When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
So this has been on my mind for quite some time now and I thought I'd put it out on the forum before work today and see what all your inputs were.
My current DD is a 1999 C5 base which I love to death. Recently, my father purchased a 1999 Jaguar XJR supercharged. After spending a few days over there for the holidays I definitely fell in love with the car. It's the opposite of the C5, aka VERY heavy. But it's still got a Ford build 4.0 V8 with an eaton supercharger. The car has a very solid feel to it, and very comfortable.
So my debate is replacing the C5 with another XJR. Now as per reliability I know we're talking two different worlds. But what's your guys opinions? The XJR's of that generation are very cheap and with a pulley upgrade, exhaust, headers, intake, and tune you'd easily be pushing well over 400hp. I guess that entails my thirst for more power?
The C5 has been great to me as a DD but I am one who likes switching things up. My other car is a C6 GS and I have a 993 Porsche 911 sitting as well.
I'm posting this on both this forum and JaguarForums.com to see what I get from "both sides"
I'd really appreciate any and all feedback, share your opinions and thoughts. It's an odd question but I'm still curious as to what the rest of the community thinks. I apologize if I am not able to reply til later tonight.
I currently have a Corvette, my wife used to have a couple of Corvettes, and now has a couple of Jags. The Jags have been reliable for us up to now, as the older one, a 2009 XF, recently came down with a gas gauge malfunction. It's going back to the dealership this afternoon, to be fixed.
My only reservation about the Jags is that if they need repair, parts and service can be limited, if you're on a trip, for instance, as Jag dealers or qualified shops aren't as plentiful as Chevy dealers....
You're def going to get some biased answers here. But here is my $.02.
The C5 is a very dependable car and the cost of maintenance is very low in comparison to similar vehicles.
Compared to a Jaguar, I'd guess the Corvette is more reliable and cheaper to maintain.
In contrary, the Corvette isn't a very comfortable DD, has no rear seats, and is outdated compared to present day technology (not that the Jag is more modern).
If you want reliable power at the sacrifice of comfort, stick with the Vette.
If you want power with a refined ride and comfort but don't mind spending the coin getting her fixed/maintained, get the Jag.
You already have two other 2 seat sports cars. I'd choose which of the C5 or C6 you like best and sell the other; too similar for me. Of yours, the C5 not being a Z, I'd sell that one.
Keep in mind Jags are expensive to repair, but seems money is not overly tight for you, so maybe not a concern.
I'd personally sell the C5 and the Porsche and buy an M5.
Can't say I could ever recommend an older Jaguar to anyone. An E39 M5 would be my recommendation for a fun DD from this era.
I actually own 2. I have a 2000 XKR Convertible and a 1998 XJR Sedan like he's looking at. I've had a lot of exposure to and seat time in various C5s over the years too.
Ford era Jaguars are not actually Fords; but the company made great strides in all areas due to Ford money, newer Ford paid facilities, and access to better suppliers than garbage like Lucas. They can be very reliable cars, but are more intense on the preventative maintenance than a Chevy.
My XKR Convertible has cost less per mile and per year than my 1987 Corvette Convertible cost me. It has less break downs, one for a fuel pump, one for a coolant tank rupture.
Service is more limited and harder to find on these cars than a Vette. The parts cost more, but surprisingly not much; and the used parts market is massive. The really expensive difference is modding; it's cheaper to mod an LS1 than an AJ26 Jaguar engine.
The interiors are leagues apart in terms of style, materials quality and fit and finish. Not that the C5 is a bad car, but the interior was never that nice. It wasn't really a goal of the car anyway. The Jaguar flagships of the time, the XK and XJ; they had nice leather, nice wood, nice layout, etc; but that's kind of part of the charm of the cars. That's a consideration.
The interior space in an XJR of this era is much smaller than you'd think. Rear legroom exists, but it's definitely not great. Headroom is ok, as long as you aren't too tall. Trunk space is not near as big as the cargo area in a C5 coupe; but a little better than a C5 Vert.
Gas mileage is not near as good as a C5; you will likely get 10mpg less in the Jaguar than in the C5. I get about 15 in mixed driving with my car, and my record on a trip was 21.5mpg. That was a trip with half of it at 55mph. A C5 would likely get 7-10mpg more driving the same route.
Daily driving though; the car rides extremely well. It handles quite well, not as good as a C4 or newer Vette, but very well for a sedan. You can find reviews from the era they came out in the late 90s, they were considered competition to an e39 M5, W210 E55, etc. They really aren't though; they're more GT focused, the M5 is more sport focused. They're fast, comfortable, roomy enough, handle nice and are a great GT sport sedan.
They are quick, comfortable, GT sedans. The C5 isn't really competition; they just aren't the same cars. For daily driving, I prefer a GT car over a Sports Car. I'd go for the XJR, and I did. Neither car is a turd though.
I currently have a Corvette, my wife used to have a couple of Corvettes, and now has a couple of Jags. The Jags have been reliable for us up to now, as the older one, a 2009 XF, recently came down with a gas gauge malfunction. It's going back to the dealership this afternoon, to be fixed.
My only reservation about the Jags is that if they need repair, parts and service can be limited, if you're on a trip, for instance, as Jag dealers or qualified shops aren't as plentiful as Chevy dealers....
Could not agree with you more, not your average NAPA stock shelve supply out there.
Best of luck with the XF! Hope all turns out well. Surely it's a fuse
You're def going to get some biased answers here. But here is my $.02.
The C5 is a very dependable car and the cost of maintenance is very low in comparison to similar vehicles.
Compared to a Jaguar, I'd guess the Corvette is more reliable and cheaper to maintain.
In contrary, the Corvette isn't a very comfortable DD, has no rear seats, and is outdated compared to present day technology (not that the Jag is more modern).
