So My Buddy Is Buying His First Car Within The Next Few Weeks

"G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3" (gbodyman)
07/08/2016 at 21:00 • Filed to: None

His parents give him $10k for his first car. He’s buying one of these (X308 XJ8 Sovereign) for around $5k, and putting the rest aside for maintenance. I ain’t even mad.

DISCUSSION (18)

RallyWrench > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
07/08/2016 at 21:02

Very smart lad with the maintenance budget, although these are really pretty damn good cars, no joke. I’d drive one, and I don’t say that much.

CRider > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
07/08/2016 at 21:03

What’s he going to do in 3 months when he’s out of money and the car needs a new (insert expansive part)?

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > CRider
07/08/2016 at 21:08

You’re thinking of the earlier models. The X308s are quite reliable, from the 4 litre AJ-V8, to the ZF 5HP24 transmission, to even their modern electrical architecture that was designed exclusively for OBDII protocol. It even avoids the complex CATS suspension, while still having the exquisite picnic tables.

C62030 > CRider
07/08/2016 at 21:08

Scratch that, what happens when he has to buy a second tank of gas?

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > RallyWrench
07/08/2016 at 21:09

They truly are. Grace, space, and pace indeed.

Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
07/08/2016 at 21:10

I respect the maintenance and the daring choice of a possibly unreliable car. Earlier this year my dad told me in the scenario if I had $10-12k, what car would I pick, and I was caught between a Camry and an Accord.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna
07/08/2016 at 21:15

I know someone who had owned an XJ8 Vanden Plas, an E38 740iL, and a W220 S500 (all outside the warranty period). The Jag was the cheapest to run, the Mercedes the most expensive, and the E38 landed closer to the Jag.

Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
07/08/2016 at 21:16

Long as he doesn’t mind doing some of his own work and he either gets a late one, or an early one with the tensioner, water pump, and transmission upgrades done, good choice. Drive tastefully!

Or he could spring a few more bucks and get an XJR - they don't drink much more and they're actually more reliable - no VVT and a better trans. Harder on the license though.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
07/08/2016 at 21:18

W220s are very cheap to run /s

CRider > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
07/08/2016 at 21:19

Quite reliable by what standard? It’s an old, $5,000 Jag. It’ll break. Maybe not as often as older, less expensive Jags but it will.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen
07/08/2016 at 21:19

Yeah, I let him know to look out for those things. XJRs carry a big premium where I’m from. They just aren’t worth twice as much as an XJ8.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > CRider
07/08/2016 at 21:24

Let’s see. It’s reliable compared to a W220, M62-engined bimmers with Nikasil liners, anything with a Northstar, etc. The only true competitor more reliable than an X308 is a Lexus XF20 or XF30.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
07/08/2016 at 21:24

Excellent choice. I’d be a little jealous if it forcibly consumed the atmosphere. Either way, great cars.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
07/08/2016 at 21:25

The blower cars where I live command double the premium of the regular ones.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
07/08/2016 at 21:28

That sucks. Oh well. It’s a lot if car for a first car anyways. Something along the lines of why an xjr makes a terrible first bike.

gawdzillla > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
07/08/2016 at 21:30

Should get one with blown engine, 1k

LS1 swap, 5k

Hookas n blows 4k

CRider > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
07/08/2016 at 23:16

Those are all terribly expensive to maintain, though.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > CRider
07/08/2016 at 23:23

Yes, but he has been given a significant budget to play with, and is using less than half of that for the purchase of the car. His parents will be paying for insurance and some fuel.