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Practical Classics

I hate Jags, but most of my Jag experiences have been with XJ40's, including crashing one through my garage wall when the throttle stuck. My brother,however loves jags, having owned E-types, XJ12's etc. We argue a LOT. Big bloody Maxi's if you ask me!:devil:

Strangely enough I was reading that very issue of CAR magazine the other day, mentioned in the first post. :crazy:
 
^ Big Maxi's, that made me laugh.

I just can never bring myself to like Jags. Had a few 4.2's, and usually just had them for the cheap price to blat around in for a bit. Everything just seemed so cheap and tacky, pretend Old English just doesnt do it for me. I've always been a massive car nut, and ever since i was a kid i remembered the phrase 'a cads Bentley'. I've never taken a second look at a passing Jag, its just another car as far as i was concerned, had no presence. Whereas an old Merc, i'd take a look at that for sure. The Jag depreciation was incredible, and i used to think that said it all really.
The E-type is often the cause of people becoming Jag fans, but they often think of it as the epitomy of quality mororing, whereas in truth it was just nearly half the price of the opposition when it came out, so it was successful largely due to that. it had plastic for wood in places, and all sorts. (Not that i'd turn one down now really!)

I admit though, perhaps a better maintained Jag might be a different experience to my own ones? Ones i had the leather just looked sort of painted, it peeled all over, the wood looked ridiculously over the top, the layout appalling and switchgear cheap plastic. And there was the rust! But i was only paying maybe £150 - £300 for them, so what would you expect overall really. i tried to like them but it didnt really work.

Merc-wise, i actually think they can be an acquired taste - my first was a W116 with mbtex and wind down windows. Didnt think much of that at first, but time proved how well it worked and i came to love its cleverness and solidity. The driveability was stunning for such a large car. And presence was so good, it attracted a lot of looks wherever it went, plus it was truly indestructible! I punished it so bad (I was 17, poor thing) but it took it all in its stride.

The aim of the w126 interior was to be calm and unobtrusive on the eye on long journeys, and to have everything in the right place. It wasnt meant to be flash or gaudy, it was more meant to be 'scientifically' clever, understated, and serve its purpose well. I think they achieve that excellently, but they do look good too if in good condition. (I'd say good condition is a must as even slightly tatty and they look rubbish.)

Theres no accounting for taste though as they say! And it seems traditional doesnt it, the Jag versus German thing.
Oh i did have a Daimler i liked, the old DS420 limousine. Reliability was scary, but that car was put together better and quite fun to drive if there wasnt any corners :)
 
^ Big Maxi's, that made me laugh.

I just can never bring myself to like Jags. Had a few 4.2's, and usually just had them for the cheap price to blat around in for a bit. Everything just seemed so cheap and tacky, pretend Old English just doesnt do it for me. I've always been a massive car nut, and ever since i was a kid i remembered the phrase 'a cads Bentley'. I've never taken a second look at a passing Jag, its just another car as far as i was concerned, had no presence. Whereas an old Merc, i'd take a look at that for sure. The Jag depreciation was incredible, and i used to think that said it all really.
The E-type is often the cause of people becoming Jag fans, but they often think of it as the epitomy of quality mororing, whereas in truth it was just nearly half the price of the opposition when it came out, so it was successful largely due to that. it had plastic for wood in places, and all sorts. (Not that i'd turn one down now really!)

I admit though, perhaps a better maintained Jag might be a different experience to my own ones? Ones i had the leather just looked sort of painted, it peeled all over, the wood looked ridiculously over the top, the layout appalling and switchgear cheap plastic. And there was the rust! But i was only paying maybe £150 - £300 for them, so what would you expect overall really. i tried to like them but it didnt really work.

Merc-wise, i actually think they can be an acquired taste - my first was a W116 with mbtex and wind down windows. Didnt think much of that at first, but time proved how well it worked and i came to love its cleverness and solidity. The driveability was stunning for such a large car. And presence was so good, it attracted a lot of looks wherever it went, plus it was truly indestructible! I punished it so bad (I was 17, poor thing) but it took it all in its stride.