If you want reliable power at the sacrifice of comfort, stick with the Vette.
If you want power with a refined ride and comfort but don't mind spending the coin getting her fixed/maintained, get the Jag.
Lol it didn't take long for the Jag guys to bash me on the C5 (actually, bash me on calling it the C5...)
Agree with all your points. I personally don't mind the Corvette as a DD, aside from that annoying plastic piece of GM engineering that hits everything on roads in the Northeast.
But with 350 horse I'm starting to think the Vette's light weight compensates for the Supercharged Jag's 370 horsepower. Granted I'm not really "modding" my daily, so the numbers are just, well numbers. Even if I do go with an exhaust for a nice note on acceleration.
You already have two other 2 seat sports cars. I'd choose which of the C5 or C6 you like best and sell the other; too similar for me. Of yours, the C5 not being a Z, I'd sell that one.
Keep in mind Jags are expensive to repair, but seems money is not overly tight for you, so maybe not a concern.
I'd personally sell the C5 and the Porsche and buy an M5.
Money is always tight
- An air cooled 911 was my dream car as a kid and when I hit a point in life where I could afford one without the responsibilities (wife, kids at the time), I went and bought the 993 brand spankin new.
- The C6 on the other hand was more of a nostalgia purchase, it was inherited by a good friend after his father passed (barely had any miles on it at the time), then my friend lost it in a divorce. The ex-wife in question decided to sell it a year later and I jumped at it with the intention of selling it back to my buddy but he wasn't interested, so I kept it.
Funny you should bring up the M5, I owned an Alpine White E39 M5 for 2 days, and then it was totaled outside my friend's house on the third morning. It had 37k miles on it. Bummer times.
That's the one that's going to end up outliving poor old me
I don't blame you. That's a keeper for life. Have any photos of it by chance? I love my 997 but I really have an itch to try an air cooled car. With the way the values have shot up recently, not sure I'll get that chance. If the values turn out to be a bubble that eventually bursts, I would like to find a nice 964. Here's hoping
I don't blame you. That's a keeper for life. Have any photos of it by chance? I love my 997 but I really have an itch to try an air cooled car. With the way the values have shot up recently, not sure I'll get that chance. If the values turn out to be a bubble that eventually bursts, I would like to find a nice 964. Here's hoping
They're two totally different worlds! I absolutely adored my 996 C2 when I had it. The power is definitely something the air cooled boys lack, but they make up for it in virtually every other department. They're also AWESOME to work on. I grew up wrenching on air cooled VW/Porsches, they're amazing fun to tinker with and easy to modify.
It's crazy how the numbers went up on these cars...and how fast. 964's are hot right now, very hot. My business partner just sold his RS America and I hope he realizes how big of a moron he is haha.
I recently read an article about how the 996 (and 997) are soon going to be in similar value brackets as the air cooled 911's, which I completely agree with. Porsche ditched hydraulic steering for electromagnetic steering in 2012 first, then they got rid of N/A engines altogether! The article's attached in case you're interested.
I agree since the C5 is Not a z06 sell it and fill your itch, you'll still be welcomed here since you have a C6
something tells me you already kinda made up your mind any ways lol
that 993 is sweet!
Thanks! P.s. I have your same tail lights on my black C5 base. Love them.
Lol not really made up my mind, I don't want it to be a bruiser 7 series or S class in sheeps clothing.
I just want something FAST! Obviously acceleration won't be near as good as the C5, nor would handling I'd assume. But power would be good, who'd complain driving a S/C V8. Plus doing a pulley upgrade, intake, exhaust, ECU tune may be a hassle. But there's something about those old Jag's that gets me. Not sure what, they look dated, they have no gizmos inside, and they weigh as much as my house.
But there's something about those old Jag's that gets me. Not sure what, they look dated, they have no gizmos inside, and they weigh as much as my house.
Their looks may be "dated", but it's in a timeless fashion.
They're two totally different worlds! I absolutely adored my 996 C2 when I had it. The power is definitely something the air cooled boys lack, but they make up for it in virtually every other department. They're also AWESOME to work on. I grew up wrenching on air cooled VW/Porsches, they're amazing fun to tinker with and easy to modify.
It's crazy how the numbers went up on these cars...and how fast. 964's are hot right now, very hot. My business partner just sold his RS America and I hope he realizes how big of a moron he is haha.
I recently read an article about how the 996 (and 997) are soon going to be in similar value brackets as the air cooled 911's, which I completely agree with. Porsche ditched hydraulic steering for electromagnetic steering in 2012 first, then they got rid of N/A engines altogether! The article's attached in case you're interested.
Driving my other car makes me appreciate both the C5 and my other car more.
I have a winter Infiniti and love it because its very comfortable and different from my C5. I drive each for ~6 months at a time allowing me to really notice the differences between the two and love the differences. I like both cars more because their strengths are even more apparent.
Part of the fun in enjoying cars is enjoying that they are different!
Another DD option - the Jag XKR of similar vintage to the XJR. Same engine, both coupes and verts out there. I recall Peter Egan wrote a long article in R&T some time back about how he loved the non s/c XK8. Less power but a nice cruiser. Again, a pulley and a tune can kick the power up some.
The coupe is rarer, so here's a link for anyone who has not run across one:
I don't understand what you don't find comfortable about the c5? A lot of times when I'm writing a paper or studying I go sit in my car to do it because it's so comfortable. 1500 miles of driving over the course of 2 days and still comfortable.
I can't get past the looks of any old (90's-2005 or so) jag. There was that one that came with a duratec 3.0 and manual transmission that I almost bought, but it was ugly as sin. Even the xk which was the best looking didn't look that good.
Daily driver switch up?
