that many miles, circa 6-8k, but most journeys are always at least 40 mile round trips (use the OH little Yaris for the shopping and town driving

) I've got a secure job for the next two years (at least

one of the virtues of being in education...) I'm not a big spender, still young (just turned 27), have some money in the bank (and can easily cover the mortgage and bills) and am just thinking I that I might run a 'faster' car for a year or two.

I had a quick search for V8s and they seemed like reasonable value, but all easily £5k+. I just happened to leave the '4-4.9 litre' and 'less than £5k' options ticked in Autotrader and opened up the choice to other cars. What did pop up were loads of Jag S-type V8s for very cheap money, e.g. this or this, which are even more interesting because they obviously (currently) won't be affected by the CO2 tax malarkey.

I guess the question(s) is/are, does anyone have any experience of a S-type V8 and would it be a wise move to take on a £3k 9 year old V8 Jag to run for a year or two??? Or is a Rover/MG V8 the only thing I should REALLY consider

pmessling · 15th November 2008, 21:37

why break with your car history tradition get a zt v8, had mine since 23 and turn 26 at the end of the mouth. given that all the deprecation has happened i'm sure that the price isn't going to go down much more.

stocktake · 15th November 2008, 21:45

The rover 75 /zt V8 is a guaranteed future classic. As said cannot see it dropping much more in price. If you get one and dont like it just store it if money is no problem. will be worth plenty in years to come. then try other options.

Wish I had your problem

black olive · 15th November 2008, 21:51

Havent tried the Jag, but am more than impressed with the Zt V8.
you should be able to get a really good deal at the moment, and can get cheap classic insurance.

Most parts readily available, a few niggles but if you buy an enthusiats car should have been sorted or easily sortable, and a good support network of enthusiasts .

been bimbling about in mine today, went to pick the bathroom lino up, and got " that car really is classy- they dont make them like that any more" and from the next door neighbor " you know that car sounds awesome- have you heard it from outside "

slickster · 15th November 2008, 21:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by stocktake

if money is no problem.

Well not strictly true :P

I had set myself a theoretical budget of a max of £5k for my 'treat' but as I have found out there isn't really much available in that price bracket...

Quote:

Originally Posted by black olive

Most parts readily available, a few niggles but if you buy an enthusiats car should have been sorted or easily sortable, and a good support network of enthusiasts .

Apparently an expert (http://www.austingarages.co.uk/about_us.html) has just set up about 3 miles from my house, which is handy

black olive · 15th November 2008, 22:07

I cant see the Zt dropping as low as 5k ( but it may happen), prices seem about the 7k mark- still a lot of car for the money. low mileage, cotton wooled, and rare chromatic paint cars are priced a lot higher ( but do not necessarily sell).

Its down to what you want really

slickster · 15th November 2008, 22:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by black olive

I cant see the Zt dropping as low as 5k ( but it may happen), prices seem about the 7k mark- still a lot of car for the money.

Indeed. 'Cheapest' on AT currently seems to be £5495.

mantianak · 16th November 2008, 09:54

Doesn't look as if there's much leg room in the back of that jag. The ZT/75 engine looks far better also.

BigA · 17th November 2008, 15:04

Slickster_
Just buy one and you won't regret it. Even if you only keep it 18 months it'll be the best 18 months you've had

The amount of car for the cash is a rare opportunity, as is the supercharger you'll want when you've saved up another £6k:lol:

A

Duotone · 19th November 2008, 18:27

Slickster.
I bought one recently, Its a Rover 75 V8.

I can recomend ownership of a really great car, the real joy of owning such a car is, in my case the "Q car factor".
As Yanbanshe said in another thread " seeing off those buzzing 1.8 gti 's.
Don't worry too much about the mpg, just smile whilst your driving your V8.

I have fitted 11 spoke alloy's to mine instead of the 18" Vortex.
I wanted to see which I liked best.
I'm having the Vortex re-furbished.