The aim of the w126 interior was to be calm and unobtrusive on the eye on long journeys, and to have everything in the right place. It wasnt meant to be flash or gaudy, it was more meant to be 'scientifically' clever, understated, and serve its purpose well. I think they achieve that excellently, but they do look good too if in good condition. (I'd say good condition is a must as even slightly tatty and they look rubbish.)

Theres no accounting for taste though as they say! And it seems traditional doesnt it, the Jag versus German thing.
Oh i did have a Daimler i liked, the old DS420 limousine. Reliability was scary, but that car was put together better and quite fun to drive if there wasnt any corners :)
 
ianluscombe said:
^ Big Maxi's, that made me laugh.

I just can never bring myself to like Jags. Had a few 4.2's, and usually just had them for the cheap price to blat around in for a bit. Everything just seemed so cheap and tacky, pretend Old English just doesnt do it for me. I've always been a massive car nut, and ever since i was a kid i remembered the phrase 'a cads Bentley'. I've never taken a second look at a passing Jag, its just another car as far as i was concerned, had no presence. Whereas an old Merc, i'd take a look at that for sure. The Jag depreciation was incredible, and i used to think that said it all really.
The E-type is often the cause of people becoming Jag fans, but they often think of it as the epitomy of quality mororing, whereas in truth it was just nearly half the price of the opposition when it came out, so it was successful largely due to that. it had plastic for wood in places, and all sorts. (Not that i'd turn one down now really!)

I admit though, perhaps a better maintained Jag might be a different experience to my own ones? Ones i had the leather just looked sort of painted, it peeled all over, the wood looked ridiculously over the top, the layout appalling and switchgear cheap plastic. And there was the rust! But i was only paying maybe £150 - £300 for them, so what would you expect overall really. i tried to like them but it didnt really work.

Merc-wise, i actually think they can be an acquired taste - my first was a W116 with mbtex and wind down windows. Didnt think much of that at first, but time proved how well it worked and i came to love its cleverness and solidity. The driveability was stunning for such a large car. And presence was so good, it attracted a lot of looks wherever it went, plus it was truly indestructible! I punished it so bad (I was 17, poor thing) but it took it all in its stride.

The aim of the w126 interior was to be calm and unobtrusive on the eye on long journeys, and to have everything in the right place. It wasnt meant to be flash or gaudy, it was more meant to be 'scientifically' clever, understated, and serve its purpose well. I think they achieve that excellently, but they do look good too if in good condition. (I'd say good condition is a must as even slightly tatty and they look rubbish.)

Theres no accounting for taste though as they say! And it seems traditional doesnt it, the Jag versus German thing.
Oh i did have a Daimler i liked, the old DS420 limousine. Reliability was scary, but that car was put together better and quite fun to drive if there wasnt any corners :)
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Love them or hate them the one thing that all old Jags have is presence and their interiors are anything but gaudy.

If you want gaudy try an early XJ40 with the state-of-art (for the late 80's, that is !) LED dash and 'wood' that looked like it came from a Orion Ghia.
 
Tiff said:
I hate Jags, but most of my Jag experiences have been with XJ40's
Click to expand...

Reading one of your other posts on another thread about driving a beater to work, I think we share the same 'addiction' for buying old motors. I certainly identified with your comment on buying cars un-sean on Ebay lol! I don't understand your opinion on Jags though. I've had several XJ40 and loved them, they have always been reliable and look great I think. Although the w126 is a better car in most respects imo, the XJ40 has great style I think and is also a mega bargain.
 
Scott_F said:
Love them or hate them the one thing that all old Jags have is presence and their interiors are anything but gaudy.

If you want gaudy try an early XJ40 with the state-of-art (for the late 80's, that is !) LED dash and 'wood' that looked like it came from a Orion Ghia.
Click to expand...
Had a near Concourse Daimler XJ40 with the LED dash, I thought it was quite fun. Build quality was much better in the later XJ40's though, especially door handles for some reason.
 
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Oh yes i remember those LED dashboards. Pretty cool in the '80's though, just havent dated well.

Bargain cant be denied.

Sorry about my double post btw, i cant seem to edit it for some reason..
 
ianluscombe said:
The aim of the w126 interior was to be calm and unobtrusive on the eye on long journeys, and to have everything in the right place. It wasnt meant to be flash or gaudy, it was more meant to be 'scientifically' clever, understated, and serve its purpose well. I think they achieve that excellently, but they do look good too if in good condition. (I'd say good condition is a must as even slightly tatty and they look rubbish.)
Click to expand...

I agree, the w126 is so relaxing on a long journey, the cabin is so calm and comfortable, much better car for a blat to the continent than an XJ.

I do think the Merc is a slow burner and you need to own one for a while to appreciate why it is so good at what it does.
 
Scott_F said:
Love them or hate them the one thing that all old Jags have is presence and their interiors are anything but gaudy.

If you want gaudy try an early XJ40 with the state-of-art (for the late 80's, that is !) LED dash and 'wood' that looked like it came from a Orion Ghia.
Click to expand...

But without the build quality, class and desirability of a booted Escort....

Door handles that came off in your hand, sopping wet boots, comedy Lucas electrics, fuseboxes EVERYWHERE, that stoopid J-gate gearshift,a glovebox big enough for a mitten,comedy Lucas electrics, rusty bootlids,terrible headlights, Citroen AX windscreen wiper,Comedy Lucas electrics, Indicators,foglights and reverse lights IN the bumper,centre armrests with leather of poorer quality than a student teachers elbow patches,... deep breath... the engines were good though:crazy:

This is why our countries motor industry is in such great shape..
 
Tiff said:
. Big bloody Maxi's if you ask me!:devil:
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That is so harsh lol!!
I hate Maxi's my miserable old Physics Teacher, who I didn't like had one and that made me hate them even more also.
 
Tiff said:
But without the build quality, class and desirability of a booted Escort....

Door handles that came off in your hand, sopping wet boots, comedy Lucas electrics, fuseboxes EVERYWHERE, that stoopid J-gate gearshift,a glovebox big enough for a mitten,comedy Lucas electrics, rusty bootlids,terrible headlights, Citroen AX windscreen wiper,Comedy Lucas electrics, Indicators,foglights and reverse lights IN the bumper,centre armrests with leather of poorer quality than a student teachers elbow patches,... deep breath... the engines were good though:crazy:

This is why our countries motor industry is in such great shape..
Click to expand...

Blimey, you weren't kidding were you? You really hate them!
Bullet proof engine and gearbox, I like the j-gate personally as well.
Door handles sorted by about 1989, as were most electrical issues.
Headlights are rubbish on every 80's car i've had, i always upgrade the bulbs.
On some of the lower spec models the armrest was not leather, but imitation, on the higher spec it was nice Connolly leather, an example of cost cutting I admit.
Never had one with a leaky boot or rusty boot. I always paid between £1200-£2500 for mine and they were in excellent condition. A lot of stylish car for very little outlay i think.
 
Classic_car said:
That is so harsh lol!!
I hate Maxi's my miserable old Physics Teacher, who I didn't like had one and that made me hate them even more also.
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Maxi's were at least a good idea, and practical, well thought out and ahead of their time.. but with similar problems to the Jag.. I owned a TR7 once, drove it 12 miles and couldn't face it again, although in fairness it only broke down once. I also owned a 31000 mile Triumph Dolomite, mint it was.. on top but the floor had more holes that a family size bag of Polo's.. I also had use of my bosses XJ40 whenever I wanted, I was 23 and he paid the fuel..I preferred my Lancia Y10 because it worked..
 
Flash+not much cash rarely are happy bedfellows.. stick to Bedrock Inc. engineering and you'll have a happier time in my opinion! Loads of buttons are less fun when they don't do anything...

Sorry guys, I'm in rant mode tonight.. got a health and safety visit next week and i'm flabbergasted with the stupidity of it all.....
 
Tiff said:
But without the build quality, class and desirability of a booted Escort....

Door handles that came off in your hand, sopping wet boots, comedy Lucas electrics, fuseboxes EVERYWHERE, that stoopid J-gate gearshift,a glovebox big enough for a mitten,comedy Lucas electrics, rusty bootlids,terrible headlights, Citroen AX windscreen wiper,Comedy Lucas electrics, Indicators,foglights and reverse lights IN the bumper,centre armrests with leather of poorer quality than a student teachers elbow patches,... deep breath... the engines were good though:crazy:

This is why our countries motor industry is in such great shape..
Click to expand...
Where the electrics any good on them though ??
 
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