Dave T

15th November 2008, 21:33	#1
slickster Gets stuck in ... Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Staffordshire Posts: 545 Thanks: 2 Thanked 19 Times in 16 Posts	Buying a V8? Bit of background... I've had my 99 R75 2.5 V6 Auto for 18 months now, which is the longest I have ever had the same car in the (just under) 10 years I have been driving! I don't do that many miles, circa 6-8k, but most journeys are always at least 40 mile round trips (use the OH little Yaris for the shopping and town driving ) I've got a secure job for the next two years (at least one of the virtues of being in education...) I'm not a big spender, still young (just turned 27), have some money in the bank (and can easily cover the mortgage and bills) and am just thinking I that I might run a 'faster' car for a year or two. I had a quick search for V8s and they seemed like reasonable value, but all easily £5k+. I just happened to leave the '4-4.9 litre' and 'less than £5k' options ticked in Autotrader and opened up the choice to other cars. What did pop up were loads of Jag S-type V8s for very cheap money, e.g. this or this, which are even more interesting because they obviously (currently) won't be affected by the CO2 tax malarkey. I guess the question(s) is/are, does anyone have any experience of a S-type V8 and would it be a wise move to take on a £3k 9 year old V8 Jag to run for a year or two??? Or is a Rover/MG V8 the only thing I should REALLY consider __________________ Previously owned 75/ZTs: Rover 75 4.6 V8 Conni SE Auto // MG ZT-T 260 4.6 V8 // R75 Conn SE 2.5 V6 Auto Vanden Plas (LWB) 01 '51' Rover 75 2.0 Diesel Conni Auto Tourer // 99 'T' Rover 75 2.5 Conni Auto

15th November 2008, 21:37	#2
pmessling Posted a thing or two TVR Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: West london Posts: 1,084 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	why break with your car history tradition get a zt v8, had mine since 23 and turn 26 at the end of the mouth. given that all the deprecation has happened i'm sure that the price isn't going to go down much more. __________________ Peter Essling Project carbon fibre well under way http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m.../Logo_260s.gif http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...ner468x60b.gif

15th November 2008, 21:45	#3
stocktake Vis Whiz Rover 75 2.5 auto Saloon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: LEEDS Posts: 20,615 Thanks: 2,057 Thanked 3,056 Times in 1,621 Posts	The rover 75 /zt V8 is a guaranteed future classic. As said cannot see it dropping much more in price. If you get one and dont like it just store it if money is no problem. will be worth plenty in years to come. then try other options. Wish I had your problem __________________ Dave... Lost a few stones and a Gall Bladder and part of a bile duct and all of my dignity in the suppository incident Last edited by stocktake; 20th November 2008 at 06:58..

15th November 2008, 21:51	#4
black olive I really should get out more....... 260 SE vin 214 ( last mark 1 260 ) Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lancashire Posts: 2,009 Thanks: 1 Thanked 8 Times in 4 Posts	Havent tried the Jag, but am more than impressed with the Zt V8. you should be able to get a really good deal at the moment, and can get cheap classic insurance. Most parts readily available, a few niggles but if you buy an enthusiats car should have been sorted or easily sortable, and a good support network of enthusiasts . been bimbling about in mine today, went to pick the bathroom lino up, and got " that car really is classy- they dont make them like that any more" and from the next door neighbor " you know that car sounds awesome- have you heard it from outside " __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

15th November 2008, 22:07	#6
black olive I really should get out more....... 260 SE vin 214 ( last mark 1 260 ) Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lancashire Posts: 2,009 Thanks: 1 Thanked 8 Times in 4 Posts	I cant see the Zt dropping as low as 5k ( but it may happen), prices seem about the 7k mark- still a lot of car for the money. low mileage, cotton wooled, and rare chromatic paint cars are priced a lot higher ( but do not necessarily sell). Its down to what you want really __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

16th November 2008, 09:54	#8
mantianak I really should get out more....... ZT 190+ Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Poole Posts: 2,413 Thanks: 6 Thanked 22 Times in 21 Posts	Doesn't look as if there's much leg room in the back of that jag. The ZT/75 engine looks far better also. __________________ http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1..._signature.png

17th November 2008, 15:04	#9
BigA Newbie Rover 75 cdt conn se tourer, ZT-T V8 SE Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Newbury Posts: 25 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Slickster_ Just buy one and you won't regret it. Even if you only keep it 18 months it'll be the best 18 months you've had The amount of car for the cash is a rare opportunity, as is the supercharger you'll want when you've saved up another £6k:lol: A

19th November 2008, 18:27	#10
Duotone This is my second home 75 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Leeds Posts: 8,432 Thanks: 176 Thanked 907 Times in 716 Posts	Slickster. I bought one recently, Its a Rover 75 V8. I can recomend ownership of a really great car, the real joy of owning such a car is, in my case the "Q car factor". As Yanbanshe said in another thread " seeing off those buzzing 1.8 gti 's. Don't worry too much about the mpg, just smile whilst your driving your V8. I have fitted 11 spoke alloy's to mine instead of the 18" Vortex. I wanted to see which I liked best. I'm having the Vortex re-furbished. Dave T